My Dad was valedictorian of Flint Mandeville HighSchool class of 1956 about 90 kids. I happenedacross his graduating speech recently, and it blew meaway. 53 years ago my Dad said: "We are entering achanging world, one of automation and employmentchange where education is an economic necessity.We will have increased periods of time to do as wewish,as our work week and retirement age continueto decline and we wish that were true. We shall take part in, or witness, developments inscience, medicine, and industry that we can only dream of today. It is said that the future ofany nation can be determined by the care and preparation given to its youth.
我父親曾作為學生代表在畢業(yè)典禮上致辭。我最近看到他的畢業(yè)演講,震住了。他說,這是一個瞬息萬變的時代,一個科學技術和人才就業(yè)在不斷變革的時代,教育成為發(fā)展的必需品。我們有更多的時間做想做的事,因為工時減少,退休提前,我們期待這一刻的到來。參與或見證科學、醫(yī)學、工業(yè)的飛速發(fā)展。人們說,一個國家的未來取決于對年輕人培養(yǎng)。
If all the youths of America were as fortunate in securing an education as we have been, thenthe future of the United States would be even more bright than it is today. "If my Dad werealive today, the thing I think he would be most happy about is that Lucy and I have a baby inthe hopper. I think he would have been annoyed that I hadn't gotten my Ph.D. yet. Thanks,Michigan!
如果所有美國青年能像我們一樣接受教育,美國的前景會更加光明;如果父親還在世,他會為即將出世的小孫子而高興,也我沒獲得博士學位而揪心。感謝密歇根大學!
Dad was so full of insights, of excitement about new things, that to this day, I often wonderwhat he would think about some new development. If he were here today. Well, it would be oneof the best days of his life. He'd be like a kid in a candy store. For a day, he'd be young again.Many of us are fortunate enough to be here with family. Some of us have dear friends andfamily to go home to. And who knows, perhaps some of you, like Lucy and I, are dreamingabout future families of your own. Just like me, your families brought you here, and youbrought them here.
他對于新事物總有著敏銳的觀察,并充滿熱情。我時?;孟耄麜绾慰创F(xiàn)在的變化。如果他還在,這會是他人生中最美好的時光。他會像在糖果店的孩子那樣開心,我們大部分人都很幸運,有家人為伴,有朋友相隨,可能有些人正在憧憬和另一半的未來。當初家人帶你來此讀書,如今他們見證你畢業(yè)。
Please keep them close and remember: they are what really matters in life.Thanks, Mom.Thanks, Lucy. And thank you, all, very much.
請務必珍惜!記住——他們才是你們生命中最重要的人!謝謝你,媽媽!謝謝你,Lucy!謝謝大家!