PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – When President Obama signs the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on Wednesday, the TV wide shot will show a local Congressman who played a key role in its passage.

Congressman Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq war vet in Congress, calls it a great honor to stand true to justice and equality for all, so that anyone who wants to serve this country can. Given that Murphy lost in November, this will be close to his last hurrah, but when asked if the moment will be bittersweet, he stayed focused on the mission.

Murphy says, “It was an honor to lead the fight to finally repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and I’ll be there on Wednesday with a sense of pride.  I’m only 37 years old.  I’m not old enough to have a legacy but when my two young children are in college in 20 years hopefully they’ll be proud of what their Daddy fought for when he had a chance to serve his country in the Congress of the United States.”

Murphy says troops accept each others’ race and religion.  They’ll get used to this too.

Reported by John Ostapkovich, KYW Newsradio