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Greetings and congratulations, Class of 1998! It's great to be back in Madison. This is like homecoming day for me. Some things haven't changed a bit. Some things have changed a lot. For instance, back then, I was taller than most of you. Now, most of you are taller than me. I think Washington may have shrunk me a little.

I know exactly how you must feel today, because I can still recall my own high school graduation. The relief. The hugging. The tears of joy. And that was just the teachers. As for the students, we all shared the fond memories, the great expectations -- and the absolutely chilling fear that our commencement speaker would never stop talking.

Because graduation speeches are all about giving advice, you're probably expecting "Deep Thoughts by Donna Shalala." So that's what I'm going to give you. I know most of you have probably seen the movie, Titanic. So today, as we say bon voyage, and you cast off into uncharted waters, let me offer you ten deep thoughts from the movie, Titanic.

Number 10. Be prepared. If you book a cruise on an unsinkable ship, pack a wet suit.

Nine. Get a clue. When Rose told Hockney, "I just need some space," she meant, "without you in it."

Eight. Cultivate new skills. If you want to learn to spit, try watching Jack. If you want to learn to swear, try parking around West High.

Seven. Dress for success. Jack was lucky he found a tux. As Mark Twain said, "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little influence in our society."

Six. Be flexible. If you're headed toward the icebergs, prepare to change course a few times. If you're headed toward college, prepare to change roommates a few times.

Five. When disaster strikes, be alert. As Yogi Berra said, "You can observe a lot by watching."

Four. Protect yourself. If you're freezing in the ocean, get out. If you're freezing at Camp Randall, get some hot chocolate.

Three. Be good to your parents. Tell them the money they're sinking into your education only feels like a disaster.

Two. Be optimistic. Even Leo DiCaprio had trouble getting dates. But then, second grade was tough on everybody.

But all joking aside, the number-one lesson from Titanic was in Jack's dinner toast, when he raised his glass and said, "Make each day count."

Jack didn't have many days left. But from all of photographs and memories Rose carried around, you get the sense she always followed Jack's advice. And it kept her young at heart. So that is my advice to you today. Make each day count.

And if you go to college, make each day count on campus. Don't miss any chance to learn, experience and grow. College is a smorgasbord. Pig out. Take courses in subjects you don't need. If you're an English major, take some science. And vice versa. College is the place not to prepare for your first job, but your sixth. It's a place to prepare you for citizenship -- not just of our country, but of the world.

Take time to attend lectures you don't think you need. Don't be too efficient. Even a smart West High grad can't predict what skill or book or class or teacher will be absolutely critical 10 years from now.

And take a chance on new friends. Look beyond the people you hung out with in high school. Look beyond race or gender. College is a chance to meet interesting people from different states, cultures, countries. They'll make you more interesting too.

Make each day count by having the courage of your convictions. And the courage to keep an open mind. College is useless if it doesn't make you rethink your most cherished convictions. You don't need to change the most important values your parents instilled in you. However, you ought to learn to listen -- to other political views, ideologies and philosophies.

Make each day count by making a contribution to the world. See the world. Be the world. Make it count by helping others, in the spirit of the "Super Bowl" fund-raiser, and Habitat for Humanity. Treat your body with respect. It's the only one you'll have. So stay healthy. Stay active. Protect yourself from drugs, alcohol and tobacco. It's the best recipe for a long, productive and happy life.Above all, wherever you go, whatever you do, make each day count by seizing every day with brains, heart and courage.

Remember what Jack said to Rose -- "Promise you'll never give up." So think deeply about what you want to do. And then promise yourself -- you'll never give up. Never give up -- you'll miss too much Thank you. And God speed.