Address to the Democratic National Committee

I come here today from California, a place - like America itself - of unparalleled potential. Every day, my fellow Californians are inventing the 21st century. We stand poised to create the ideas, the jobs, and the opportunities to secure America's future.

And California stands ready, on November 2nd, to elect a president, John Kerry, who embraces the values that have built and strengthened both California and our nation.

How did we build the shared prosperity that has been the envy of the world?

We didn't just brag about our values. We acted on them. We invested our wealth to create opportunity for all. We created an economy of fairness, not privilege.

We built the best schools, the finest colleges, and the most prestigious research universities in the entire world.

We protected the environment by saving our wilderness and beaches.

We lifted millions of our fellow citizens out of poverty.

Together, with John Kerry and John Edwards, we will do it again.

You see, the California idea is the American idea, an idea as old as the Republic. It reflects the values of my Greek immigrant family: Work hard, sacrifice, invest so that the next generation can do better and everyone is given a chance to succeed.

This idea is now threatened - by debt, declining wages, and disappearing jobs. It is time to stand up for our values. It is time to elect President Kerry.

His lifetime of courage, commitment, and public service tells us where he will lead our nation.

John Kerry will open wide the doors of college opportunity.

John Kerry will invest in the green wave of new energy technology, breaking the chokehold of foreign oil.

And President Kerry will fight to strengthen America's families, cutting the cost of health care and investing in our public schools.

Once again, we can be a nation of inspiration and aspiration - in the eyes of the world and in the hearts of our people.

It now falls to us to engage in the simple act of democracy - organizing on behalf of our passions and beliefs to restore the unique spirit of America. Asking first tens, then thousands, then millions to join us in electing John Kerry and John Edwards.

Thank you. I am honored to be here.