Duckworth touts Obama record at DNC convention
Source: Chicago Tribune
By Rick Pearson
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth on Tuesday night used her brief time on the Democratic National Convention to tout home-state President Barack Obama rather than her own political future.
For Duckworth, who is running in a northwest suburban district against tea party-backed freshman Republican Rep. Joe Walsh, it was the second appearance on the national stage in two consecutive conventions. The story of her rescue after the Blackhawk assault helicopter she was piloting was shot down in Iraq in 2004 provided the theme for her speech.
“In that moment, my survival — and the survival of my entire crew — depended on all of us pulling together. And even though they were wounded themselves, and insurgents were nearby, they simply refused to leave a fallen comrade behind. Their heroism is why I’m alive today,” said Duckworth, who lost both legs and partial use of her right arm in the attack.
“Ultimately that is what this election is about,” said Duckworth, who drew chants of “USA! USA!” “It’s about whether we do for our fellow Americans what my crew did for me, whether we’ll look out for the hardest hit and the disabled, whether we’ll pull together in a time of need, whether we’ll refuse to give up until the job is done.”
Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-duckworth-touts-obama-record-at-dnc-convention-20120904,0,5000768.story
Photo: http://www.trbimg.com/img-5046a462/turbine/chi-tammy-duckworth-at-the-dnc-20120904/600
Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night. (Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune / September 4, 2012)
Tammy Duckworth's 2012 DNC speech (text, video): http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/80673.html
Video: http://bcove.me/0j9w2m1w
By POLITICO STAFF | 9/4/12 8:46 PM EDT
Tammy Duckworth's remarks at the DNC, as prepared for delivery.
"My name is Tammy Duckworth. I'm running to serve Illinois' 8th Congressional District. My father served in the Army and the Marine Corps. A Vietnam vet, his family has worn our nation's uniform since the American Revolution. My husband is an Army officer. My brother saved lives in the Coast Guard. My mom is Thai and Chinese. She proudly became a citizen in her fifties.
Dad's work took us all over the world until he lost his job. It was a tough time. We used up our savings, moved into a studio apartment. But our family did the responsible thing and rolled up our sleeves. Mom took in sewing.
My 55-year-old dad tried to find work. But at 15, I was the only one with a job—after school, for minimum wage. Thank God for the food stamps, public education and Pell grants that helped me finish high school and college.
In time, we pulled through. With this start, I was able to earn my own commission as an Army officer. I became an assault helicopter pilot, working my way up to command a Blackhawk helicopter company. In 2003, my National Guard unit was mobilized, and I became one of the first Army women to fly combat missions in Iraq.
FULL text at link.
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