Telling a story about a lawyer giving answers to a judge, "How did you get here." A good opening to expressing a sense of obligation to give meaningful answers to the committee. Giving his personal growing up story now ... interesting, and sets a simple foundation for following testinony, in that he comes off as unpretentious, direct, honest and forthcoming.
He's speaking without notes, and did you notice how slowly he opened and poured the water, took a drink..he made THEM wait for HIM..a subtle gauntlet tossed down, perhaps?
""How did you get here." "
By bus.