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Public Comments - Speeches
Western Oregon University Phi Kappa Phi Installation Ceremony
Western Oregon University, Monmouth OR
May 26, 2000I must begin my address with a confession - I am not exactly sure what I am supposed to talk about tonight - I haven't spoken at an installation before.
However, after talking with Jeanne and thinking about what I would say to such a distinguished group - if there wasn't an expected form - I figured it out.
I realized that I must tell you how sincerely humbled I am to be here tonight, that I was, and am grateful for the opportunity to say a few words to the "leaders of tomorrow."
Over the next few days and weeks you will hear that a lot.
The difference is that I don't take or employ the term "leader" lightly.
Please believe me when I say "leaders of tomorrow" because that's in truth - exactly what you are - and will remain.
Leaders are made they are not born.
You have been chosen because of your unique capacity - you have been shaped, molded, challenged, and strengthened.
Over these past few years much has been demanded of you - and your presence here tonight is proof that much has been accomplished.
To you, much has been given - and much more is, and shall be expected from you.
Tonight, in the time allotted, I want to share with you the challenges of tomorrow - I want to ask you a few questions, and push your comfort factor, just a tad.
To do this, I will begin with a short personal history - a reason or two, why I may have some credibility to say what I say.
Second, I want to share with you the meaning of citizenship - I want to help you recognize the awesome task at hand, and I want you to know citizenship as verb.
Finally, I want to emphasize the absolute necessity of your personal investment in your respective communities tomorrow, and every tomorrow that follows.
While it's hard for me to believe, I have spent over a decade searching for meaning.
For most of my life, I knew that I wanted to be a "leader" but in truth, I didn't really know then - what I was talking about, or why.
My personal journey includes service as the youngest elected city councilman in State history.
It includes this university - and two years in student government that saw the resurgence of a student senate, the birth of a new constitution, and the reconstitution of the student fees process.
During that time, we chased a Governor, forced a small change in policy, helped save our school - and lost tax reform in a cranky Special Session of the Oregon Legislature.
Following my "formal education" I sought out leadership of a different kind.
I enlisted in the United States Air Force, earned a commission and learned first hand, the leadership of risking lives, prosecuting national agendas, and reconciling duty with honor.
In just over four years, I traveled to eleven different countries - served in three "imminent danger" zones - and helped wage a counter-drug war in four allied sovereign nation-states.
I helped implement American Foreign policy through the use of arms - I helped U.S. and "host nation" aircraft keep the peace through the promise of war.
Ironically, I found a slice of reason amidst the underbrush of confusion.
While in Honduras - I had the opportunity to see things that I hadn't seen before, in fact probably would never have seen - I was given the gift of experience and through that lens I began to see the reasons our predecessors had done what they had.
After my service in the Air Force, I returned to Oregon and spent several months trying to figure out the mission - my purpose and method.
In the autumn of 1997, I was blessed with the opportunity to develop and lead Bob Wolfe's campaign for Sheriff.
Against all odds, Bob in a three-way race defeated a thirteen-year incumbent as well as a co-challenger with over $55,000.00: In fact, we won it in the Primary.
We waged that campaign as a prototype - as a test - it was proof that good people can win if, and only if, integrity is kept and community is reawakened.
With that in mind, I ran for Mayor of Monmouth in 1998. In that race my mission statement was simple: "Community is job #1." Some thought this was simply a political catchphrase. However, for me it was the why behind the what.
Again, against the odds, we won.
Over the past year and a half, we have planted 150 trees and a legacy forest, brought community leadership together, implemented a neighborhood visioning process, and began the downtown development process.
I say this for a singular purpose: to show you in concrete terms that you can get involved, you can make a difference, you can have an impact in people's lives.
For those of you that have either been in one of my classes, or have friends that been in one of my classes - what I am about to say is old hat - but true nonetheless.
There is a secret, a secret that you must know - it's not supposed to be a secret but we treat it like one.
Here it is: "We are obligated."
We are obligated to find opportunities to make differences - obligated to make impact.
As Americans we are charged with a solemn, intergenerational responsibility.
The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution is the meat between the bread - it is the story! We are the "We the People" that must act.
We must form a more perfect Union.
We must establish justice.
We must insure domestic tranquility.
We must provide for the common defense.
We must promote the general welfare.
And ultimately; ultimately, we must secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves, and our posterity.
Ladies and gentlemen - this Preamble is not mere ornament.
Citizenship isn't something that is suggested, it isn't a guideline - it isn't a "gee it would be nice if..." kind of deal.
Citizenship is the law. In fact, citizenship is the supreme law.
Citizenship is a verb - it is action - it is motion - it is interdependent relationships that promote progress.
As citizens of these United States, we are honor bound to discharge our duties; this is especially true of you.
For in you, the People, through this institution and all the hidden hands along the way - have invested their very best.
In you rest the hopes and aspirations of thirteen generations of Americans.
In you rest the future - the reality that is to be written by your hands - by your will.
You may be wondering why?
Why, has Evans chosen to use his opportunity to talk about service?
Why, should these things matter, to you?
Or maybe, why these things matter at all?
These are good questions.
I wanted to share with you thoughts about leadership and civic service because quite frankly, I need you.
I need you to get involved - on your own terms, in your own way.
I need you to recognize that you are inheritors of the most amazing, majestic, wondrous gift ever given by a nation.
I need you to care - and then do something about it.
In my estimation, we can do little about the federal government.
In truth, the jury is still out about the state.
But I know for a fact, that people can change their neighborhoods, they can change their schools, and they can changer their communities.
I know that people still matter at the local level.
And I know that if you choose, you have a limitless opportunity to transform your chosen community in ways beyond current understanding.
At the beginning of this speech, I suggested to you that my final point would be to discuss the challenges before you.
For we live in challenging times.
We live in a time where wealth is being amassed by the top 1.5% of Americans at an unbelievable rate - even as the relative purchase power of the bottom 20% dwindles.
Ten years ago, the top 1.5% of Americans owned or controlled over 65% of the nation's wealth - and it hasn't gotten better - it's gotten worse.
We live in a time where our world is rapidly reaching its carrying capacity - nearing what futurists euphemistically term: "overshoot and collapse."
For us this translates into "fail to plan, fail to live."
We live in a time where the raw arrogance of our federal politicians allows a man to openly disregard federal matching funds and the people's protections inherent in them - because business will carry his water to the White House.
There isn't even a pretense anymore - our federal government can now be bought on the open market - I guess this is what the "experts" mean when they say "free market economy."
We live in a time where the extinction of the salmon isn't just possible - but it's the Las Vegas "safe bet."
For this region, the Salmon is a defining life-force - it is a foundation block of our culture: we know what needs to be done but thus far we lack the will to do it.
We live in a time where our state government is so hampered by Mr. Sizemore and his efforts that people - real people - are being denied the opportunities to learn, feel safe, and be free.
We are defaulting on the intergenerational promises guaranteed by our Constitution.
We live in a time where our culture has replaced the worth of citizenship with the trappings of consumerism - we live in a time where individuals and individualism only counts in terms of "market share" for this or that product.
Simply put, we live in a time where leadership, where courage, where commitment, and where compassion are needed more than ever.
Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a time where you have an opportunity to demand our government to live up to its promise - through your personal investment in the outcome. We live in a time where the choice is yours, for the challenge is two-fold.
First, you must decide whether this nation, state, community is what it should be and why - you must decide this because you are responsible.
Second, you must decide whether you are going to live up to your responsibility and work to do the things that need doing - or sit it out and take the forfeit.
Are you going to get into the game?
Are you willing to play to win?
Are you committed to the outcome - can you see the benefits of your effort?
Imagine a time when people are guaranteed the opportunity to become what they may - based upon talent, upon drive, and upon sincerity.
Imagine a time when people are measured by the things they do instead of the money they make.
Imagine a time when people can look upon their government with pride instead of disgust - a time when people know their neighbors and help each other attain their dreams.
Isn't that worth the admission price?
I think it is. I think it is.
Together, we can take our country back - one neighborhood at a time.
And you're our best shot.
You represent the best and brightest of your generation. You reflect the very best that our nation, even more importantly - our state - is and can be.
Use your education, your leadership, your talent, and your energy to dream the improbable and make it happen in whatever community you choose to live.
Don't let the naysayers - cloud the issue.
You are citizens of the United States of America - you are the inheritors of the pilgrim's promise - you are the product of the "great experiment" - and you, and you, and we can succeed.
I want to close with something that Robert F. Kennedy said: "Some people look at things as they are and ask 'why?' I look at things that never were and ask 'why not?'"
Risk the dream. Dare to think outside the box. Find ways to serve.
Live up to your potential and accept the challenges of tomorrow.
Thank you.
