But, I don't want to assume that our tradition of excellence is a guarantee of future excellence.

I am very proud of the quality of public education in Nebraska, but I believe we have an obligation to continually assess whether our system is meeting 21st Century education needs.

I believe education is the great equalizer.

Economic growth is the most important initiative every governor faces.

I'd rather live in Nebraska than Washington.

Diesel fuel is too important to our farmers at harvest time and to the truckers delivering commerce across Nebraska to allow a bureaucratic hurdle to slow the delivery of fuel.

The voters reward good performance. So, I'm going to go out and focus, if I become the governor, to do the very best job I can as governor. The rest of it will take care of itself.

Nebraskans are known for giving of themselves and that quality is part of what makes our state such a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.

Nebraskans have very strong opinions, but we sit down around a table and we solve our problems.

Best of all is to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song.

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.

When two people respect each other, the ability to be vulnerable and to reveal hurt feelings can create a powerful emotional connection that is the source of real intimacy and friendship.

Courage is a muscle that develops through use. It's no use waiting for some inner fire to conveniently become apparent at the moment of crisis - that's cartoon stuff.

You either pray or worry. Don't do both.

I've always been afraid of saying no to people because I don't want them to be disappointed and dislike me.

Freedom needs all her poets; it is they Who give her aspirations wings, And to the wiser law of music sway Her wild imaginings.

When you watch your mum and dad sing and they're happy and it brings them joy, it is then a natural choice to go where the joy is. Music was always that place in our family.

I saw the various museum displays including scenes of torture while feeling heartfelt remorse and sorrow over the great pain and suffering inflicted on South Koreans by Japan's colonial rule.

A story should be managed so that it should suggest interesting things to the reader instead of the author's doing all the thinking for him, and setting it before him in black and white.