Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions of Lieutenant Commander Michael J. Hall to his community, country, and the fight against COVID-19. Service to one's country is rarely convenient, particularly not for a father of four with a thriving orthopedic surgery practice. Yet, in September 2019, Dr. Hall overcame adversity to join the Navy Reserve at the age of 48. Earlier that year, one of Mike's boys showed interest in joining the Navy. A concerned father, Dr. Hall wanted to speak directly to the recruiter. By the end of the call, he inquired about joining himself. Just 6 months after his commissioning, Dr. Hall was given 36 hours' notice to voluntarily deploy to hard-hit New York City, wearing the only uniform he had without having even completed his basic officer training. While many of us were scrambling to buy toilet paper, Dr. Hall fought an unknown virus in a makeshift ICU unit with dozens of intubated patients. Now a seasoned veteran of this pandemic with a deployment under his belt, Dr. Hall is finally attending his basic officer training. No amount of instruction can teach the qualities that Mike Hall already personifies: honor, courage, and commitment, not when it was convenient, but when it mattered most. Inspired by his father, Mike's son has now also joined the military, building on a new family vision formed in a makeshift ICU ward during a very dark spring in New York City. Dr. Hall, I thank you for your service, and Mrs.…”