Education exposes young people to a broader world, a world full of opportunity and hope.

We cannot say to one couple that their love is deserving of marriage and to another that their love should only be called a partnership. 'Separate but equal' is never equal. Children of same-sex couples should not grow up wondering why their family is treated differently from other families

The US government should not be in the business of discrimination.

We can leave our legacy only if we are willing to change - to go beyond partisan labels, and to solve the problems facing Washingtonians.

It is up to us to live up to the legacy that was left for us, and to leave a legacy that is worthy of our children and of future generations.

Vernon Reis opened the world to me through books. He taught me that while I was physically firmly planted in blue-collar Auburn, Washington in the 50s and early 60s, intellectually I could go anywhere, explore anything, and sample exciting new ideas simply by opening a book.

We may disagree on some things, but we can do so without being disagreeable.