America needs its people to work to build the future

By Hillary Rodham Clinton

My husband wrapped up the final campaign of his political career this week. I was at his side 22 years ago in northwest Arkansas when he ran for Congress -- and lost. And I have been a part of every single one of his subsequent campaigns -- for attorney general, governor and president -- endeavors that have taken us to all concerns of Arkansas and America. This last campaign was a remarkable, moving experience that made me very proud of my husband and proud to be an American.

For most of this fall, I was on the road, traveling across our country from Florida to Missouri to Oregon, asking Americans to re-elect Bill Clinton and Al Gore. I'll always remember the sights and sounds of the past few months: college campuses covered in homecoming banners and the color of fall, schoolchildren in Yelm, Washington, debuting a song written by one of their teachers, It Takes a Village to Raise a Child, and a chorus of 4,000 voices led by Garrison Keillor in an impromptu rendition of Home on the Range in Faribault, Minnesotta.

Sometimes, it seemed like I was eating my way across the country. I was invited to sample the local specialities everywhere I went -- from barbecued ribs in Kansas City to tacos and enchiladas in San Antonio to deep-dish pizza in Chicago to lasagna and spaghetti in Bangor, Maine. I also carried a little bottle of hot sauce to rev up each meal. After 18-hour days, the sauce provided just the kick I needed to keep going. For my birthday, I took hearty helpings of at least six different cakes at my various stops.

Luckily, my stomach was empty when I tried out the new Tower of Terror ride during a stop celebrate Disney World's 25th anniversary. The ride, which sends you down a 13-story elevator shaft, was no shock after four years in Washington.

But at the heart of all these campaign experiences were the people. This campaign was about the thousands of Americans I met in schools, community centers, churches, restaurants and rallies. They took time from their busy schedules to learn about the candidates and share with me their own hopes and dreams for the future.

At a rally in Iowa, I had the change to catch up with Ryan Moore, a 10-year-old boy living with several birth defects whom I met two years ago during the health care debates on Capitol Hill. I was heartened to see that time hadn't dimmed the bright smile and happy disposition Ryan had charmed me with in 1994. Ryan stayed by my side for a whole day of campaigning.

In Arizona, I dropped in on Barry Goldwater, the first politician I ever campaigned for. Though much has changed since my Goldwater Girl days, it was a great honor to see him. I also met many other dedicated men and women willing to take on the challenges of running for office.

Looking back, I realize that almost every person I met, whether he or she was a senior citizen, a college student or a working mom, had similar aspirations and concerns. I believe that most people play by the rules and are trying to do the best they can to support their families. We all want to be good parents and to be able to give our children the time, love and discipline they need. We all want to be able to send our children to good schools. We all want to live in safe neighborhoods. We all want to be able to see a doctor when we get sick and to retire in security when we grow old.

This fall, I met people all over the country who are rolling up their sleeves and working together to make these things happen. They are forming partnerships to fight crime in their neighborhoods, improve their local schools, clean up the environment and expand opportunities for young people.

At an elementary school in a poor section of Lynn, Massachusetts, I met parents, teachers and administrators who had pulled together to improve their school. They set up night classes for adults, special family nights, and after-school and Saturday enrichment programs for students. The parents and the teachers told me the spirit of working together had spread beyond the school to the whole community.

"Ten years ago, people all looked the other way and said, 'It's not my problem'," one woman said. "We don't have that feeling anymore. We feel empowered. We help each other out."

No matter who you voted for, our country needs every one of us -- not just those whose names appeared on ballots -- to work to build America's future.

-- Creators Syndicate