Rep. Mike Thompson Delivers Commencement Address at Kelseyville High School
On Friday, June 17, Rep. Mike Thompson delivered the commencement address for graduates of Kelseyville High School in Kelseyville, California. The full text of the Congressman's remarks as prepared are available below:
"Thank you Kelseyville High School administrators, teachers, parents, and - most important - students for inviting me to speak on this most special day: your high school graduation. Congratulations! Years of hard work have brought you to this moment. You've worked hard, done well, and deserve to be proud of your success.
"During my public service as a Member of Congress and a State Senator, I have had the honor of giving commencement addresses at community colleges, state universities, and the University of California. But today marks my first high school commencement address. And I couldn't be prouder that it's here at Kelseyville High School! So again, thank you for this honor.
"I was a little nervous about my first high school commencement, so I asked some of my colleagues what advice they had for tonight's graduates. During my remarks, I'll share with you some of what they offered.
"You are fortunate to live in this incredible community, where you can enjoy beautiful Clear Lake; the flowering pear trees on Main Street; picturesque vineyards; and the commanding presence of Mt. Konocti with its majestic Black Forest. But you're also surrounded by something even more special and important - a community of friends, family, and neighbors who are proud of you and are rooting for your continued success.
"Your achievements are impressive. Some of you are going to four year universities, community colleges, and trade schools; others are preparing to serve our country in the military; and others are jumping straight into the workforce. Wherever you go, and whatever you do, Kelseyville will always be home. Kelseyville is your community.
"And an important part of being a member of a community is working to improve it - to give back to the folks who provided the foundation for your success, and to strengthen that foundation for those who will follow you. Former House Speaker, now Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi asked that I tell you that the best way to do that is to 'be ready' - to 'develop your skills so that you are ready for the opportunities that come your way.'
"Being ready is not a spectator sport. You have to work for it, strivefor it, and sacrifice for it. You have to commit yourself to being a lifelong learner - to continually seek knowledge and self-improvement.
"I have few tips that I hope will be helpful to you 'being ready.'
"First,find your passion. Passion is what gives your life meaning and purpose - it's what drives all of us to do our part to make our world a better place. To find your passion, you have to ask yourself some tough questions - not just now, but over and over again throughout your life:
“'What is it I am good at?' Have you always been a good writer, speaker, organizer, builder, teacher, friend? Do you come up with good ideas, connect people, or inspire others? 'What excites me?' It may be something at work - a part of your job that gets your juices flowing. It could be something you do outside of work - a hobby, something you do as a volunteer, as a student, or as a friend. And finally, 'What do I dream of doing?' We all have a dream job - to be a novelist, an astronaut, a fashion designer, a doctor, or the next Mark Zuckerberg. What attracts you to this career?
"You may have the answers to these questions right now. I sure didn't when I was 17, 18, 19, or even 20. Let's just say it took me years to realize that my passion is public service. But no matter how long it takes, all I ask is that eventually you know and live your passion. Take the time to discover what you want, and then go after it.
"Second, know your stuff. Make sure you have a strong foundation in whatever it is you pursue. For some of you, that foundation will come through additional formal education. For others, it will come through life lessons learned at work or in the military. Different forms of education, all very valuable.
"My colleague and presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann asked that I remind you that 'there is one thing no one can ever take away from you - your education.' That's important advice - you can't be certain of everything in life, but you can always depend on yourself.
"On your journey as lifelong learners, take any and all opportunities to absorb the wisdom of others. Listen to your teachers, to your bosses, to your family - to anyone who knows something you don't. You can always learn something, no matter how old you get or who you are. Let their knowledge work for you!
"Third, work hard and if you make a mistake, learn from it. You already have a head start on this lesson - it's taken all of you years to earn this diploma!
"Talent and genius alone aren't enough to get you through life. You have to invest yourself in your goals - put in the ‘blood, sweat, and tears' that will ultimately make you the best at what you do. All of you are naturally gifted, but that alone won't ensure your success. To reach your full potential, heed the advice of House Speaker John Boehner, whose words to you are: 'Go out and work for it!'
"Sometimes, even with hard work, there will be mistakes and bad choices. How many of you have watched or heard of the show, 'Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?' Well, here's a news flash for you: you are smarter than your Congressman was at your age. That's because you are graduating from high school tonight!
"I thought I knew more than my parents, my teachers, and most other adults. So, I dropped out of high school. Bad choice, big mistake! It wasn't until I was in the Army and Vietnam-bound that I realized those adults were one heck of a lot smarter than I thought. I eventually made my way back to school, and may be the only person you know to get a GED, Bachelor's degree, high school diploma, and Master's degree - in that order!
"Dropping out of high school was a mistake, but I recognized my error and learned from it. You'll make mistakes in your life. Bad choices are a part of the human experience - they're one way we learn, grow, and ultimately, succeed.
"Finally, and most important, never give up. There are going to be times when it seems like there are too many barriers blocking the path to your success. When you find yourself in this situation, just remember that any goal worth having is worth working for.
"One of the most inspirational Members of Congress is John Lewis from Georgia. He was beaten and jailed while marching and working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. His advice for you is actually a reminder: that the greatest misconception facing our country is that there are no more hard battles to be fought - that we've reached a place in our democracy where we can finally sit down. But that's not true.
"Congressman Lewis says to 'get off the sidelines and get in the game. We have to get our fingernails dirty, dig in, and make sure that our nation does what is right, what is fair, and what is just.' He's a good reminder that change doesn't always come easy. Throughout our history, disenfranchised groups were constantly told to give up their fight against injustice. But they didn't stop. And eventually, they won the rights they deserved.
"So when confronted with a challenge, don't let it stop you. Remember the courage and persistence of the leaders who came before you - who worked hard and fought for what they believed in. Use their tenacity as your model. And eventually, you'll look up and realize you got where you wanted to go!
"Your graduation from high school marks the end of one chapter of your life and - with diploma in hand - opens a new door to wonderful opportunities. As Americans, we are truly blessed to live in a land where we can make our dreams come true with hard work and a little bit of luck. So take your dreams, your ambitions, and your plans and run with em'!
"Whether you become doctors, lawyers, teachers, mechanics, vineyard managers, privates, sergeants, lieutenants, sales clerks, winemakers, or entrepreneurs - be the absolute best! And remember to give back to your community. We still need heroes and heroines to make sure our country continues to grow and thrive.
"Your acts of heroism don't have to be huge - you don't need to be Mother Teresa or the Green Lantern, but you do need to be a contributor to your community. Any time we put the needs of others ahead of ourselves, we are taking on the quality of a hero or heroine. So whether you mentor young kids, volunteer with veterans, or serve as a member of the school board or city council - those are the actions that make you a hero in your own right. Embrace that role - don't be afraid to grab the baton of leadership.
"And when you encounter a bump in the road, just remember that YOU are the driver of your own success. It's never too late to change course or correct a mistake. You are surrounded by a community of folks who are proud of you and know whatever you do, you'll do well.
"Kelseyville High School Graduates of 2011: congratulations, and thanks for having me with you today. Now go get the opportunities before you - take what you have learned here and put it to use doing great things. We'll be cheering for you every step of the way! Congratulations!"