Tammy Duckworth

“Whether defending our nation as a Black Hawk pilot abroad or serving our veterans and those in need at home, my life has been enriched by the opportunities I've had to serve my country and fellow citizens, both in and out of uniform.”

“I know firsthand that immigrants make enormous contributions to our nation, but I also know that we need to secure our borders and make sure that those who came here illegally wait their turn, pay a fine and any unpaid taxes, and pass a criminal background check before becoming citizens.”

“At my core, I know that the American Dream is about the opportunity to work hard to make your future.”

“I love the Army with every bone in my body.”

“Barack Obama will never ignore our troops.”

“I get up every single day trying to repay a debt that I can never repay. Never. And I will work hard. Because I don't know why I was saved. I don't know.”

“As I recovered at Walter Reed, I worried about the soldiers who pulled me out of my helicopter that Friday afternoon. Would they make it back okay? And what about all the other soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who were also putting their lives on the line every day?”

“What seems like comfort and security one day can all be taken away the very next.”

“I am just one of the overwhelming majority of Americans who is responsible and hard-working and at one point in their life benefited greatly from government programs such as student loans, Medicare, and Social Security.”

“I do not have PTSD, but if I watch part of a movie like 'The Hurt Locker,' or when I spend time around Blackhawk helicopters, I will close my eyes that night and live an entire day in Iraq, flying my missions. I remember the smell and the feel and the heat and everything about it. Then I wake up in Illinois, and I'm exhausted.”

“The ADA allows persons with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the world around them.”

“I said three things when I woke up in Walter Reed. 'I love you.' 'Put me to work,' and 'You stink! Go shower!'”

“Sometimes it takes dealing with a disability - the trauma, the relearning, the months of rehabilitation therapy - to uncover our true abilities and how we can put them to work for us in ways we may have never imagined.”

“Running for Senate is a very involved process.”

“The contributions of African Americans, Native Americans, and immigrants throughout our nation's history are undeniable, but the tendency to overlook their gallant efforts is pervasive and persistent.”

“I can't avoid the interest in the fact that I'm an injured female soldier.”

“We owe it to all our veterans to make sure they have a chance to achieve the American Dream, just like the rest of us.”

“In the Senate, you can become one of the nation's leading voices on the issues.”

“Southeast Asia was home for much of my childhood, but I moved to Hawaii when I was in high school.”

“Our troops do an incredible job every single day, but our policymakers have not lived up to the sacrifices that our troops make every day.”