I have never once regretted missing a business opportunity so that I could be with my children and grandchildren.

We are a nation of immigrants. We are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the ones who wanted a better life, the driven ones, the ones who woke up at night hearing that voice telling them that life in that place called America could be better.

Massachusetts children cannot only lead the nation in test scores, they can be competitive with the best in the world. And the gap in achievement among races can virtually disappear.

The church through its Catholic Charities provides an extraordinary service to the commonwealth by placing many special needs children every year in homes. That's a service I hope we will continue to be able to avail ourselves of.

Our plans protect freedom and opportunity, and our blueprint is the Constitution of the United States.

All the laws and legislation in the world will never heal this world like the loving hearts and arms of mothers and fathers. If every child could drift to sleep feeling wrapped in the love of their family - and God's love - this world would be a far more gentle and better place.