It's no wonder that America's engagement in the region has strong, sustained, bipartisan support. So I'll be handing my successor a strong foundation - including closer ties with Singapore - on which to continue building, and I'm optimistic that will happen.

My particular passion for Lincoln dates back from my earliest memories of politics.

That just gives sort of the democracy an opportunity to test ideas, for those who lost to catch their breath, regain energy, re-energize themselves and then get back in the arena, and then we'll make some more progress in the future.

Empathy is a quality of character that can change the world.

To break our addiction to oil is one of the greatest challenges that our generation will have to master.

But it will depend on young people like you being open to new ideas and new possibilities. And it will require young people like you never to stereotype or assume the worst about other people.

If you give up on the idea that your voice can make a difference, then other voices will fill the void