Remarks by Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) At the Democratic National Convention

REMARKS BY REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SMITH (D-WA) AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

July 27, 2004 Tuesday

LOCATION: THE FLEETCENTER, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

BODY:

REP. SMITH: My name is Adam Smith, I represent the 9th District of Washington state, and I'm here today because I know we can be stronger at home and more respected in the world again. John Kerry can bring that vision back to the White House: responsible leadership, real strength, opportunity for every American.

I know the difference responsible leadership means to our country. Responsible leadership isn't a banner that says "mission accomplished." It's the hard work of diplomacy that builds a coalition and knows that working with other countries isn't weakness; it's strength.

It means honoring our veterans. I've seen John Kerry with his band of brothers, who put their lives in hands 35 years ago. And I know John Kerry understands that real patriotism means keeping our promises to our veterans.

Real strength means energy independence. Washington state's legendary senators, "Scoop" Jackson and Warren Magnuson, faced up to the Cold War threat. And John Kerry knows where today's real threats come from, and he'll lead America to a cleaner, more secure, energy- independent future.

I also know how important opportunity is. Like most of you, I went to public schools. I worked my way through college loading trucks for UPS, but couldn't have done it without federal student loans and grants. I was able to become the first in my family to graduate from college.

My father would have been proud. He worked his whole life as a ramp serviceman at Sea-Tac Airport. He believed in his local machinists' union. I never fully knew what it all meant until I was 19 and my father died. It was only because of my father's union and the benefits he had worked a lifetime to secure that my family could continue to pay the bills so that I could finish my education.

I know in my heart how much America needs a president who will value families and invest in education. We have work to do for John Kerry, for Washington state, for our country. For me and my wife, Sara, it's also about ensuring our children, Kendall and Jack, and all children have the future they deserve. This campaign, this cause, this fight is our chance to give them the future our families worked a lifetime to give us. It's our chance to make America stronger at home and respected in the world. And more importantly, it's our chance to make John Kerry the next president of the United States.

Thank you very much. (Cheers, applause.) Thank you. (Cheers, applause.)

LOAD-DATE: July 29, 2004