Providing inspiration
Sunday, June 5, 2005
Printable FormatPEORIA JOURNAL STAR
by KEVIN SAMPIER
Obama urges graduates to accept challenges of future; addresses ailing Galesburg-area economy
A historical perspective and hope for the future were both stressed by U.S. Sen. Barack Obama during his commencement speech Saturday at Knox College in Galesburg.
"Each time I walk onto the Senate floor, I am reminded of the history, for good and ill, that has gone on there," Obama, D-Ill., told the graduating class of 230 students in the courtyard of Old Main.
Obama discussed social problems and injustices through history, from the time of the Romans to the current-day problems of terrorism, saying that the human spirit has always triumphed over adversity.
"This collective dream of America moved forward imperfectly" through war, slavery and depression, "and yet brick by brick, rail by rail, hand by calloused hand, people kept working," Obama said before encouraging the class to accept the challenges of the future.
"Today, at the beginning of this young century, we have to act again. But this time, it's your turn to choose," he said.
Obama also addressed the ailing local economy and said the solution lies in advances in technology and more education.
"All across America there are discoveries being made. Twenty years down the road, that old Maytag building could open up as
an ethanol factory, turning corn into fuel," he said of the closed appliance manufacturer.
Obama received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the college for his accomplishments as a community leader and his Senate work.
Obama finished his speech to a standing ovation from the crowd of students and family.
"I just feel honored that he was able to speak with us and turn other schools down to speak in Galesburg," said Ashley Covington, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology.
In one of the lighter moments of the ceremony, senior class speaker Dan Lieberman took the stage and said, "Hi, President Obama. Wait. Whoops. Sorry about that. I was just trying it out to see if it fits."
Lieberman told Obama to check under his seat for a copy of his resume.
"Is he really checking, or does he think I'm joking," Lieberman said, before Obama stood smiling with the copy he found taped under his chair.
"After graduation I'll go from being a Knox student to just being plain old unemployed," Lieberman said. "A little shameless plug couldn't hurt."
Despite sporadic rain, a cloudy sky and gusty winds, the event went as organizers planned.
"It was a great honor," Obama said after the ceremony. "These young people are obviously a source of inspiration and hope for all of us. I hope I served them well by giving them some of my thoughts."