President Barack Obama's second inaugural address was the most inclusive speech a president has ever given. It was delivered on the 27th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and the President honored King's legacy when he eloquently spoke of how the many U.S. liberation movements, both current and historic, are interconnected.

"We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths — that all of us are created equal — is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall."

It’s Tuesday in Highlands, N.J., and I’m taking Frank the contractor to lunch. He’s been such a great guy. He will rebuild my mother’s little house on the Jersey shore that was awash in the waters of Hurricane Sandy last October. Newly gutted, the house reveals the faded layers of lives that once made the place a home, one pattern atop the last, atop the last, atop the last.

(This commentary originally appeared in Assemblymember Toni Atkins' newsletter.)

This past month I was pleased to join with the San Diego Maritime Museum in recognizing the career achievements of Senator Christine Kehoe. After 20 years in elected office, the Senator is moving on to lead the California Plug-in Vehicle Collaborative. This new position will allow her to continue her work in steering California towards a greener energy future.

(Editor's note: House Republicans decided this week to incorporate ongoing counsel to uphold the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) into the new Congressional Rules. To date, the House Republicans had spend about $2 million in taxpayer money to defend DOMA in court. The Justice Department and the Obama Administration believes DOMA is unconstitutional and refused to defend the law in court. Ten courts have ruled that parts of DOMA are unconstitutional, and one case has now reached the U.S. Supreme Court for review in March.)