President Obama invoked the struggles faced by a wounded army ranger as he urged the US Congress on Tuesday to work with him to tackle big problems such as boosting the economy and promoting justice and fairness.

Obama paid tribute to Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg, who spent months in a coma after being wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Remsburg is blind in one eye and had to re-learn to speak and walk after he was left partially paralyzed. Remsburg sat next to first lady Michelle Obama in her box during the address.

The president, who had met Remsburg before his injuries, described him as someone who “does not quit,” prompting a long standing ovation. The president told Remsburg’s story at the close of his speech, making the point that the country’s big challenges have “never come easy.”