George J. Mitchell Quotes

A collection of quotes by George J. Mitchell.

George John Mitchell Jr. is an American politician, diplomat, and attorney who served as a United States Senator from Maine from 1980 to 1995. He was born on August 20, 1933, in Waterville, Maine.

Mitchell attended Bowdoin College and later earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. After practicing law for several years, he entered politics and became a member of the United States Senate as a Democrat.

During his time in the Senate, Mitchell gained recognition for his leadership and negotiation skills, particularly in the fields of energy, healthcare, and international relations. He served as the Senate Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995, where he played a significant role in passing important legislation.

After leaving the Senate, Mitchell became heavily involved in diplomacy and conflict resolution. He was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, where he played a crucial role in brokering the Good Friday Agreement, a peace agreement between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Following this success, Mitchell served as the United States Special Envoy for Middle East Peace from 2009 to 2011, where he worked to facilitate peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

George J. Mitchell's commitment to public service and his diplomatic achievements have made him a highly respected figure in both domestic and international politics.

I had been involved in U.S. intelligence in Berlin, Germany,

I had been involved in U.S. intelligence in Berlin, Germany, while in the military and had worked with a contact with the Central Intelligence Agency office there.

George J. Mitchell

Intelligence

Although he's regularly asked to do so, God does not take si

Although he's regularly asked to do so, God does not take sides in American politics.

George J. Mitchell

Politics

I really owe everything to my parents and their devotion and

I really owe everything to my parents and their devotion and drive to see to it that their children had the education which led to the opportunities that they never were able to have.

George J. Mitchell

Education

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

I spent two years in the Army. And my older brother, who was also a great positive influence on me, encouraged me to think about law school, and I said - well, I didn't have any money.

George J. Mitchell

Positive

So I developed very early a massive inferiority complex, and

So I developed very early a massive inferiority complex, and I've told the story often about how that inspired me later in life to get involved in other things, because I couldn't out-do my brothers in sports, and it's a very competitive relationship.

George J. Mitchell

Relationship

The result was, of course, that today, tragically, more than

The result was, of course, that today, tragically, more than 40 million Americans don't have health insurance, and for many, not having health insurance means they don't have access to good health care.

George J. Mitchell

Health

In the spring of 1994 I decided not to seek reelection to th

In the spring of 1994 I decided not to seek reelection to the Senate. I had made the decision 12 years earlier, Christmas Day of 1982, just after I had been first elected to a full term, that I would do the best I could for a limited time.

George J. Mitchell

Christmas

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

I had a great interest in sports. I had three older brothers who were great athletes. I was not.

George J. Mitchell

Sports

As they say, one thing led to another, and, ultimately, the

As they say, one thing led to another, and, ultimately, the British and Irish governments asked me to serve as chairman of the peace negotiations, which ironically began six years ago this week.

George J. Mitchell

Peace

In every society in human history, including the United Stat

In every society in human history, including the United States, those in power seek to imbue themselves with the attributes of religion and patriotism as a way of getting greater support for their policy and insulating themselves from any criticism.

George J. Mitchell

Patriotism

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

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

George J. Mitchell

Teacher