11 Quotes & Sayings By Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth is the daughter of Thai immigrants. She began her career as a Teach for America corps member in Chicago's public schools before being deployed to Iraq in 2005. While there, she was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery and Purple Heart for injuries sustained while protecting her soldiers from an IED blast. After returning home to Illinois, Tammy successfully ran for the U.S Read more

House of Representatives in 2008, becoming the first Thai American to serve in Congress. She is currently a Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois's 8th District.

1
Sometimes it takes dealing with a disability - the trauma, the relearning, the months of rehabilitation therapy - to uncover our true abilities and how we can put them to work for us in ways we may have never imagined. Tammy Duckworth
2
My strength is in finding ways to make the government work for the people: finding waste, or money that is not being properly used... or finding opportunities that are out there and making them work for the community. Tammy Duckworth
3
We owe it to all our veterans to make sure they have a chance to achieve the American Dream, just like the rest of us. Tammy Duckworth
4
Had I been injured on the freeway and not in combat, it is likely that I would be bankrupt even though I had medical insurance through my civilian employer. Tammy Duckworth
5
I have personally seen what a devastating medical condition can cost. Tammy Duckworth
6
I actually lost both my legs. I can walk because I got really good health care. Tammy Duckworth
7
When I first ran, being a woman in politics was seen as both a negative and also a positive. You could attract more women voters, but on the other hand, a lot of men wouldn't vote for you. Tammy Duckworth
8
As Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a constant concern for me is having our veterans dragged into partisan politics. Tammy Duckworth
9
I don't ever want to be sad about my life. Tammy Duckworth
10
When I was young, my dad, a veteran who attended college on the GI Bill, lost his job at age 55 when the company he worked for was sold. My entire family pitched in - my mom took in sewing, and I got a minimum wage job after school. Tammy Duckworth