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As a state senator and then a congressman, I've had the privilege of trying to do good things for people to whom I owe so much and can never fully repay.

I've had a tough time learning how to act like a congressman. Today I accidentally spent some of my own money.

You think your congressman is working all day to get you a job? He may want to. He or she is probably not a bad person. They probably want to do the right thing. But they can't.

The benefits that were offered to me as a congressman don't even compare to the benefits that you get as a state employee.

I do not take my obligations as a senator lightly.

My job is not to represent Washington to you, but to represent you to Washington.

I never trust an executive who tends to pass the buck. Nor would I want to deal with him as a customer or a supplier.

Thus you are just not because you give what is owed, but because you do what is appropriate to you as the highest good.

I don't think I have the demeanor to be a politician. I'm used to making decisions and to a certain extent being in charge.

I pledge to you today that for as long as I am your governor, I will not seek or accept any outside compensation from any source.