美国总统奥巴马在乔普林高中毕业典礼上发表讲话.docxVIP

Remarks by the President at the Joplin High School CommencementMissouri Southern State UniversityJoplin, Missouri8:40 P.M. CDTTHE PRESIDENT:? Thank you.? (Applause.)? Thank you, everybody.? Please have a seat.? A few people I want to acknowledge.? First of all, you have an outstanding governor in Jay Nixon, and we are proud of all the work that he’s done.?? I want to acknowledge Senator Claire McCaskill who is here.? (Applause.)? Representative Billy Long.?? (Applause.)? Your mayor, Melodee Colbert Kean.? (Applause.)? Somebody who doesnt get a lot of attention but does amazing work all across the country, including here in Joplin, the head of FEMA, the administrator, Craig Fugate, who spent an awful lot of time here helping to rebuild.? (Applause.)Superintendent Huff.? (Applause.)? Principal Sachetta.? (Applause.)? To the faculty, the parents, the family, friends, the people of Joplin, and most of all the class of 2012.? (Applause.)? Congratulations on your graduation, and thank you for allowing me the honor of playing a small part in this special day.?Now, the job of a commencement speaker primarily is to keep it short.? Chloe, they’ve given me more than two minutes.? (Laughter.)? But the other job is to inspire.? But as I look out at this class, and across this city, what’s clear is that you’re the source of inspiration today.? To me.? To this state.? To this country.? And to people all over the world.??Last year, the road that led you here took a turn that no one could’ve imagined.? Just hours after the Class of 2011 walked across this stage, the most powerful tornado in six decades tore a path of devastation through Joplin that was nearly a mile wide and 13 long.? In just 32 minutes, it took thousands of homes, and hundreds of businesses, and 161 of your neighbors, friends and family.? It took a classmate Will Norton, who had just left this auditorium with a diploma in his hand.? It took Lantz Hare, who should’ve received his diploma next year.?By now, I expect