On Saturday morning, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31) delivered the keynote address at Cal State San Bernardino’s Latino graduate recognition ceremony, held by the Association of Latino Faculty, Staff and Students. Rep. Aguilar joined over 200 graduates, their families, and CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales for the event. In his address entitled “Strength and Significance in Community,” Rep. Aguilar advised graduates to dispel naysayers who only see how people are divided today, and to instead focus on the importance of finding an essential role in the community that allows them to work with their peers on critical issues facing our world.

“Education drove me to be involved in my community and I hope it’s something that you will find too … that ultimately, our devotion to community is stronger than the politics that at times try to divide us. It’s difficult. And in today’s world, it’s even more challenging than in years past. We live in a world full of cynics that’s forced us to doubt our personal abilities as well as our shared responsibilities. We see it in the news, we read it in the papers, we experience sometimes at awkward family dinners—we are so caught up by what can divide us that we ignore the values that unite us,” said Rep. Aguilar.

He continued, “As you sit in your seats today waiting for the moment when you move your tassel, I’d like you to think about just one thing—What kind of role do you want to play in your community? Our nation, and the Inland Empire for that matter, has produced some of the greatest minds and talents of our generation. Teachers, doctors, educators, nurses, pilots, police officers, firefighters, soldiers, artists, conductors, small business owners, mothers, and fathers—we all play roles that are inherently tied to our community.”

Rep. Aguilar’s remarks can be viewed in full here.