Ken Salazar

“Too often in Washington special interests urge us to fight one another just because we belong to different parties. It is time for this to stop and for Washington to focus on what needs to be done.”

“Liability does apply with respect to the amount of the oil spill.”

“Meth is a major problem not only in our urban areas, but in most of the rural areas of Colorado. No region has been immune from this scourge and it is getting larger.”

“People who are running for office mislead the American people by saying that there's a three-point plan or a bumper sticker kind of way of bringing down gasoline prices. The fact of the matter is that nobody can do that. The price of oil is set on the global economy. People who have looked at this closely and hard know that's the case.”

“I think the future for solar energy is bright.”

“I think Gov. Romney and Congressman Ryan are living in a fairly tale land on their energy policy.”

“Each and every Notary Public plays a crucial role in combating identity theft. They serve as our front line of defense and the public is safer because of the job they do.”

“On the Native American front, we have turned a new page in the 400-year history of the interface between the American settlers of this country and the nation's first Americans. That's included a new relationship where the sovereignty of tribes is in fact recognized.”

“Growing up in a very rural and remote area in Colorado's San Luis Valley - one of the poorest counties in the United States - essentially created the framework of values from which I operate. I stand up for the little guy. I fight discrimination at all levels. I fight for an inclusive America.”

“We are talking about institutionalizing a program on solar development that will outlast the Obama administration.”

“I don't think anyone can speculate what will happen with respect to oil prices and gas prices because they are set on the global economy.”

“Nothing in life and nothing that we do is risk-free.”

“I'm proud that Colorado delivered a victory to Barack Obama in 2008 and we will do so again in 2012.”

“I work hard and I have a standard of excellence - and I expect everyone at the Interior Department to meet that same standard. I delegate a lot. I might appear to be doing a lot of different things, but there's a strong team helping me. I believe we're going to have the strongest team of any agency in the Obama administration.”

“In the West, you take people at their word.”

“I want all the interested parties to come together and develop a solution that provides additional water and helps the lower Arkansas River communities thrive again.”

“Barack Obama was not born into wealth or privilege, yet today his is president of these United States of America. Barack Obama has lived the American Dream. He has walked in our shoes.”

“Shale gas has provided the United States the opportunity to have 100 years of supply that is domestically produced. If we are going to develop natural gas from shale, it has to be done in a safe and responsible manner.”

“I don't believe that the American dream should be reserved for those who are born into the elite or somehow have been given an advantage over others. My growing-up experience is probably the most important thing that guides my priorities and my work today.”

“My family has spent 400 years farming on the banks of the Rio Grande. We know the value of hard work, love of the community, love for water and land.”