[Hurricane Katrina may be a defining moment, other speakers said, and not necessarily a positive one for the Republicans.] The controlling philosophy in Washington now is to dismiss community and place all the responsibility on the individual, ... It’s better if we have both.

What Republicans have done in my view is that they are systematically dismantling a sense of community in America.

Twice the Republicans in the California legislature tried to block my seating because of my trips to Hanoi.

Immigrants might see Republicans as hostile if the bill is passed.

Democrats have always historically referred to our families as working families, and I have sort of changed that moniker. I think what we have is a nation of worried families - families that are concerned about job security, families who thought their pensions were secure and now have questions.

President Obama has expressed his commitment to responsible stewardship of our land, water, and other natural resources. And one way of restoring the land to its natural condition is what we are doing here today - breaking pavement for the People's Garden.