Jim Leach Quotations

We stressed that delay was not in anybody's interest, either procedurally or substantively,

If we have a change in relations, it is my personal view that Korean-Americans, Koreans in Germany, throughout Europe and throughout the rest of Asia, will do more to facilitate trade for North Korea than any group of individual companies or government programs,

Burlington has done really well on historic preservation.

If a bank doesn't have its software changes by this time next year you will not be in a position to test the following year for the year 2000. Most of the work has to be done within a year so that the testing can proceed in the following year.

I think we have the funds now for all of it.

It is hard, ... to cement any relations with any country based on promises that may not be deliverable.

Our culture is more shaped by the arts and humanities than it often is by politics.

We all have confidence in the jury system,

We will take a look at why it wasn't reported when it started. We will determine at that time if there is any enforcement action that's going to be taken.

The second round is going to be much more difficult than the first.

North Korea clearly at this time wants to retain a right to have a nuclear program of one kind or another.

A delay does not serve well the North Korean people,

A number of us have worked on Mississippi River issues for a long time. Support for a lock and dam issue is critical for an area like Burlington, especially to do it in such a way that there is respect for environmental issues, too. We're hopeful this year that we're going to get a major Mississippi River initiative passed.

A resolution has been achieved that appears to represent a good-faith consensus in which the Treasury participated and both parties played a role, ... We believe we're at a credible resolution.

As long as it's laying dormant, there are no disturbed fibers loose in the air, we don't have any authority over it,

This administration's tough policies had certain advantages in dealing with this Congress on the huge changes in law that would be necessary if there were a change of policies for North Korea,

This is a bill that is bipartisan, bicameral and tri-institutional.

They of course did (insist on a light-water reactor) and that of course is the stickiest part of any discussions,

This is the stickiest part in any potential discussions,

For Burlington, it would authorize mooring facilities at Lock 18.

Clearly the loan payment shouldn't go out if it's going to be handled the way the past has been handled, ... If money is to be stolen it shouldn't be transferred.

You chose to make this initiative without, to my knowledge, any serious prior consultation with Congress.

You chose an initiative, which you may not be able to deliver and you chose to make the initiative without, to my knowledge, any serious prior consultations with the Congress,

The majority of U.S. high school students don't know within 50 years when the Civil War occurred.

The trust has broken down. It will take some time to change attitudes and attitudes are going to be needed to develop trust,

The hallmark of our times is change and acceleration, but we have to provide the history.

The great middle of America is underrepresented in Congress, ... The leadership will insist that a compromise be established. But what that final product is, I have no idea.

I think America is going to have to think through whether it wants to uplift the political dialogue or advance an approach that divides and, frankly, can lead to violence.

A government of, by and for the people is obligated to conduct the nation's business in a manner that respects dissent.

I have a long-term interest in the humanities.

Iraqis have held elections and have recently put together their government, all encouraging developments.

Drawing on President Bush's reform plan, which would allow citizens to transfer part of their Social Security contributions into personal accounts, an alteration of the current system is needed to make necessary change.

I am appalled by the notion of cultural wars.

There's probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism.

When I look at Social Security, I consider it the most important social program in the United States, arguably the most successful program in the world.

It is hard to cement any relations with any country based on promises that may not be deliverable.

Civility is not simply about manners.

History provides a sense of where we've been and lessons that can be taken forward.

America somehow thinks that leadership relates to governance, and it certainly does. But society is much bigger than governance, and some of the truly great leadership of our society is outside the governance arena.

America is very decentralized in how it supports the humanities, unlike European countries where virtually everything stems from the central government.

There are words bandied about that are being misused - words like 'socialism,' words like 'communism,' words like 'fascism.

The majority of U.S. high school students don't know within 50 years when the Civil War occurred.

The arts and humanities are vastly more important in troubled times.

Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude.

Politics has high and low moments. Sometimes it brings out the better angels of our nature; sometimes baser instincts.

If you read literature, you put yourself in somebody else's shoes. You learn from great figures in literature.

No activity I know is more of a confidence builder and at the same time more 'humility training' than wrestling.

Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives.