House Leader's Story

John Boehner grew up in a relatively simple lifestyle in Ohio. He was born in 1949 and one of 12 children. He married his wife 35 years ago, and they are still happily married with two children. After graduation from college in 1977 he obtained a position as a salesman in a plastics company. Not long after that he became president of that very same company. He served as his union township and following that became legislator in the 1980's.

According to his biography on his government website “John’s first two terms in the U.S. House were marked by an aggressive campaign to clean up Congress and make it more accountable to the American people. During his freshman year, Boehner and fellow members of the reform-minded “Gang of Seven" took on the House establishment and successfully closed the House Bank, uncovered "dine-and-dash" practices at the House Restaurant, and exposed drug sales and cozy cash-for-stamps deals at the House Post Office.  John also adopted a personal “no earmarks” policy upon taking office in 1991, a no-pork policy he maintains to this day.” In 2008 he was elected for his second term, and will become the new house leader in January.

In his speech following the 2010 results, he said “I have spent my whole life chasing the American Dream. Getting all choked up he then realized it was a reality.

He is one of the most important people in the United States coming from an average background in Ohio. Boehner is an example to all people of how a dream can be reached if you have good principals, are honest, and believe you will succeed in the United States.

Click Here to watch the full election day speech

Singing out our Pride

People have a huge amount of pride everytime the National Anthem is played, in this video the armed forces perform the National Anthem at the Super Bowl


Link to Watch Youtube Video

Free to Run the Distance

Chilean minor Edison Pena ran to keep in shape while trapped in the mine for about three months. The conditions were harsh, 90 degree weather and only boots to run in. He used running to keep in shape and keep him mentally well. The New York Road Runners extended an invitation to him to come to the NYC ING Marathon.

Their hope was that he would inspire people to run and show how it helped him through his hard time. Their plan was for him to go on TV and wait at the finish line to greet the first runner coming through the ribbon.

Pena replied immediately that he would not only go to the marathon, he would run in it.

For anyone who has run a marathon they know that training begins at least five months before, and that this would be a daunting nearly impossible task for the minor who only ran 6 miles a day.

His determination to succeed stayed with him throughout the entire race. Pena finished in 5 hours and 40 minutes. He walked for some of it, but ran majority of the time.

He was featured on many news stations and the world was watching to see if he would succeed.

Edison Pena less than a year ago was a minor in Chile. Today he has come to America and lived out his dream by inspiring many and gaining fame for what he has survived and now what he has accomplished.

Pena hopes to run another marathon and continue to improve him form and time. For the thousands who run or have run a marathon they know what an accomplishment it is to actually finish the grueling route through the five bureaus of New York City.

Walt Disney

Someone who needs no introduction, or explination is Walt Disney.

His multi-billion dollar empire began with the drawing of a mouse on a train. Now it includes theme parks around the globe, a cruse line, and and endless investment in television and video, just to name a few.

He grew up on a farm and recalls those years as his best. He was forever a kid at heart and lives in the memories of millions of people.

This video is a tribute to his life, and how he is the American Dream

From Fear to Freedom- Larry Silverstein World Trade Center Owner

Larry Silverstein was born in Brooklyn, New York. He started a real estate company at a young age along with his father. Silverstein did not come from a lot of money and recalls taking his now wife on a date to the Staten Island Ferry, for only a nickel.

He began to invest in corporate buildings all around Manhattan. In the 1970’s he won a bid to construct 7 World Trade Center. He recalls looking at the Twin Towers and envisioning one day owning them as well.

In 2000 he put a bid up for the World Trade Center and won. The lease papers were signing on July 24, 2001. Only weeks before they were attacked. He was now the CEO of the entire Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11th he got in an argument with his wife because she wanted him to stay home and go to the doctor. In order to “keep his sweet heart happy” he did not go into work that day.

His life was saved by not going in, and so was that of his two children who were supposed to arrive in work 15 minutes later.

Silverstein is still the owner and working on the construction of the freedom towers. His vision is that it will have the same awe and amazement factor that Rockefeller Center had in the 1930’s.

The site will be several buildings along with a memorial to honor those killed in the 9/11 attacks. In his old age he hopes to be around for the great day in less than a decade when the new site will open to the public.

FOX News has reciently done a special, on Larry Silverstein on the Rise of Freedom out of the terror site on September 11th 2001.

Dreams that you dare to dream really do come true- Judy Garland "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

One song that is embedded in many American’s hearts is Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and at the root of that song is Judy Garland.


Judy Garland was born on June 10th 1922 in Minnesota. Her father was involved with vaudeville and her mother was a typical stage mom. She had two older sisters and they all began performing at a very young age. At the age of four years old Judy stole the show from her sisters with her outstandingly mature voice and charm.


Not long after that she began to travel around the United States to perform their biggest success as a trio was at the World’s Fair, where they appeared as the Garland Sisters. “Baby” also known as Judy, made it all the way to California and signed a contract with MGM.


Throughout their lives the family suffered financially with the father losing his business several times and also emotionally with the depression that was derived from that experience. Judy never hesitated to give it her all on stage and do well for her family. In her teen years she suffered the loss of a parent when her father died.


She then was more determined than ever to do well. Judy was never seen as a sex icon like Marilyn Monroe. Rather she had a lot of pressure from MGM to lose weight. They then put her on pills to boost energy and reduce weight. From this point she had to take sleeping pills to wear off the effects of the other pills. This began her life long struggle with drugs.


Despite her hardships Judy landed her starring role in 1939 playing Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ. The film was an instant hit, and one that has lasted through the generations. In fact the most popular song Somewhere over the Rainbow was almost removed from the film because it was too long and boring for the audience. The decision to keep it may have been one of the best MGM had ever made.


From then on Judy Garland married and divorced several times. She also was a part of the original “Rat Pack”, which according to those involved in it like Frank Sinatra, it was much wilder than the Hollywood version of the group. She had two children Liza and Lorna, both of which have had great success as singers.


Her career branched out to Broadway, Hollywood, Singing, Television, and Radio, despite all of her success she was never truly happy and died of an accidental overdose.


She is an example of the American Dream because she came from a poor family in Middle America, to someone with whom almost anyone can recognize. She also bore two children who have become stars and the people who knew her claimed she had a lasting effect on them and everybody she met. From singing as a child at Clarke Gable’s birthday party to a world known super star, Judy Garland achieved great success based on the great talent and poise she possessed.

Today her songs can be heard on American Idol, Brittans got Tallent and so much more. Her most recient accomplishment is a wax figure in Madam Teuseus Wax Museum and a 4d version of the Wizard of OZ displayed there as well.

Famous for Nothing

While there are a plethora of famous singers, actresses, and models there is one person who is ultra famous for being none of those things. Kim Kardashian is one of the biggest names in television and movies, who claimed her fame for being herself.

Kim stars in her own reality show along with her family. The show reveals the true Kim to the audience she says, “ I’m not a drinker, and when I’m up on the table dancing, it’s for the picture. Then I sit right back down. I play into the perception of me, but it’s not really me. And the show reveals that.”

This week Kim will come out with a new spread in W magazine that features her, nude. While she regretted her last nude photo shoot for Playboy, she believes this one shows how much she has matured as an adult.

Her fame and fortune come from people liking who she is and feeding into her personality. Kim is a great example of being yourself, following you dreams and living the American Dream.