[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 24, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E768-E769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SOUTHEASTERN COLLEGE
______
HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, on Friday
July 19th, 2024, I was otherwise detained due to the nationwide
CrowdStrike/Microsoft Outage and was unable to deliver the commencement
address at Southeastern College. The following are the remarks I
prepared to share with the graduating students:
Campus President Melissa Jackson, esteemed faculty, members
of the class of 2024, family members, and distinguished
guests, what an honor it is to be with you today.
I want to thank President Jackson and Dean Herlene
Williams-Ancar for the opportunity to speak to such a
remarkable group of men and women.
In my role as a U.S. Congressman, I serve as a senior
Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce,
as well as a member of the Caucus for Career and Technical
Education, so I am especially grateful to be here with you
today.
As a grateful father of four sons, I want to give a special
greeting to all the families here today. My wife Roxanne and
I have had our fair share of graduations and know firsthand
how proud you are of your husbands and wives, sons and
daughters, and mothers and fathers. What an exciting time for
you.
We are here today to congratulate and celebrate the more
than 70 members of this years' graduating class, who have put
in countless hours of hard work to reach their goals. What an
esteemed group of students you are.
Your accomplishments speak for themselves, and you deserve
recognition for all the hard work you have put in to reach
this point. You have sacrificed spending time with your
families and given up most of your free time to push yourself
and receive the certificate or diploma you are about to be
awarded.
Each of you has a different story as to how you came to
this precise moment. Many of you may not have picked up a
textbook in years, yet jumped back into becoming a student,
all while managing the other aspects of your life. Whether it
be working full-time to provide for yourself and your family
or trying your best to be a superstar parent or spouse, you
were able to juggle all these responsibilities and receive a
degree. Just one of these tasks is a job all in its own, so
the dedication to your studies should be celebrated and
admired. And your commitment to contributing to our workforce
is admirable.
As you well know, Southeastern College is a unique and
challenging place to learn. The education you have received
in the fields of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical
Assisting, Radiologic Technology, Surgical Technology,
Cosmetology, and Professional Clinical Massage Therapy have
prepared you for a new professional career ahead.
Because of the knowledge you have obtained during your time
here, you are now the best equipped to assist within the
profession you have chosen to benefit the lives of your
neighbors and community.
I am sure the hours spent reading quietly alone in a
library or surrounded by your noisy family at home have
satisfied a thirst you all share for knowledge, and they will
serve you as you head on to future endeavors. Your
accomplishments have allowed you to be far more knowledgeable
and will set you apart from others applying for jobs within
your field of choice.
In a National Teacher Appreciation Day Proclamation in
1988, former President Ronald Reagan stated that ``Education
is a lifelong process that benefits individuals and entire
communities and countries and helps lay the foundation of the
future.''
Over the course of your life, you have learned countless
lessons, many of which have been obtained through reading a
textbook, and others from your personal experiences.
[[Page E769]]
The need for hard work will always be there and I encourage
you to never shy away from a tough challenge. You have shown
what you can accomplish when you put your heart and mind to
doing something worthwhile. So, each of you should be
extremely proud of your accomplishments.
You have worked hard to receive a wonderful education, so
be confident of your abilities and be optimistic as you meet
the future head on.
Our society faces many challenges right now, and politics
can seem more divided than ever, but I can tell you from my
own experience that there is no greater honor than service to
your community.
I want to thank President Jackson and the faculty again for
the honor of being with you today. I want to thank the
families and friends for letting me share in the celebration
of these graduates. And, of course, I want to thank you, the
Class of 2024 for the opportunity to be with you today. I
wish you all the best in the years to come. May God Bless.
____________________