their names are nichole heath, madison fox, haley barnett, richard, and john landis. thanks to each of you for your help to me and congratulations. [applause] each of you has had your own particular challenges as you have gone through your education that you had to deal with. this week i received a letter from a graduate. in the letter she shared her challenges and accomplishments and i want to share that letter with you tonight. dear congressman, i am a 38- year-old african-american woman who grew up in the deep south. soon i will be a first- generation college graduate. my mother spent her entire childhood on government assistance and she did not even finish high school. she did, however, received a ged. fortunately, past is not always prologue. through hard work as a single parent, she kept her children clothed, fed, and secure. such that we might have the opportunity to use our own sweat and tears to shape our futures. having left full-time employment to a half years ago to finish my bachelors degree, i have maintained a 4.0 gpa. and i will be starting a phd progr

their names are nichole heath, madison fox, haley barnett, richard, and john landis.urs to each of you for help to me and congratulations. [applause] each of you has had your own particular challenges as you have gone through your education that you had to deal with. this week i received a letter from a graduate. in the letter she shared her challenges and accomplishments and i want to share that letter with you tonight. dear congressman, i am a 38- year-old african-american woman who grew up in the deep south. soon i will be a first- generation college graduate. my mother spent her entire childhood on government assistance and she did not even finish high school. she did, however, received a ged. fortunately, past is not always prologue. through hard work as a single parent, she kept her children clothed, fed, and secure. such that we might have the opportunity to use our own sweat and tears to shape our futures. having left full-time employment to a half years ago to finish my bachelors degree, i have maintained a 4.0 gpa. and i will be starting a phd program this f