Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I rise in memory of Dorothy Howell Rodham, a truly extraordinary woman who died last week at the age of 92. Many Americans knew Dorothy Rodham through her daughter, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who credits her mother with giving her the strength, self-confidence, perseverance, and faith she needed to thrive in politics and diplomacy. Millions of Americans had the opportunity to get to know Dorothy on the campaign trail for her son-in-law, William Jefferson Clinton, and her daughter Hillary. They saw a bright, sincere, and highly intelligent woman who was so proud of her family and would do anything for them. Some of us had known that Dorothy weathered a difficult childhood, but it was only with her passing that many Americans learned just how harrowing it was. Abandoned by her parents at age 8, she took her 3- year-old sister on a cross-country train trip to live with their unwelcoming grandparents in California. By her early teens, she had to leave their home and begin working as a nanny. Dorothy worked as a secretary in Chicago before marrying Hugh Rodham and raising their three children: Hillary, Hugh, and Tony. Throughout her life, Mrs. Rodham worked hard to ensure that her children and grandchildren had the opportunities she had been denied. Dorothy and I shared a great joy--our grandson Zachary. I saw first- hand what a wonderful influence she was for Zach, always there for him in every way.…”