Today, certain people file for bankruptcy, businesses and individuals, and it no longer has the stigma it once had. Now it's almost considered wise, a way to regroup and come back again.

I went downtown as a lawyer and then I worked in a liquor store at night, as I had done all through law school. And so when I got to the point where I could give up the night job, I joined the political club.

I finished law school in '56, but I was working two jobs.

My mother came here to New York. She and my grandmother were domestics, cooking, cleaning for other people.

In 1975 I was among a group of blacks who formed the Black Americans in Support of Israel Committee.

So it's a mistake for someone to think that they bailed New York out. They did assist us, for which we are grateful, but it's a mistake to say we bailed New York out by giving them a grant of money to help those poor people who throw it away on welfare.

Well, I think I am a very, very lucky person. I'm very fortunate.