"Mothers - especially single mothers - are heroic in their efforts to raise our nation's children, but men must also take responsibility for their children and recognize the impact they have on their families' well-being."

"Challenges of historic import threaten America's future. Action on the deficit, economy, energy, health care and much more is imperative, yet our legislative institutions fail to act. Congress must be reformed."

"If one of my boys was asking me if they should go into politics, I'd say there's only one reason to go into public life and that's to help people."

"Across the country military families are facing dire financial circumstances due to longer than expected tours of duties. They are being penalized for their patriotism - no one should have to choose between doing right by their country and doing right by their families."

"To me, the most important thing is the story, the characters, and the emotion."

"Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools."

"We always had lutefisk for Christmas dinner, after which Dad read from the Norwegian Bible."

"Whenever I go to Germany I find that my readers have T-shirts with my book covers printed on them. They come to all the events, they have gifts and they come with their families. They are always very open to sharing their personal stories."