    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 31, 2008]
    [Pages 739-742]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Commencement Address at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina
    May 31, 2008

        Thank you. Thank you very much. Mr. President--President Shi, thank you for that kind introduction. Governor
    Sanford, Senator Graham, Congressman Inglis,
    members of the board of trustees, faculty, staff, members of the Furman
    community, parents, and most important, the class of 2008: Thank you for
    this kind invitation to be with you.
        I congratulate the parents here who have sacrificed to make this day
    possible. When your child graduates from college, it is a glorious day
    for your family and a pretty good day for your bank account. [Laughter]
    I know the graduates will join me in thanking you for your love and
    support.
        And I thank the members of the Furman faculty. I appreciate your
    devoting your career to improving the lives of young people. I know this
    is an institution where folks are encouraged to make their voices heard.
    I too am a strong believer in free speech. And to prove it, I'm about to
    give you one. [Laughter]
        For 4 years, this campus has been your life. You've studied hard,
    and I suspect some of you may have played hard. [Laughter] Along the
    way, some of you may have wondered whether this day would ever come.
    Well, it's finally here, and Laura and I send our
    heartfelt congratulations to the class of 2008.
        I'm glad to be joined with my friend and outstanding leader of South
    Carolina, Governor Mark Sanford, class of 1983.
    Governor, I'm not going to ask if you ever got caught swimming in the
    fountains. [Laughter]
        As the president said, 25 years ago, the
    Governor sat where you now sit, as a member of
    the graduating class. As it happens, as he mentioned, the commencement
    speaker that day was my dad. Now, that
    means some at Furman will have heard graduation speeches from two
    generations of Bushes. It's a great step forward for the Bush family and
    a great step backward for your English department. [Laughter]
        And as the president mentioned, I have other family ties with
    Furman. In the early 1930s, a student named Willa Martin graduated from
    the women's college that was soon to become part of Furman. She went on
    to marry my mother's father. She also spent
    time as a columnist for the Associated Press, thus beginning the long
    history of warm relations between the Bush family and the media.
    [Laughter]
        My administration also has another Furman connection. One of the
    first people I see almost every morning is a Furman grad and my Director
    of National Intelligence, Admiral Mike
    McConnell, class of 1966. I asked Mike if he ever took part in the
    ``midnight serenade.'' He said, I'd like to tell you, but the
    information is classified. [Laughter]
        It's a special time of your life. It's--you're going to find it's a
    time when you get a lot of free advice--some of it helpful, some of it
    not--like that one graduation speaker who urged the students to keep
    their ears to the ground, their shoulders to the wheel, and their noses
    to the grindstone. All I could think was, that's a hell of a position to
    be in. [Laughter]
        I also remember what it was like to graduate from college and look
    out at the world before me. At the time, I must confess, the last thing
    on my mind was how to be a model citizen. Just ask my mother. [Laughter] Yet I found, as you will, the world has a
    way of helping you to grow. Soon many of you will be earning a living
    and getting married and raising families. As you move ahead in life, you
    will find temptations and distractions that can take you off course. You
    might also find that

    [[Page 740]]

    years may pass before you learn some important truths: that who you are
    is more important than what you have, and that you have responsibilities
    to your fellow citizens, your country, your family, and yourself.
        In my first speech as the Governor of Texas, I talked about the
    importance of a responsibility society. In my last commencement address
    as President, it seems a fitting subject to return to.
        I'm heartened today to see that our country is seeing a resurgence
    of personal responsibility. I'm pleased that this resurgence is being
    led by many young people who are embracing bedrock values of faith and
    family. These are values on which Furman and many other great
    universities were founded. And as you leave this campus today, my call
    to you is this: Strengthen this rising culture of responsibility in
    America by serving others, contributing to our civic life, and being
    accountable to yourself and your families.
        A culture of responsibility does mean serving others. Through the
    toil of generations and the grace of an Almighty, our Nation has been
    given a lot. And more and more Americans are recognizing our obligations
    to help those who have little.
        One of the most uplifting trends in our country is that volunteerism
    is at near alltime highs. And we see this spirit here at Furman. I was
    impressed when I heard that nearly two-thirds of you balanced your
    studies this year with outreach to your community. You helped children
    with disabilities realize they have a place in our communities and in
    our hearts. You helped Habitat for Humanity give people a home of their
    own. Through such works of compassion, you've learned early in life that
    nothing is more fulfilling than putting the needs of others ahead of
    your own. And I thank you for what you've done for this community and
    for our country.
        I saw the spirit of service in Greensburg, Kansas, which was
    destroyed by a tornado last year. In the aftermath, a Greensburg
    resident simply said, ``My town is gone.'' And
    it was. But after the storm receded, a wave of compassion arrived.
    First, family members rushed in with aid. Then folks came from nearby
    towns doing their duties to help their neighbors in need. And soon
    citizens across our country rallied to help the people of Greensburg. I
    recently went to Greensburg High School to deliver their commencement
    address, and I'm pleased to report to you, the town of Greensburg is
    recovering, and the spirit of determination and compassion is alive and
    well in America's heartland.
        I've seen the spirit of service in good Americans who work to heal
    troubled communities across our country. Much of this good work is
    carried out by community and faith-based groups who lift up struggling
    souls one at a time. They serve in soup kitchens and help former
    prisoners rejoin society, inspire young people in inner-city classrooms,
    ensuring they have the skills they need to live lives of hope and
    opportunity.
        I've seen the spirit of service in Americans who are changing lives
    on the continent of Africa. Our citizens are teaching children in Ghana,
    helping villagers fight malaria and HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, and helping
    war-ravaged people recover and rebuild in Liberia. These citizens are
    showing the world the true face of our country, a kind and generous
    nation that is meeting its responsibility to help the poor and the sick
    and the hungry.
        I've seen the spirit of service in those who proudly wear the
    uniform. America is blessed to have citizens who volunteer in times of
    danger, and that includes some of you here today. You will leave Furman
    with more than a degree--[applause]--you'll leave this fine university
    with more than a degree; you will also receive your commission as an
    officer in the United States military. I thank you for making the noble
    decision to serve. Your country's proud of you, and so is your Commander
    in Chief.

    [[Page 741]]

        To all of you, my call is to make service to others a way of life.
    Wherever you live, whatever you do, find a way to give back to your
    communities. And however you choose to serve, you're going to learn a
    great lesson: that the more you give, the more you'll benefit.
        A culture of responsibility means contributing to our civic life. I
    ask you to be citizens, not spectators, and help to build a nation of
    virtue and character. You can strengthen our country by participating in
    the democratic process. In recent years, we've seen millions of people
    in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Georgia and Ukraine risk their
    lives for the right to cast a ballot. These courageous people should
    inspire us to take our votes just as seriously. I know the democratic
    spirit is alive in our country because there was a big vote recently.
    The new American Idol got about 55 million votes. [Laughter] I hope we
    see even a bigger turnout this November. For some of you, this will be
    your first Presidential election. I ask you to get involved in the
    process and do your duty and vote. By the way, if you're wondering who
    to vote for, the Governor and I would be happy
    to offer a few suggestions. [Laughter]
        You can strengthen our country by showing fiscal discipline in your
    lives. It may sound funny coming from a visitor from Washington, DC, but
    it's important to your futures and to the future of our country. Many of
    you have debts from student loans. It's an investment that I expect you
    will find worthwhile. In the next few years, you may find it tempting to
    amass more debt, particularly from credit cards, on expenses that bring
    little long-term benefit. My advice to you is to--not to dig a financial
    hole that you can't get out of. Live within your means, and bear in mind
    that there are no shortcuts to the American Dream.
        Your Furman degree will open the door to a wide variety of career
    options. One of the most noble paths you can take is a career in public
    service. I know you probably look at the debates in Washington and in
    the political campaigns and conclude that public service isn't worth it.
    That's a mistake. I've had my fair share of critics, but no criticism
    can overcome the satisfaction of serving your fellow citizens and
    pursuing great goals for our Nation. If you choose a career in public
    service, maintain the highest ethical standards, bring honor to whatever
    position you hold, and always put the people you serve ahead of
    yourself.
        But public service is not just politics. It can include social work
    and teaching and careers in the nonprofit sector. There are countless
    organizations across our country that devote themselves to improving the
    lives of others, such as the American Red Cross or Teach for America or
    the Boys and Girls Clubs. These groups fulfill a noble mission, and
    they're a vital part of the responsibility society.
        Others of you will make your careers in the private sector. If you
    choose this path, take pride in what you do, work hard, and bring value
    to the enterprise you work for. And remember this: Our country needs
    corporate responsibility as well as personal responsibility. So if you
    enter the business world, be honest with your shareholders, be truthful
    to your consumers, and give back to the communities in which you live.
    And all of us have a responsibility to be good stewards of the
    environment.
        Finally, a culture of responsibility means being accountable to your
    families and to yourself. I found family to be a source of great comfort
    and strength. When people talk about my family, they often say I
    inherited my dad's eyes and my
    mother's mouth. [Laughter] But I got far more
    from them than that. From my dad, I learned that a gentle soul can also
    be strong. From my mother, I saw the blessings of humor and honesty and
    unqualified love. And from the two of them, I got an inspiring example
    of how a strong marriage can carry you through any challenge. And what
    has carried me through the challenges in my life have been the love and
    support of a wonderful woman named Laura Bush.

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        My wish is that you find a partner in life who loves you and
    challenges you and comforts you and gives your life meaning. And if you
    have the blessings of becoming a parent, I would like for you to
    remember that the most important job you will ever have is to love your
    child with all your heart.
        In life, there's going to be many temptations to distract you from
    your responsibilities. Popular culture can give you the impression that
    alcohol, drugs, or promiscuity can lead to fulfillment in life. It's an
    illusion, and I urge you to reject it.
        If you do fall short, know that it is never too late to recover and
    get back on the right track. There was a time in my life when alcohol
    competed for my affections, but I found salvation in my family and my
    faith. There's no shame in recognizing your failings or getting help if
    you need it. Tragedy comes when we fail to take responsibility for our
    weaknesses and surrender to them.
        Finally, you probably don't realize it, but you're role models for
    others in your life, whether it's a little brother or sister who looks
    up to you or someone else who admires you. Positive role models are
    greatly needed in this society. And I urge you to set a hopeful example
    by leading lives of character and integrity. And if you do, you'll be
    proud of who you are; you'll teach others around you that a life of
    responsibility leads to a life of fulfillment.
        In all these ways, your generation has an opportunity to show how
    timeless values can be applied in a modern world. And as you do so,
    history offers noble examples to follow, including many from right here
    in South Carolina. From this State came a signer of the Declaration of
    Independence who lost his fortune fighting for our freedom, but never
    regretted the fight. From this State came the brave colonel who drew a
    line in the sand against oppressive rule at the old Spanish mission
    called the Alamo. And from this State came the child of slaves who was
    among the first black women to be an adviser to Presidents.
        And from this State came a young man who went off to serve his
    country in World War II. His last name was Smith, and it happens his
    first name was Furman. Private Furman Smith, he never attended this
    school, but he grew up right down the road. While on duty in Italy,
    Private Smith's unit came under heavy fire. He fended off 80 enemy
    soldiers to defend his wounded buddies. He died at the age of 19, with
    his rifle still clutched in his hand. For the acts of courage and
    character that cost him his life, Furman Smith was awarded the Medal of
    Honor. Sixty-four years ago this very day, that young man carried the
    Furman name into history. And now, in a very different way, so will each
    of you.
        May the values you learned here always guide your course. May you
    always make the right choices. And may you always look in the mirror and
    be proud of what you see.
        Congratulations. God bless you.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:09 p.m. at Paladin Stadium. In his
    remarks, he referred to David E. Shi, president, Furman University.