[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.

                          ____________________