I was born in Washington, D.C., where my father was working for the Federal Trade Commission, and my mom was editor for the National Council of Catholic Women, but my parents were simply awaiting my birth before moving back to their roots in Rhode Island to raise their family.

The place of exciting innovation - where the action is - that's Rhode Island!

When I was 18, I took it for granted and was eager to move on to the bigger cities like Boston and then New York. But I've been to enough places to have gained a greater appreciation for the beauty and rich culture of all of Rhode Island. I am grateful for all that it offered during my childhood.

I'm from Kingston, R.I., sort of on the University of Rhode Island campus - on the margins of that, actually.

I grew up in Rhode Island. Most of my family on both sides is from Rhode Island.

But Connecticut and Rhode Island have originally realized the most perfect polity as to a legislature.