This is me at 13, in all my “glory” at my Bar Mitzvah. It’s easy to chuckle at this photo — and see just how far fashion has changed since that classic absolutely righteous 1970s bowtie — but it is also an opportunity to tell you about my upbringing. My family moved around while I was in school before settling in Danville, California. My parents and my teachers cultivated in me a love of and respect for public service. While in speech class, I remember listening to recordings of great speakers like President John F. Kennedy, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Winston Churchill. I admired the way they used language — how they could inspire millions of people to take action through the power of their words. I wanted to use words — and actions — in the service of progressive change. And I wanted to be part of the great struggle for the future. After graduating high school (I was not valedictorian as some have claimed —my B in Band held me back), I went on to college and law school. There, I learned how to gather the facts and argue my case. | 
