[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 18 (Monday, May 12, 2008)]
[Pages 656-659]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Commencement Address at Greensburg High School in Greensburg, Kansas

May 4, 2008

    Thank you all. Thank you very much. Superintendent, thank you for 
that kind introduction. Governor Sebelius, thank you for being here; 
Senator Brownback; Senator Roberts; Congressman Tiahrt; Mayor Janssen; 
Mayor-elect Dixson; City Administrator Hewitt; Principal Fulton; members 
of the administration; faculty and staff; distinguished guests; family, 
friends, and most importantly, the class of 2008.
    I am honored to be at Greensburg High School, home of the Rangers. 
As some of you may know, I used to be one of the owners of a baseball 
team with that name. [Laughter] So from one Ranger fan to another, I 
give you this message: Beat 'em up, beat 'em up, GHS.
    And I thank you for rescheduling this ceremony so I could make it. 
[Laughter] I know you originally planned to hold the commencement next 
weekend. It's the same weekend as my daughter's wedding. I could have 
suggested changing the date of the wedding instead. [Laughter] I think 
we all know how that would have turned out. [Laughter] So thanks so very 
much.
    It is fitting that we hold the commencement on this day, because it 
marks the 1-year anniversary of the tornado that forever changed your 
lives. Those of you who lived through the storm remember your ears 
popping from the change in the air pressure. You remember huddling with 
your loved ones in basements. And when it was safe to come out, you 
remember the shock of seeing your entire town in ruins.
    At this ceremony, we celebrate your yearlong journey from tragedy to 
triumph. We celebrate the resurgence of a town that stood tall when its 
buildings and homes were laid low. We celebrate the power of faith, the 
love of family, and the bonds of friendship that guided you through the 
disaster. And finally, we celebrate the resilience of 18 seniors who 
grow closer together when the world around them blew apart. When the 
class of 2008 walks across the stage today, you will send a powerful 
message to our Nation: Greensburg, Kansas, is back, and its best days 
are ahead.
    To reach this day, the class of 2008 has overcome challenges unlike 
those faced by any other graduating class. You've spent a year in 
portable classrooms that look very different from the red book--brick 
school you attended as freshmen. Many of you have gone home to trailers 
that lack the comforts of the houses you had. All of you have had to 
juggle a full load of schoolwork and activities while also working to 
help this community rebuild. Through it all, you've shown determination 
and perseverance, and today you have earned the right to call yourselves 
graduates of Greensburg High School. And I congratulate you all on a 
tremendous achievement.
    To reach this day, the class of 2008 depended on the support of 
loving families. Your families are proud of what you've accomplished, 
and I know you are grateful for their unconditional love. I ask all the 
parents to stand and receive the thanks of the class of 2008.
    To reach this day, the class of 2008 also relied on the guidance and 
wisdom of your teachers and administrators. They have known many of you 
since your first day of kindergarten, and they were determined to help 
you graduate in the town where your education began. Less than 4 months 
after the storm, they managed to reopen classes for the start of the new 
school year. Under the leadership of your superintendent and the 
principal, the faculty and staff of Greensburg High School have given 
this community stability and strength in a time of desperate need. And 
today we give them all our thanks.
    Over the past year, your--the members of your class have relied on 
fundamental values that have given you strength and comfort as you deal 
with hardship and you heal your community and you rebuild your lives.

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You've learned some important lessons that will serve you for whatever 
you do next.
    The Greensburg class of 2008 has learned that America's communities 
are stronger than any storm. The tornado tore apart the beams and boards 
that held your houses together, but it could not break the bonds of 
family and faith that hold your town together.
    We see the strength of those bonds in the way that you held 
commencement last year on a golf course just weeks after the storm. We 
see the strength of those bonds in congregations that have stuck 
together despite losing their church buildings. We see the strength of 
those bonds in the caravan of cars that follow your school sports teams 
wherever they go. Because the storm destroyed your athletic facilities, 
you had a full schedule of away games. And even though you're always on 
the road, they tell me you always had a home crowd.
    When your boys basketball team made it to the sub-State finals, 
nearly every person in this town turned out. The team even got a police 
escort. They say it was bigger than the one I got. [Laughter] Your fans 
rushed to the court after you won on a buzzer beater to advance to the 
State tournament for the first time in 30 years. And I have been told 
that the first person to spring out of the stands was Principal Fulton. 
[Laughter] The basketball team finished with a great record, and along 
with all your other school teams, it has given this good town a lot to 
cheer about.
    As the class of 2008 ventures into the world, your hometown will 
always be a source of stability and comfort and pride. Greensburg is 
where many of your parents and grandparents grew up. It's where you went 
to church with your neighbors on Sundays. It's where you wanted home to 
be after the storm. So wherever you go, you will be able to rely on the 
ties of family and your faith and your friends that were forged here, 
and you'll always carry Greensburg, Kansas, in your heart.
    The Greensburg class of 2008 has learned that Americans will always 
rebuild stronger and better than before. Often in life, you're dealt the 
hand that you did not expect. The test of a community and the test of an 
individual is how you play the hand. Over the past 7 years, I've seen 
Americans in communities across our country overcome some tough hands. 
I've seen the resolve of American spirit in the wake of the terrorist 
attacks of 9/11, the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina, eight hurricanes 
in Florida, tornadoes in States like Missouri, Tennessee, and Alabama, 
wildfires in southern California and in Oregon. I saw the same resolve 
and the same determination in the people of Greensburg, Kansas.
    When I visited Greensburg last year, I remember walking your 
streets, and I remember meeting Kaye Hardinger. She was standing outside 
the wreckage of her home. She took a look at me and said, ``I would have 
invited you in for coffee,'' but she didn't have time to dust. 
[Laughter] Today, Kaye lives in a trailer with her family in a nearby 
town, but she continues to plan for the day when she and her family move 
back to Greensburg and rebuild. And, Kaye, when that day comes, fire up 
the coffeepot. [Laughter]
    When I visited Greensburg, I also met a man named Kelly Estes. Kelly 
is a John Deere dealer. I remember so very well walking with Kelly and 
his wife and his family through the rubble after that storm hit. He lost 
more than $18 million worth of equipment, but he was ready to look for 
the future. After caring for his employees who had lost their homes, he 
began making plans to bring his business back to Greensburg. Earlier 
this year, he broke ground on a new dealership that will be a model of 
energy efficiency, create more than two dozen new jobs, and inject new 
vitality into Greensburg economy.
    People like Kaye and Kelly are part of a more hopeful future for 
your city. The leaders of your town understand that out of the 
devastation of the storm comes an opportunity to rebuild with a free 
hand and a clean slate. They envision a future where new jobs flourish, 
where every public building meets the highest environmental standards, 
and where the beauty of rural America meets the great possibilities of 
new technology. The community is dedicated to putting the ``green'' in 
Greensburg. And as you work to achieve this vision, the Federal 
Government will honor its commitments and continue to stand by you.

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    Ultimately, the future of Greensburg and the future of our Nation 
will belong to the young. The education that you've received at this 
school will prepare you for a lifetime of opportunity and achievement. 
And the lessons you have learned in this town will give you the strength 
to rise above any obstacle in your path. You've seen life at its most 
difficult. You have emerged stronger from it. Now I call on you to take 
this spirit forward and help our country in a way that makes us more 
resilient and more courageous as a people.
    And finally, the Greensburg class of 2008 also understands what it 
means to serve a higher cause. The hours--in the hours after the storm, 
your concern was not for what you'd lost; it was for the safety of the 
people you loved. As senior class president Jarrett Schaef said, he'd 
look for his friends in the dark of night. And I appreciate that kind of 
leadership. When someone suggested that he leave town, he refused. Here 
is what he said: ``I hadn't found nearly enough of my friends, and I 
wasn't going to leave until I had.''
    Jarrett wasn't alone that night. As you well know, many of your 
family members rushed to Greensburg from nearby counties and other 
States to offer love and support. Other folks came from towns as well, 
compassionate citizens who came to do their duty to help a neighbor in 
need.
    And you'll always remember these generous and caring souls. And you 
will always remember the thousands of other volunteers who descended 
upon Greensburg in the months that followed. The volunteers came from 
all across America.
    One of them was a student named Christopher Skrzypczak. Last year, 
Christopher almost lost his life when a tornado tore through his high 
school in Enterprise, Alabama. So when he saw the news reports about 
Greensburg, he wanted to help. He raised money to purchase hundreds of 
new books for your library. He drove with his family all the way from 
Enterprise to Greensburg to deliver the books in person. Volunteers like 
Christopher brought hope to this community, and they set an inspiring 
example for our country.
    Over the past year, students in Greensburg have also answered the 
call to serve others. Despite all that you lost, each of you has 
discovered that you have far more to give. Over the summer, many of you 
worked with AmeriCorps to clear debris and help the needy. On Greensburg 
Make a Difference Day, you helped plant new trees and flowers in the 
parks. When a tornado hit Jackson, Tennessee, in February, elementary 
and middle school students worked with their teachers to raise more than 
$5,000 in aid for the victims. In these acts of service, we are reminded 
that as much as Greensburg changes, the compassion of its citizens is a 
constant source of strength.

    One member of your class who represents the spirit of service is 
Aaron Widner. This fall, Aaron decided to enlist in the Marine Corps. 
Like many other courageous young men and women across America, he has 
stepped forward to defend our freedom during a time of war, and we honor 
him today. And, Aaron, I wish you the best of luck at boot camp, and I 
look forward to serving as your Commander in Chief.

    On this graduation day, I ask every member of your class to devote 
your lives to a cause larger than yourselves. Over the past year, you've 
learned that you can never predict what tomorrow will bring. Wherever 
the winds of life take you, you can be certain that serving others will 
always make your lives more fulfilling.

    As we watch the class of 2008 graduate today, the dark clouds from 1 
year ago have parted and have made way for a brighter future. We'll 
always hold in our hearts those who lost their lives. But with faith in 
He who rides above the mighty storm, we go forth with confidence that 
Greensburg will rise again.

    I thank you for having me today. God bless you. God bless you, and 
may God bless the class of 2008. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 3:28 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Darin Headrick, superintendent, Greensburg USD 422; Gov. Kathleen 
Sebelius of Kansas; Mayor John Janssen, Mayor-elect Bob Dixson, and City 
Administrator Steve Hewitt of Greensburg, KS; and Randy Fulton, 
principal, Greensburg High School.

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