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HOVNANIAN GRADUATION TALKING POINTS
U.S. REP. FRANK PALLONE, JR.
JUNE 26, 2005
INTRODUCTION
- It's so nice to be here today for this momentous occasion. My
oldest daughter will be making the transition to high school in a couple
of years, so I can imagine the great sense of pride you parents are feeling
today.
- We all know the important role parents, grandparents, aunts and
uncles play in building the strong characters of our children, and helping
to create the young person they are today. Whether it's shuttling them
around from a soccer practice to a piano lesson, or helping them with algebra,
you've all played a significant role in getting them to this point today.
- I commend you for that dedication, and I think your children would
like to join me in thanking you for everything you've done for them over
the years----by standing and giving you a round of applause. You all
deserve it.
- I would be remiss if I didn't also salute the hard work and dedication
of the teachers and administrators here at the Hovnanian School.
- I'm sure our soon-be-graduates recognize how fortunate they are
to attend a school where they receive such individualized attention. Sometimes,
you may not have wanted that attention, but believe me the vast majority
of American children do not receive the kind of education you received
here at the Hovnanian School. I salute the teachers and administrators
for all their hard work in preparing our young graduates for high school.
MESSAGE TO STUDENTS
- And now to our graduates, I'm sure each of you are looking forward
to a nice summer break, but this afternoon and evening you should look back
at what you've accomplished over the last nine years.
- The Greek Philosopher Aristotle once said "The roots of education
are bitter, but the fruit is sweet." School was never meant to be
easy----it's hard work. However, the roots that each of you grew here
at the Hovnanian School are not only going to benefit you in high school,
they will play a crucial role in who you become, and what kind of life
you lead.
- And talk about the roots you created here at the Hovnanian School.
The education you received is very unique in this day and age. It combined
a strong curriculum in reading, math, history and science with a strong
cultural understanding of exactly who you are and where you come from.
STRONG ARMENIAN COMMUNITY
- As a Congressman representing Central New Jersey in Washington,
one of my greatest passions is the continued fight on behalf of the Armenian
people, and for the Armenian cause.
- I don't have to tell you that the Armenian American Community
is strong and tight-knit----but you may not realize the influence it yields
in Washington. As the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, I'm often pulled aside by my colleagues, who say they are receiving
a lot of calls or letters from their Armenian American constituents. They're
often baffled, saying that they didn't realize that they had so many Armenian
American constituents.
- With the exception of districts in California, Michigan and here
in New Jersey, most of my colleagues don't realize that they don't have
a large Armenian community in their district----but they have a very vocal
community that is still tied to Armenia.
- It's because of their activism and their unyielding belief in
the future of Armenia that your parents and grandparents have accomplished
great things for Armenia here in the United States. They've effectively
learned how our government operates and they work tirelessly to secure
federal funds to help Armenia continue its economic revival despite the
dual blockades. They continue their long fight, which I believe is long
overdue, for the U.S. government to finally recognize the Armenian Genocide.
- As the chairman of the Armenian Caucus, I can honestly say that
our caucus is the most effective Caucus in Washington not because of the
work my colleagues and I do, but because of the time, hard work and dedication
your elders put into fighting for Armenia.
- I mention this because this is the legacy that your parents will
soon leave to you. Through your years here at the Hovnanian School you've
learned all about Armenia----you've learned its traditions, its customs
and its history. Thanks to the Hovnanian School, you've all been able to
collectively learn what it means to be an Armenian-American.
MOVING ON:
- And now you'll take the experiences and the roots you developed here
and move on to a high school experience that will be substantially different.
No longer will you be exclusively amongst your Armenian brothers and sisters.
While for some, this may seem a little daunting, you should all feel confident
in who you are, and excited about a new experience.
- What makes America so great is its diversity, and next year you will
be surrounded by classmates of all different cultures. Many of your new
classmates will not even identify their culture as a part of who they are. I
implore each of you to never forget where you came from. Never forget the relationships
and the experiences you made here at the Hovnanian School.
- As a way to grow in your high school years, I suggest complimenting
those relationships and experiences in the larger world, but never forgetting
where you came from.
- I'd like to once again turn to the Greek Philosopher Aristotle,
who once said (and I'm quoting) "It is the mark of an educated mind
to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
- As you move on to high school never forget the importance of thinking
for yourself. You've begun to lay the foundation of your roots---of course
they will continue to grow through high school and college, but the beauty
of that foundation is that you can think for yourself. When something
you'd taught or something you read doesn't sound right, challenge it. When
you disagree with a point or an opinion from a classmate or a teacher,
voice your reservations in a polite way.
- Be curious. A school is not the only place where learning occurs.
Be open to others whose interests differ from yours.
- Finally, I strongly urge you to dream big. Dreams help you to
do great things, large and small. Dreams help you make the impossible possible.
They help you bring energy and a spark to every day of your life. Each
of you should strive to change the world in some way---to make it a better
place.
CONCLUSION
- Tonight, with your graduation, your life journey takes a scheduled
detour to a new level. Tomorrow, you make that move to the next level.
I want each of you to remember that life is a journey meant to be lived,
not simply endured. Enjoy each step. Savor the ordinary just as much as
the extraordinary.
- Congratulations to you all. I wish you nothing but the best in
the future, and sincerely hope that you all realize your dreams in the
years to come.
- Thank you and congratulations.
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