Political Quotes

On the recordJanuary 19, 2011
Madam Speaker, a very famous Republican 100 years ago proposed that we have national health insurance in this country. And he also said this--his name was Teddy Roosevelt by the way--``It's not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man or woman stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. ``The credit belongs to the man or the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. ''
Said by
Mike Levin
Democratic · California
Source
govinfo.gov
Jan 19, 2011

Editor's note · Context

Mr. McDermott reflects on the history of health care proposals in the U.S. and quotes Teddy Roosevelt.

Share

More from Mike Levin

Jul 2, 2026

I want to be careful and fair here. Not one of these facts, standing alone, proves anything improper.

levin.house.gov
Jul 7, 2026

Esmeralda and David represent the very best of what community means.

levin.house.gov
Aug 7, 2026

Michaelle’s determination has connected families across the globe and helped launch new research into a disorder shared by fewer than 100 children worldwide.

levin.house.gov
Jul 28, 2026

“Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Esmeralda Gonzalez and David Ontiveros, residents of Oceanside, as my Co-Constituents of the Month for June 2026.

levin.house.gov

Other voices in this conversation