Paterson urges Saint Rose graduates to be "children of light"
New Governor speaks at SPAC
Cecelia Martinez
Issue date: 7/2/08 Section: News
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"The difficulty in being children of light is that we ourselves are imperfect. We make mistakes...It is that virtue that allows us to move forward...and makes us children of light that we hope to be in our lives," said Paterson.
He began his speech with a joke about "sharing his vision" with the crowd, and made mention of Bishop Howard Hubbard, as well as Sister Rose Regina Smith, of whom he remarked that her faith and dedication has made her "such a special person at this college."
He also thanked fellow speaker, student and fellow Brooklyn native, Omar Lopez for allowing Paterson to speak first. "Brooklyn is in the house," said Paterson to cheers from the audience.
A speech that began with humor transitioned into praise for classic writers such as Aristotle, Plato, and even Mark Twain. Paterson spoke of virtue, and of demanding justice in government.
"It may take a long time, it may seem frustrating, there may be a lot of delays, there may be a lot of obstacles, but that is what forms our democracy," Paterson said.
The speech also included a departure, and discussed the topic of gas prices and gas taxes in policy, with Paterson mentioning gas price hikes after Hurricane Katrina. He said that high gas prices are the result of retailers, and that "if ...legislation would work it would get passed tomorrow."
He finished his speech by telling a story, from his own high school graduation, about two classmates: one student who was valedictorian and another student whose academic history was less stellar. According to Paterson, after a small child wandered on the stage during his high school ceremony, the valedictorian ignored the child, receiving her diploma, while the latter student returned the child to his family. Paterson thanked this student, for teaching him "that was the value of priority," said Paterson.
In addition to Lopez, other speakers included Carondelet Medal recipient Sister Rose Regina Smith and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard.
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