Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) Resigns

that the anomalies in the films may or may not be scar tissue, I

decided to finally take the advice that my doctors have repeatedly

given me, and that is to take care of my family and myself before my

profession. After I decided not to run again I was told, for the first

time, that a member of my staff believed I had made statements that

made him feel "uncomfortable."   I was told that a report had been

filed with the Congressional Ethics Committee.  At no point prior to

this had any member of the Ethics Committee communicated with me

directly - if fact I first read it on the internet.  

I own

this reality.  There is no doubt in my mind that I did in fact, use

language in the privacy of my own home and in my inner office that,

after 24 years in the Navy, might make a Chief Petty Officer feel

uncomfortable.  In fact, there is no doubt that this Ethics issue is my

fault and mine alone.  But in the incredibly toxic atmosphere that is

Washington D.C., with the destruction of our elected leaders having

become a blood sport, especially in talk radio and on the internet,

there is also no doubt that an Ethics investigation would tear my

family and my staff apart. Some would say that this is what happens

when you stand apart from political parties, which I have done.  Others

will say that this is what happens to a non politician when they go to

Washington DC.  I want to make something perfectly clear.  My

difficulties are of my own making. Period.  I am also aware that blogs

and radio will have a field day with this in today's destructive and

unforgiving political environment.  In that investigators would be free

to ask anything about me going back to my birth, I simply cannot rise

to that level of perfection.  God knows that I am a deeply flawed and

imperfect person.   

During long car rides, in the early

hours of the evening, late at night and always in private, I know that

my own language failed to meet the standards that I set for all around

me and myself.  I fell short and I believe now, as I have always

believed, that it is not enough to simply talk the talk, but rather I

must take action to hold myself accountable. 

Therefore,

effective at 5 PM on Monday the 8th of March I will resign my position

as the Federal Representative of New York's 29th Congressional District

in the 111th Congress.  I do so with a profound sense of failure and a

deep apology to all those whom, for the past year, I tried to represent

as our Nation struggles with problems far greater than anyone can

possibly imagine.  I hope that my family, constituents, and fellow

Members of Congress can accept this apology as being both genuine and

heartfelt and I wish for them and all Americans only the best.  I will

take all actions possible to ensure that my personal health is secured

in that I know that mine is a far more fragile lifeline than most.  For

the millions of fellow cancer survivors with whom I share this

experience, they, more than anyone else, will understand the honesty

and openness in this statement. 

I ask that members of the press respect the privacy of my family, my staff, and me at this time.

-Congressman Eric Massa

Two days after saying that he would not run for re-election because of health reasons, Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) has announced that he is resigning his seat in Congress on Monday. Reports in recent days have focused not on Massa's health, but on allegations of misconduct involving Massa and a ...