Jean Kennedy Smith

“I never sat down and said, 'Now I must make a contribution, that one person can make a difference.' But I felt I was in a position where I could contribute. I never thought of it in the light of history or my brothers. I just felt I had an obligation.”

“To all of us, Dad was Number One in our house.”

“We cannot give up hope. It's our most important gift.”

“I'm one of nine children, and I have a lot of pictures.”

“Our life did not seem unusual to me at all. Anything that happened that was special, like visits from dignitaries, was always explained as part of Dad's work.”

“On behalf of all Americans, I would like to congratulate Michelle Smith on her dedication and determination which have made her a wonderful role model for all young athletes in Ireland and around the world.”

“I don't buy from any one special designer.”

“I tried to explain in 'The Nine of Us' how we grew up with politics. At meals we talked about what was in the newspaper. We talked politics non-stop! Campaigning for our brothers was a part of our lives.”

“We need strong gun laws. How can people even ask a question about it? Gun control is so important.”

“But I believe Ireland is getting more European, and the young are looking toward Europe for jobs - just as there are a lot of Europeans coming to Dublin.”

“It is sometimes difficult to comprehend that I am the only member of our original family still living.”

“When I looked at my mother, I always saw a bit of Ireland. And I suppose when I look to Ireland, I see a bit of my mother - her faith, her wit, her endurance.”

“I think I'm fairly demanding, probably. You have to feel that when you're appointed to a job you have to do the job.”

“It is certainly accurate, as it has often been said and as his letters reveal, that Grandpa supplied his tenth college reunion with alcohol in 1922 at the height of Prohibition.”

“Even though I was there through it all, it is hard for me to comprehend that I was growing up with brothers who would eventually occupy the highest offices of our nation, including president of the United States.”

“I feel I was very fortunate to be in the position to do something positive, to make a contribution to change. It gave me terrific satisfaction.”

“I think there should be a reason tor people to be interviewed. For me, there's no real reason.”

“We can't be dominated by ruthless terrorism and the American principle is that we never will be.”

“I don't know why people always think of the Kennedys as a Boston family.”

“My husband has been very supportive of me, and we've shared a lot. Yes! We've had a lot of laughs. You have to have them. He makes life fun. That's important, isn't it?'”