"There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires."

"I have always regarded myself as a man of the people, and I have always tried to live up to that ideal."

"As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison."

"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried to not falter; I have made mistakes along the way. But with all of that, I have arrived at this point, and I stand before you as a humble servant …"

"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children."