In honor of July 4th next week we’ll be kicking off a new series called “My America.”  All week long, we’ll be talking with influential Americans about what patriotism and America means to them.

To give you a taste of what’s ahead, we’re speaking today with the junior senator from the state of New York, Kirsten Gillibrand. Gillibrand, who was born and raised in upstate New York, holds the seat previously held by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

I think this is a bellwether for things to come; I see states all across this country voting in favor of marriage equality.