I, for one, would think both about how far we have come as a country and how much further we need to go to erase racism and discrimination from our society.

Full participation in government and society has been a basic right of the country symbolizing the full citizenship and equal protection of all.

I really think that most people around the world know how well-intended Americans are.

A quality education grants us the ability to fight the war on ignorance and poverty.

For a member to say, 'I'm a lame duck' violates political science 101.

We all have a large stake in preserving our democracy, but I maintain that those without power in our society, the black, the brown, the poor of all colors, have the largest stake not because we have the most to lose, but because we have worked the hardest, and given the most, for what we have achieved.

I don't want to respond to rumors that have no basis at all... But I am willing to respond to questions that the public and the press should know.