Post by delhi Garden on Jun 1, 2005 0:34:02 GMT -5
Al Gore asked graduates of the Johns Hopkins
Former Vice President Al Gore asked graduates of the Johns Hopkins University yesterday to help avert an impending environmental crisis by working to raise the political will to act.
"What is now staring us in the face is the prospect of an imminent crisis," said Gore, who championed environmental causes as a member of Congress and as vice president. "We can still avert the worst."
He spoke during an afternoon commencement at Homewood Field, where about 1,500 undergraduates and 4,500 graduate students received degrees. Two members of the class of 2005 who were killed during the past 13 months also were honored.
Gore began his speech with several jokes about his narrow loss to President Bush in the 2000 election. "I am Al Gore. I used to be the next president of the United States of America," he said.
"I don't find that to be particularly funny," Gore quipped when the crowd laughed.
Gore warned the students that global warming is a "global emergency" and that "the relationship between human beings and the planet where we live has been inalienably changed." He said humans have the ability and tools to save the Earth but that the political will to make that change is lacking.
"But political will is a renewable resource," Gore said. "You give me hope."
In one other self-deprecating note, Gore told the graduates that in 30 years they would not remember who gave their commencement speech. "You will remember the parties tonight," he said. "You will remember how you felt, and I hope you felt great."
University officials honored Christopher Elser and Linda Trinh. Elser, from Camden, S.C., died last spring after being stabbed in an off-campus fraternity house. No arrests have been made.
Trinh, of Silver Spring, died this year after being assaulted in her off-campus apartment. A Baltimore man has been charged with her death.
Since the slayings, Hopkins officials have installed security cameras and added guards. The university will spend at least $2 million on security upgrades.
The senior class gift was a stained-glass window commemorating the two students.
University President William R. Brody's voice quavered as he spoke of Elser and Trinh. They were "both needless victims of insensible violence," he said. "Linda and Chris will not be forgotten. You will always be part of our family."
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County also held its commencement yesterday. About 1,400 students received degrees.
www.electgore2008.com
Former Vice President Al Gore asked graduates of the Johns Hopkins University yesterday to help avert an impending environmental crisis by working to raise the political will to act.
"What is now staring us in the face is the prospect of an imminent crisis," said Gore, who championed environmental causes as a member of Congress and as vice president. "We can still avert the worst."
He spoke during an afternoon commencement at Homewood Field, where about 1,500 undergraduates and 4,500 graduate students received degrees. Two members of the class of 2005 who were killed during the past 13 months also were honored.
Gore began his speech with several jokes about his narrow loss to President Bush in the 2000 election. "I am Al Gore. I used to be the next president of the United States of America," he said.
"I don't find that to be particularly funny," Gore quipped when the crowd laughed.
Gore warned the students that global warming is a "global emergency" and that "the relationship between human beings and the planet where we live has been inalienably changed." He said humans have the ability and tools to save the Earth but that the political will to make that change is lacking.
"But political will is a renewable resource," Gore said. "You give me hope."
In one other self-deprecating note, Gore told the graduates that in 30 years they would not remember who gave their commencement speech. "You will remember the parties tonight," he said. "You will remember how you felt, and I hope you felt great."
University officials honored Christopher Elser and Linda Trinh. Elser, from Camden, S.C., died last spring after being stabbed in an off-campus fraternity house. No arrests have been made.
Trinh, of Silver Spring, died this year after being assaulted in her off-campus apartment. A Baltimore man has been charged with her death.
Since the slayings, Hopkins officials have installed security cameras and added guards. The university will spend at least $2 million on security upgrades.
The senior class gift was a stained-glass window commemorating the two students.
University President William R. Brody's voice quavered as he spoke of Elser and Trinh. They were "both needless victims of insensible violence," he said. "Linda and Chris will not be forgotten. You will always be part of our family."
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County also held its commencement yesterday. About 1,400 students received degrees.
www.electgore2008.com