I'm comfortable moving into the role of elder person.

I was always at about 70/30. About 70 percent of the people of my district appreciated me, and about 30 percent had quite another view of me.

My advice to seniors - and I consider myself one - is to first and foremost take care of your body. Secondly, find something where you could say, "I'm helping somebody else." And it may be just helping raise a grandkid. Or teaching a child to read - one child to read.

Mankind is drawn to the heavens for the same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands and across the open sea. We choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives, and lifts our national spirit. So let us continue the journey.

Our nation is somewhat sad, but we're angry. There's a certain level of blood lust, but we won't let it drive our reaction. We're steady, clear-eyed and patient, but pretty soon we'll have to start displaying scalps.

I'm excited for my little girls. When they left the nest, I was excited because they were winging their way into life.

Together, we will reclaim America's schools, before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives.