The Honorable Barbara Boxer's Speech Before the Democratic National Convention Thursday, July 29, 2004

/EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UPON DELIVERY OF SPEECH, SCHEDULED FOR 5:39 P.M. EDT TODAY, JULY 29/

BOSTON, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of the Honorable Barbara Boxer's speech before the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, July 29, 2004:

Thank you. And a special thank you to California for the honor you have given me. Everywhere I go in California and across this great country, I hear the same thing: "This is the most important election of our lifetime."

Let me tell you why we all feel that way. It is because we know that with the Kerry-Edwards team, and with new leadership in the Congress, America will be respected in the world once again and the American dream will stop slipping into the fog of a distant memory.

Well, I've been blessed to live that dream.  My mom was an immigrant who never graduated from high school because she had to work to support her widowed mother. My dad went to college at night. My parents pushed and struggled for their family. I went to good, free public schools, kindergarten through college, because of a uniquely American belief in opportunity for all. But today that belief is being tested.

Too many workers can't make ends meet. Too many families can't afford health insurance or college tuition. Too many children go to schools that are overcrowded and go back to empty homes because after-school programs are short funded.

I know we can do better. Because I believe in this country. I believe in our people. I believe in the American Dream. And I believe in John Kerry and John Edwards.

They understand that no worker should have to watch a good job being packed up and shipped overseas. They understand that a parent shouldn't have to worry every time their child slides into third base, because there's no way to pay the doctor. They understand that our beloved grandparents shouldn't be boarding buses to other countries to buy lifesaving drugs. They understand that protecting our air and water is about safeguarding the health of our families. They understand that in America we protect civil liberties because then America wins.

As John Kerry says, a strong America begins at home. And with President Kerry, we will be strong, because our families will be strong, our communities will be strong, our economy will be strong, and the American dream will be strong.

So, we've got Kerry, we've got Edwards, and now we need to get every American to understand what is at stake. It's up to us, the American people, nobody else but us.  Now let's get it done!

Source: Democratic National Convention Committee

CONTACT:  Peggy Wilhide of the Democratic National Convention Committee,
+1-617-366-3100

Web site:  http://www.dems2004.org/