On the recordOctober 16, 2013
For over 200 years we have been held together because, while we are divided by many things, we are united by a powerful and timeless idea, the idea that every single person has the God-given right to determine the course of their own life, the God-given right to go as far as our talent and our work will take us. So we argue about the best way to achieve that, and we have a tendency to put off difficult decisions before we absolutely have to make them. But we have faced greater tests before. We have not always rushed to meet the challenge, but in the end we have never failed to do so. And let there be no doubt that we will do so again. The day is coming when our people will realize that the time has arrived once again to confront the challenges before us. The day is coming when our people will do what must be done to keep the American dream alive. I know it is hard to see right now, but we are one day closer to the moment when Americans will do what we have always done. We will confront and solve the challenges of our time, and we will make any sacrifice and undertake any task to make sure that we leave for our children what Americans of yesterday left for us: The single greatest nation in the history of the world. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The senior Senator from Mississippi is recognized.
