La. Rep. Cries During Oil Spill Testimony

Things got emotional in the House today, when Louisiana Rep. Charlie Melancon broke down during his testimony about the Louisiana oil spill. He began by rattling off a string of disasters that has befallen his state, like Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, and Ike. “It's not been fun,” he said. Then, as his voice began to shake, he spoke of the impact of the “slow-motion tragedy” on the state's people.

“Our culture is threatened, our coastal economy is threatened, and everything that I know and love is at risk,” he said. Then, choked with emotion and unable to hide his tears, he continued, “Even though this marsh lies along coastal Louisiana, these are America's wetlands.” Unable to finish, he asked that the rest of his written comments be submitted to the official record. Melancon, a Democrat, is running for David Vitters' Senate seat this fall, according to Politics Daily. (More Charlie Melancon stories.)