Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, Illinois Monday, August 25, 2008 at 05:10 PM Good evening, Democrats. It’s a great night to be from Illinois. When I became an Illinois state senator, I was one of only five Democratic women. So I didn’t expect to find many strong allies in the fight for women and children. But, as it turned out, I found a passionate ally sitting at the desk right next to me, Barack Obama. Over four years of working together, eating sandwiches and listening to speeches on the Senate floor, I learned why Barack is such a fierce advocate for women and their children. In his own life, he saw women struggle and sacrifice to support his family.
Like millions of other American children, Barack was raised by a single mother for much of his childhood. And like all moms, Ann Dunham dreamed of a better future for her son, so much so that she would get him out of bed at four in the morning to give him extra lessons before school. She got that drive from her mother. Barack’s grandmother, Madelyn, worked in a factory during World War II. Later, she worked for years at a local bank, steadily rising to become its first female vice president. Smart, tough women sacrificed to make Barack the man he is today. And he’s never forgotten it. That’s why. He convinced a Republican majority to pass an Illinois earned-income tax credit which now provides precious extra dollars to families struggling to get by. That’s why. He expanded health care benefits for working mothers and fathers. And that’s why. He provided training for those who need jobs. Like Barack and Michelle, my husband Pat and I have two beautiful young daughters, and like parents everywhere, there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for them, willingly and with love. But today, too many families face challenges that even the most loving and devoted parents can’t overcome on their own. We need a president who knows how to remove the obstacles that stand between parents and their dreams for their children. I saw Senator Obama do this for the families of Illinois. Now I can’t wait for President Obama to fight for families across America! Thank you very much.