2008-05-31 21:50:22 -

- It is an honor to visit this beautiful campus and to share this special day with you.

I congratulate the parents here who have sacrificed to make this day possible. When your child graduates from college, it is a glorious day for your family, and a good day for your bank account.

I thank members of the

Furman faculty. I appreciate your devoting your career to improving the lives of young people. I know this is an institution where folks are encouraged to make their voices heard. I too am a strong believer in free speech. And to prove it, I'm about to give you one.

For four years, this campus has been your life. You studied hard, and I have a feeling many of you also played hard. And along the way, some of you may have wondered if this day would ever come. Well, that day is finally here. Laura and I extend our warm congratulations to the Class of 2008.

I am proud to be joined by my friend and an outstanding leader of South Carolina: Governor Mark Sanford, Class of 1983. Governor, I'm not going to ask if you ever got caught "swimming in the fountains." Twenty-five years ago, the governor sat where you now sit - as a member of his graduating class. As it happens, the commencement speaker that year was my Dad. This means that some at Furman will have heard graduation speeches from two generations of Bushes. This is a great step forward for the Bush family, and a great step backward for your English Department.

My family has other ties with Furman. In the early 1930's, a student named Willa Martin graduated from the women's college that soon became part of Furman. Willa went on to marry my mother's father. She also spent time as a columnist for the Associated Press, thus beginning the long history of warm relations between the Bush family and the media.

My Administration also has a Furman connection. One of the first people I see every morning is a Furman grad and my Director of National Intelligence: Admiral Mike McConnell, Class of 1966. I asked Mike if he ever took part in the "Midnight Serenade." I would like to tell you what he said, but that information is classified.

Commencement is a special time in your life. It's also a time when you are going to get a lot of free advice - some of it helpful, some of it not. I heard about one graduation speaker who urged students to keep their ears to the ground, their shoulders to the wheel, and their noses to the grindstone. All I could think was - that sounds like a pretty uncomfortable position.

I also remember what it felt like to graduate from college and look out at the world before me. At the time, I confess that the last thing on my mind was how to be a model citizen. Just ask my Mother. Yet I found, as you will, that the world has a way of helping you grow. Soon many of you will be earning a living, getting married, and raising families. As you move ahead in life, you will find temptations and distractions that can take you off course. You might also find that years may pass before you learn some important truths: that who you are is more important than what you have. And that you have responsibilities to your fellow citizens, your country, your family, and yourself.

In my first speech as Governor of Texas, I talked about the importance of a responsibility society. And in my last commencement address as President of the United States, this seems a fitting subject to return to.

Today, I am heartened to see that our country is seeing a resurgence of personal responsibility. And I am pleased that this resurgence is being led by many young people who are embracing bedrock values of faith and family. These are values on which Furman and many other great universities were founded. And as you leave this campus today, my call to you is this: strengthen this rising culture of responsibility in America by serving others ... contributing to our civic life ... and being accountable to your family and yourself.

A culture of responsibility means serving others. Through the toil of generations and the grace of God, our Nation has been given much, and more and more Americans are recognizing our obligation to help those who have little.

One of the most uplifting trends in our country is that volunteerism is near all-time highs. And we see that spirit of service here at Furman. Nearly two-thirds of you balanced your studies this year with outreach to your community. You helped children with disabilities realize they have a place in our communities and in our hearts. You helped Habitat for Humanity give people a home of their own. And through such works of compassion, you have learned early in life that nothing is more fulfilling than putting the needs of others ahead of your own. I thank you for what you have done to help your community and strengthen your country.

I have seen the spirit of service in Greensburg, Kansas, which was destroyed by a tornado last year. In the aftermath, a Greensburg resident said simply: "My town is gone." But after the storm receded, a wave of compassion arrived. First, family members rushed in with aid. Then came folks from nearby towns doing their duty to help neighbors in need. And soon citizens across our country rallied to help the people of Greensburg. I recently visited Greensburg High School to deliver the commencement address. And I am pleased to report that the town of Greensburg is recovering, and the spirit of determination and compassion is alive and well in America's heartland.

I have seen the spirit of service in the good Americans who work to heal troubled communities across our country. Much of this good work is carried out by community and faith-based groups who lift up struggling souls one at a time. They serve in soup kitchens, help former prisoners rejoin society, and inspire young people in inner city classrooms, ensuring they have the skills they need to live lives of hope and opportunity.

I have seen the spirit of service in the Americans who are changing lives on the continent of Africa. Our citizens are teaching children in Ghana, helping villagers fight malaria and HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, and helping war-ravaged people recover and rebuild in Liberia. These citizens are showing the world the true face of America - a kind and generous Nation that is meeting its responsibility to help the poor, the sick, and the hungry.

I have seen the spirit of service in those who proudly wear the uniform. America is blessed to have citizens who volunteer in times of danger, and that includes some of you here today. You will leave Furman with more than a degree - you will also receive your commission as an officer in the United States military. I thank you for making the noble decision to serve. Your country is proud of you. And I am proud to be your Commander-in-Chief.

To all of you, my call is to make service to others a way of life. Wherever you live, whatever you do, find a way to give back to your communities. And however you choose to serve, you will learn a great lesson: that the more you give, the more you benefit.

A culture of responsibility means contributing to our civic life. I ask you to be citizens, not spectators, and help to build a nation of virtue and character. Here are some ways you can do so.

You can strengthen our country by participating in the democratic process. In recent years, we have seen millions of people in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Georgia, and Ukraine risk their lives for the right to cast a ballot. These courageous people should inspire us to take our votes just as seriously. I know the democratic spirit is alive in our country because there was a big vote recently - the new American Idol got about 55 million votes. I hope we see an even bigger turnout this November. For some of you, this will be your first presidential election. I ask you to do your duty and vote. By the way, if you are wondering who to vote for this year, the governor and I would be happy to offer a few suggestions.

You can strengthen our country by showing fiscal discipline in your lives. That may sound funny coming from a visitor from Washington, D.C., but it is important to your futures and the future of our country. Many of you have debts from student loans - an investment that I expect you will find worthwhile. But in the next few years, you may find it tempting to amass more debt - particularly from credit cards - on expenses that bring little long-term benefit. My advice to you is to not dig a financial hole you cannot get out of. Try your best to live within your means. And bear in mind that there are no shortcuts to the American dream.

Your Furman degree will open the door to a wide variety of career options. One of the most noble paths you can take is a career in public service. I know you may look at some of the debates in Washington and in political campaigns and conclude that public service is not worth it. That would be a mistake. I have had my fair share of critics, but no criticism can overcome the satisfaction of serving your fellow citizens and pursuing great goals for your country. If you choose a career in public service, maintain the highest ethical standards, bring honor to whatever position you hold, and always put the people you serve ahead of yourself.

Public service is not just politics. It can include social work, teaching, and careers in the non-profit sector. There are countless organizations across our country that devote themselves to improving the lives of others - such as the American Red Cross, Teach for America, and the Boys and Girls Clubs. These groups fulfill a noble mission and they are an important part of a responsibility society.

Others of you will make your careers in the private sector. If you choose this path, take pride in what you do, work hard, and bring value to the enterprise you work for. And remember this: our country needs corporate responsibility as well as personal responsibility. So my call to those of you entering the business world is to be honest with your shareholders, be truthful with your customers, and give back to the communities in which you live. And all of us have a responsibility to be good stewards of the environment.

Finally, a culture of responsibility means being accountable to your families and to yourself. I have found family to be a source of great comfort and strength. When people talk about my family, they often say that I inherited my Dad's eyes and my Mother's mouth. But I got far more from them than that. From my father, I learned that a gentle soul can also be strong. From my mother, I saw the blessings of humor, honesty, and unqualified love. And from the two of them, I got an inspiring example of how a strong marriage can carry you through any challenge. And what has carried me through the challenges in my life has been the love and support of a wonderful woman named Laura Bush.

My wish is that you find a partner in life who loves you, challenges you, comforts you, and gives your life meaning. And if you have the blessing of becoming a parent, your most important job is to love your child with all your heart.

In life, there will be many temptations to distract you from your responsibilities. Popular culture can give you the impression that alcohol, drugs, or promiscuity can lead to fulfillment in life. That is an illusion, and I urge you to reject it.

If you do fall short, know that it is never too late to recover and get back on the right track. There was a time in my life when alcohol competed for my affections, but I found salvation in my family and in my faith. There is no shame in recognizing your failings or getting help if you need it. The tragedy comes when we fail to take responsibility for our weaknesses and surrender to them.

You probably don't realize it now, but you are role models for others in your life - whether it is a little brother or sister who looks up to you or someone else who admires you. Positive role models are greatly needed in our society. I urge you to set a hopeful example by leading lives of character and integrity. If you do, you will be proud of who you are, and you will teach others around you that a life of responsibility leads to a life of fulfillment.

In all of these ways, your generation has an opportunity to show how timeless values can be applied in a modern world. As you do so, history offers noble examples to follow, including many from right here in South Carolina. From this state came a signer of the Declaration of Independence who lost his fortune fighting for our freedom but never regretted the fight. From this state came the brave colonel who drew a line in the sand against oppressive rule at an old Spanish mission called the Alamo. From this state came the child of slaves, who was among the first black women to be an advisor to presidents.

And from this state came a young man who went off to serve his country in World War Two. His last name was Smith and, as it happens, his first name was Furman. Private Furman Smith never attended this school. But he grew up just down the road. While on duty in Italy, Private Smith's unit came under heavy fire. He fended off 80 enemy soldiers to defend his wounded buddies. And he died at the age of 19, with his rifle still clutched in his hand. For the acts of courage and character that cost him his life, Furman Smith was awarded the Medal of Honor. 64 years ago this very day, that young man carried the Furman name into history. And now, in a very different way, so will each of you.

May the values you learned here always guide your course. May you always make the right choices. And may you always look in the mirror, and be proud of what you see. Congratulations, and God bless you.

White House Press Office
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