John Kerry brings a lifetime of leadership and service to the office of the president. Throughout his career in a variety of roles, Sen. Kerry has demonstrated the aptitude and ability to understand complex problems and the moral conviction and fiber to solve them.

Leaving Yale, Kerry volunteered for military service and served two distinguished tours of duty in Vietnam. His leadership, courage and sacrifice earned him a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Returning to America, the senator demonstrated, as he has throughout his public career, the crucial ability and humility to re-evaluate decisions when conditions change. He also co-founded Vietnam Veterans of America and become active in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

After helping to lock up one of New England’s most notorious Mafia members as a top prosecutor, Kerry was elected lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 1982 and began his distinguished Senate career in 1984. He has worked tirelessly to provide health insurance to children and to improve public education, and he is known as one of the top environmentalists in the Senate. It is also extremely heartening that Sen. Kerry is willing to stand up for what he believes is right even in the face of strong opposition from his party and special interests, as he showed in votes supporting the North American Free Trade Agreement and welfare reform in the 1990s.

Today, Sen. Kerry looks to become the nation’s 44th President. In his campaign, as in his public life, Sen. John Kerry has demonstrated that he alone has the knowledge, strength of mind and courage to heal and lead our nation.