Every citizen must do his or her share if our democratic form of government is to survive.

This is why our founding fathers crafted our government as they did: So that we the people can problem solve for ourselves.

It is imperative that we maintain two strong political parties if our government is to function as a representative democracy.

The work of maintaining a democratic government is ongoing, from inkling to inception, to this very day, and right on into the future.

Serving as chairman of a major committee is perhaps the most challenging part of the legislative process.

Compromise is part and parcel of legislative work, not a weakness.

Writing a bill doesn’t guarantee it will get anywhere.

It is the education and negotiating, the convincing and compromise, the persistence and rewriting – that transform a good idea into law.

Our representative form of government must continually be nurtured, continually tended.

I also believe in differences of opinion as the best crucible for creating the best laws.

I am a firm believer in allowing people to have a voice.

Democracy is a delicate thing.

Everyone is here, and everyone is voting. This is how our legislative process is supposed to unfold.

Risk-taking is part of the political process, and the decision to form this coalition carries enormous risk… Our leaders convinced us the risk is worth it.