speech 2/3

So, graduates, with your glorious diversity, with your remarkable accomplishments and your deep commitment to your communities,

you all embody the very purpose of this school's founding.

And, more importantly, you embody the very hopes and dreams carved into the base of that iconic statue not so far from where we sit

on that island where so many of your predecessors at this school first set foot on our shores.

If you are a person of faith, know that religious diversity is a great American tradition, too.

In fact, that's why people first came to this country — to worship freely.

So I want our young people to continue to learn and practice those values with pride.

You see, our glorious diversity — our diversities of faiths and colors and creeds

Final sentence of 2/3

that is not a threat to who we are, it makes us who we are.