Following are the prepared remarks of U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige to Saturday's commencement ceremonies at the University of the District of Columbia. Please note that the secretary may deviate from the text.

Thank you for that warm welcome. It is an honor to be a part of this very special day in your lives.

On the occasion of this, the 150th commencement of the University of the District of Columbia, I want to say thank you for having the wisdom to continue supporting access to higher learning for all.

If this university didn't exist, it would have to be created, because yours is an important role in education, and I thank you.

Congresswoman, Members of the City Council, President Jenkins, Board of Trustees, honored guests, distinguished faculty, distinguished alumni, family, friends and especially, the Class of 2002, this is a proud day.

Today marks the culmination of many years of hard work. I congratulate you for your accomplishments -- and I bring the warm, best wishes of President and Mrs. Bush.

I also congratulate the parents, the spouses, the sons and daughters and all the family members of the graduates here today.

Your loved ones would not be graduating today without your love, your support and your belief in their hopes and dreams. This day belongs to you as much as the graduates.

Class of 2002, as you leave, you take with you with many treasured memories of your days here -- memories like hanging out at The Firebird and the Cyber Café.

Memories like juggling classes, jobs and family responsibilities.

Through all these years of working and striving you have formed a bond with each other. This is not just a graduating class; this is a family -- bound as much by a love of learning as a love for each other.

You leave with all those memories. But most of all, graduates, you leave here knowing that these years have prepared you well to live up to your class motto that says: "A prepared generation of new leaders."

You are ready to lead boldly and to make a lasting difference in this most challenging new world.

This class may be uniquely qualified to experience those challenges. No graduating class in the history of this school has faced such a national tragedy as that of last Sept. 11.

Yet, as the world reeled in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, many of you joined thousands of good men and women all over the world -- in the very best known anecdote to hatred: prayer.

One of those who joined you was President Bush. His steely courage, his strength, and his commitment to justice come from prayer.

I know many of you have spent the months since Sept. 11 in deep reflection, thinking about the value of life, what it really means, and what matters most.

The world you are entering is a smaller and faster world. Much smaller and faster than the world of those who came before you.

Way back when Custer was defeated at Little Big Horn, it took nearly two weeks for the news to get out. If that happened today, people from Montana to Mozambique would be watching it live on television. Just as we did on Sept. 11.

It's a more transparent world. And, at times, a confusing world. But no matter how big, or fast, or confusing -- some things never, ever change -- things like the importance of family, faith and service. And that's what I'd like to talk to you about today.

Now I know what you're thinking: Here comes the advice! Fear not. I yet remember that Socrates gave advice and they poisoned him for it. But you must admit that I am bound by tradition to say some words of encouragement.

So allow me to share some lessons I've learned. And I'll be brief.

The first lesson is: Strong families are the backbone of our society.

Home is where we learn the values that shape us. It is where we get the encouragement to set high goals and to work hard to achieve them.

It is in our families where we learn that being a good mom or dad is the most important job that any of us could ever have.

I know this from my own experience. Even now I draw strength that springs from my parents and the strong and safe family environment they provided. Even now, the bond of family -- forged in my childhood -- still binds. Even now.

But being a good parent is hard work -- as many of our graduates know. And it's especially hard when you're going to college at the same time! But make no mistake: Your children are watching. They may not be acting like it. But they are. And they're learning from your example.

For the graduates whose parents paid for this ride. Look at them! They're happy. They're smiling. But they're tired.

They've been waiting for this day for many years. And right now, they're probably thinking along the lines of Bill Cosby's words when he said: "Commencement means to go forth. But 'go forth' does not mean 'back home.' "

The second lesson I've learned is: In all we do, we must let faith be the fire within us.

One of my favorite parables comes from the Gospel of St. Luke, chapter 8, verses 5 - 8. I'll share it with you.

"A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot. And the birds of the air devoured it.

"And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away because it had no moisture.

"And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew with it and choked it.

"And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundred-fold."

Class of 2002, you are the seeds that fell on the good ground, and sprang up. That doesn't mean you won't suffer disappointments and sorrows. You will.

That doesn't mean you will get everything you want in life. You won't.

But you will have your faith to carry you through. And you will have your faith to give you purpose and strength in the good times and the bad.

For the faithful, no challenge is too difficult -- as Abraham Lincoln so famously acknowledged when he said: "Without the assistance of the Divine Being... I cannot succeed. But with that assistance, I cannot fail."

As the fortunate seeds that fell on the good soil, graduates, your duty now is to help those other seeds -- the seeds that fell on the rocks and on the thorns and on the poor soil.

This college has a long and proud history that began when one good seed... that fell on good soil and sprang up... helped the seeds that had fallen by the wayside.

That good seed was Myrtilla Miner - the founder of this university.

Now you may have heard the story of how Myrtilla - a white woman way back in the 1800s -- started a school for black girls to become teachers. And that school later joined with others to form UDC.

But what you might not know is how easily history could have turned out differently.

When Myrtilla said she wanted to start the school, everyone said "Ooooo. You can't do that."

Even Frederick Douglas -- when she first pitched the idea to him -- refused his support. They all said to Myrtilla: Face facts: It's illegal. No one will go along with it. And truth be told, in an environment as intolerant as this, it's just plain suicide.

But Myrtilla Miner just flashed that stern little stare of hers and said: You know what? "A higher power than man directed me and man shall not defeat me."

And she plowed ahead - raising money, finding space, enrolling students, and begging friends and strangers for supplies, books, anything she could use to teach.

A woman who heard what she was trying to do gave her $100. Harriet Beecher Stowe, who had sold many copies of Uncle Tom's Cabin, sent another $1,000 - a small fortune in that day.

When people threatened to burn down Myrtilla's school, she put up a high fence.

When they threatened to send a mob, she added a big dog.

And when they threatened to attack her students -- she took up pistol practice.

Nothing -- and I mean nothing -- was going to stop this fortunate seed that fell on the good soil from doing her duty to help the other seeds that fell by the wayside.

One of Myrtilla's students later called her "one of the bravest women I have ever known." And Frederick Douglas became not only her friend, but her loud and proud supporter.

In later years, he wrote: "If we owe it to the generations that go before us and to those which come after us to make some record of the good deeds we have met with in our journey through life... we certainly should not forget the brave little woman who first invaded the city of Washington to establish here a school for the education of a class long despised and neglected."

Myrtilla Miner recognized her duty to give something back, and she did it - against many odds.

Your duty is to do the same.

And that's the third lesson: Make serving, not receiving -- giving, not getting -- an important part of your life.

Success is more than just personal accomplishment.

No one wins if we don't watch out for each other. Everyone wins if do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Many of you have already taken that message to heart -- giving your time and your talents to volunteer and make a difference in this community. Clearly, you are taking seriously your spiritual imperative to help our neighbors on the many Jericho roads of life.

I'm especially proud of those of you who are going into teaching. This class has much to offer our nation's schools.

Your colleague who is graduating first in the class, Mike Hunter, is planning to teach history. The NAEP history scores came out this week and it's clear we can really use your help, Mike.

Now Mike's graduating at the head of the class, but he's got an interesting story. He dropped out of high school. Wandered aimlessly from job to job like pizza parlors and grave yards - all those great things people get to do if they drop out of school.

Then one day he wised up to what his mother had been trying to tell him years ago when she was putting herself through nursing school while raising five sons:

Anyone can be a success. You just have to set high goals and be willing to work hard to achieve them.

So he got his GED. Enrolled here at UDC and - like everyone here - worked long and hard to make the grade.

So congratulations to you, Mike, and to your mom - who like all our moms - God bless them -- never lose faith in us no matter what.

Where's Mike's mom? Stand up and let us love you just a minute.

In fact -- let's have all the mothers -- in fact and in spirit -- stand up so we can thank you - sort of an early Mother's Day present.

Speaking of mothers -- there's another graduate today I want to recognize - Astrid Thomas Hendricks. Astrid, would you please stand? I hope you don't mind if I share your age -- everyone seems to know it anyway.

Astrid's 81 years young. She's getting her degree in early child development and she's been putting all this good knowledge to work as a volunteer at the daycare center here at UDC.

I know this degree means a lot to you. It's something you've wanted all your life, and I congratulate you and your family - who are here to share in your wonderful accomplishment.

I applaud all of you who are fanning out to schools across our nation to teach. You have my deepest gratitude.

You also have a great tool with which to work: The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 -- that came from the vision of President Bush and the bipartisan work of Congress.

It calls upon our nation to commit itself to the bold goal of an education system in America that educates all of its children. A system that leaves no child behind.

Teaching will never make you rich. I know - both my parents were teachers. And I've spent a lifetime in education. But our teachers are making a profound difference in our nation - one child at a time.

Earlier I spoke of Myrtilla Miner. She was a woman of courage, determination, and integrity who could have chosen many easier paths in life.

But she believed she was following the highest calling there is: Teaching.

Myrtilla Miner knew what renowned World War II General Omar Bradley knew.

General Bradley said: "The teacher is the real soldier of democracy. Others can defend it, but only (teachers) can make it work."

I urge each of you to follow the lead of teachers. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Mentor a child. Visit the elderly. Share your faith. Do whatever you can, wherever you are to make your community a better place for everyone to live.

The opportunities to serve are limitless. And so are the rewards.

Each of you carries with you a special legacy of duty and honor handed down by that brave little woman who invaded Washington to open a school.

No matter where your diplomas and your dreams take you in this world, Class of 2002, that legacy will follow. As a prod of conscience, and as a reminder of what is really important in life.

My final hope is that each of you will always remember what is important, and that your lives in the years to come will be a testimony to the transforming power of honor and of decency and of compassion for others.

Good luck and God bless you. God bless UDC. And God bless America.

Thank you very much.

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