no longer be defined by our differences. Because no matter where I ve been in this country whether it was the corn fields of Iowa or the textile mills of the Carolinas； the streets of San Antonio or the foothills of Georgia I ve found that while we may have different stories， we hold common hopes. We may not look the same or come from the same place， but we want to move in the same direction towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren.

That s why I m in this race. I love this country too much to see it divided and distracted at this moment in history. I believe in our ability to perfect this union because it s the only reason I m standing here today. And I know the promise of America because I have lived it.

It is the light of opportunity that led my father across an ocean.

It is the founding ideals that the flag draped over my grandfather s coffin stands for it is life， and liberty， and the pursuit of happiness.

It s the simple truth I learned all those years ago when I worked in the shadows of a shuttered steel mill on the South Side of Chicago that in this country， justice can be won against the greatest of odds； hope can find its way back to the darkest of corners； and when we are told that we cannot bring about the change that we seek， we answer with one voice yes we can.

So don t ever forget that this election is not about me， or any candidate. Don t ever forget that this campaign is about you about your hopes， about your dreams， about your struggles