It’s your typical immigrant story. Family leaves Greece for America. Father opens diner and works round-the-clock to support his family in America and back home. Son attends Northwestern University, goes on to found private equity firm, the Blackstone Group, chairs the Council on Foreign Relations, and retires one of the richest men in America. Your typical immigrant story—and then some.

In fact, very little is typical about Pete Peterson or his incredibly hard-working and generous father or his brilliant and like-minded son. But as extraordinary as Peterson is, he is all about the American Dream—so much so, that he has pledged $1 billion to keep that dream alive for others.

While Peterson could have spent his retirement on the golf course, he is happier pursuing his passion for fiscal responsibility in the halls of government and on the streets of New York. "God Bless America," Peterson’s dad liked to say. With all that Peterson is doing to tend to his country, it seems that he is living out yet another lesson from Dad.