Remarks at the
Swearing-in Ceremony for Lauro F. Cavazos as
Secretary of Education
The President. Well, Mr. Vice
President, and now, Mr. Secretary and Mrs. Cavazos, Members of the Congress
that are here, and ladies and gentlemen, thank all of you. And as I'm sure you
know, we're here today to celebrate a bit of good news for the Nation: the
swearing-in that has just taken place of Dr. Lauro F.
Cavazos as our country's fourth Secretary of Education and, I'm honored to add,
as the first Hispanic Cabinet officer in American history. I know all of you
join me in extending -- and you've shown that -- to Dr. and Mrs. Cavazos and to
their family and friends a proud welcome to the White House.
Of
course, September is the month when American education goes back to work, so
now seems a perfect time to introduce a new Secretary of Education. Just 2
weeks ago, many American students, teachers, and administrators returned to
their classrooms and offices in pursuit of knowledge and its matchless rewards.
We sometimes take this for granted, but theirs is a high calling, a grand
enterprise of individual effort and collective, national purpose. And I'm
pleased to say they could not have a finer colleague, advocate, and spokesman
than Larry Cavazos, whose own life and career pay eloquent tribute to the
ennobling possibilities of good education.
The
son of a foreman at the legendary King Ranch in south Texas, Larry Cavazos went
on to earn master's and doctoral degrees in zoology and physiology; to teach
anatomy and biology as a professor at the Medical College of Virginia, at Tufts
University, and at Texas Tech University; and to serve first as anatomy
department chairman and then as dean of the Tufts University School of
Medicine. For the past 8 years, Dr. Cavazos has been president of
But
with his scholarship and his work in academic administration; through his
membership in innumerable national, inter-American, and international
organizations; and by his participation in the movement for school reform where
it counts -- at the grassroots -- Larry Cavazos has already made a major
contribution to American education, and he brings to his new post a record of
solid accomplishment that promises even bigger contributions in the future. But
along with high distinction, Dr. Cavazos brings something else to the Cabinet and
to the Department of Education, something even more important to our schools
and to our students, something I've made a cornerstone of this administration's
policies since day one. And that something is the idea of educational
excellence and a passionate commitment to quality schooling for every American
child.
I
know that Dr. Cavazos shares my pride in the substantial progress American
education has made since 1981. And I'm sure, too, that he believes, as I do,
that we can and must do better still. And I have every confidence that his work
as Education Secretary will continue to lead the way, that his voice will
continue to reflect the great good sense Americans have always had about our
children and our schools, and that his effort will be devoted to keeping a
national spotlight of attention on education.
You
know, I've spent some of the happiest days of my life -- and at my age, that's
saying a lot -- [laughter] -- visiting American classrooms, meeting American
teachers and students, and watching them work and learn. And Larry Cavazos will
do the same. Larry is, to be sure, a sterling example of the magnificent
contributions Hispanic-Americans have made to our national life. But I know his
service in the Cabinet will speak to all Americans, from every background, in
every circumstance, of the real hope and opportunity that good education always
provides. With Secretary Cavazos -- hey, that sounds good, doesn't it? -- [laughter] -- American education will be in sure and loving
hands.
Well,
Larry and Peggy, congratulations, and welcome aboard! It's a proud moment for
you and me and for all of us.
Secretary
Cavazos. Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, Members of the Congress,
ladies and gentlemen. What a tremendous privilege it is for me to be here
today. Mr. President, I do so appreciate your confidence and trust, your selecting me for this position of Secretary of
Education.
You've
brought great leadership to our nation, and your commitment to education has
truly helped this country make significant gains and strides in the battle to
always educate every person. I so much appreciate the unanimous support of the
Labor and Human Resources Committee and the confidence of the Senate. I'm
grateful for their expeditious handling of my nomination. And I wish to express
thanks to the many people that guided us and assisted us through the
confirmation process. There were very many of them, and we deeply appreciate
what you did. My sincerest thanks and love to my wife Peggy and to our 10
children and their spouses. One of our grandsons is here. The other two
couldn't make it; they're only 2 and 3 years old. And all of our family -- most
of them are here with us today.
This
journey in education started in 1949, when I was a teaching assistant. Over the
years, the support and confidence and love of my family has
sustained me and has helped me. And I would not be here today, I'm convinced,
if it were not for them and the support that they have given me, and on top of
that, many, many others who are here in this room with us today who have
contributed to my education, who've supported me in difficult times and who
have encouraged me. There are many of you in this room, and I'd like to thank
each one of you personally.
And
lastly, the work ahead for us is truly enormous. We must awaken
Mr.
President, I look forward to working with you in the days ahead in what I
consider perhaps the most important mission of this nation -- this effort in
education. Thank you for your confidence, sir.
Note: The President
spoke at