that left me with politics. as a trained lawyer, with a passion for public service, it seemed like a good option. i left my job and focused on the specific tasks and entered a decade of ups and downs. it led me here today. my first job was as an unpaid volunteer for a congressional campaign. my next job was working as a junior legislative assistant for a congressman right learned -- i earned less than a third of my former salary will stop making issue for the congressman was miscellaneous. six monthsater -- later, i got a job as a press was they. each job specific step toward working a plan and reaching my goals. my jobs next two years, included writing political tv commercials, serving as legislative counsel, and managing a successful congressional campaign stop at

age 31, 5 years into my journey, i ran for congress for the first time. i placed a close third. to our current governor. it was not always easy, but does it or it help me earn a job with the republican party. it helped me get elected to the indiana state legislature. those experiences helped me become a partner in a large law firm. the president and ceo of an education on for rapid. -- nonprofit. i met my wife on a blind date well campaigning. it was here in muncie. we started our family. nationally recognized high school dropout reform. i even gave up on running for congress. it was a 16 year journey. eventually i got there.

and working the specifics was my key. likeimportantly, it feels we were just getting started. the same can be true for you. by graduating today, you have already demonstrated the brain power and persistence necessary to be successful. as you move forward in life, dream big. but transition quickly to the specific task necessary to reach your goals. everything may not go as planned. but the joy in life is in the journey. you will be amazed at what can be a compost along the way. this leads me to my final career principle. it is a life principle. never quit. when the frequent critiques of your generation, and you have probably heard it, is that the

trouble started when everyone got a trophy in little league. many take that criticism to mean that you expect great reward for little effort. i do not see that in this generation. what i do see is something subtle. in effort to make her kids feel special by giving them trophies for showing up, we have made of cast we may unintentionally have created a generation of young people who can be risk-averse will stop their afraid of failure. they are reluctant to take on any challenge that may not include guaranteed success. this is a problem. in real life, you do not always win. you do have to try. even when there are no guarantees. said,ne gretzky famously you miss 100% of the shots you never take. crazy, but if

there's one thing i say today, i want you to remember it will stop -- remember it. in the first 10 years of your career, if you are not feeling in major ways, you are not pushing yourself hard enough. as i speak with top business leaders, particularly top entrepreneurs, a common theme emerges. bright,young people are and they are also not afraid to work hard. the biggest challenge in managing young people today is finding leaders who are willing to stick their neck out and think outside the box and take risks. this is most important. you must look yourself accountable. you must be willing to live with the consequences of failure. -- will not will the mall you will not win them all. life does not exceed trophies.

big rewards have significant risks. 04. let me finish with this one final thought. natural talent is almost never the difference between success and failure. one indicator of success is your willingness to persevere when it would be easier to give up. if you met my family in 1975, we were not a picture of guaranteed success. my brother richie was five. our single parent mother was 25. she works 40 hours a week plus overtime at a factory. my mother taught us that we were last ivy grace of god to live in

the united states of america. focusedrk hard and stay , in this country, anything is possible. who knows, one day, you might even grow to be a u.s. congressman. course, the most remarkable thing about our country is that my story is not unique at all. today's audience is filled with literally thousands of people who can tell a similar story about themselves or their parents or their grandparents. merit -- magice of america. we'll get to be a part of it. you aspire to be the next great comedian like david letterman or teacher of the year

, or a trailblazing university become ther architect of the world's next great building. when the dream of owning your own pizza empire like pop accounts that papa john's founder and ball state alum. friends serving your and neighbors with distinction in the medical field. in america, it is all possible. keep your caps on. ,f you owned your opportunity and never quit, your dreams can come true. congratulations. thank you. good luck. [applause]

>> georgia congressman john lewis talked about the changes in the south his childhood. commencement address at the university of mississippi law school all stop he marched with martin luther king. this is 15 minutes. [applause] >> good morning. wordsyou for those kind of introduction. members of the faculty and staff of the university of mississippi law school, and to the graduating class of 2014,

parents, family, friends, i must heartou from the bottom i it is a great honor to be standing with you here today on this important notation. if someone had told me many years ago when i first came to mississippi 21 years old, had all my hair, in 1961 on the freedom ride, that i would be , i would say today are you crazy? you are out of your mind. you do not know what you are talking about old stock -- about. i am pleased to be here. thank you. [applause] to each and every one of you receiving a degree, congratulations. this is your day.

, celebrateenjoy it it, you deserve it. over andparties are the candles are all blown out, the world will be waiting for you to take it to a better place. you can play a powerful role in building a better nation and a better world. sometimes in my travels around the country, people ask me about the current state of social justice in america. accepted that we do not live in a post-racial society. we have much more work to do. we have made a lot of progress. when i was a young boy growing

up, i lived in a little town called troy in rural alabama. my father was a sharecropper. he was a tenant farmer. in 1944, when i was four years old, and i do remember when i was four, how many of you remember when you were were? what happened to the rest of us? saved $300 and he bought 110 acres of land. my family still owns that land today. we raised a lot of crops, peanut, cows, chickens. it was my responsibility to care for the chickens. i fell in love with raising chickens like no one else could stop i know a lot of you in the state of mississippi know all about chicken fried.

fried, popeye's, chick-fil-a. you do not know anything about raising chickens. as a little boy, i would take their aches and mark them with a pencil and place them in wait for three weeks. i would be for the chicks to hatch. some of you may be asking, john hood, why did you mark them with a pencil? time, there would be eggs. you had to replace the fresh eggs. do you follow me? that's ok, you don't follow me. these and given to another hand. i would put them in a box with a lantern and raise them to stop i would mark them with a pencil and place them in.

on cheating these hands. when i look back on it, it was not the right thing to do. it was not the most loving thing to do is stop it was not the most democratic thing to do, but --anted to save $18 and $.98 $18.98. i ordered a hatchery from the sears roebuck store. most of you remember the sears roebuck catalog? it was that thick book. the heavy book. people have different names for. boy, i wanted to be a minister. from time to time, to help with my brother and sisters, we forgot about chickens.

my brothers and sisters and cousins lines outside the chicken yard. they made up the audience. i would speak and preach. when i look back on this, the chickens would bow their heads. some of them would shake their heads. they never quite said a man. i am convinced that the great majority of those chickens that i preach to tended to listen to me much better than some of my colleagues listen to me today in congress will stop some of those chickens were more productive. at least they produce eggs. [applause] today, on this day, i want to tell you a story or two. when i was visiting the little visitf troy, when i would

i saw signs that said white men, colored men, white women, colored women. i would ask my mother and my father and my grandparents, why? they said, that is the way it is. do not get in trouble. 1955, i was 15 or sold. i heard about rosa parks as i heard the words of martin luther king jr. on the radio. the words of dr. king. the actions of rosa parks inspired me to find a way. before my brothers and sisters and cousins, we didn't -- we went down to the little town of troy in 1956. we tried to check out some books and get library cards. we were told by the library and that the library was for whites only and not for collards.

i never went back to the public library. then in 1998 i went for a book signing of my book. hundreds of blacks and whites showed up. i had a wonderful reception. at the end of the book signing and the end of the reception, they gave me a library card. that may not seem that important, but when people tells me that nothing had changed in mississippi, i say, come and walk in my shoes. state.ate is a different our region is a different region. we are a better people. we are on our way. the burden of segregation. we are on our way to the creation of communities. i say to you young graduates,

young lawyers, you must find a way to get in trouble. necessary trouble. that is your moral obligation. that is your responsibility. bring justice and fairness to a region, to our country, and to our world community. that is your calling. me thatsomebody told boyday a young, barefooted who had grown up in rural alabama would one day have an to serve in a united states house of representatives, representing the good people of years, itor almost 28

can happen. wayawyers, you must make a out of no way. it will get in the way. you can do it. you have been trained. don't just do well. be brave. be bold. be courageous. and never ever give up. never give in. never give out. keep the faith. hold on. keep your eyes on the prize will this is your day. thank you for being you.

thank your parents, your husband, your wives. your sisters and your brothers. thank your professors. i am looking hard at some of you. my mother used to tell me when i was working in the field, you are not keeping up. this is hard work. she was about to kill me. she said, hard work never killed anybody. press on. get involved. forget about your own circumstances and get involved in the circumstances of others. not just in this state and america. not just in the state of mississippi, but around our world is st. follow the way of peace. follow the way of love will stop follow the wave of -- follow the

way of nonviolence. i was on a bridge in selma. i am not bitter. i believe we can redeem the soul of america. we can create the beloved community. i will tell you a story and i am finished. it is not about me, it is about you. when i was brought up in alabama, near montgomery, i haven't on. she lives in a shotgun house. here in the state of mississippi , here in the american south, you have never seen a shotgun house. you don't even know what i'm talking about. my aunt did not have a manicured

lawn. it is beautiful here. she had a dirt yard. house, youd shotgun can look up, through the roof, and you can count the stars. a pale, a bucket, and simmering water stop from time to time, she would walk out into the woods. she would put these branches together. she would tie them together and make a broom. she called out the brush room. she would sleep the art very clean all stop to were three times a week. especially on friday or saturday. she wanted the jury are to look good on the weekend. for those of you who do not know what this says, it is an old

house with one way in and one way out. you can basketball through the front door and send it out back door. one afternoon, a group of my brothers and sisters and some of my cousins, 12 or 15 of us went to that yard. an unbelievable storm came up. lightning started flashing. became terrified. she started crying. she thought the house will blow away. she got all those children together and told us to hold hands all stop we did is we were told. we all cried. when one corner of the house appeared to be lifted from the my aunt has locked in a corner and tried to hold the house down. when the other corner appeared to be lifted, she had is locked in that corner. we were little children walking

with the wind, but we never left the house. it was a house in mississippi. call it the house of georgia. call it the house of new york or california or texas. we all live in the same house. not just american houses. .he world's house will it does not matter who you're black or white, latino or asian-american. we all live in the same house. we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters. that is as dr. king said. or we will parish is -- perish as fools. as an instrument. use the law as a tool to bring about a nonviolent revolution of ideas and values will stop you can do it.

on your time, on your watch. thank you very much. [applause] >> graduation season upon us, c-span is asking what is your advice? a few of you have already weighed in. lisa writes -- you can leave your device for recent graduates at facebook.com/cspan. almost 50 years after he graduated, senator johnny isakson returned to his all

modern to give the commencement address at the university of georgia will sto. he told graduates about his silent secret to success and happiness. this is 15 minutes. [applause] >> allow. -- wow. what a teacher at that? [applause] after that speech, they are saying make it quick. president morehead, distinguished faculty, honor graduates of 2014, parents, friends, significant others. congratulations. it is an honor to be here. i have to tell you a secret. said, i wantehead you to be the speaker at

commencement, i was ecstatic. this is my alma mater. 48 years ago, i graduated from the university of georgia will st. all of my children graduated from the university of georgia. my wife graduated from the university of georgia. when i got that phone call, i was ecstatic to stop i close the door to my office and i said, this must be the greatest beach you ever deliver. to climbour one chance the rhetorical heights of ecstasy. if i could think back to my college graduation, all of the memorable parts of it and the great information i see, -- i received, i could give a great speech. i remember that day, a brand-new colosseum is where the ceremony was held stop i remember the joy on my parents' faces. i was the first to graduate from in institution of higher

learning. there was a good-looking blonde sitting in front of me. for the life of me, i cannot remember who spoke at my graduation or what they said. then i realized that this is not about me, this is about you. for just a couple of minutes, i want to share the six silent egrets of living a happy, successful, but when life. every one of them is known and they are the tenets of every major religion. they are the theme of every academy award-winning major picture. they are still secret. they are secret because parents do not talk about them enough with their kids. professors do not talk about them with their students. they are important secrets. i know you will not -- you will forget who spoke your graduation, i care that you remember the six silent secret of living a happy, successful, fulfilling life.

the first one is learning. you graduate from an institution with classrooms. you are going to be bigger classroom known as the world around you. many of you will take your diplomas and frame them all stop i urge you to carry it with you every day of your life and have it validated like a passport. if this ceremony was the end of your education, it would not be called commencement. it would be called terminal. it is called commencement because everyone knows that your education is something you build on for your entire career. -- it hasf knowledge been 49 years since i graduated. knowledge has compounded seven times since i left. the things i learned here are either not true or have been amended. because i learned how to learn, i have filled my body of knowledge to capacity. never stop learning.

the most difficult subject i had to deal with when getting elected to the senate was the ethics of embryonic stem cell research. i'm a real estate broker. i did not know what that meant. i called the university of georgia, and spoke to an eminent scholar here and a knowledgeable person on a running stem cell research. he knew what nuclear transfer was. he educated me so that i was able to make intelligent votes and contribute to the and united states senate. this university will serve you long after your diploma if you take it with you and have it validated. the second silent secret is respect. the nation's contents -- conscience, martin luther king jr. said it best. judge man by his character, not the color of his skin. we are all different. we are different sizes and different shapes and different religions and different ages and different sexes and different

ethnicities. we all have gifts from god to contribute. societies the fabric of everybody contributing together. when i speak at high school graduations, i tell the athletes, don't you ever kick sand in the face of the math and science whiz. they may hold a scalpel and operate on you. everyone of us has a time and a place and a talent to offer to everyone else. anyone will say that life is about relationships. relationships are about respect. older youou that the get, you realize you meet people a second time. they will treat you the second time reciprocal titrated on the first time. the third silent secret ethics. here is an american politician, a senator, talking about ethics all stop they do nothing but create special prosecutors and committees.

they are trying to figure out what is right and wrong. it is really very simple. there's a role for what is right and wrong. it is called the golden rule. treat people the way you want to be treated. i was in business for 33 years. i know people who made a lot of money. a lot of them lost it. the difference between the ones who made and kept it and the ones who made and lost it -- the ones he made and kept it knew that life is a win-win, not a lose -- win lose. they knew that they would come back to do business with you. they come to your backyard to see what kind of person you are. you might get it once, but you will never get a second time. my favorite author, mark twain, one set us. when confronted with a difficult decision, do what is right. eulas downbeat view enemies the rest. we all have -- you will astound the few at the maze the rest.

we have a voice where it might go either way. do what you do when everybody is looking, not what you do when nobody is looking all stop ethics is the basis for the foundation of the success you will have in life. the fourth secret is love. suggesting what you date from about. is the love of people and institutions that have contributed to get you where you are and once in the future who will. you need to repay that level respect, hugs, and your money and self. for example, the first check you ought to write after this graduation is to the alumni association at the university of georgia or to the capital campaign or a reconstruction campaign. this university has until in part on tax dollars. many dollars have been privately given and donated by organizations. is university of georgia

everything it is because of those who have given. you must give back. i have done it and you must do it. it is a great feeling. you are paying back what has been given to you. i always love to will rogers said about love. he was once asked that the wall street bankers club in new york city. the guy asked, mr. rogers, you have known all the great men of your time. artists, writers, statesmen. there's no one you cannot call by first name. can you please tell us in one sentence what you think the secret to living a happy, successful, and fulfilling life is? he said, always love people. do not ever use people. love things. the fifth silent secret is they -- the. -- fate. i am at a public institution and i know how far i can go.

it is about trials intricately should than failure. you need to have an inner strength to carry you through. i have been successful in politics 14 times and i lost three. i've been successful for 33 years. what garbage is a losing years in politics and business with the faith i had in god. let me tell you this. find it sooner rather than later. when you do, you cannot check the in and out of the library like a book. you cannot buy it from a televangelist on cable television. look for, find it, and it will help you. [applause] sixth figure is the dream. i'm talking about turning the light off like i did to prepare the speech.

if i could be anything, what do i want to be? we live in the greatest country on the face of the earth. people have volunteered and died to protect the opportunities that we have. every generation of americans has donated their sons to go to war to protect freedom and liberty. your ability to assemble and my ability to say what i want to say, we live in the greatest country on the face of this earth. let me tell you a little story. let me tell you about the 135 pounds math and science quiz. -- whiz. kenny and i went for graduation together in atlanta . our party after graduation was at robinson tropical garden. it was a butler building on the river when nobody went. we could make all the noise they wanted to. it is now called for news restaurant that canoe posh

restaurant. we watch the river go by. we talked about what we would be when we grew up. dreams andy about my then i let him talk about his. he said, i am going to columbia university on a full score ship for math and science. i will do everything i can. what i really want to do is write great music and entertainment use of people. i thought to myself, this scrawny little guy, he cannot do something like that. i did not say to him. kenny, until i was in minneapolis, going to end meeting at night and looking out the window of a cap and going by the majestic theater. there on the marquee, it said kenny asher. the little bugger has made it. i went to the hotel and i called the theater. i got the night watchman and i

said, when the music is over, there is a pn a player up there. can you give him this room number and tell him that johnny isakson called him. call me up. 3:00 a.m., he's a musician, the phone rings. i say, kenny you have made it. he said, i've been lucky. luck is when opportunity meets preparation. he said, i went to columbia and i did good in math and science. i play a lot of music to. i played in greenwich village. i met a guy. he introduced me to a guy. he had a touring jazz band. he asked me to fill in one night and i did. he liked it. a few weeks later, his piano player had a heart attack. he could not finish the tour. frank recommended me. i met him and washington, d.c. i did a gig and it turned out

good. he took me all over the country both top i have not entertained millions of people yet or written great music. i said, kenny you will. i am sure. we kept up with each other. it years later, he wrote and produced the songs for barbra streisand in "a star is born." he played online and you go knowing your city. i kept saying, you have made it. he said, i will write great music. i will entertain millions of people. on a saturday afternoon in 1979, my wife and i took her rural daughter and seven of her friends to a theater to see the great hit movie of 1979, "the muppet movie." you remember that. kermit the frog. he is strumming his banjo and singing the rainbow connection. it was a beautiful movie and a great song. over, yourovie was wife sits on one end of the row and use it on the other.

you cannot get up celebrity is out of the theater. you have nothing to do except watch the roman numeral scope by on the screen. i watched the production 15. cosmetology, costuming, and then the music. the rainbow connection. it was arranged, parties, and written my kenny asher and paul williams. dadgummit, that little bugger has made it. they were nominated for a grammy. that song is one of the most played songs in the history of music. it is all over the world. kenny asher's dream of writing great music and playing for millions of people came true. about the to think last verse of the rainbow connection will stop i want to share with you. sometime you will find it, the

remote connection. the lover and the dreamer in you. as your graduation speaker tonight, i want to tell you that the rainbow connection is there for you if you're willing to dream the impossible dream. you must be willing to learn throughout your life. you must treat everyone with ethics and principle. you must treat them with respect. a deep and abiding faith that get you through the difficult times. you can do anything in america that you want to do. you may not believe may, but there is a tree my kenny asher's to be filled for everyone who is willing to dream it. think about this. this is a stadium full of parents. you are their dream and they love you very much. thank you. [applause]

>> c-span's coverage of commencement addresses against tomorrow night in prime time. barra,udes gm's ceo mary these look coo sheryl sandberg and microsoft chair john thompson. that is tomorrow night on c-span. next, president obama announcing his choice for secretary of housing and urban development. defense secretary chuck hagel at the naval academy. a discussion of the department of veterans affairs and the future of eric shinseki.

>> if we do not stand up -- step up the enforcement side, that brings immediate attention. if we are going to say that all we can rely on and make these universities and colleges do what they should be doing this for them to get a bad story, that if victims. that would be a depressing conclusion. we have to figure out some way to up the ante that is short of waiting for another tragedy. >> i would say more focus on the department of education to do the work. again, i think the changes i have seen that institutions make are immediately under investigation. we do not know what the fine is. see thatlmost rather investment in a bigger team.

>> they will be paying for it. we have an issue of budget. where does that money come from? it can come from institutions that have done wrong. they can fund their own enforcement. that is justice. >> is begin on c-span, claire on combating sexual assault and rape on campus is. on book tv, lynne cheney, wife of dick cheney and senior fellow at the american enterprise institute examines the political philosophy of james madison. but it's sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. saturday morning at 10:00, the life and work of clara barton. we will visit her office in washington, followed by your questions and comments by. c-span three.

>> president obama formally announced two nominations today. housing and urban secretary development to be the new white house budget director and san antonio mayor julian castro. confirmed, shaun donovan will fill the vacancy left by sylvia burwell. he is expected to be confirmed. this is about 20 minutes. >> all right. thank you. thank you, everybody. thank you. please have a seat. have a seat. have a seat. when i took office businesses were shedding 800,000 jobs a month. our deficits were heading towards $1 trillion a year, and every member of my cabinet had a tough job in front of them.

no one had a tougher job than shaun donovan. the housing bubble that burst triggered the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes, and the irresponsibility of a few bad actors badly hurt millions of responsible, hard-working americans. home values had fallen 20% from the year before. new housing starts had fallen nearly 80% from their peak. hundreds of thousands of construction workers were out of a job. and a record number of people were behind on their mortgages. five years later, things look a lot different. home sales are up nearly 35%, construction is up by more than 120%, new foreclosures are down by nearly half, and while we are not anywhere where we need to be yet, millions of families have been able to come up for air

because they are no longer underwater on their mortgages. a $50 billion settlement by the big banks means justice has been done for thousands of homeowners who were targeted by deceptive mortgage schemes, and all this is in part because of the outstanding work of shaun donovan. here is the problem. when you are good at your job, people always want you to do even more. [laughter] that is why today i am nominating sean to be the next director of the office of management and budget. and to take his place at hud, i am nominating another all-star who has done a fantastic job in san antonio over the past five years, mayor julian castro. before i talk about julian, i want to embarrass shaun a little more.

over the years, shaun has taken an agency with a $40 billion budget, made it smarter, more efficient. he has changed the way hud uses data to save taxpayer dollars. he has helped build strong neighborhoods and connect the neighborhoods with good schools and jobs. his helped reduce homelessness among our veterans by 24% since 2010. he has helped 4.3 million families buy their piece of the american dream, a new home. shaun has helped us navigated unexpected challenges as well. when hurricane sandy slammed ashore, it was personal for shaun. he was born in new york city, was raised in brooklyn. he once took his driving test on a road that was wiped out by the storm. he understood what this devastation meant to a community he loved.

when we were looking for somebody to lead the recovery and rebuilding efforts, i knew shaun was the right person for the job. he has come through, helping the communities you know so well rebuild, but rebuild smarter and better. shaun has earned a repetition is a great manager, a fiscally responsible leader, and somebody who knows how the decisions we make here in washington affect people's lives all across the country. that is why i am absolutely confident he will do a great job leading the office of management and budget and help even more hard-working americans get ahead. my guess is shaun is grateful to my outgoing head, sylvia burwell, and her leaving behind a deficit that has been cut by half since i entered office. i was saying that was helpful. [laughter] we have also got to make sure that as we move shaun into a new position that we have got

somebody who is going to do an outstanding job at hud, and that public servant is julian castro. for the first time most americans heard this man speak is when he gave a speech at the democratic national convention almost two years ago. they saw this young guy, a pretty good speaker, not bad looking -- [laughter] talk about how america is the only place where his story could even be possible. i watched and i thought, that is not bad. [laughter] but the people of san antonio have known about julian and his brother, congressman joaquin castro, who is here today with leader pelosi and congressman and chair of the congressional hispanic caucus, they have known about him for a long time.

as mayor, julian has been progress on revitalizing one of our most wonderful cities and planning thousands of housing units downtown, attracting hundreds of millions of dollars of investment. he has relationships with mayors across the country, has become a leader in housing and economic development. today companies are creating to create jobs in san antonio, and this year the east side was named a promise zone, a place where the citizens and the government are working together to make the community family by family and block by block. it speaks to the fact that julian cares deeply about the people he serves and the city that he loves. it is also a reminder that he has never forgotten where he comes from. julian's grandmother came from this country from mexico. she worked as a maid, cook, babysitter, whatever she had to do to keep a roof over her

family and her family fed. that is because for her and generations of americans like her home is more than just a house. home is a source of pride and security, a place to raise a family and put down roots and build up savings for college or a business or retirement or write a lifetime of memories. one day a kid grows up in that home and is able to go on to get a great education and become the mayor of san antonio and become a member of the president's cabinet. [speaking spanish] it is precisely because he has lived out the american dream and he will work his tail off to make more people can travel that same path. i want to thank shaun's wife, liza, and her outstanding boys,

one of whom who badly beat the in ping-pong during a super bowl game. i want to thank them for sharing husband and dad with us a little bit longer. i want to thank julian's wife, erica, and this adorable young lady, carina, who gave me a hug before we came in were agreeing to let julian take on a new challenge. i am confident absolutely that these two individuals are going to do a great job because they have done a great job and everything they have done in the past. they are proven leaders, proven managers, they are going to be effective, and most importantly, they have got huge heart. they are involved in public service for the right reasons, and for that reason i am hopeful that the senate will confirm them without games and without delay. i want to give them a few opportunities for them to say a few words. we will begin with shaun.

[applause] >> thank you so much, mr. president. i first heard the name barack obama in 1991 at a dinner with a couple who are among my closest friends. the night before, the husband had taken over the harvard law review, but was in a grumpy mood. i asked how could that be. he explained he was required to address the entire law school immediately after the outgoing head, barack obama. [laughter] he had it easy. try going between barack obama and julian castro. then his wife said that barack obama would one day be president, because he was one of

the most remarkable people she had ever met. mr. president, after watching you guide this country to one of its most trying periods in history with courage and grace, i believe those words even more today than i did 5 1/2 years ago when i joined your team. thank you for your -- [applause] thank you for your leadership and confidence that you have shown in me. i also want to offer my congratulations to mayor castro. you have done outstanding work in san antonio. i have seen it with my own eyes. and i know you will do exactly the same in your new role. let me tell you, you're one lucky guy because the hud team is a group of extraordinary public servants. it has been my honor to work with them to help the nation

recover from an historic economic crisis that began in the housing market. i am proud to say that together we have worked with millions of families to fight off foreclosure, reduce the number of veterans experiencing homelessness by 24% in the last two years, and revitalizing distressed neighborhoods so that children's futures will not be determined by their zip code, but by their talent. i reminded that dr. king said human progress is not inevitable. hud is made up of such individuals. i will miss everything about working with them. thank you, hud team. [applause]

well, almost everything. i am the owner of the office as a numbers guy, and at hud i often hear groans when asked to see a spreadsheet that someone is holding at a meeting. if confirmed, i will be glad to go to a place where my love of spreadsheets will finally be embraced. [laughter] in all seriousness, as the president said earlier this year, the budget is not just about numbers. it is about our values and it is about our future. that is why i have always viewed omb's unique role as critical. let me recognize sylvia burwell, whose extra-large shoes i have to fill. some of you know sylvia and i actually lived in the dorm freshman year in college and we have been friends ever since. i know she will not mind late-night calls for her sage advice and guidance. i look forward to building on your work, sylvia, with the

remarkable team that you have built at omb, with brian, beth, and every one of you who are here today. a stellar team. if congress approves my nomination, it will be a great honor to join your white house, mr. vice president, to join yours as well, and work closely with you to continue to move our nation forward. i want to say a special thank you to my colleagues in the cabinet. you have become good friends. now i'm going to be taking your calls for more funding -- [laughter] but i know the mutual respect and trust that we have built -- [laughter] will allow us to make difficult decisions to leave this country a better place for the next generation. thank you. [applause] finally, i want to thank my wife, liza, and our two sons, lucas and milo.

i will never forget the morning i was first nominated in 2008. liza and i work up early, put the kids on our bed to have a difficult conversation that i would not be there on school days, but would make it back on weekends whenever i could. after explaining everything, the very first thing that came out of milo's mouth -- it was not about the hardship they would endure. he said, "first of all, daddy, congratulations." my public service is their public service. i cannot thank them enough. [applause] once again, congratulations,

mayor castro. thank you, mr. president, mr. vice president. [applause] >> thank you. first of all, mr. president, this is quite an honor. thank you very much for the honor and for the opportunity. to secretary donovan, i have some very big shoes to fill, i know. i understand that fully. however, i just want to say you understand the importance of urban development and housing in your new role. [laughter] mr. vice president, it is an honor to join your administration, the president's administration. i want to thank madam leader and the chairman for being here, and i'm here today with my father, with my mother, who, along with

my grandmother, raised my brother joaquin and i. i'm here with the two ladies who have won my heart, my wife, erica, and my daughter, carina. [applause] to be your nominee, president obama, is simply a blessing to me. i am here alone at the podium right now, but i stand on the shoulders of so many folks over the generations who have worked very hard and dreamt the american dream and have reached it, and i feel blessed to have reached it as well. and especially to the great many folks in san antonio, i want to say a huge thank you.

thank you very much for your support. and my brother and i grew up on the west side of san antonio, taking public transportation and living in rental homes as we grew up, and it was there that both of us got a sense of what is possible in america and an understanding that just because of you being from a modest means does not mean that your aspirations or your opportunity ought to be limited. and it certainly means that you can have the talent to succeed and achieve the american dream. after five years as mayor of my hometown, i know this much -- we are in a century of cities. america's cities are growing again, and housing is at the top of the agenda. i look forward to being part of the department that will help ensure that millions of americans all across the country have the chance to it good,

safe, affordable housing, and to reach their american dreams. if confirmed, i stand ready to assist you, mr. president, and your administration and local administrations across the country to make sure that we do housing right and that more americans achieve their dreams. thank you very much. [applause] >> i am hoping for a quick confirmation. listening to these two individuals gives you a good sense of why i am nominating them for these positions. they are going to do outstanding work.

i told shaun that it is rare that an announcement about a confirmation gets people choked up. [laughter] they are milking that. [laughter] and i do want to point out that the mayor was remiss in one element of his remarks. i am assuming that he is pulling for the spurs to win. thank you, everybody. [applause] >> some other foreign policy

news today. ,arlier at the state department

secretary kerry is available to testify in front of the house oversight and government reform committee on thursday, june 12. but if he does appear before that committee, he will not testify before the select committee on benghazi. here's more on that now. >> i want to ask you because this letter that has been sent to the hill has just popped up. don't you explain what it is. the secretary has agreed to appear before the committee that he cannot do it on the 29th. so you're asking for a different date. >> yes. today, we sent a letter saying the secretary is prepared to appear before the committee on june 12 or june 20. we have been clear that we are willing to work with the committee despite the fact that the benghazi oversight has been consolidated in this last committee. we believe the secretaries appearance will eliminate any need for the secretary to appear a second time.

he will not be appearing on the date that they subpoenaed for. he has critical that the medic work that will be going on that day. we have offered two the days as well. still believe there are more appropriate witnesses. but in an effort to be cooperative have offered some dates. >> you have offered for dates ? >> to dates, june 12 or june 20. you still believe that there are more appropriate witnesses to talk about the document production aspect of this which is what congressman issa wants to talk about, why not just ask the lord to drop agreedpoena entirely and to have him testify before the select committee which will be looking at the much broader --

said, we don't think he should have to appear before the select committee. -- anyeciation of outstanding relevant questions we are prepared for the secretary to appear before the house oversight and government reform committee. we said there are more appropriate witnesses, but in the sense of being cooperative, we have offered more dates. >> is this an either/or proposition? >> we believe if he appears anyre hogar, it illuminates need to appear a second time. >> so this is a challenge for congressman issa, get a more appropriate witness from your point of view or the secretary will not appear before the select committee. >> i wouldn't read it that way. we are working to accommodate

the house oversight committee's request. that is what we're doing here. but we don't think it is appropriate for him to testify twice on the same topic. we've gotten the subpoena, which we have asked them to drop because we offered two other dates, alternative dates. appears. be where he >> but the whole point of you thinking that there was -- that there are more appropriate witnesses to appear before hogar -- i don't see how that's appearing before two committees. if hogar is only looking at document production and the -- hogar made that clear. , tishman issa explain why he issued the subpoena.

>> the reason that you oppose subpoena or him appearing before hogar is because there are more appropriate witnesses because it related to document production, which is not something that the secretary of state is normally involved in. >> there were a couple of reasons, one, what you just said. he was not involved in the document production. it is also the way in which it was done. drawn.rst one was john - thee was a tweet about state department. see if they would like him to testify on the 12th or the 20th. >> would you prefer if they decided not to have him appear and then he would appear before the select committee? believe therey are more appropriate witnesses to appear before hogar

particularly on that topic, but we said he will appear on the 12th of the 20th and think that takes away any need for him to appear before the select committee. >> i don't mean to belabor this -- >> but you're going to. i don't want to venture to guess what will happen in that scenario you just laid out. >> if there are more per pill witnesses to appear before hogar , do you think there are more appropriate witnesses to appear before the select committee? >> i don't want to compare the two or get into who might appear before the select committee. that is a process that is starting. we are responding to a specific subpoena to a different committee. i don't want to get into who will appear before the committee or who won't. we are not even there yet. >> but the letter does get into who will appear in terms of the secretary. >> that he will appear once on benghazi. >> so it is either/or. >> yes, if he appears before hogar, that eliminates his need to appear --

>> a challenge to congressman issa, drop this. if you do, the select committee will not be able to hear from him. benghazive said, oversight has been consolidated and they can work out within their caucus how they want to deal with this issue going forward. all we are doing is responding to a subpoena. if they want to decide to withdraw the subpoena or ask them to go before the select committee, we will look at that request next. so that is not where we are. >> you do agree that if the secretary would be an appropriate witness to the select committee, which is covering the whole thing or not. >> i'm not went to see whether he is or not. all we say is that if he appears before hogar, there will not be the need to appear before the other.

letter in front of me that we have asked the committee to withdraw subpoena for may 29 because the secretary will be able to make it on that day. they didn't ask us before they issued the subpoena commanding him to appear. to drop thathem subpoena because he cannot appear than. >> can you explain why he will not be able to appear? aren may 25, there presidential elections in ukraine. there will be a lot of work in the aftermath diplomatically. there will be multilateral meetings, including the nato minister earlier -- nato ministerial in early june and other travel in the region where on other issues on libya and there is a lot on his plate. when the subpoena was issued, we were working with the committee to find an appropriate date, which is why we are surprised. and we have offered two other

dates. >> bahia scheduled to be in washington? >> -- but he is scheduled to be in washington? he has other meetings to be two on that date. >> i'm sorry that i am belaboring this. click ok. >> which committee is the secretary more appropriate to testify before? >> i don't think that is a useful comparison to make. when the subpoena was issued for the oversight committee, particularly on document production, without thought there were more appropriate when this is. the select committee's work is just getting started. we want to cooperate with them but i don't know what that will look like. i don't want to make a comparison between the two. but i did note that oversight responsibility's have been consolidated under the select committee. again, their caucus needs to figure out who they want to handle this issue and it appears

they have done so by consolidating it under a select committee. responding to an individual subpoena. >> ok. it's not about which committee is more appropriate. if he appears once, testifies on benghazi, he appears before congress. , smith issa'stake wording, he wants to ask the secretary just about the apartment response to the request. this is all post-incident. and the secretary is not the most appropriate witness to talk about that. he is willing to appear before it. >> right and we are working with the committee. and he will appear and talk about that if that is what chairman issa wants to talk about. >> it sound like a trick accommodation. he will testify before that committee and then he won't testify before a committee that

he is a more appropriate witness. >> it speaks to two points. the first is that his time is very valuable and very limited. he has a whole world of pressing diplomatic issues on his plate. so the time and energy that it takes to prepare for these kind of hearings, obviously they are important and we want to the secretary to be able to talk about them. it's why we offered two dates. but this has to be a situation where it doesn't go on forever and ever where he has to testify once on it and continually gets asked the same questions over and over again. the second point is what i talked about. they have to figure out how they are going to handle oversight of this issue and who -- and where they want to use their resources and when they want to call witnesses and what they select committee does. that is an issue that their caucus has to decide. we can only answer to requests. >> why did you write to congress men issa and say, listen, the

secretaries willing to appear before your committee. please drop the subpoena. we offered two alternative dates. that he is not the most appropriate witness for your committee. why don't you work with the , drop any request for him to appear before oversight and suggested to the select committee that they ask him to appear? >> we made many of those point did we did say that we don't believe he is the most appropriate witness. we did say that it is not appropriate for him to testify before the select committee if he testifies here. we have been working with the committee throughout weeks now to determine the best witness and when and who. so we had those conversations. ultimately, they need to make decisions and we said the

secretary is willing, happy to testify on this issue on one of those dates. or 20th, because we believe oversight is important. this can't be the secretary gets called up continually by different committees. >> it seems to me you can suggest to congressman issa we will send you official x and the secretary we think is an appropriate witness for the select committee. >> they proceeded with the request and so we are responding. >> i presume -- have you gotten a reply yet? knowledge but we sublet or just an hour ago. >> after the state department announcement, a spokesman for house committee darrell issa issued this statement.

next, defense secretary chuck hagel at the naval academy commencement. after that, a discussion about department of veterans affairs. then some of the 2014 commencement speeches from around the country. >> what i am trying to say is fraud kills, ok? and it's not partisan, fraud. and we've got to do something about it. we don't have unlimited budgets and money gets wasted on a building that is never going to be used. it is money that could have helped some other afghans. it could have helped people here in the united states. and you keep seeing this again and again and again. i am very proud to work for this administration. and i think it's important that people realize i was appointed

by the president. inspector general's are independent. but it's important that the people see that the government does care and there are a lot of people, the people in a dense day and pentagon, who care about johno --oney the >> s about wasting money. sopko on reconstruction in afghanistan sunday night at 8:00 p.m. >> next, defense secretary chuck hagel delivering remarks at the u.s. naval academy graduation and commissioning ceremony in annapolis, maryland. this is about an hour and 20 minutes.

♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, it is [applause] accompanying secretary hagel in the official party are the honorable ray mavis, general and admiral jonathan w greener, united states navy,

chief of naval operations. ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as we lay special honors to the arriving party. ♪

[gun salute]

>> ladies and gentlemen, it is blue angels, the flight squadron will be approaching momentarily from behind me. [cheers and applause] [applause]

ladies and gentlemen, we invite all our guests to remain standing for the national anthem. [playing national anthem] ♪

♪ [applause] >> i invite all who wish to pray with me, let us pray. god of all wisdom, knowledge, and learning, four years ago these graduating midshipmen arrived at the naval academy and

marched through the circles of the hall to commence a life of study and service. it was here in the halls of this storied institution that they were infiltrated with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty, and were prepared for the arduous task of military leadership. on this day, as they receive their commissions, grant that they may take their rightful place as true leaders in the service to which they have been assigned. bless them always with a buy health, -- help, protect them from harm. those who love them and are looking on even now with pride and deep affection. give them the rich satisfaction of knowing that without their crucial contribution the state

would not have come for the midshipmen they call their own. finally, gracious god, bless our country, grant that it may ever serve as a beacon of light in a world of encroaching darkness. we pray this in your holy name, amen. >> please be seated. >> ladies and gentlemen, the 61st superintendent of the united states naval academy, admiral michael h miller. [applause] >> good morning. secretary hagel, a thank you for joining us today as our guest of honor.

we are pleased to welcome the ambassador of panama, congressman whitman, thank you as a board of visitors, a supporter. is such a pleasure to have you here. secretary mavis, general amos, dear friend, and we appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to join us. distinguished guests, family and friends, and most importantly the graduating class of 2014, what a great day. [cheers and applause] once again, we gather in the stadium, this memorial that happens to contain a sports field, to celebrate those who have gone before us and those who are about to embark on their service to the nation. we are all witnesses to the next

chapter in the history of this remarkable institution as we commission another link in our long chain. today ceremony is book ended by traditions that draw our attention skyward. the blue angels fly over is always so impressive here at the welcome today's graduates into the fleet. it remains one of the great physical embodiment of our service here at if they do not give you goosebumps, i do not know what will. it symbolizes the tradition some 66 years ago. we have been holding this ceremony and the stadium since 1966. only twice has it been canceled due to weather. i will give you all the credit for the weather as well as our remarkable chaplain. it cannot be a better day. the other book ends of this graduation ceremony is the iconic moment when

our graduates will toss their hats in the air. this tradition has been around since 1912. the commissions were first awarded with diplomas upon graduation. over 76,000 covers have rocketed skyward, men and women who don the uniform of a commissioned officer. the blue angels and the hat toss elevates our perspective. it is fitting that we resist -- we reflect from a new and different angle. looking up words, we consider the future trajectory of these 1068 young officer careers. all that they have achieved here on the banks. think how much they will accomplish in the decades to come. you cannot look skyward without acknowledging the persistent clouds on the horizon which will impact their early years in uniform. whether it be the south china sea, libyan, nigeria, you name it. there will be corners of conflict with their own challenges.

surely the class -- truly the class of 2014 steps into risk but it is not unprecedented. it has always been thus. would only need to consider those graduates 100 years ago, the class of 1914. on june 5, president woodrow wilson delivered the address to 156 graduates who were entering an uncertain period in our history. america's attention was focused on mexico and then imbroglio -- embroiled in a bloody civil war. the city was taken by u.s. marines and sailors and name battle plan. overseas tensions among european powers was building in a complex web of alliances had taken shape following the walk and wars of 1912-1913. clouds were forming on the

atlantic. unbeknownst to the class of 1914, they would see the outbreak of world war one one month after throwing their covers into the air here in annapolis. president wilson gave no hint of the looming conflict but he did pass invaluable advice which remains as relevant today as it was a century ago. he told the new graduate to be ready and fit for anything you have to do and keep ready and fit. do not slack here it do not suppose your education is over. your educations have just begun. for the class of two thousand 14, your education has just begun. while the clouds may change in appearance, a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and an indomitable fighting spirit remain the naval officers greatest advantage over any aggressor. your time has provided you an excellent foundation for a career of learning and

leadership nomination rectory -- a trajectory of honor and intellect. you have the tools to excel. i have every expectation we will continue to excel regardless of what the weather may bring. 2014, you started this journey on a bright and sunny july day 1423 days ago. they have not all been sunny days a sense. each in its own way helped mold you into that which you have become, the envy of the free world, the united states navy and marine corps officers. we gather here today to celebrate all you have accomplished and look with confidence to that which you will do in service to our country. there are no guarantees in life. as the admiral with its 100 50 years ago, our success has always depended on those who will take old action in the face of insurgency. may you always answer the call

to duty with courage and confidence when faced with the fog and smoke of battle and repeat the call to our sailors and marines. "damn the torpedo!" >>. speed ahead! >> yes. [applause] it is now my pleasure to introduce secretary ray mavis. he has an enormous scope of responsibility. i cannot count the numbers of buildings, 900,000 people, then there is that fleet marine force out there. he received his undergraduate degree at ole miss and law degree at harvard, served as a young warfare officer in uss little rock before cutting the mississippi state auditor. he went on to become the youngest governor in mississippi in over 100 years. he was ambassador to saudi arabia.

he spoke commencement for lsu and university of virginia. and the d.c. premiere of the blockbuster "godzilla" to to brush up on the threats to the navy and marine corps. [laughter] you may have seen him on john stewart or in the movie "battleship." or one of hundreds of venues were he is encouraging our sailors and marines to better themselves in our navy marine corps team. maybe just saw him hammering away at some chesapeake they blue crab. please join me in welcoming the city fit secretary -- the 75th secretary of the navy, secretary ray mavis. [applause] >> family and friends and

faculty, to the platform guests, most particularly mike miller, he started with you in the class of 2014. becoming superintendent when you were beginning. he is ending with you. this will be his last commissioning day. thank you for being a great superintendent. [applause] to our secretary of defense, chuck hagel, thank you so much for being here today. think you for all you do every day for our sailors, marines, and those who love them. thank you for taking care of them every day. [applause]

to the class of 2014, welcome to commissioning day. i cannot think of a better or more appropriate place than the navy and marine corps stadium. here you are surrounded by so many memories of your time here in annapolis and her were -- heroic deeds and storied bottles that line the stadium around us. for you mids who are about to be commissioned, and lieutenants, congratulations, you have earned it. you have put in the time. you have put in the work. you put in the effort. it is a journey that you started on the day you turned down your acceptance to west point. [laughter]

[applause] behind every single one of you helping you to see -- to succeed have been mothers, fathers, grandparents, teachers, coaches, king hall stewards, and many others that you probably do not even know. i know you are going to do this anyway, but take a moment after the ceremony to give them an extra hug to thank them for making this event possible. in so many real ways, today is their day too. to the parents here, i want you to know i know exactly how you feel since i got to sit as a proud parent on wednesday

watching my daughter annie graduate. annie is here today. i want to give a shout out to 23rd company -- [cheers and applause] for making her an honorary member of that company. these past four years have challenged you in a whole lot of ways. they have prepared you for what lies ahead. you graduated from college today like thousands of others across this country. representing that is your diploma. it is in the knowledge that you have mastered a very demanding education course. today you're also going to get a second document. it is a document you need to those who have completed a very

intense training program at the same time that they are getting a great education. it is the same document that started the careers like chester. it's your commission in the united states navy or marine corps. it conveys a special trust and confidence directly from the president of the united states. within comes a special responsibility, the obligation of leading our nation's best. the young men and women of the navy and marine corps. their commission is not about your past accomplishments. it is about your future contributions.

there are many throughout this nation's history who have held this special trust. you are a link in that unbroken chain of service. i want to thank everyone of you for making the conscious decision to commit the next part of your life, whether it is five years or 40, to our country. during the time that you have pursued your education and your training here, our navy and marine corps that you are about to lead have been globally deployed and globally engaged. sailors and marines have continued operations in afghanistan. just as you were finishing fleet summer, sailors and rains or

beginning a massive sea-based mission to provide relief after the devastating earthquake in haiti. into your youngster year, they launched tomahawk strikes into libya and fflew carrier missions there. the striker rose the first two years. the group responded with it to the earthquake and tsnumani in japan. as second-class men, they responded in this country to hurricane sandy. this year when you have been first class, they went within hours when typhoon the four

-- when typhoon haiyan struck the philippines. for years you have been here our sailors have been off the horn of africa to fight pirates. every day around the world they have conducted partnerships and engagement missions in virtually every corner of this earth. the united states navy in the united states marine corps are the guarantors of the freedom of the seas and they provide him global security. they have and they do stand the watch. they provide presence and are ready for any eventualities. american sailors and marines have done this and have done this superbly for more than two centuries. now it is your turn.

it is your turn to join that great legacy and to make it a greater legacy of your own. to do that you will need absolutely everything you have learned here at the academy. you will need the academics and the professional education. you will also need the spirit that brought you here. second lieutenant like all sailors and marines look to the sea, you look to the far horizon wanting to know what is beyond. i have absolute faith, absolute confidence, that you can and will deal with whatever comes over the horizon. you're up to the task. the future of our nation depends on it. from the navy, super fortis, always courageous.

from the marines, super fordelis, always faithful. welcome to the fleet. [applause] >> thank you. it is my great honor to introduce our guest of honor, secretary of defense chuck hagel. he is the first combat veteran to serve as secretary of defense here it has brought a fresh perspective as we respond to the challenges of the 21st century. after serving in the army, earning two purple hearts, he continued to serve our nation in a variety of roles out of uniform, the corporate president and ceo in several different businesses, and ultimately a

senator from the great state of nebraska for 12 years. in 2013 he assumed his post as a 24 the secretary of defense. he is an author and avid football fan. you remember that, it was the one that had all four seasons in one day. [laughter] secretary hagel was undeterred by the rain, sleet, and snow and nary a complaint crossed his lips about the weather. given his prior affiliation in the army, my guess is that he might not have been pulling with the navy for -- with his entire heart. please join me in welcoming the secretary of defense, secretary chuck hagel. [applause] >> good morning. i am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share this day

with all of you. i mean that. i know these ceremonies come with the job. one of the more attractive features of this business to participate in this kind of participation as you begin a new chapter in her life. thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of this day that will be part of your lives forever. it has been noted by admiral miller my affiliation with the army with the state of nebraska,

landlocked state of nebraska, my puzzle some of you as to why, or put it another way why would he be worthy enough to address the u.s. naval academy commencement. i would respond, aside from the fact that i'm secretary of defense -- [laughter] with explaining to you may be something you don't know nebraska does have a navy. it does not do much. it is a ceremonial navy that began about 100 years ago. i am in admiral. i know the standard hello. -- i know the standards are low. nonetheless, i am in admiral in the united states navy and the nebraska navy.

so, therefore, based on that authority i hereby grant amnesty to all midshipmen who are on restriction for minor conduct offenses, there you are. [applause] some of you look more relieved than others. [laughter] the parents are relieved i know. if anyone objects, take it up with the secretary of defense. to the class of 2014, and your families, congratulations on this tremendous, tremendous achievement. we are all very proud of you. today is the pinnacle of your naval academy experience that comes at a time of historic change. transformational change. as the world is reshaping and

redefining as a new world order is being built. it is also a time of transition in this country, the country that you will serve. as you conclude your four years of education and experienced nation isour concluding 13 years of war. vice admiral miller, you'll soon be presented with a great way first century challenges and opportunities. opportunities managing this uncertainty. his second lieutenants will

helping lead the charge to the marines in this defining time. it is a heavy responsibility. these menl you lead and women that you will be responsible for? trustll you earn their and their confidence and their respect? i have three suggestions that may help you succeed. they are not just my ideas. a list that sailors and greens tell me all the time. first, you must connect with the people that you lead on a personal level. that yourging a bond can rely on years down the road. and under difficult circumstances. having build close relationships, you will do so across the fleet.

with new technologies of social media making our relations seem less relevant, it is more important than ever to be personally invested in your people and build relationships face-to-face. take the time to ask them about themselves. get to know them. listen to them. the value you place on building relationships shows the kind of leader you are. that is important because as a recently heard from one enlisted marine, you don't choose who you lead. they choose you. that is wise advice. second, try to understand perspectives that are different from yours. being able to see the world through the eyes of others will

be critically important. there is a sailor going to the training pipeline that expects his officers to be learning officers, learning leaders. learning and even struggling to understand careers and lives whether theyown are enlisted officers or civilians. this will help you not only in the military but everywhere, all the time, in your personal lives. seek out allies and partners and engage in the world. understanding the intentions and experiences of other militaries is a skill that is vital to our national security. my third suggestion is simple and clear. be humble. stay humble.

you have much to be proud of and confident about. but if confidence gives way to arrogance, both your superiors and subordinates will respond and it will come out well for you. nor should it. humility is about respect. respect for others. give credit to others. or bell never know enough as smart or as good as you think you are. someone else will always have something to teach you. lots of enlisted have a lot of pride in what they do. on a little bit of humility the officer's part to be able to say, i don't know, what do you think? goes a long way. tools, personal interaction, understanding,

humility. it will help her subtly and professionally. also know that the first principle of leadership is accountability. the first principle of leadership is accountability. you have been taught that. you know that. you have been raised that way. you will now practice it. accountability to those above you and maybe most importantly, to yourself. you take up the responsibility of leadership, you'll find yourself under tremendous pressure that you haven't experienced before. the pressure to succeed at any cost. it sometimes cause the internal compass that we each have. some people regularly check that compass. some do not. not often findo

themselves drifting into an resulting in epic, moral, or damageional lapses that our institutions credibility and harm our nation's security. we have seen all too often a small actions can reverberate in is sharingwhether it answers on a test, looking the other way when someone denigrates another human being or taking advantage of the trappings of your office. remember, your actions will define you. your actions will define you in the eyes of everyone around you. it is not just what you do but how you do it. actions and inaction have consequences. as a leader, you are a role model. and you have the power to inspire and encourage others to do the right thing. on toll all be counted

helping eliminate sexual harassment and sexual assault of your brothers and sisters in uniform. you know how they tear people and units apart. how they destroy the bonds of confidence and trust. the alive the very core, the center and heart of our military. take this knowledge and do whatever you can to make sure everyone is treated with the dignity and respect they reserve -- they deserve. recruits to second lieutenants to the second -- secretary of defense. we have to step up and take action when we see something. , a fewrsonal level months ago, i found my brother

and my commanding officer in vietnam in 1968. the danger own johnson. him for the first time since late 1968 a few months ago. i want to use him very briefly as an example of what i'm talking about. in 1968, it was the worst year for america in vietnam. we sent home over 16,000 dead americans in one year. we had racial differences. discipline issues. the army was in trouble. in country was in trouble 1968. this young african-american had a lieutenant that came to our unit and stepped into the middle of this and brought everybody together.

african americans, whites, hispanics. he said, no more of this. we are americans first. we are going to take care of each other. no more segregated tents. we are together. and the force of this one young second lieutenant, african-american, and a majority white unit brought that unit together, that company together like nothing i've ever seen. that is leadership. that is stepping up. that is doing the right thing. i have admired lieutenant johnson since 1968 and i want to acknowledge lieutenant johnson today for what he did for all of us. and just to further the point on humility. years andf 40

children and grandchildren never knew that he received the silver star in vietnam because he was too humble to even tell his family that he had received that tremendous honor. that is an individual that lived something pretty spectacular. that is what leaders do. we face challenges. with strength of heart, strength of will, no matter how tough the test is. not only because of your education and your training, but because of the way you have banded together and pressed on in the face of tragedy. i know that as we mark this wonderful celebratory day, recognizing accomplishments and life,that helped you in

we know that today the thoughts are also turning to three midshipmen that the naval academy lost during this year. the class of 2016, re-remember matt allen the class of 2014. 2014 -- thisst community will all remember their enthusiasm and compassion that brightened the lives of all that knew them. knew hans and his wonderful family. his sister is here among you today. sister will be commissioned today as a second lieutenant in the united states marine corps. [applause]

to hearts and prayers go out the families of all of these midshipmen and their friends and family. this sense of loss will be familiar to some of the koreans that you will all soon command. combating accident or suicide, you will eat people that may be struggling with stress, mental health, or drugs and alcohol abuse. when they come to you for help, it doesn't mean they are weak. it means they are strong because asking for help when you need it takes courage. we need to remember what the entire country needs to remember. these brave individuals don't in -- they need help. leaders they know and trust.

.hey need leaders it helped you all along. they help make the world a better place. we use every fiber of their being to lift everyone around them. the ones that lead from the bottom up. a renewed sense of collective responsibility to take care of each other and watch out for each other. , you andand together your fellow sailors will always be a force for good. as the class motto declares, there is unity and there is victory. told you that transition

requires great leadership. and in this particular time of change, the leadership we need can't just come from people in positions like those of us on the stage today. it has to come from you. leaders, you'll have the opportunity to do more for your people on a personal level than anyone else in the military. now you must sees that special unique religious opportunity. that is what sailors and reads expect from you. i recently spoke with a petty officer helps launch recovery aircraft from a flight deck. , there wille to see always be sorts of challenges. every day is a different day. some days will be good. other days not.

other days you need to be there for them. forth, class of 2014. connect with people. understand different perspectives. stay humble. be there for your people and their families. may you always be officers were they not only of the people you lead, but the nation you serve. work hard, but have some fun. on this wonderful, glorious day of achievement and accomplishment for what you've done and what you will do for our country. god bless you all. thank you.

>> the academic dean and provost of the united states naval academy, dr. phillips. [applause] >> candidates, please rise. admiral miller. on behalf of the faculty of the united states naval academy, i present these candidates for the degrees and recommend that this degree be conferred upon them. as you have successfully completed your personal study at the united states able academy and recommended by the academic board, as superintendent and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the congress of the united states, i confer upon each of you the baccalaureate degree with the rights and privileges -- rights and

privileges thereunto pertaining. [applause] please be seated. the commandant of the marine corps, united states marine corps will administer the openoffice to those being commissioned in the united states marine corps. , i present two hundred 65 midshipmen of the graduating class to be commissioned in the united states marine corps. [applause] >> thank you, captain bird, secretary hagel, secretary

mavis. it's a wonderful day for the united states of america and its maybe entering core. friend,miller, my good once again, you have done a fantastic job of molding and shaping the character of these future military leaders. parents, family, friends, faculty, staff of the united states naval academy. thank you for your persistent guidance and your encouragement and your faithful mentor ship over the last four years. are personal fingerprints all over the class of 2014. they said before us today in large part because of your great fidelity towards them. for the men and women seated on the lawn before me today, i want to use this short time to talk about two simple things.

first, i want you to think about character. word officer, this single carries with it an enormous burden of responsibility. you're are not the same person that arrived four years ago. you are different. you have been transformed both morally and ethically. thelast four years at academy have helped shape your character and defined who you are and what you stand for. you certainly remember phrases like your integrity is all you have. are you going to standby or are you going to stand up for you arrivedho when here, the honor concept was simply an expression. today, you know it to be much more. midshipmen are persons of integrity. they stand for that which is

right. the character that defines you as an individual is the same strength that enables you to hold america's safety and duringy in your hands times of great adversity. theodore roosevelt wrote about the importance of character when he said character is shown in peace no less than in war. the greatest perfection of armament will not make soldiers out of cowards. no metal training and no bodily vigor will make an nation great if it lacks the fundamental principles of honesty and moral cleanliness. soon to be ensigns and lieutenants, keep your honor clean. as you leave here today, never forget that your character lies

in the soul of who you are and what you stand for. the class of 2014, i commend you for your choice to take the high road. the more difficult path. annapolisto attend four years ago and began a journey of service and sacrifice to america. and in doing so, you accepted the challenge of serving your country during a time of war. a time when our nation has seen 13 straight years of combat. will be laced with uncertainty, danger, and unfathomable challenges. your reward, however, will be the opportunity to lead the treasure of america. it's young men and women. on monday, our nation will mark

another memorial day spent in conflict. thought about today's graduation and that sacred holiday next week, i was reminded of the character of our nation and that of its people. thought about our indomitable spirit with the body of americans from those who sacrificed on that fateful september day over 13 years ago to the thousands of men and women who had given their lives in iraq and afghanistan. to the men and women that have come forward such as yourselves. the nation's character continues to shine brightly. fore is much to be thankful and there is much to hope for in our future. i am mindful that most of you were in the third and fourth nation wasour attacked on that fateful tuesday morning. from all across america, you

came. to this great institution. prospective ensigns to be, it is my extreme privilege and honor to be shoulder to shoulder with your chief of naval operations and my good friend admiral jonathan brainerd as we both wish you fair wind and following seas. commissioned in the united states marine corps, get on your feet. raise your right hand. i have been appointed to second

lieutenant to rank as such from the 23rd of may 2014. do you hereby accepts such appointment? and do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies, foreign and domestic? and that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same? and that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion? and that you will faithfully discharge the duties of a second lieutenant in the united states marine corps, so help you god? >> i do. [applause]

marines, welcome to my core. corps. where my cloth well. take your seats, lieutenants. [applause] >> the chief of naval operations, admiral jonathan grater to from the u.s. navy will administer the of office to those being commissioned in the united states navy. ard, i submite

them to be commissioned in the united states navy. >> i am sure glad general amos is on my team. captain burns, thank you very much. secretary hagel, secretary mavis. dean andy phillips, you are a great teammate. thank you for what you do. thank you very much. and admiral mike miller who i have known for a long time. you have done a remarkable job throughout the career in here this institution. ladies and gentlemen, you may makes what is it that mike miller such a great leader? i will tell you.

barbara miller. how about a hand for barbara miller? mike, i would wish you fair winds and following seas but i will just give you fair winds. if we gave you the following seas, being a pilot, you would be seasick and it would not be pretty. class of 2014, we met earlier this week and i like you. i think you guys and gals are all right. so i will give you a bonus. my remarks and my good advice are posted on facebook. and while you're waiting to get your diploma, you can read these words of wisdom and your parents can do that right now because

99.5% at least of you have your smartphones with you. to those of you who are now second lieutenants, i want to congratulate you and welcome you. as general amos said, we are an unbeatable team. as secretary mavis said, where ever we go, there is victory. i have just a few tips in one order or you before we give this of office. number one, stated a different way but it means the same, you need to guard your integrity. it is yours alone and no one can take it from you. number two, when you are in my navy, you need to learn to trust . unconditional trust. and you need to learn to be trustworthy. your life will depend upon it. number three, wear sunscreen. years for the sun

damage to manifest itself. trust me on that. and one order for you. i want each and every one of you to call or write your mother once a week. you got that? [applause] there is nobody in your life up to this point that has given you more unconditional love and will do so after this then your mother. recognize that. graduates to be commissioned in our united states navy. please rise. [applause]

all that shipment entering the united states navy, raise your right hand. having been appointed an ensign frome united states navy, 23 may of 2014, to you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies foreign and domestic? at you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. that you take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion? and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office of which you are about to enter, so help you god? >> i do. >> very good. lower your right hand. [applause]