“When I came to the Transportation Department I was asked that old saw, ‘If we can go to the moon, why can’t we get across town?’  Well the reason, I learned, is that it’s tougher.  There are people in the way of getting across town.  There aren’t any people in the way of getting to the moon.” – James Beggs, Undersecretary of Transportation 

“The coming together of two laudable movements — death with dignity and cost containment — concerns me.  You start with those in a permanent vegetative state.  Then you move to the mentally retarded, the permanently senile, seriously ill, defective newborns and the physically handicapped.  Patients have a right to die, but do they have a duty to die?  – Dr. Mark Stiegler, Director, Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, University of Chicago

“Like anybody, I would like to live a long life — longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the Promised Land. And so I’m happy tonight; I’m not worried about anything; I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”  – Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking at the Mason Temple Church in Memphis, Tenn., the day before he was assassinated.