My mother told me that everything in life happened for a purpose. She said all things were part of God's plan, even the most disheartening setbacks, and in the end, everything worked out for the best.

Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on earth. The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay the price.

It's difficult to believe that people are still starving in this country because food isn't available.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.

[Our goal] is to help revive America's traditional values: faith, family, neighborhood, work and freedom. Government has no business enforcing these values but neither must it seek, as it did in the recent past, to suppress or replace them. That only robbed us of our tiller and set us adrift. Helping to restore these values will bring new strength, direction and dignity to our lives and to the life of our nation. It's on these values that we'll best build our future.

I believe in a sound, strong environmental policy that protects the health of our people and a wise stewardship of our nation's natural resources.