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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by U.S. Secretary of
Labor Elaine L. Chao At the Northern Kentucky University Commencement
Ceremony Cincinnati, Ohio Saturday, May 15, 2004
Thank you, Dr. [James] Votruba [President, NKU], for that
kind introduction.
Graduates, parents, family members and friends, faculty and
administratorsI am delighted to join you today for the 32nd
commencement of Northern Kentucky University1,000 graduates strong!
Im proud to be a Kentuckian. Most of you were lucky enough to be
born in Kentucky. I wanted to be a Kentuckian so badly, I married a Kentuckian.
Speaking of which, my husband, your Senator and Assistant Majority Leader of
the U.S. Senate, Mitch McConnell, sends his best.
I want to commend Dr. Votruba and the faculty. You are a big part of
what makes this university such a special place in this uniquely dynamic and
economically vibrant part of the Commonwealth.
As you, graduates, stand on the threshold of a new life, you should be
confident of the opportunities in Americas 21st century workforce.
You are fortunate to be entering a world that offers you an
unprecedented variety of opportunities to realize your dreams.
I know that some of the headlines about the economy in todays
papers are confusing. There are many sectors creating new job opportunities. In
fact, the economic news for todays graduates is very encouraging.
On the national level, our economy has seen 8 straight months of job
creation, gaining more than 1.1 million new jobs since August 2003. The
unemployment rate today is 5.6 percent, whichalthough higher than
wed like it to beis lower than the average unemployment rate of the
decades of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Kentuckys unemployment rate [5.8%] is a little higher than
the national average, but there are areas in the state that are significantly
lower. The unemployment rate in the Cincinnati metropolitan area, which
includes portions of northern Kentucky, is 5.1 percent. Compare our
unemployment rates with other countries like Germany and France, where the
unemployment rate is stuck at 9 percent!
Industries enjoying rapid growth in the U.S. today include health care,
information technology, biotechnology and finance, to cite just a few.
Throughout our history, the American economy is constantly evolving and
producing new ideas, new jobs and new opportunities.
Providing opportunity has a special resonance with me personally because
I came to America as an immigrant from Asia when I was 8 years old.
My parents left everything familiar behind so that they could give their
children the freedom and opportunity that America offers.
Our initial years in this country were very difficult. We didnt
speak the language, didnt understand the culture and traditions of this
country. We had neither family nor friends in this new country.
Even as our English improved, English colloquialisms didnt always
make sense. For example:
- I was reminded by a friend what a struggle it was to learn English.
People talked about parking the car in the driveway and driving the car on the
parkway. That is very confusing to a non-English speaker. How do you drive on a
parkway and park in a driveway?
- To learn English, my sisters and I watched a lot of television. For a
long time, I couldnt figure out why Relief is spelled ROLAIDS!
- Once, when an Asian friend asked someone for help, the person
replied: Fat chance! He thought that was a good thing! It
wasnt until months later that he realized it meant: No way!
Where I came from, fat is always equated with
good.
Yet, we survived and thrived through the generous help of newly found
friends and neighbors. I will always remember the many kindnesses of strangers
to a young immigrant family new to these shores.
As I look back upon a career that has spanned the nonprofit, for-profit
and government sectors, I hope I may share with you a few observations:
First, in most other countries, for example, there were only a few paths
to success. But in America, there are many ways to achieve your dreams. Each
person is free to create his or her own pathto take what he or she has
learned and apply it to personal goals and unique talents.
Second, education is important. Just by graduating today, you are
already getting off to a great start. 80 percent of all new jobs require some
kind of postsecondary education or training. And historically, college
graduates earn twice as much over their lifetimes as workers who stop with high
school diplomas. I know that many circumstances can make it challenging to stay
in college. I commend you for your achievement.
But learning new things doesnt stop when you leave campus. Our
economy is changing rapidly. In this environment, it is crucial to continually
update your skills and knowledge base. That means developing a commitment to
lifelong learning.
Third, dont be afraid to fail. In America, few mistakes are fatal.
So if things dont go right, pick yourself up and try again. Our country
values and rewards persistence.
Fourth, true success isnt just about progressing in your career.
Its also about helping others. No other country in the world has such a
wonderful tradition of helping others unconnected by blood or marriage as in
America. The Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville, during his tour of America in the
1830s, noted that Americans were unique in their passion to form associations
to address community problems. That commitment to compassion continues to make
America great.
As you embark on your next adventure in life, I hope that you will
remember to give back to your community.
President George W. Bush created the USA Freedom Corps to provide
meaningful opportunities for Americans to serve their neighbors. He has asked
all Americans to dedicate at least two years or 4,000 hours over their lives in
service to others. By doing so, you will be adding to the millions of acts of
kindness and generosity that are strengthening our country, one heart and one
soul at a time.
Some people claim that America is the strongest nation because it has
the mightiest army. But the President has said that America is great because of
the compassion and generosity of its people. It is the character of the
American people that makes our nation such a force for good in the world.
Giving back to others is a way to earn the freedoms we enjoy. Our
country is currently fighting a war against terrorism. We have fellow Americans
in harms way. I was reminded last week of the movie Saving Private
Ryan, which tells the story of a group of soldiers during World War II,
some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to rescue a Private Ryan.
At the end of the movie, Captain Miller, who led the mission, is dying.
But before he dies, he said to the young Private Ryan the two most powerful
words he would ever hear, Earn it.
Years later, an elderly, former Private Ryan visits the grave of Captain
Miller with his family. With tears in his eyes he asked, Have I been a
good man? He wanted to earn it!
Private Ryan remembered that others had sacrificed so he could live in
freedom.
Today, men and women in uniform, whom we will never meet, are making the
ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation and spread the cause of freedomso
that we will continue to enjoy freedom, opportunity and security in our
homeland.
The best way to repay themand the generations who sacrificed for
us before themis to earn it. As you make your way in life, I hope
youll remember to cultivate a grateful heart, to thank the people at home
who made sacrifices for you, to share with others and to give back to your
community.
God bless you. God bless America!
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