Former Presidents Bush Rank High For Graduation Addresses

Former Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush rank high among the “30 All-Time Graduation Speakers,” according to The Daily Beast blog, and the commencement addresses featured for both were delivered at Texas A&M University.

The blog account, which draws on information compiled by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, focuses on the number of speeches delivered by specific individuals. Bush “41” ranks eighth with 17 commencement addresses delivered, and Bush “43” is tied with three other prominent individuals with 13 graduation addresses each. Bill Cosby heads the list with 37.

The website address displayed in part for Bush “41” was delivered in May of 1989, shortly after he became President. The address cited for Bush “43” was delivered in December of 2008, shortly before he left office.

Those, however, were not the only Bush commencement addresses delivered to Texas A&M graduates. The elder Bush was the May 1984 commencement speaker when he was vice president and, since leaving office, has addressed Aggie graduates twice – in May of 1999 and May of 2006. Former First Lady Barbara Bush was the commencement speaker in May of 2001 and December of 2005. The younger Bush, while still governor of Texas, addressed Aggie graduates in May of 1998.

The cited notation from the elder Bush’s 1989 address, which was considered a significant foreign policy speech and was subsequently noted on several occasions, states: “It’s a sad truth that nothing forces us to recognize our common humanity more swiftly than a natural disaster. I’m thinking, of course, of Soviet Armenia just a few months ago, a tragedy without blame, warlike devastation without war. Our son took our 12-year-old grandson to Yerevan. At the end of the day of comforting the injured and consoling the bereaved, the father and son went to church, sat down together in the midst of the ruins, and wept. How can our two countries magnify this simple expression of caring? How can we convey the good will of our people? Forty-three years ago, a young lieutenant by the name of Albert Kotzebue, the class of 1945 at Texas A&M, was the first American soldier to shake hands with the Soviets at the bank of the Elbe River. Once again, we are ready to extend our hand. Once again, we are ready for a hand in return. And once again, it is a time for peace.”

The cited portion of the Bush “43” commencement address at Aggieland, focusing on sage advice to the new graduates, notes: “As you embark on this journey, let me leave you with a few last pieces of advice. First, listen to your mother. As you can see, Mom is out of the hospital and everything is back to normal. After all, she’s still telling me what to do. Second, develop a set of principles to live by – convictions and ideals to guide your course. There will be times when people tell you a different way is more accepted or popular. Remember that popularity is as fleeting as the Texas wind. Character and conscience are as sturdy as the oaks on this campus. If you go home at night, look in the mirror and be satisfied that you have done what is right, you will pass the only test that matters. And finally, be on the lookout for role models – people whose conduct you admire and whose paths you can follow.”