Gerald Ford School of Public Policy Commencement Address

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Saturday, April 28, 2001

Thank you, Dean Blank. Today, April 28, 2001 is a day of firsts – the first graduating class of this school of public policy to be graduates of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, the first to graduate with Dean Blank and the first to be compelled to listen to this governor. I am keenly aware that I follow many distinguished speakers who have spoken here at commencement. Be assured that I intend to distinguish myself by being brief!

Let me begin by complimenting and thanking you the graduating class of 2001! Your decision to choose public service is one that I identify with and respect. For having the courage to tackle the challenges of careers in the public sector –congratulations!

Next, to your families and loved ones: The fact that we are not gathered at the business school, the law school or the medical school has possible implications about future paychecks. But look on the bright side. Bill Gates lost $22 billion last year. And yesterday’s dot.com millionaires? Many are no longer online but are standing in line – looking for work.

Seriously, serving in government – or in the nonprofit sector – might mean sacrificing higher salaries and stock options, but I am confident your service will lead to great success and even greater satisfaction. There is something about teaching children, strengthening families and saving neighborhoods that proves to you that you’re making a difference. To those children, families and neighborhoods – to America – your work is priceless!

When Dean Blank invited me to speak here today, she asked if I would speak about how government will change as your generation moves through careers in public service. Thinking about that question, I remembered the best piece of advice I received when I was first elected governor in 1990. A veteran governor told me: "You can do anything you want. You just can’t do everything." His point was simple: Focus on what’s most important.

Each of us may have quite different ideas about what’s most important! Increasingly, I think there is less disagreement over where the important ideas in government are originating. Not surprisingly for a governor, I believe it is at the state level – that innovation, problem solving and reform are flourishing.

Federalism lives – fifty states as laboratories of democracy. In a recent speech marking the 250^th anniversary of James Madison’s birth, Justice Clarence Thomas said:

" . . . federalism exists to protect the rights of the people. . . The existence of numerous states, each making decisions concerning the allocation of resources and the balance between public power and private rights, creates a beneficial marketplace of policies. Since people can vote with their feet, by moving to states with whose policies they agree, they force the states into a competition to offer policies that best protect individuals and their rights."

That competition of ideas is changing America.

I look at this graduating class and see much more than 60 or 70 talented women and men. I envision you as creative leaders with ideas and with innovations, policies and proposals that will transform the way we govern in the 21^st century. And I challenge you to put your talents to work in state government – either directly or as strategic partners!

Let me be very clear. This is much more than addressing specific problems or issues, though that is important. I am talking about transforming institutions and creating new ones as well.

You are entering receiving your degrees at a fascinating time. Many senior government managers are reaching retirement and creating an experience drain. Concurrently, the pace of technological change is increasing at a blistering pace.

These twin challenges create unprecedented opportunities for you to lead.

Let’s face it – we live in an e-mail, I-message, wireless world. We are not only working with computers; we are wearing them. Just this past week, scientists at IBM reported on the creation of semiconducting nanotubes only ten atoms wide. These tiny chips have already been dubbed "smart dust!"

What is called pervasive computing – computers in everything – may even change the very nature of life itself. In fact, by the year 2020, it is estimated that a $1,000 personal computer will have the processing power of the human brain. By the year 2050, that $1,000 computer will have the processing power of every brain on the planet.

Our challenge is putting technology to work for people. I believe that the revolution in information technology holds astonishing promise to improve the delivery of government services. Technology can help us organize the mundane so we can focus on the personal.

For example, while there is no substitute for the social worker visiting the home of a child a risk to take a look and make sure the child is properly cared for, technology can help us focus manpower where it is most needed.

Technology can empower us to transform impersonal government that may provide poor service to personal government that consistently provides high quality service. Department by department, agency by agency, person by person, we must completely re-engineer government to take advantage of the information revolution.

The benefits are much more than better service. For example, the digitizing process at General Electric is expected to save that company $1.6 billion this year alone. Digitizing and webifying government is an awesome task that will demand leadership, courage and creativity.

Opportunity is not just knocking – it is pounding on the door of talented graduates such as you in the Class of 2001.

Another awesome task is improving the quality of our public schools. For how could we ever bridge the "digital divide" if we cannot bridge the "reading divide"?

Excellence in education is the key to breaking down racial barriers, closing income gaps, and creating true equal opportunity for all. Good schools are the key to rebirth in cities like Detroit and Flint. There is no more important function of government than the education of our children. I have often said that the state with the best schools wins, and I believe passionately in helping Michigan schools be the best in the world.

We are making progress. For example, on a recent international math and science test, Michigan scored better than students did in any other state. But we are in the middle of the pack compared to the rest of the world. If we cannot teach our children science and math, Michigan and America increasingly will have a hard time competing in the global marketplace.

Even more worrisome are results of a recent national reading test. Thirty-seven percent of fourth graders scored below basic – not able to understand the meaning of what they have read. And 47 percent of urban students, 57 percent of Hispanics, 60 percent of poor children and 63 percent of black fourth graders could not read at a basic level.

The challenge of fixing what’s wrong in our public schools is a threat to America’s national security that is greater than any international threat we can imagine. Helping every child learn to read is a challenge you can help meet. Making sure no child is left behind is a challenge America in the 21^st century must meet.

Finally, let me close with a thought about the namesake of this wonderful school – President Gerald Ford.

I was so proud to be here last year at a marvelous ceremony when an obviously proud Gerald Ford said:

"I have learned first hand the high quality of this current generation. I am totally convinced when the reins of government are in their hands at the local, state, or federal level – our nation will be well served."

You should be equally proud to graduate from a school that bears his name. He represents values in public service and common sense in government that are all too uncommon.

For as we all seek the "new, new thing," we must not forget what is important, what is lasting and what matters.

Again, congratulations – and God bless you.