Mike Espy delivers address at Chicago high school graduation - secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Jet, July 19, 1993

Mike Espy, secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recently delivered the graduation address at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences commencement exercises and praised the graduates as role models,' urging them to continue to strive for excellence.

"You should enjoy this day because you have certainly earned it," he told the 96 graduates during ceremonies in the auditorium of the James R. Thompson Center.

Espy, the first Black secretary of the Department of Agriculture who was appointed to the post by President Clinton, reminded the graduates that they are role models not only for themselves but for their peers.

"To some of you, I might seem like a role model and I understand that. I am in the President's Cabinet. I do have a large budget and I can accomplish things. But I do want to tell you like Charles Barkley told the world, he said, "I'm not the primary role model; you are the role model.' You have more going on than I think even you know."

Espy, praised them for coming this far in their education: "The power of your inner strength, the power of your inner self, each and everyone of you had to reach deep within yourself and find a personal resource necessary to succeed at this school."

During his speech at the graduation, he compared the graduates' success to the much talked about NBA championship victory of the Chicago Bulls. That diploma you are receiving, that represents your game winning shot," he said. "In order for you to make the shot, someone else had to rebound, someone else had to bring the ball down, dribble, pass it to you. Someone else had to open the arena so that a game could take place in the first place. You did not get here all by yourself," he told the graduating class. You really ought to congratulate your parents, your relatives and your friends for everything they've done," he said as the students applauded.

The Cabinet official revealed that the secret ingredients of success can be found in the term agriculture. Noting that agriculture means "cultivation, tending the land," the Secretary of Agriculture whose responsibility includes managing a $62 billion budget explained, "The process just can't be rushed. The farmer knows this when he or she harvests the crops, they harvest an abundance of personal values as well--that is, patience, perseverance, an ability to deal with adversity, a sense of investment, purpose and accomplishments.

"I don't think a farmer exists who can tend the soil without tending his own soul. You young graduates have been gifted. This high school has given you a chance to tend to your talent and your ability. You have established roots and a sense of self-worth and purpose."

Espy urged them to continue their education and use their diploma "as a sword" and "shield" to win even more success: "If you see an opportunity, seize it. If you are met with some difficulty, move around it. If you come to a fence, jump it. If you come to a river, cross it. If you see an obstacle, push it aside. . . "

"Just remember," he stressed, "You are a role model. Go forth and make us proud."