Mark Takano: “We congratulate Secretary Designate Wilkie on his confirmation by the Senate yesterday.”

“Progress is not permanent. Rights do not protect themselves. Democracy does not defend itself.”

America does not belong to one political party. America does not belong to a bloodline. And it certainly doesn’t belong to one man.

“America belongs to all of us.”

Every generation must take up the work of renewing and perfecting the idea of America so that America lives up to its promise.