Patriot Day Address (9/11/08)

"On a day like today, a point that ought to be made is that we share more in common than we often appreciate, and that it is a sad result of this past generation of partisan politics and electoral wedges that our people has been so starkly divided as of late.

On a day like today, with so much at stake, when our student body is once again brushed by the passing breeze of history, both by the present and the grim reflection of those unimaginable events seven years ago, we must not focus upon our differences, but rather on what we hold in common, and from there, begin to rebuild the strong united country we have been before.

It is true: an election is soon upon us. But it is terribly unfortunate that so often the word “election” so quickly yields to a search for difference and division. An election ought to be a civic celebration of the disciplined transfer of power we seem to have perfected in this country, not an opportunity to swell the ranks of the politically disillusioned with more misguided partisan venom.

Soldiers and senators, judges and jurymen, principals and policemen, firefighters and all of the fallen—today is your day.

To that end, when the future President of the United States steps foot onto our campus this evening, whomever he might be, may we, the members of the Columbia community, not scrutinize the candidates for whatever our narrow motives might be, but rather let us cherish the accomplishments and inspiration that both of these leaders have already delivered.

All Americans have the remarkable privilege of selecting the next leader of our country, and we the Columbia community have an even greater privilege to welcome both of these candidates, and to learn from them, right here, in Morningside Heights. It would be a shame to take these privileges for granted, and perhaps an even greater to shame sully the entire process by injecting into it our own politics.

By agreeing that we are alike more than we are different, united more than we are divided, and Americans more than we are party members, can we finally start down a path to real solutions. Compromise will be necessary, but all Americans should be confident in, while ever vigilant of, their dedicated public servants to work together for the future of our people.

Just as because of arguably the most divisive election in our nations history 148 years ago the United States now "is" and no longer "are," so someday will we, its people, and our representatives on both sides of the aisle, rediscover this common destiny to which we are all unavoidably bound.

So may today be a testament to this effort, and to the efforts of all those who have given so much, in so many ways, so that this great nation may be truly inspired to become the even greater nation that it can be. We are all so blessed, and all so grateful."