REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
“WASHINGTON CENTER GALA"
WASHINGTON, D.C.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2005
6:30 PM
Good evening, everyone. Vicki, I appreciate that kind introduction. And thank
you all for that very, very warm reception.
It is a pleasure to be here in this wonderfully decorated hall to celebrate The
Washington Center’s 30th Anniversary. And I know that I would be in the dog
house if I failed to congratulate all of those who have made this such a
memorable evening. From the staff of the Center, to the event Co-Chairs – Arlene
Willis, Luce’ Vela, and my own wife, Deni. Congratulations!
Deni and I are thrilled to share this special celebration with Sheila and the
Burke family, and with so many supporters of the Washington Center.
The Corcoran Gallery is filled to capacity tonight. And it is only fitting. The
Washington Center has been filling the offices of our Nation’s capital with the
rising generation of leaders for three decades now.
Indeed, while I am truly honored to receive The Washington Center’s public
service award, if I had to define public service, I would point to The
Washington Center itself.
Through its outstanding programs, young people from colleges and universities
across America – and around the world – step out of the classroom and into the
halls of the greatest democracy in the world.
And after a long day in the office and a heady evening of lectures with the
Nation’s top leaders, they burn the midnight oil with fellow interns,
discovering who they are, what they want to be, and how they can give back to
society.
What a perfect complement to President Bush’s charge to all Americans to commit
themselves to serving something greater than themselves.
In the past few weeks, it has been heart-warming to see Americans across this
great Nation answering the President’s call. They have opened their hearts,
their homes, and their communities to those who have had their lives turned
upside down – first, by Katrina, and this past weekend by Hurricane Rita.
And I have been so proud of the dedicated public servants at the Department of
Transportation who have been working around the clock to get people out of
harm’s way – and to ensure a swift and speedy recovery.
They oversaw the largest airlift in history and delivered generators to pipeline
pumping stations, working side-by-side with the pipeline companies to keep vital
energy flowing to the East Coast.
They deployed hundreds of buses to help evacuate Texas and Louisiana before Rita
hit. And emergency equipment was in place and ready to begin clearing up after
the storm because they brought in roll-on/roll-off ships to keep it safe.
Their efforts have been nothing short of heroic. And they remind us of the
difference that people can make through public service.
So it is significant that close to 30 percent of all Washington Center alumni
choose public service careers – at the local, state, and national levels.
If there weren’t a Washington Center, we would want to invent one.
But fortunately for us all, my very dear friend, Bill Burke, had the foresight
to create The Washington Center back in 1975 – the same year, incidentally, that
I began my service in the Congress.
And he guided and nurtured it until November of 2004, when he succumbed to a
long illness.
Bill dedicated his life to introducing young people to the world of public
service. And his enthusiasm inspired not only the students, but so many of us as
well.
I had the privilege of serving on The Washington Center’s board of directors for
nearly six years, along with chair Tom Tauke, Andy Card, Mike Smith, and so many
others here tonight.
And from my days in the Congress, I have made it a point to meet with students
through programs like The Washington Center whenever I can.
I find that they teach me as much – sometimes more – than I do them.
The media has nothing on these young people. They ask extraordinarily insightful
questions, and they help me look at things with fresh eyes.
It gives me great faith in the future. And, as much as I appreciate this award
tonight, the real reward is seeing a new generation inspired to public service.
That is what The Washington Center has been doing for 30 wonderful years – and,
with the support of all of the friends here tonight, will keep doing for decades
to come.
May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless The Washington Center and
the United States of America.
# # #
# # ## # #
Briefing
Room
