‘My name is Marty Walsh, and I’m an alcoholic’

Martin J. Walsh emphasized his story of recovery from alcoholism and the second chance he was given from the labor movement during his speech Monday night to the Democratic National Convention.

The mayor told the rallying crowd that he has no doubt that Hillary Clinton is the champion that American workers need.

“She will help workers get the skills, the jobs – and the childcare – they need to support strong families,’’ the mayor said.

Here are Walsh’s full remarks as prepared for delivery:

Good evening. My name is Marty Walsh, and I’m an alcoholic.

On April 23, 1995, I hit rock bottom. I woke up with little memory of the night before and even less hope for the days to come. Everybody was losing faith in me, everybody except my family and the labor movement.

I followed my father into the Building Trades when I was 18 years old. Labor gave my immigrant family a chance. And the labor community got me the help I needed, and gave me a second chance. Eighteen years later, I became Mayor of Boston, a city of big dreams and big hearts.

As Mayor, I work to get everyone a fair shot and a second chance, whether it’s apprenticeships, free community college, or help starting a business. There’s no doubt in my mind that Hillary Clinton is the champion American workers need. She will help workers get the skills, the jobs – and the childcare – they need to support strong families.

She believes in an America that’s not just for those with advantages. She believes in an America for those who need a helping hand: People with addictions, moms working two jobs, students with debt, seniors struggling to retire, workers facing layoffs — and people like the carpenters and electricians Donald Trump hired but then refused to pay — just because he could.

We may not have our names in gold on the outside of any buildings we worked on. But our sweat, our work, and our pride is on the inside of every one of them.

Hillary Clinton knows that. She believes what I learned in my labor family: We are stronger together.

This is our choice: Are we going to let Donald Trump stiff working families so he can take more for himself and those at the top? Or are we going to stick together and build an economy that works for everyone?

I know where I stand. I stand with the women and the men of every race, creed, and color who built this country. And I stand as a living example of Hillary Clinton’s vision for America: Where everyone gets a fair shot, and a second chance, to achieve their dreams.

That’s the America I believe in.

That’s the America I’ve lived.

And that’s why America’s working people are going to elect Hillary Clinton our next president.

Thank you, and God Bless America.