We are a people of many different religions and many different faiths. The only way forward in a pluralistic society of diverse faiths such as ours is to have laws that protect and respect the freedom of all, equally.

The death penalty is ineffective as a deterrent, and the appeals process is expensive and cruel to the surviving family members.

All of us, wherever we happen to stand on the marriage equality issue, can agree that all our children deserve the opportunity to live in a loving, caring, committed, and stable home, protected equally under the law.

Doing difficult things like passing marriage equality, passing the Dream Act, doing common sense things that allow new American immigrants to fully participate, pay their taxes, play by the rules and take care of their families. That's the inclusive America that I believe all of us want to move to.

The way forward is always found through greater respect for the equal rights of all.

Progressive leaders always try to take action on the forward edge of that movement, movement toward greater respect for the equal rights of all.

The attitude in Baltimore in 1999 was almost one of resignation, that our problems were bigger than our capacity to handle them.

Leadership is about making the right decision and the best decision before, sometimes, it becomes entirely popular.

Public trust is essential to public safety.

When you create an economy where you subsidize corporate profits through a welfare program and food stamps in order to keep wages low in some perverse pursuit of 'competiveness,' than you reap the fruits of the anger that you sow.

Justice must be done in investigating the tragic death of Mr. Freddie Gray. His family deserves our deepest sympathy and respect for their loss, and our admiration for their courage in calling us, as a city, to act as our better selves.