Lucille Roybal-Allard: “I rise to acknowledge the personal and professional achievements of our First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. She is an…”

“I rise to acknowledge the personal and professional achievements of our First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. She is an accomplished and passionate advocate for children's rights and public education who has now taken the leadership position on the most significant American social reform since the Roosevelt era--to assure that Americans receive universal, affordable health care coverage for the first time in our history. When she speaks on issues that strike at the hearts of the American people, like health care, she speaks as a professional woman, a mother, a daughter, a wife, a sister and a friend. She tirelessly takes the message of health reform to Congress, the professions and most importantly, the hardworking people who want to understand how the administration's plan will affect them. She can speak, but it is her ability to listen that is the key to her leadership in the creation of a realistic and compassionate plan. The First Lady continues to focus on her family and health reform, despite the naysayers whose personal criticism seeks to distract her from her course. I applaud her for her extraordinary grace and dedication.”