The Future Lies Ahead.docVIP

第六篇 The Future Lies Ahead未来就在前方这是奥巴马于2008年5月25日在康涅狄格州的卫斯理公会大学毕业生典礼上的演讲稿。演讲人原定的是参议员Edward M. Kennedy，但由于他被诊断患有恶性脑瘤而送院治疗，奥巴马临危受命代替肯尼迪前往演讲，同时接受该校为其授予的名誉法学博士学位。在本次演讲中，奥巴马敦促毕业生要积极投身于社区服务工作。The Atlantic杂志资深记者、曾任美国前总统吉米·卡特首席白宫讲稿撰写人的James Fallows曾对奥巴马的本篇演讲稿大加赞赏，认为奥巴马“has gotten better at the necessary poetry of ceremonial speaking” 并且“passed that test”。该演讲必将成为毕业典礼演讲的典范。 Thank you, Chairman Dresser, President Roth, for welcoming me to your campus, and congratulate President Roth on your first year at the helm of Wesleyan. Congratulations also to the class of 2008, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your graduation. I have the distinct honor today of pinch-hitting for one of my personal heroes and a hero to this country, Senator Edward Kennedy. Ted is at home, getting some much-needed and deserved rest. And were so pleased to see many of his family here today, including his wonderful wife, Vicky. He called me up a few days ago and I said that Id be happy to be his stand-in, even if there was no way that I could fill his shoes. I did, however, get the chance to glance at the speech he planned on delivering today, and Id like to start by passing along a message from Ted: To all those praying for my return to good health, I offer my heartfelt thanks. And to any whod rather have a different result, I say, dont get your hopes up just yet! So we know that Teddys legendary sense of humor is as strong as ever, and I have no doubt that his equally legendary fighting spirit will carry him through this latest challenge. He is our friend, he is our champion, and we hope and pray for his return to good health. Now, the topic of his speech today was common for a commencement, and we heard some of the themes from President Roth but one that nobody could discuss with more authority or more inspiration than Ted Kennedy. And that is the topic of service to ones country - a cause that is synonymous with his familys name and legacy. I was born t