I was raised in an Italian catholic family in Baltimore, Maryland. Our faith is very important to us, our patriotism, love of faith, love of family, love of country. I took pride in our Italian American heritage and to be the first woman speaker of the House and the first Italian American speaker of the House, it's quite thrilling for me.

I believe that nothing has been more wholesome for America, for our government, for our politics, than the increased participation of women.

I think that people have great anger over what happened in 2008 in terms of the economy.

When President [Barack] Obama was sworn in on the steps of Capitol, he asked for swift, bold action now for jobs and education for the 21st Century, a list, an agenda. One week and one day from that swearing in, the House passed the ARRA, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Be yourself. Hillary Clinton, you have a great vision for our country. You know the policy, you have good judgment that springs from that. You're a strategic thinker, and you have a connection with the American people that springs from a lifetime of service and leadership to them, to America's working families. So, just go talk about that. Forget the script, forget everything else. Just be Hillary Clinton. Be yourself.

The more women we elect to public office, the more wholesome the whole process will be, whether it's government, politics, whatever.

The proposed Bush regulations put politics above the health care needs of Americans.