Jean Kennedy Smith

To tell the truth, I don't feel the pressure of fame. I don't have the problem of being a celebrity in terms of recognizability.

I don't know why people always think of the Kennedys as a Boston family.

We all grew up in Bronxville, I went to Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart - in the old location on Convent Avenue - and I've lived here since 1962. I couldn't feel more like a New Yorker.

My husband has been very supportive of me, and we've shared a lot. Yes! We've had a lot of laughs. You have to have them. He makes life fun. That's important, isn't it?'

It is certainly accurate, as it has often been said and as his letters reveal, that Grandpa supplied his tenth college reunion with alcohol in 1922 at the height of Prohibition.

It has always been my understanding that all official expenses for the U.S. ambassador's residence in Dublin have been approved by the State Department.

I don't buy from any one special designer.

I feel I was very fortunate to be in the position to do something positive, to make a contribution to change. It gave me terrific satisfaction.

I think I'm fairly demanding, probably. You have to feel that when you're appointed to a job you have to do the job.

I'm not in public life except by accident.

I think there should be a reason tor people to be interviewed. For me, there's no real reason.

Next to President of the United States, Ambassador to Ireland is surely one of the best jobs an Irish American can hold.

I happen to like children and I happen to like the arts.

When I looked at my mother, I always saw a bit of Ireland. And I suppose when I look to Ireland, I see a bit of my mother - her faith, her wit, her endurance.

I'm one of nine children, and I have a lot of pictures.

We can't be dominated by ruthless terrorism and the American principle is that we never will be.

We cannot give up hope. It's our most important gift.

On behalf of all Americans, I would like to congratulate Michelle Smith on her dedication and determination which have made her a wonderful role model for all young athletes in Ireland and around the world.

While I cannot comment in detail about the inter workings of the State Department, it is a matter of public record that I recommended a visa for Gerry Adams to visit the United States. I believe then, and I continue to believe now, that this step did help to advance the peace process in Northern Ireland.

I have always encouraged open and frank discussion among embassy employees and the expression of dissenting views, because this is the best way to maintain morale among embassy personnel and to arrive at sensible decisions which are in the best interests of the United States.

Our Family is deeply honoured to see the Irish Government taking this enormous interest in the development of the Kennedy Homestead Visitor attraction.

In Bronxville, New York, we went to public school there, before London. Mother had a great belief in public school. She said it was very good for us to meet all the neighborhood kids.

We need strong gun laws. How can people even ask a question about it? Gun control is so important.

Our life did not seem unusual to me at all. Anything that happened that was special, like visits from dignitaries, was always explained as part of Dad's work.

After Joe passed away in the war, it seemed only natural that Jack and Bobby and then Teddy might pursue office as well. Public service was part of our DNA from our earliest years.