Hillary Clinton Mobbed by Hugging Kids at Bronx Summer Program

Clinton, a potential 2016 presidential contender, told the kids to believe in themselves and ask for help to pursue their dreams

Hillary Rodham Clinton got a whole lot of love from the Bronx on Friday after telling children who are part of a summer arts program to dream big.

The Democratic former first lady and secretary of state and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito were mobbed by hugging kids at a Bronx Children's Museum event at Lehman College.

The show of affection came after Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor instructed more than 100 kids in attendance to fan out and hug audience members.

"I want a bunch of you to go to each of them and hug them and say thank you," Sotomayor instructed the primary school-goers, who had gathered around her onstage.

During brief remarks after a series of song and dance performances, Clinton, a potential 2016 presidential contender, told the kids to believe in themselves and ask for help to pursue their dreams.

"Dream big. Not only this program, but keep dreaming big because we need you," she said, adding that she'd been thinking about children a lot lately as she prepares to become a grandmother.

Clinton, who has been on tour selling her new book, "Hard Choices," also encouraged those gathered to read Sotomayor's autobiography about her life growing up in the Bronx.

Sotomayor recently dropped by a Clinton book signing event at a suburban Virginia Costco.

Friday's event honored the Dream Big summer arts enrichment program, which aims "to inspire children to dream, work hard, follow their passions."

Sotomayor has been a longtime supporter of the program and invited Clinton to attend Friday's event, a museum board member said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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