Hillary Clinton

good morn __PUNCT__ what a great dai thi is in so mani wai __PUNCT__

and i am deepli honor to be here todai and to have been ask to be your commenc speaker __PUNCT__

i want to thank presid hugh __PUNCT__ and the faculti of thi great univers __PUNCT__ the alumni __PUNCT__ the class of __NUM__ and all the famili and friend who ar gather here __PUNCT__

i want especi to congratul my fellow honore __PUNCT__ dr __PUNCT__ frank mason __PUNCT__ a long_time friend and real hero of mine __PUNCT__ dr __PUNCT__ roberta flack __PUNCT__

i am hope that the feel you all have todai as you walk through those majest oak will stai with you as you leav thi univers and enter into the world you have been prepar to lead and serv __PUNCT__

presid hugh __PUNCT__ i not sure if word exist to express the gratitud thi assembl feel for you todai __PUNCT__

certainli you and your truste led by truste roch face a challeng that rare ever ha had to be confront by ani univers __PUNCT__

and to think that you just arriv at dillard __PUNCT__ you were just unpack you bag __PUNCT__ you had onli been here for two month __PUNCT__ when you found yourself at the helm of a univers that wa under water __PUNCT__

but true leader ar those who rise to whatev challeng confront them __PUNCT__

and no on ha risen higher than your presid __PUNCT__

to the entir dillard commun __PUNCT__ i thank you for you leadership and your exampl __PUNCT__

and to the member of the class of __NUM__ i am veri proud to be here to congratul you on thi mileston moment __PUNCT__

the dai you know that all your hard_work wa worthwhil __PUNCT__ the night you spent studi __PUNCT__ the dai you spent in class __PUNCT__ the hour you work to earn your tuition monei __PUNCT__

and that all in addit to the month you spent cope with the aftermath of hurrican_katrina __PUNCT__

as i walk between you __PUNCT__ you were hold the flag of the colleg and univers you attend dure the time that dillard wa so grievous struck __PUNCT__

and i wa glanc at the name that were liter all over the countri __PUNCT__

i know it wasn't easi __PUNCT__ and i know that none of you did it alon __PUNCT__

as your valedictorian point out __PUNCT__ you were in thi togeth __PUNCT__ you found strength from each other __PUNCT__ you mai never have known befor __PUNCT__

you had friend and famili __PUNCT__ teacher and preacher __PUNCT__ administr and staff who believ in you and sacrif for you __PUNCT__

thei held you up when you were struggl __PUNCT__

thei would not let you give in to your fear and doubt __PUNCT__

you ar here becaus of them __PUNCT__ and becaus as it is written in the scriptur __PUNCT__ of their work of faith and labor of love __PUNCT__ and steadfast of hope __PUNCT__

as i look out on these graduat __PUNCT__ i see that you ar the work __PUNCT__ the gloriou result of faith __PUNCT__ love __PUNCT__ and hope __PUNCT__

todai __PUNCT__ let us give thank to all the famili and friend and other that help you along the wai __PUNCT__

some ar onli here in spirit __PUNCT__ but thei ar with you __PUNCT__ thei have guid you and i know that you ar grate to them __PUNCT__

just think of that dark_dai nearli two year_ago __PUNCT__ you board those buse for destin unknown __PUNCT__ you mai have wonder whether you would ever see thi moment __PUNCT__

whether you would join all of the dillard alumni who had march down that avenu of the oak __PUNCT__

whether you would ever be reunit with your faculti member that you have depend upon and learn so much from __PUNCT__

but while you mai have been scare and uncertain __PUNCT__ you did take a deep breath __PUNCT__ probabl mani deep breath __PUNCT__ and you show thi countri exactli what that dillard univers motto mean __PUNCT__ you were the live __PUNCT__ breath embodi of the confid that come from faith __PUNCT__

lift by the kind of stranger __PUNCT__ sustain by the commun you found you learn what i hope wa on of mani lesson throughout your life about the amaz_grace that brought you safe and final lead you home __PUNCT__

back here in new orlean __PUNCT__ presid hugh wa do everyth she could to provid that home __PUNCT__

dillard campu mai have been uninhabit __PUNCT__ but that didn't stop your presid __PUNCT__

she work around the clock __PUNCT__ make call __PUNCT__ make plan __PUNCT__ make sure all of you were ok __PUNCT__

and when the spring semest came __PUNCT__ becaus of her persever __PUNCT__ dillard univers had a new home __PUNCT__ in a hilton hotel __PUNCT__

now __PUNCT__ presid hugh and the faculti and the truste and the stuff did not know whether you would come back __PUNCT__

whether you would be will to pursu your studi in a temporari campu in a struggl citi __PUNCT__

she thought mayb __NUM__ or __NUM__ of you would return __PUNCT__

but by the time those door_open in __DATE__ of __NUM__ of you were readi to walk through __PUNCT__

you came back __PUNCT__

you came becaus you refus to abandon thi great_american american_univers and thi great_american american_citi __PUNCT__

you came back becaus you refus to leav behind the friend __PUNCT__ the professor __PUNCT__ and so mani who had becom your extend_famili __PUNCT__

you came back becaus you knew that dillard is more than the beauti build and the lush green lawn and the majest oak __PUNCT__ you knew that what make dillard special is someth no storm __PUNCT__ no flood __PUNCT__ or fire can ever destroi __PUNCT__

and becaus you came back __PUNCT__ dillard univers came back as well __PUNCT__

you did your job __PUNCT__ you learn you taught you devot long_hour to serv your commun __PUNCT__

peopl and institut in new orlean __PUNCT__ and across america __PUNCT__ thei did their job too __PUNCT__

the non __PUNCT__ profit provid desper __PUNCT__ need servic in terribl condit __PUNCT__

the church reach out to those most in need __PUNCT__

ordinari_citizen volunt donat monei open up their home and heart __PUNCT__

but unfortun __PUNCT__ the feder_govern did not do it job __PUNCT__

it didn't hold up it end of the bargain __PUNCT__

now feder_offici did find time to track down student and demand recoup of monei thei gave you to surviv the storm __PUNCT__ but in everyth els from emerg respons to rebuild public_work to restor essenti servic __PUNCT__ the feder_govern govern_fail __PUNCT__

and todai __PUNCT__ nearli two year later __PUNCT__ we still don't have a reliabl hurrican protect system __PUNCT__

we still haven't rebuilt school __PUNCT__ hospit __PUNCT__ firehous or park __PUNCT__

there ar more than __NUM__ household live in trailer __PUNCT__

and new orlean is caught in a viciou_cycl __PUNCT__

becaus so mani peopl have left __PUNCT__ neighborhood haven't recov __PUNCT__

and becaus neighborhood haven't recov __PUNCT__ mani peopl simpli cannot come back __PUNCT__

in short __PUNCT__ a natur_disast becam a nation disgrac __PUNCT__ and an intern embarrass __PUNCT__

let me sai that again __PUNCT__ thi is a nation disgrac __PUNCT__

anyon who think thi is a local or region crisi __PUNCT__ anyon who think thi is about __PUNCT__ them __PUNCT__ and not __PUNCT__ us __PUNCT__ is sore mistaken __PUNCT__

think about how all american benefit from the commerc that goe through thi citi port __PUNCT__

how all of us benefit from the oil and ga produc off your shore __PUNCT__

all of us have been enrich by the cultur and legaci of thi citi __PUNCT__

and when our fellow_citizen hurt __PUNCT__ all of us hurt __PUNCT__

whether in oklahoma_citi or new york_citi or new orlean __PUNCT__ when american our fellow_citizen suffer __PUNCT__ all of us suffer __PUNCT__

todai __PUNCT__ i want to be veri clear __PUNCT__ rebuild thi citi is not a new orlean oblig or a louisiana oblig __PUNCT__ it is an american oblig __PUNCT__

and i want to spend a few minut with you todai talk about that oblig __PUNCT__

and how we final begin to fulfil it __PUNCT__

now __PUNCT__ as a senat from new york after __DATE__ i know what it like to stand in the aftermath of destruct so great __PUNCT__ you can bare comprehend it __PUNCT__ and to wonder where to even begin and whether you ever fulli recov __PUNCT__

but i also know about the kind of love for a citi that make you determin to not just restor what you lost __PUNCT__ but to creat someth stronger __PUNCT__ more beauti __PUNCT__ and more last __PUNCT__

i also know a thing or two about what you don't need as you try to move_forward __PUNCT__

you don't need more empti promis __PUNCT__

you don't need more talk __PUNCT__

you don't need more bureaucraci __PUNCT__

if talk and bureaucraci and promis were enough __PUNCT__ we have rebuilt new orlean three time over by now __PUNCT__

what we do need is action __PUNCT__

action support by our feder_govern __PUNCT__ but driven right here in new orlean and in the surround parish __PUNCT__

by the peopl who understand the realiti on the ground __PUNCT__

action that lead to real __PUNCT__ measur improv __PUNCT__

not six month from now __PUNCT__ or a year from now __PUNCT__ but right now __PUNCT__

the question is __PUNCT__ where do we begin __PUNCT__ how do we stop_talk the talk and start walk the walk __PUNCT__ well __PUNCT__ i think we need a comprehens approach __PUNCT__ on where the feder_govern respond to what our state and local leader and resid ar tell them from the point of live and work in the area __PUNCT__

i want to commend group like women of the storm __PUNCT__ and by the wai __PUNCT__ i fulli support their propos to hold a debat right here in new orlean in the fall of __NUM__ __PUNCT__

my good_friend and colleagu __PUNCT__ mari landrieu __PUNCT__ ha been a passion voic and an effect leader for louisiana __PUNCT__ and i have learn a great_deal from her dure thi time __PUNCT__

i support her coastal restor plan __PUNCT__

my propos in thi area build on her work __PUNCT__ and the work of other leader from thi state and region __PUNCT__

my approach start with put on person __PUNCT__ on account person in charg of recoveri effort and give that person the author he or she need to do that job __PUNCT__

right now __PUNCT__ the feder_govern gulf_coast rebuild offic is buri in bureaucraci at the depart of homeland_secur __PUNCT__

instead __PUNCT__ there should be a feder recoveri director who sit in the west_wing and report directli to the presid everi singl week about what is happen to the peopl who ar still suffer __PUNCT__

and the director first order of busi should be to reach out to everi commun affect and figur out exactli what thei need and how the feder_govern can help __PUNCT__

i don't think that commun should have to go to the feder govern to beg for help __PUNCT__ the feder govern should come to them __PUNCT__

second __PUNCT__ let get feder_monei where it need right now __PUNCT__

enough with the red_tape __PUNCT__

enough with the paperwork __PUNCT__

right now __PUNCT__ commun ar requir to match a percentag of the fund thei receiv from fema __PUNCT__

but we know that mani simpli can't afford it __PUNCT__

when you hear peopl in washington talk about all the monei that been appropri for louisiana __PUNCT__ stop and ask yourself how much of that monei ha actual been deliv to the peopl of louisiana __PUNCT__

so let do for new orlean and the surround parish what wa done for new york after 9/11 __PUNCT__

waiv the rule requir match fund to get feder_monei for infrastructur improv __PUNCT__

and __PUNCT__ let creat a user __PUNCT__ friendli __PUNCT__ flexibl __PUNCT__ streamlin process to get fund for public_work project __PUNCT__

here on of the thing that drive peopl crazi __PUNCT__ thei try to get flood monei through a program call a program call commun_develop block_grant to servic the mass to get the monei from fema __PUNCT__ you have to get the environment assess __PUNCT__

try to get the monei from fema __PUNCT__ you need to have an environment assess __PUNCT__

don't you think thei could talk togeth and on singl environment assess __PUNCT__ instead of requir peopl to spend __NUM__ and __NUM__ thousand_dollar to get two assess __PUNCT__ thi is the kind bureaucrat nonsens that ha stood in the wai of rebuild __PUNCT__

and onc a commun ha appli for fund __PUNCT__ let provid a small_amount of monei upfront __PUNCT__ so you can get start on their project while thei wait for approv __PUNCT__

and let come togeth and final find a wai to make the __PUNCT__ road home __PUNCT__ program actual work for the peopl of louisiana __PUNCT__

i wa in the broadmoor neighborhood yesterdai __PUNCT__ i met with mr __PUNCT__ johnson __PUNCT__ a widow __PUNCT__ rais six children in her home __PUNCT__

unfortun she paid fifti_thousand thousand_dollar to a contractor who turn out to be unscrupul __PUNCT__

and the work done on her home doe not meet the standard of the citi __PUNCT__

so __PUNCT__ she is still live in on of the trailer __PUNCT__

how mani of you have been in on of the fema trailer __PUNCT__ so __PUNCT__ you know how difficult it is __PUNCT__

and across the street __PUNCT__ mr __PUNCT__ washington is paralyz on on side __PUNCT__ a retir gentleman try to save hi home __PUNCT__

wonder when he is go to get the help to do the work that he need to do __PUNCT__

it is heartbreak to see peopl who ar decent hardwork american neglect by their govern __PUNCT__

on of the thing we need is more peopl to help __PUNCT__

third __PUNCT__ let creat a gulf_coast corp of dedic men and women who would work fulltim to help our commun rebuild __PUNCT__

congressmen benni thompson of mississippi and other member of the congression black_caucu ar work on a similar idea __PUNCT__

i would envis the corp have two separ part __PUNCT__ on that would provid financi_incent to skill profession __PUNCT__ teacher __PUNCT__ doctor __PUNCT__ nurs and other to serv high __PUNCT__ need area __PUNCT__

the other work hand __PUNCT__ in __PUNCT__ hand with the build trade_union would consist of worker and apprentic who would complet prioriti project __PUNCT__

mani would be local __PUNCT__ and mani would be abl to return to get job that paid well __PUNCT__

and you could work with local_commun to help restor our fire station __PUNCT__ the hospit __PUNCT__ sewer and so much els __PUNCT__

fourth __PUNCT__ let make sure we final build a reliabl hurrican protect system for the citi of new orlean __PUNCT__

that start with a stem __PUNCT__ to __PUNCT__ stern review of the armi_corp of engin __PUNCT__ plan and progress so far in build the leve and pump system __PUNCT__

onc we certain we on the right track __PUNCT__ let fulli fund the construct of thi system __PUNCT__ and let set a deadlin so we actual get it done __PUNCT__

we also need the corp initi a wetland restor plan __PUNCT__ becaus we if we don't build up the wetland we know we won't be abl to protect the citi __PUNCT__

fifth __PUNCT__ let expand afford_hous __PUNCT__

we know we need to provid more hous __PUNCT__

the presid show me the hous she alreadi built here on campu __PUNCT__ it look a lot better than trailer __PUNCT__

we also need to address the skyrocket cost of insur and provid more rental hous __PUNCT__

next __PUNCT__ let deal with the rise crime_rate __PUNCT__ put more polic back on the street __PUNCT__ fund them with feder_dollar __PUNCT__

we need to make sure we have __NUM___centuri school for new orlean __PUNCT__

we know there were seriou problem befor katrina __PUNCT__ and let set the goal of make new orlean school the best in the countri __PUNCT__

eighth __PUNCT__ let revit the health_care_system in thi citi __PUNCT__

reopen hospit __PUNCT__ and let rebuild chariti hospit __PUNCT__ and make it simpl for healthcar patient __PUNCT__

we need to address the grow mental_health crisi in the citi and the area __PUNCT__

let promot smart develop __PUNCT__ clean effici energi us __PUNCT__ green __PUNCT__ build and so much els __PUNCT__ so new orlean is sustain __PUNCT__

final __PUNCT__ we have to overhaul our nation disast respons system __PUNCT__

let start by make fema independ again __PUNCT__ give it cabinet __PUNCT__ level posit __PUNCT__ where it report directli to the __URL__ creat a katrina and rita commiss model on the 9/11_commiss to figur out what went wrong so it will never happen again __PUNCT__

when all is said and done __PUNCT__ i know how hard it is to move_forward after a tragedi of thi magnitud __PUNCT__

in a tribut read at a remembr servic for british citizen lost on __DATE__ queen elizabeth wrote that __PUNCT__ grief is the price we pai for love __PUNCT__

i know that todai __PUNCT__ mani still griev for those we love and lost __PUNCT__

for the home and busi destroi __PUNCT__

for the memori and heritag and histori swept awai in that storm __PUNCT__

class of __NUM__ at a veri young_ag __PUNCT__ you have learn the hard truth that there ar moment in our lifetim on thi earth when __PUNCT__ after extraordinari loss __PUNCT__ we have no choic but to begin histori anew __PUNCT__

i have confid that we will choos to move_forward __PUNCT__ choos to rebuild __PUNCT__ choos to creat a new life and a new life for thi great_citi __PUNCT__

and i hope that on dai __PUNCT__ year from now __PUNCT__ you bring your children and grandchildren here __PUNCT__ to thi citi and thi campu __PUNCT__ you tell them about what you did in face the great flood __PUNCT__ and you will tell them that you love thi school too much to leav it behind __PUNCT__

i believ that is what we have to tell the peopl of thi countri about the peopl of new orlean __PUNCT__

that we need to love thi citi too much to not leav it behind __PUNCT__

and that while our govern ha stumbl __PUNCT__ we ultim found our wai __PUNCT__

and that out of the sludg and ash and destruct of thi storm __PUNCT__ we rebuilt thi citi __PUNCT__ stronger __PUNCT__ prouder __PUNCT__ more love and last than ever befor __PUNCT__

graduat __PUNCT__ on thi dai __PUNCT__ that is my wish for you __PUNCT__

that you will live live that reflect the courag and heroism __PUNCT__ the braveri and determin that you have exhibit thu far in your live __PUNCT__

and that is also my hope for dillard and for new orlean __PUNCT__

with your talent __PUNCT__ your dedic and your hard_work __PUNCT__ i have everi confid those hope will be __URL__ again on all you have achiev __PUNCT__

you have made your famili and all of us so veri proud __PUNCT__

thank you and god speed __PUNCT__