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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMN SERVICES
PLACE:		Washington College Commencement Address, Chestertown, Maryland
DATE:		May 21, 2000

Let me start by thanking all of you for awarding me your honorary degree in public service. It's especially gratifying to be recognized by Washington College because of your long history of combining academic excellence with serving the community.

I try to do my homework. Actually, at Washington College I wouldn't dare show up without my homework. I know that members of your great lacrosse team have been tutoring middle school students. I know that "Into the Streets" - your service program during freshman orientation - won a national award this year. And I know that convincing you that public service is worth doing is about as difficult as convincing people in Chestertown that soft shell crabs are worth eating.

Still, it never hurts to remind ourselves that we are more than the sum of our own successes. From Chestertown to Cumberland to places around the world - our communities need us. And as human beings we need something too. That "something" is keeping life a spiritual joyride.

There are many paths to this priceless gift. You can commit your life to serving others - as so many of you have done. You can stand on principle in a troubled time - as Senator McCarthy did when he helped convince our nation that the Vietnam War was politically - and morally - unsustainable. Or if you're looking for the spiritual thrill of a lifetime - you can rejoice in being a member of the Washington College Class of 2000.

I've known President Toll for many years. So when he invited me to come to beautiful Washington College to share in this wonderful day with you - I, of course, jumped at the chance.

From looking at me - you can just imagine how high I jump.

Now that I'm here, I want to assure you that my remarks are going to be brief. As a former New York governor once said: Commencement speakers should be like the body at an old-fashioned wake: They need you for the party, but nobody expects you to say very much.

I come from a generation that will probably never win any prizes for brevity. On the national stage, Baby Boomers are often like the guy at a Karaoke bar who can't bring himself to hand over the mic and give someone else a chance.

But as far as I'm concerned - it's your turn to sing now. Your generation is absolutely the best ever. You're not X or Y - or any other letter of the alphabet. Those are names or symbols by which others define you. I know you define yourself, with your own history. Your own music. Your own identity. And your own very special future. I'll have a few things to say about that future shortly. But first let me get to your more immediate concerns. I suspect this is a stressful time for many of you.

You're about to go from 130 vacation days to seven.

You're down to one strategy for paying back your student loans: Get on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

And you may never again see a play at the world's best theater: The Royale Fakespeare. However, what's probably causing you the most stress is this: You're about to say good-bye to a place - and many friends - that you have grown to love, and who have grown to love you. That's never easy. One friend that we all said a painful good-bye to last year was John Kennedy, Jr. - who gave the 1999 Washington College commencement address. His public remarks here were his last. Senator McCarthy and John Kennedy, Jr. were men of different generations - and very different experiences. Senator McCarthy helped change our view of the Vietnam War. And, I think, John Kennedy, Jr. helped change the way we view ourselves. He helped us understand that even after the traumas of Vietnam and the fight for civil rights - we could still be the optimistic, forward-looking, values-driven society that his father called on us to be. But now we stand on the starting line of the 21st century. The question we must ask ourselves is this: What vision will guide us in this new century. Will it be a vision where what you contribute is more important than what you earn? Where the common good is the highest good? And where being an active citizen is more important than being a passive consumer? Being an active citizen must begin with the simplest form of public service, with one very ordinary - yet extraordinary act: Casting your vote. On this past week's episode of The West Wing, the actor that plays the President, Martin Sheen, told us - and it's true - that in the last Presidential election, only 32 percent of people ages 18 to 24 voted. That's a mere one out of three.

Democracy cannot run on cruise control!

There's simply too much at stake for your generation to sit on your hands - and sit out this election. The decisions we make as a nation in November will not be a referendum on the past. November will be a referendum on America's future - your future. In other words, in less than six months we will either lay down a new cornerstone for the more perfect union envisioned by George Washington - by defining who we are and where we want to go - or we will surrender up the opportunity we've been given to make this century America's greatest. That means, no matter whom we vote for, we will surrender up our opportunity for greatness unless America's next leaders understand that we are an irreplaceable member of the global family.

In our increasingly interconnected world, there's simply too much at stake to hide behind narrow, domestic walls. We must help other nations not only survive - but thrive. This isn't about a sense of fairness - it's about common sense, and business sense. We know, for example, that AIDS - or other infectious diseases in Africa - not only take a toll in human lives and suffering, they endanger fragile democracies and economies. They endanger international political stability. And they endanger our markets - and our jobs. Countries devastated by disease cannot contribute to global growth.

Similarly, no matter whom you vote for, we will surrender up our opportunity for greatness unless we pledge that in this country no one will be left behind. It is not enough to identify problems and search for solutions. We must make sure that from vaccinating infants to protecting the pensions and health care of older Americans - the solutions we come up with do not land in the laps of a privileged few. We must also make sure that every American - no matter their place of birth or their parent's income - has access to quality, affordable education, right through college.

That will not be easy. There will be those who argue we cannot afford social, educational and economic justice. There will be those who argue that as our population ages - and there are fewer workers and more retirees - there will be no way to avoid creating winners and losers. There will be those who argue that as long as we don't lose ground in improving the lives and health of all Americans - than we should count our blessings and not worry about gaining ground. But those arguments are wrong. In this century, the fruits of our prosperity and scientific discoveries must not pass by anyone's door.

Finally, no matter whom you vote for, we will surrender up our opportunity for greatness unless the decisions our future leaders make are guided not just by polls and politics - but by character and judgment. I still believe that integrity, truthfulness, and believability are crucial for modern leaders.

On the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, there are 58,000 names. Most belong to young men. Leaders decide when our nation goes to war. But those who fight wars do not sit in the Oval Office or in Congress. They come from small places like Chestertown. And large places like Baltimore and New York. They come from all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds.

And today, they will be both men and women.

As Senator McCarthy knows, my generation learned hard lessons about sending young people to fight a war with no strategic purpose - and dwindling political support. Believe me, there are no books or web sites for making difficult choices.

In an age of instant communication - and instant access to information - leaders must still be guided by moral principles, strength of character, restraint in the heat of the moment, and determination in the face of fear. History can be our guide. But in the end - only character and courage can preserve our freedom and values.

George Washington - in his farewell address to the nation - wrote, " I am too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors." Well, if Washington committed "many" - where does that leave the rest of us?

The fact is: Errors are a part of life. They bring pain. They bring wisdom. They bring redemption. I've made my share. And you will make your share. But life's errors pale in comparison - and quantity - to life's joys.

So I pray you will always stay optimistic and hopeful. Hold on to your compassion - and never stop serving your communities. Love your work. Love all the people who made this day possible. Love what blessed fortune has given you. And take time - I mean this - to have fun.

Yes, sometimes life is about calling to account - as in: Who cut down the cherry tree?

But most times - life is just a bowl of cherries.

Thank you and Godspeed.