[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1196-E1197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              VALEDICTORY ADDRESS BY LINDA HOWARD GARRETT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                  in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2005

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to submit for the Record the 
compelling statement of Linda Howard Garrett who gave the valedictory 
address at the Ann Arundel Community College Commencement Ceremony on 
May 26, 2005.
  Linda is a wonderful and inspiring example of someone who has the 
will and perseverance to make a brighter future for themselves and 
their family. Her determination and persistence to go back to school 
later in life shows that it is never too late to pursue the ``American 
Dream'' and succeed!
  I was proud to join Linda at Anne Arundel Community College's 
Commencement and am pleased to submit her address for the Record.

              Valedictory Address by Linda Howard Garrett

       ``Good evening, President Smith, Congressman Hoyer, 
     Trustees, honored guests, faculty, staff, friends and 
     families, classmates.
       If anyone had told me 2 years ago that I would be standing 
     here tonight, I would have stared in disbelief. It was with 
     great trepidation that I returned to school after 37 years, 
     and I wasn't sure I would succeed, much less excel. And yet 
     here I am--here we all are because of our hard work and 
     dedication to a goal.
       Many people have asked me what motivated me to work so hard 
     and to remain so dedicated, and as I began to think about 
     that question, I realized there were several answers.
       It helped to know that I was enrolled in one of the premier 
     paralegal studies programs in the country, and attending Ann 
     Arundel--a shining star in the Nation's network of community 
     colleges.
       Of course there was my family who inspired me by their 
     unflagging support--especially my 14-year-old daughter who 
     temporarily relinquished her self-proclaimed position as 
     center of the universe and willingly assumed more 
     responsibility at home because I had a test scheduled or a 
     paper due.
       And the professors who gave so generously of their time and 
     talents: Professors Kelly Koermer, Robyn Brown, Karen Cook, 
     Mona Clark, Stanley Robbins, Susan Kilgard, Richard 
     Faircloth, Sarah Glenn, Cathy Hayes, Sherry Hopkins, Wade 
     Taylor. I could go on and on as I'm sure each of you could as 
     you remember those dedicated teachers who were a profound 
     influence on you.
       Sometimes it was a staff member--like Miss Ina in the 
     Florestano student lounge my first year. Even though she 
     wasn't officially scheduled to open until 8:30, she was there 
     every morning at least an hour early, dispensing hot coffee 
     and encouragement.
       Often, it was a classmate: the student older than I--in his 
     seventies--still seeking knowledge and growth and 
     intellectual stimulation. Or the 18-year-old who took the 
     earliest classes available so she could hurry home to care 
     for her ailing mother. And all of the amazing single parents 
     juggling families and full-time jobs and still managing to 
     attend every class, turning in every assignment on time.
       But perhaps the most compelling influence was a sense of 
     history and an appreciation for what many Americans take for 
     granted. I gained that appreciation while serving for 26 
     years with the U.S. Army. During that time I had the 
     opportunity to travel all over the world--from the Far East 
     to East Berlin. And the more I saw of the world, the more I 
     came to value the freedoms and opportunities that are 
     uniquely American. And at no time did I feel that 
     appreciation more than during a visit to Ellis Island.
       Over a hundred years, ago, immigrants poured into this 
     country seeking a better life. And they weren't satisfied to 
     just be in America. They wanted to be Americans, and that 
     meant that they had to learn a new language and a new history 
     so they could pass a citizenship test. They sought out 
     classes wherever they could find them--in church basements 
     and elementary school classrooms and community halls.
       So when it seemed he too much effort for me to write 
     another brief, or struggle to learn the arcane vocabulary of 
     the law or drag myself to one more early class, I would 
     remember those immigrants who, after working backbreaking 12-
     , 14-, 16-hour days, went willingly, joyfully to class 
     because they understood that every step toward that classroom 
     brought them one step closer to realizing the American Dream. 
     And when I remembered them, I could not dishonor their memory 
     by turning in shoddy work or failing to fully embrace the 
     opportunity their legacy provided because from those humble 
     beginnings an entire system of adult education evolved. 
     Single scattered classes became

[[Page E1197]]

     night school and then City College and junior college and 
     finally the community college, as we know it today.
       And although at one time the classes at one of these local 
     colleges was considered less prestigious than at the four 
     year colleges, that is no longer true today. In response to a 
     growing need, as community colleges' facilities and curricula 
     expanded, so did their reputations. Today, while community 
     colleges continue to serve those who, because of families and 
     jobs, need to stay close to home, they also serve those who 
     recognize that many community colleges provide specialized 
     programs that rival those available at four-year 
     universities.
       I hope that everyone of you as you go forward will also 
     look back and remember that you are carrying the torch for 
     all those educators and students whose commitment and vision 
     made today's community college a reality. And I hope you will 
     tell all of your friends and families and neighbors that the 
     first step toward realizing the American dream begins with an 
     education, and that a first-class, top-notch education is 
     accessible in their backyards, right here at Ann Arundel 
     Community College. I hope that you will never take for 
     granted the history of freedom and opportunity that mad it 
     possible for you to take that step. And I hope, as you go 
     forward, that you will never miss the opportunity to say, 
     with great pride, as I say tonight, I am a graduate of Ann 
     Arundel Community College.''

                          ____________________