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I descend from both Philadelphia Quakers and Carolina colonists whose families were separated by the Revolutionary War. That helped give me insight into the agony of Patriots who, until the British government denied their claims, had always, like Ben Franklin himself, thought of themselves as free-born Englishmen.

As I understand the American Founders, the most brilliant and daring idea they had was that it's possible to create a free society that could stay free forever.

So the America I came to know growing up was filled with all the excitement and possibilities found in living the American dream.

Both of my parents were born into poor families on the island of Cuba. They came to America because it was the only place where people like them could have a chance.

I was raised in Boston by three older brothers and a very strong and empowering single mom.

From the newest arrivals to our Native American brothers and sisters, we are one America.

America was founded on immigrants. The immigrant experience is common to all of us.

When I came to America from Sweden, Mother and I, we went to Chicago where our relatives lived.

My parents immigrated to the United States with $10 in their pocket and a belief that the America they had heard about really did exist as the land of opportunity.