A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good.

We call ourselves public servants but I'll tell you this: we as public servants must set an example for the rest of the nation. It is hypocritical for the public official to admonish and exhort the people to uphold the common good.

In a politically diverse nation, only by finding that common ground can we achieve results for the common good.

A government is invigorated when each of us is willing to participate in shaping the future of this nation.

Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. It's tough, difficult, not easy. But a spirit of harmony will survive in America only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny.

Let us heed the voice of the people and recognize their common sense. If we do not, we not only blaspheme our political heritage, we ignore the common ties that bind all Americans.