[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 99 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ARTHUR LEVITT'S GRADUATION SPEECH

                                 ______


                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 15, 1995

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, this is the time of year when each of us 
spends a great deal of time addressing high school graduation classes. 
We offer our wisdom and experience to these young graduates who are 
entering a new phase in their lives.
  Students graduating from Pojoaque High School in my home county of 
Santa Fe had the unique opportunity to hear from the Chairman of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, Arthur Levitt. Chairman Levitt 
offered a magnificent commencement address that deserves to be shared 
with more than just the 101 member graduating class.
  I urge my colleagues to review Chairman Levitt's speech and share it 
with young people all across this great country.

   Remarks by Arthur Levitt, Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange 
    Commission--Pojoaque High School Graduation, Pojoaque Pueblo, NM

       I am really proud to be here--almost as proud as the 
     families and friends of the seniors who are graduating today. 
     Congratulations to each of you. You've worked hard to reach 
     this day--enjoy it.
       I don't think I ever wanted to speak at a graduation any 
     more than this one. I've seen you through the eyes of my 
     friend, John Rivera Dirks and his four classmates, Antonio 
     Gonzalez, George Gonzalez, Ronald Noybal and Melissa 
     Martinez, who honored me by your invitation. And I like what 
     I see--(101) men and women who have worked hard--played and 
     prayed together--repected their families, their community and 
     their country, and are now going to take the risks of jobs or 
     college in a world of uncertainty, challenge and opportunity.
       I guess I'm here partly as a Vecino who has a home about 13 
     miles south of here. And I'm here partly because John invited 
     me, and because I so admire the values of his family and 
     their devotion to one another and to their community.
       But there's one other reason I'm here today, and that is 
     because I identify with this community. I grew up in a 
     neighborhood called Crown Heights, which is in Brooklyn, New 
     York. And my mother, like John's, was a school teacher. And 
     believe it or not, Pojoaque and the Crown Heights I remember 
     have a lot in common. Both are very closely-knit communities, 
     where everyone knows everyone else. Both are home to many 
     members of the same family, so that your butcher or baker or 
     even your high school teacher might also be your uncle or 
     aunt.
       And, most important, Crown Heights and Pojoaque are both 
     equally part of America, a nation that offers its citizens 
     more opportunities than any nation in the world--no matter 
     whether you are a man or a woman, whether you are Hispanic, 
     Native America or Jewish, whether you live in New Mexico or 
     New York.
       That's not to say things come easy in this country. I've 
     had all kinds of jobs--I worked for a newspaper, served in 
     the Air Force, raised a family, worked on a ranch and in 
     offices. From time to time, I also encountered prejudice and 
     overcame it.
       I never went to graduate school or even took an economic 
     course. I nearly flunked out of grammar school and had lots 
     of doubts about my choice of jobs. I must confess to you that 
     in each of the five jobs I've held, including the present 
     one--without exception I started out by being terrified that 
     I was not up to it.
       Many of you have shared such uncertainties. You certainly 
     know that careers and relationships have bumps and curves. 
     But if one quality more than any other predicts success that 
     quality is perseverance. And if there is one characteristic 
     which will make success meaningful rather than just a cheap 
     or hollow attainment, that characteristic is integrity.
       I don't have to tell you about the problems of our society 
     that may impede or distract you--crime, injustice, drugs, 
     prejudice, and many more. You've gotten this far by 
     overcoming them. You'll need to stay tough--to fight for what 
     you want and believe in and resist the easy, fast, or 
     thoughtless paths.
       You'll also need to be smart and willing to take risks. The 
     best in our society have failed, made mistakes, or had bad 
     breaks but they didn't turn back, blame others, or remain 
     indecisive.
       Don't believe the myth that opportunity strikes only once 
     in a lifetime. You will be exposed to opportunities much more 
     than that--maybe once a day if you'll be receptive. What a 
     good eduction--either formal or by experience--will do is 
     equip you to recognize opportunities.
       Most of you know what it means to work hard. And you've 
     received a good education here at Pojoaque. So you already 
     have a solid foundation on which to build your lives.
       But more than half of you will take a step further and go 
     to college; if you can do it, that's really the best 
     foundation of all--especially in the 1990s.
       You may have friends or relatives who did fine without 
     college--in fact, the Prime Minister of England, John Major, 
     never finished college. But in most cases, those people 
     belong to a generation that came before you; your generation, 
     and those that come after you, will find the most 
     opportunities by going to college. So please do that if you 
     can--either now or later.
       But no matter what you do next, don't settle for whatever 
     life give you--instead--reach for the stars. You are 
     undoubtedly better than you think you are. You are probably 
     smarter. Try to make your fate rather than just going with 
     the flow.
       Sure it's easy for me to tell you what to do and what it's 
     all about. I know that it's tough to be 17 and, believe it or 
     not, I was once there. If I can leave this wonderful class 
     with anything today, it's to preserve your spirit, nuture the 
     values that brought your families to rejoice with you as you 
     graduate, and don't accept the path of least resistance.
       Take chances. Go out on a limb, for your job or your dream. 
     Laugh at yourself.
       Let someone in. Comfort a friend. Give, and give in. 
     Observe miracles--make them happen. Forgive an enemy. Take 
     time for people--make time for yourself.
       Write a song. Challenge someone in power. Say no. Climb a 
     mountain. Change your mind. Fail, feel, love, But above all--
     grow. Don't ever look back and say what might have been. 
     Enjoy life, and share you joys with others.
       Compassion, integrity and a sense of humor will make it 
     easier. The belief and pride I see in the eyes of your 
     parents and friends should get you off to a great start. And 
     know that I join the others in this room rooting and praying 
     for the Pojaque High School Class of `95. And now, after so 
     many years of listening to adults talk, it's time for you to 
     make some noise, too. This is your day. Congratulations, and 
     good luck. Buena Suerte.

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