Open Hearts, Open Minds

" Ladies and gentlemen the president of the United States. Well it. First of all congratulations. 1009. Congratulations. To all the parents -- All the people who helps true bring you to the point that you are here today. Thank you so much. Father Jenkins for that extraordinary introduction. Even though. You -- what I want to say much more elegant way. You are doing an extraordinary job. As president of this extraordinary institution. Your continuing and courageous. And contagious. Commitments. Honest thoughtful dialogue is an inspiration. -- Good afternoon. -- father has burned through. Notre Dame trust Davis -- tackle -- to family. I am honored to be here today. -- all of for -- going to be a move part of your graduation and then I also want to. Thank you for the honorary degree that I received -- it has not been without controversy. I don't know if you're aware of this but please honorary degrees -- apparently pretty hard to --"

" So far."

" Only one virtue as president. -- Father has -- here. I'm 54150. I guess that's better. So Father Ted after the ceremony maybe you can give me some pointers to boost my. I also want to congratulate the class of 2009 for all your accomplishments. And sense and since this is -- then. -- And sends. -- following. Brennan's. Added there we don't do things easily we want to. There were not going to shy away from things there I'm comfortable sometimes. I think we should talk -- not only about your accomplishments in the classroom but also in the competitive arena. -- We all know about. This university is proud and storied football team but I also hear that Notre Dame holds the largest outdoor five on five. Basketball tournament and -- there's -- site. I want to congratulate the winners of this year's tournament. The team by the name. Hallelujah -- back. Well them. I'm personally disappointed that we -- ball -- did not. Semester he -- districts to forward would make decent jump from. You know well it. Here's should be proud of what you've achieved that this institution. When -- 63. Classes of Notre Dame graduate success where you sit today. Somewhere here careers could simply roll them to the next without much notice or fanfare. Periods of relative peace. And prosperity -- required little. My way of sacrifice of struggle. You however are not getting off that -- You have a different deal. Your classes come -- at a moment of great consequence for our nation and for the world. A rare inflection point in history. Where the size and scope of the challenges before us require that we we make our world to renew its problems. The realign our deepest values and commitments. To the demands of -- new age. It's a privilege and a responsibility afforded to few generations. And test -- call to fulfill. This. Generation your generation. Does one -- must find a path back to prosperity and decide how we respond. To a global economy that left millions behind even before our most recent crisis it. And economy -- greed. And short term thinking and we're too often rewarded at the expense of fairness. And delegates. -- an honest -- Your generation. Your generation must decide how to save God's creation from a changing climate. That threatens to destroy. George generation must seek peace at a time. There are those. Who will stop at nothing to do -- saw. Them when weapon weapons in the head. About fuel can destroy the man. And we must find a way. To reconcile our ever shrinking world. Whether it's ever going to -- Diversity of thought. Diversity -- called Sharon. And diversity of belief. In short. We must find a way to live together. There's one human -- And -- this last challenge that I'd like to talk about today. Despite the fact the father John -- my best -- For the major threats we face 120%. Whether it's global recession or violent extremism. The spread of nuclear weapons or pandemic disease these things do not discriminate. They do not recognize borders. And maybe not -- color. They do not target specific ethnic groups. Moreover no one person or religion or nation. Can meet these challenges alone. Our very survival has never required greater -- cooperation. In greater understanding among all peoples from all places that at this moment. In history. Unfortunately and finding that common ground. Recognizing that our updates are tied up as doctor king's. In a single garment of destiny. Is not reason. -- part of the problem of course lives. In the imperfections of man. Our selfishness. -- pride are stubborn that's our but quiz of -- insecurities our egos. All the cruelty is large and small but those of us -- Christian tradition understand to be rooted in original -- We too often seek advantage over others. We claim that -- one prejudice. And fear those who are unfamiliar. Too many of us view of life only through the lens of immediate self interest. And crass materialism. In which the world is necessarily a zero sum game. The strong too often dominate the week. Too many of those would -- with power. Find all manner of justification for their own privilege. In the face of poverty and injustice. Crucial for at all. Our technological. And scientific advances. We've seen here in this country and around at all. Violence and want and strife. That would seem sadly familiar to those in ancient times. We know these things. And hopefully one of the benefits of the wonderful education -- you've received your Notre Dame is that you've had time to consider these wrongs of the world. Perhaps. Recognize impulses in yourself -- you want to leave behind -- you've grown determined. Each in your own way. -- right now. -- of one of the -- things for those of us interest in promoting greater understanding. And cooperation among people -- the discovery better. Even bringing together persons of good well. Bringing together men and women of principle and purpose. Even accomplishing that can be difficult. The soldier. And the lawyer may both love this country would equal passion and yet. Breach very different conclusions on the specific steps needed to protect us from -- The gay activist. And the evangelical pastor made both deplore the ravages. Of HIV aids. But find themselves unable to bridge the cultural divide that might unite the reference. Those who speak out against stem cell research. Maybe wooed Annette in an admirable conviction about the sacred -- of life. But so are the parents. Of a child -- juvenile diabetes who are convinced that their sons. Or daughters hardships. Might be relieved. -- does it possible for us. To join hands in common up. This should have. News. Of a vibrant and very democracy. How do we engage in vigorous debate. How does not. Each of us remain firm in our principles and fight for what we consider right. Without a father Johnson -- demonizing those we just as strongly held convictions. On the other side. Of course know where -- these questions come up more powerfully than on the issue of abortion. -- I consider the controversy surrounding my visitor. I was reminded of an -- during my senate campaign one that I described. In a book I wrote called the audacity of hope. And a few days after the democratic nomination. I received an email from a Doctor Who told me that while he voted for me in the Illinois primary. -- serious concern that might prevent him from voting for me in the general election. You described himself as a Christian. Who -- strongly pro life. But bat. Was not what was preventing him potentially from voting for me what bothered the doctor it was an entry into my campaign staff and posted on my website. An entry that said I would fight quote right wing ideologues. Who want to take away a woman's right to choose. On -- The doctor said. If you assumed I was a reasonable person who supported my policy initiatives to help the poor into the lift. Our educational system but. That if I truly believe that every pro life individual was simply an ideologue who wanted to inflict suffering on women that I was not very reasonable. Hero. I do not ask at this point that you oppose abortion. Only that you speak about this issue in fair minded words. Fair minded works. After I read -- Doctor's letter I wrote back to him I thank -- And I didn't change. My underlying position but I did tell my staff to change the words on my website. And I said a prayer that night. That I might extend the same presumption of good faith to others. -- the doctor have extended to make. Because when we do that. When we open up our hearts and our minds of those who may not think precisely like we do or believe. Precisely what we believe. That's when we discover at least the possibility. Of common ground. That's when we begin the sale maybe we won't agree. On abortion but we can still agree that this heart wrenching decision. For anyone. Does not make casual. You -- both moral and spiritual dimension so let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions. Let's reduce. Good adoption. More available. All I care and support for women who do. Carry their children. To -- Conscience of those who disagree with abortion and -- sensible conscience -- and make sure that all of our health care policies. Are grounded. Not only in sound science but also in clear ethics as well have respect for the equality of women those are things we can do."