[indiscernible] you can watch all of this online shortly at cspan. Org. Shortly here on cspan, live from Colorado Springs at the u. S. Air force academy, president obama getting set to adjust the 2016 graduates. He last spoke to the 2012 class. When his beach gets underway, we will have a live for you on cspan. Thewhile his nominee to Supreme CourtMerrick Garland was the Commencement Speaker this year at Niles West High School new chicago. We will show you as much can and to the president starts. Garland many things have changed since that first graduation speech i gave here. Ernie banks had just hit his 500th home run. Typewriter was cutting at technology cuttingedge technology. And Paul Mccartney was about the same age as taylor swift is today. Things tostill some steal a phrase from taylor swift, that never go out of style. Paul mccartney is one of them. I hear you had tiedyed a this year. While the 1970, every day was tiedyed day. Not long after i graduated, future olympic Gold Medalist bart connor joined the mild west gymnastic stadium. In 2016, the team brought home the Illinois State championship. Congratulations. On may 29 of both years, the cubs were in first place in their division. [applause] here is hoping 2016 works out better than 1970 did. It is every much as big a thrill and an honor to speak at your graduation as it was to speak at mine. At west years i spent were the basis for the kind of career ive had and for the kind of person i am today. I own this place a lot. Of course, i did not know it at the time. Like you, i sat on this graduation field. Like today, the sun was shining brilliantly. The future stretched out in front of us with what seemed like endless possibilities. And my friends and i looked on that future with great anticipation. Alson all of us, there is as i expect there is in you, a small measure of fear. Even if we were to cool to acknowledge it. And this possibility seem great in theory, but how would they work out in practice . Endless possibilities mean you might have to choose. Paths that are different than those you plan on taking today. Where we prepared for the obstacles that lay ahead or even for the first month of college . Unfortunately, im here to tell you that you cannot anticipate the twists and turns that life will take. Nor should you. Life would be pretty boring if you can plan it all out on graduation day. While no one can or should try to anticipate everything, i can tell you that niles west does or at least did for me, the next best thing. It prepared me for the unexpected in two important ways. Niles west made me feel part of a community. Sure it was a big place, even bigger than it is in your day. But they world you are about to enter its bigger still. And although west was big, and it is big, it is a big place made of smaller places. Kids feet in from lincoln hall and lincoln junior high. From fairview, parkview, and color koehler. In turn, kids feet into those middle schools from smaller neighborhoods, and in the end from their families. West takes each of these communities and stitches them together into a larger fabric. Like the hope for our country. Expressed on the great seal of the United States. Of many, makes one. Place for one a you knew some kids since guarding, some since kindergarten, some since freshman year, and some since a beginning of the year. It was a place where kids were s, kids on therest basketball team, and the kids on the course, could find common ground. This is not happen by accident. It was in part due to the work of our immensely desiccated dedicated teachers. Several of whom came back today. Mrs. Pashke, and mayor. Ks, and mr. [applause] niles west was also a place where families were involved. Many of the same parents who came out to hear me a graduation had watch me grow up on the Little League field. Here is what i look like then. [laughter] of this meant that it was a place for a lifetime friendships are meant, not born. And i mean lifetime. Several of my closest friends today where my closest friends at niles west. And my best friend was my best friend and i was west. So why is any this important . Because one hard decisions have to be made, or bad things happen, you dont have to handle them alone. Community, your friends, and her family will help you through. Because they care about you. How much money youve made, or the position you have obtained, they care about you. Things to happen, even to good people. That, thedoubted bombing of the Oklahoma CityFederal Building in 1995 made up in the painfully clear. I spent inks Oklahoma City investigating the bombing also made me see just how important community, friends, and family are when bad things happen. Oklahomans lined up to offer care and comfort to those who are hurting. Neighbors and strangers alike. They also joins together to help the best investigators, firefighters, and rescue were skiers would flock to the city to help. Goingept the food line first 2 4s 24 7. One resident set up a Laundry Service for us another offered to cut our hair. In oklahoma, they call this spirit of generosity the oklahoma standard. I know that a similar spirit runs through the communities of lincoln would, skokie, martin grove, and niles. [applause] so when you leave here, keep in touch. With your friends and your parents. You know their cell phones they have been telling you to put away at the dinner table . To put down when youre talking to them . Starting today, they want you to use those phones all the time. To call or text them. Second, west fixed in me a set of values. Those values were first top by my parents were deeply involved in the lincoln would community. But those values were confirmed by this high school. Foremost among them was a responsibility to get back. In my day we had a Great Variety of ways to do that. Most prominent was our hunger height. And marathon walk for which sponsored spread money to feed the hungry for every mile he wanted. I hear that last week you put on a tremendous dance marathon to help the homeless. While you are a lot smarter than we were. Dancing and marathon sounds like a lot more fun than hiking one. Uni, were lucky to be born in the place and a time that got us to this graduation ceremony. All of us who went to niles , i better to i better prepared to face the uncertainties of the future than other americans. Yet not one of us did anything by ourselves to deserve that initial lot. Luck. So paid back. Devote some part of your life to Public Service. It does not matter what kind of Public Service you choose. I graduation i thought i was going to be a doctor. After my college roommate, that same best friend i mentioned finally let me know that i ially was not good at math, shifted course and chose a career in law. Specifically a career devoted to bringing the kind of faith and rule of law that Civil Society depends on. As a federal prosecutor, that consisting the residents of dangerous neighborhoods that we could keep them safe and bring violent gangs to justice. Means showing litigants of the courts will decide the case is fairly and impartially. On looking only to the law and not to our personal preferences. Only kind ofy the Public Service available. If you dont believe me, just ask one of my favorite people, hermione granger. In fact, the minister of magic once did. Are you planning to follow a career in logical law, mrs. Granger . He asked. No im not return her money im hoping to do some good in the world. That does not mean that you and your friends up to vanquish lord baltimore. Voldemort. Not everyone has the very particular set of skills required to accomplish subtest. But as professor dumbledore told harry potter, it is our choices that show what we were truly are. , more than our abilities. Make the choice to do some good in the world. On this tomorrow they weekend, it is particularly appropriate to love those who like your assistant principal made the choice to defend their country and the armed services. [applause] some of you will be fortunate enough to be able to do good through the kind of work that you choose. Your state,ntry, and even this community have all kinds of needs. And you can help meet many of those needs just by dedicating yourself to working after hours to assist others. In fact, the most personally rewarding experiences of my career have not been the high profile cases i have investigated. Or the legal disputes are resolved. They have been the 18 years i spent tutoring students in reading and math at an Elementary School in washington, d. C. Many of you are already ahead of me that regard. The niles west of but a receipt center has 155 student tutors and averages 216 visits per day. Now that is impressive. [laughter] [applause] even more impressive is the fact that their students are tutoring their fellow students at the school. 90 students speak a total of different first languages. Nice work tutors. You should engage in Public Service, not just for the brothers, the vice but look for what it will do for you. When you are facing the unanticipated twist and turns that life will surely take, when the bad things happen, it can be a tremendous solace to get outside yourself. To focus on someone else. Selfie,ad of taking a. You willamera around have a much more fulfilling life by turning your focus outward. To helping others. Well that is enough serious talk about the future. What about the present . Im hoping im not about to lose appearance in the audience with this final recommendation. Take a little break the summer. You worked very hard, now is the hardshipake that across the west with your friends. Just a make this a mistake my friends and i did when we took that trip to the lake. Make sure you all know how to canoe before you head out into the light. The lake. As some of the probably heard, the last time i shared a niles west stage with the student speaker, the students microphone was cut off and i had to defend his right to speak. I guess both of us are pretty relieved that i was not necessary the time. Congratulations, niles was class of 2016. Of 2016. Lass [applause] this is for all you have done. And for all that you will do. Your parents are justifiably proud of you. And as someone who well remembers high school graduation, not just as a student, but as a parent of two daughters, i urge you to repay your parents by remembering to phone home. Often. Thank you. [applause] thank you, judge garland. On behalf of Niles West High School in the class of 2016. , i present you this gift. [applause] i want to thank you and only my friends in the class of 1970 probably will know what i mean. This is as close as i ever was going to get to look like bobby hall. We are live not the u. S. Air force academy in Colorado Springs. At the podium with the secretary of the air force, debra lee james. Shes going to introduce president obama live coverage here on cspan. You have big challenges on the horizon. Not only combating violence, extremist or organizations like iso, but you also faced the situation in the South China Sea, a resurgent russia, ongoing korea, from iran, north but he reappeared class of 2016. Soon youre going to be confronting the challenges head on. And you will be entrusted to carry out the nations well with our most precious resource. That is not equipment, that is americas sons and daughters. I have no doubt, ive no doubt that you are ready. As you graduate, you must leave. So aim high airmen, aim high. Now it is my distinct honor and privilege to welcome our commanderinchief, the president of the United States, president barack obama. [applause] hello air force. [applause] president obama thank you so much. Thank you. It is wonderful to be back. At the United States air force academy. Thank you secretary james for your service to our air force in our nation. Academy leaders, faculty, and staff, especially your outstanding superintendent, Lieutenant General michelle johnson. [applause] and most of all, congratulations to the class of 2016. [applause] as you prepare to conclude a remarkable fortyyear career in the air force, a career that started on this day four years ago. Please join the insulating saluting someone who many of you look up to and his counsel ive relied on as well. Chief of staff, general mark welsh. [applause] thank you mark. [applause] thank you mark and thank you betty. Although he is not here today, i am proud to have nominated another Academy Graduate and a combat tested pilot to serve as the 21st air force chief of staff, general david goldstein. [applause] cadets he can take an honest pride and all the hard work that has brought you to this day. Ask you to get a big round of applause to all of your moms and dads, grandparents, brothers, sisters, on, uncles, who supported you and sacrifice for you so you could be a today. Give them another round of applause. [applause] i have to tell you, some days i spend more time with air force than my own family. Especially on air force one. You take good care of me. You are always on time. You never lose my luggage. Id dont have to take my shoes off before i get on. So i am really going to miss air force one. As well as the incredible airmen that ive to know. That includes the pilots who flew me here, the tenant kernels thorne, all three of them Proud Air ForceAcademy Graduates. Give them a round of applause. This academy is one of our nations most selective academic institutions. Just being accepted as a big deal. A testament to your talent and your leadership. And we are particularly grateful to those of you with prior enlisted service. Including Cameron Kistler who deployed to iraq. Clayton logan who deployed to afghanistan. We thank you. Your country thinks you. Thank you. Cadets here you were tested by fire, literally. During recognition, you ran to through iraq in a blizzard. You have more than earned your unofficial model motto, forged in fire and tempered a nice. And ice. Although itt motto, does sound like something out of game of thrones. Through it all, you have become like family. You have survived forming accountability formations. Dorms. D living in that night in f1 where you learned to earn each day. Cheered coach calhoun and the falcons as i have broken them to the white house to present the commanderinchief trophy. Which air force has won a record 19 times. [applause] out into your rights and i see government who will excel as pilots and engineers. Analysts, so many specialties. David hagan a marksman who is going to the olympics in rio, bring home the gold david. [applause] no pressure. [laughter] in usc men and women of integrity and excellence in europe made us all proud. And perhaps no one would have been more proud of your success broder door who sacrifice in afghanistan we honor and his family joins us today. [applause] you have learned other lessons as well, like what happens when you paint one of the planes in your class. Mind,uch achievements in i hereby grant amnesty to all cadets serving restrictions confinement for minor offense, only minor. Today we congratulate our newest air force officers. And on behalf of the american people, i thank you for choosing a life of service. In the coming weeks, some of you will head to the chapel to get married. In the years ahead, you and your families will serve around the world. As often as you will be responsible for those under your command and will be called upon to lead with wisdom, courage, and compassion. That is what i want to talk with you about today. I served as commanderinchief for nearly eight years now. It has been the highest honor my life to lead the greatest military history of the world. It inspires me every day. Today will be the last time that ive the honor of addressing a graduating class of military officers. There is a debate going on in our country about our nations role in the world. So with that month, i hope you dont mind if i share some lessons ive learned as commanderinchief. Lessons you may find use was you meet those under your command. And as we Work Together to keep our nation strong and secure. First, as you look at the world, be guided by an honest and clear eyed assessment. Learned atat you this academy in support of evidence and facts and judgment. And heres a fact. The United States of america remains the most powerful nation on her and a force for good. On earth and a force for good. [applause] we have big challenges in our country. In our politics, economy, society, and these are challenges yet to address. Thelook around, we have worlds strongest economy. Scientists, our research is entrepreneurs, our Global Leaders and innovation. Our colleges and universities attract the best talent from around the world. Freedom, equality, opportunity, they spice inspire people everywhere. Including immigrants to come youre ready to work and integrated helping our country. Our standing in the world is higher. I see it in my travels from have ho chi minhlin, two city, where huge crowds of vietnamese line the streets some waving american flags. So make a mistake, United States is better position to lead in the 21st century than any other nation. Here is another fact. Mile theary is by a strongest in the world. [applause] yet after two major gun rights in afghanistan and iraq, we are drawing down the size of our armed forces which is natural and necessary. We have to keep improving readiness and modernizing our forces. It is undeniable our military is the most capable fighting force on the planet. It is not close. Are best trained and equipped to land force on earth are tested by years of combat, able to sustain power anywhere in the globe. Nobody can match our army. Our sailor serve on a graph carries i can go almost anywhere and summaries that move undetected. The largest and most lethal maybe the world. Nobody can match our navy. Our marines are ready at a moments notice. First to fight our deliver help in a