Charles Rangel: “As I get older, I try to keep my priorities straight. And part of that is to remember that had it not been for all of…”

“As I get older, I try to keep my priorities straight. And part of that is to remember that had it not been for all of the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States military through the years, people like me would not have the privilege of going around bragging about how we live in the freest and most open democracy on the face of the Earth. Freedom is not free. We have paid a tremendous price for it. And I try not to let a day go by without remembering with deepest gratitude all of those who, like my own brother Bill McNulty, made the supreme sacrifice; and all of those who served and put their lives on the line like the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), like the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson), like other people in this Chamber. Thankfully they came back home and rendered outstanding service in the community and raised beautiful families to carry on in their fine traditions. We all should be deeply grateful for that. And that is why when I get up in the morning, my first two priorities are to thank God for my life, and then veterans for my way of life.”