Louie Gohmert: “there are two things I want to address tonight, both terribly disappointing to me as a freshman Member of Congress. As a…”

“there are two things I want to address tonight, both terribly disappointing to me as a freshman Member of Congress. As a former judge who sent hundreds or thousands of people to prison for felony crimes, I have heard and seen all kinds of stories. But the one that played out last week makes me both heartsick and very angry. A valiant Vietnam veteran, a man of courage and daring, a Navy pilot, a defender of this country, an ace, a true military leader by example, pled guilty, basically, to accepting bribes to push defense contracts to contractors who may not have been entitled to them. For those of us who have served in the military, we know what it is to requisition supplies, equipment or services and get quality in response. On the other hand, we also know what it is to receive supplies, equipment or services and wonder who in the world got their bank account padded or their back scratched to allow such substandard material to be sent. Now to hear that our fellow congressman, Randy ``Duke'' Cunningham, was such a Member of Congress on the take makes me both very sad and very angry. Mr. Cunningham has made true acts and comments of contrition and humility; but my goodness, how much damage has been done. Not only will he be sentenced to satisfy the requirements of justice, retribution and deterrence, his family and friends will suffer. That is what happens when crimes are committed.…”