Pat Ryan: “I thank Mr. Nadler for those kind words and introduction. I am proud to rise today as one of the newest Members and…”

“I thank Mr. Nadler for those kind words and introduction. I am proud to rise today as one of the newest Members and Representatives in the House, serving the great people of New York's 19th Congressional District. On a clear, crisp May morning in 2004, I stood proudly with my West Point classmates, raised my right hand, and solemnly swore an oath to protect and defend our Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. I still vividly remember the mix of emotions I felt as my classmates and I tossed a thousand white service caps simultaneously into the air--elation, relief, honor, pride, but mostly the tremendous weight of responsibility that came with that oath. I didn't know exactly what lay ahead, but I knew I would soon lead troops in combat and that it would be my job to protect my fellow soldiers, to serve my country, to serve my community, to make difficult decisions with life or death consequences, and always to maintain my integrity, no matter what. Today, 18 years later, I am so proud to have renewed that oath to protect and serve our great Nation. The weight of the responsibility I feel today standing before you-all is even greater. The same way that I fiercely protected my fellow soldiers, I will fight for my constituents, the community that raised me, that sent me care packages every single week when I was deployed overseas, that has had my back every step of the way.…”