My father was the orphaned son of immigrants to the United States from Ireland. My father never knew his parents. His mother died - we're not sure - either at or shortly after his birth, and he and all of…

Quote by George J Mitchell

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My parents were very poor, but we never felt any sense of need or want....

My parents were very poor, but we never felt any sense of need or want....

I was born and raised in a small town in Maine, Waterville. I enjoyed living...

I was born and raised in a small town in Maine, Waterville. I enjoyed living...

When I went to college, my goal was to be a college history teacher. I...

When I went to college, my goal was to be a college history teacher. I...

I had been involved in U.S. intelligence in Berlin, Germany, while in the military and...

I had been involved in U.S. intelligence in Berlin, Germany, while in the military and...

I got a job with a law firm in Portland after a couple of years...

I got a job with a law firm in Portland after a couple of years...

I spent two years in the Army. And my older brother, who was also a...

I spent two years in the Army. And my older brother, who was also a...

I didn't want to make it a lifetime thing. I don't believe in statutory term...

I didn't want to make it a lifetime thing. I don't believe in statutory term...

I really owe everything to my parents and their devotion and drive to see to...

I really owe everything to my parents and their devotion and drive to see to...

In every society in human history, including the United States, those in power seek to...

In every society in human history, including the United States, those in power seek to...

So my father grew up in an orphanage in Boston. He was then adopted by...

So my father grew up in an orphanage in Boston. He was then adopted by...

From my parents, I learned a very strong work ethic, and all of my brothers...

From my parents, I learned a very strong work ethic, and all of my brothers...

In the spring of 1994 I decided not to seek reelection to the Senate. I...

In the spring of 1994 I decided not to seek reelection to the Senate. I...

First, the American legislative process isn't well suited to large and complex measures.

First, the American legislative process isn't well suited to large and complex measures.

And I spent that time working as an insurance adjuster and going to law school...

And I spent that time working as an insurance adjuster and going to law school...

So I developed very early a massive inferiority complex, and I've told the story often...

So I developed very early a massive inferiority complex, and I've told the story often...

I had a great interest in sports. I had three older brothers who were great...

I had a great interest in sports. I had three older brothers who were great...

You know, the pessimism which exists now in the Middle East existed in Northern Ireland,...

You know, the pessimism which exists now in the Middle East existed in Northern Ireland,...

As they say, one thing led to another, and, ultimately, the British and Irish governments...

As they say, one thing led to another, and, ultimately, the British and Irish governments...

I'm glad I made the decision, although the practice of law - and particularly serving...

I'm glad I made the decision, although the practice of law - and particularly serving...

The result was, of course, that today, tragically, more than 40 million Americans don't have...

The result was, of course, that today, tragically, more than 40 million Americans don't have...