Albio Sires: “I rise today to thank you and to thank Mr. Pallone for those kind words. I would like to express my deep gratitude to my…”

“I rise today to thank you and to thank Mr. Pallone for those kind words. I would like to express my deep gratitude to my wife, Adrienne, my stepdaughter, Tara, my friends and especially my neighbors in the 13th Congressional District of New Jersey, who have honored me by allowing me to represent them in Washington. Mr. Speaker, when I left Cuba with my family 45 years ago, I could never have envisioned that I would be standing on the floor of the House of Representatives to give this speech. This day for me truly embodies the promise of this Nation, the promise of its founders, the promise of its many immigrant communities, the promise which means that anyone, no matter the circumstances of birth or class, can rise to become a Member of the greatest democratic body in history. Mr. Speaker, it was the community of West New York that welcomed me and my family so many years ago. I have tried, tried every day to give back to my neighbors for their generosity, first as a teacher and a coach, then as a mayor and as a State assemblyman. The people of the 13th District have provided me with the greatest privilege of all, to represent them in the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the honor and the privilege of serving in the House of Representatives and the faith that my constituents have placed in me by sending me here on their behalf.”