Commencement Speech
George J. Tenet
U.S. Director of Central Intelligence
May 14, 2004, 2:00 p.m. Reed Arena

It is great to be back at Texas A&M--a place of spirit and passion, home of the original Twelfth Man and more than 40,000 of his closest friends, each ready to take the field when called.

I feel at home here, because, as in my profession, you like your traditions long and your speeches short.

And I know you are eager to get out into the world, to answer--as so many have before you--the old question: "What do you call an Aggie after graduation? Boss."

President Gates, officers, faculty, staff, families, friends, and--the best reason for being out of the office this Fnday afternoon--ladies and gentlemen of the Class of 2004:

Congratulations. You made it.

Whether you come to this ceremony delighted, relieved--even surprised--you should be something else, as well: Proud.

Proud of yourselves. Proud of your school. And proud of the people who made a positive difference in your life.

Mom and Dad gave you the support and affection you needed, a moral compass to live by, opportunities they never had. Your teachers, coaches, and mentors got you to try a little harder and dig a little deeper. Your grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters--they all played a part. As role models. As people you could count on,

Whatever you have accomplished--whatever you will accomplish--you owe in large measure to them. Those great people--who love you, care about you, and did so much to get you to this day--deserve a big round of applause.

Remember: Your name may be on the diploma, but you had lots of help getting it there.

And your diploma is--more than anything--an opportunity. To learn more. Work more, Accomplish more.

It may not all go according to plan. In fact, you should probably plan that it won't. A few short stories to make the point.

Back in 1975, there was a new Director of Central Intelligence. In a letter to a friend, he had this to say about his job: "I honestly feel my political future is behind me--but hell, I'm 51, and this new one gives me a chance to really contribute."

He was right about the chance to contribute. But the best of his political future lay ahead. He went on to be 41--our 41st President, George Herbert Walker Bush.

Here in College Station, you are fortunate to count as neighbors the school, the library, and--most of all--the man.

Back in 1966, a young graduate student got a letter about a job. As he put it: "I came back here from Indiana University for an interview on a lark, figuring it would be a good way to get a free trip to Washington, DC."

He was right about the trip. But he stayed in Washington, and built an outstanding career of public service. In 1991, President Bush asked my friend, your president--Bob Gates--to become Director of Central Intelligence.

If somebody told me on my graduation day that I would also be Director of Central Intelligence, I do not know who would have been more surprised: me, or anyone who knew me.

Back home in New York, I was the guy who could never keep a secret.

One of the great things about America is our freedom to plan our lives as we see fit. Another is the very real possibility that our lives will exceed our plans--even our dreams.

If you work hard. If you do the best that you can in each job that you have. If you apply the things that A&M teaches.

It might seem unfair to say it now--after you knocked yourself out on finals or a thesis--but this is about more than grades. Not just what you know, but how you think. Not just what you am, but who you are. Not just your background, but your values.

If you have been part of a community of people committed to decency, tolerance, and each other--reflected in events like Aggie Muster and Silver Taps--you understand that.

In good times and hard times, you come together. I have always found A&M to be like a family. Bigger than most, maybe, but as strong as any.

I came here on an important mission today. In fact, I came here to give a mission to you, the Class of 2004, and I hope that you will decide to accept it. It is not a mission impossible, but a mission full of possibility.

Your mission is this: Whatever you do, wherever you go, find a way to serve your community, your country, and the world.

Like so much in life, this is all about values.

And, for America, it is, more than anything, our values that are being tested now. Tested in Iraq and Afghanistan. On every battlefield of the global fight against terrorism. And by the many other security challenges that face our country.

This is not about conquest or empire. Not about taking but giving. Sharing something we can never take for granted, something you each earn today: opportunity.

We can help other people shape societies of their own--societies that tap the huge potential unlocked by human freedom. We can help them create new possibilities and choices.

But we cannot make those choices for them. While dictatorship can be imposed by force, democracy thrives only if people want it, and are willing to sacrifice for it.

As a nation, we can be a powerful support to societies in transition from tyranny and war. We can fight against ignorance and hatred, against poverty and oppression, against terrible diseases like AIDS, which threatens to destroy Africa and is poised to do enormous damage elsewhere.

We can do great things like that--and we are. We can share with the world our most precious resources--our sons and daughters--to share our most precious values. And we are.

The people I am privileged to lead play a key role in supporting our nation's work and preserving your freedom.

They are the finest men and women you will never know. They serve selflessly and anonymously--often at great personal risk--to protect you and your families.

I know them as no one else does. Their skill. Their integrity. Their courage.

They are not perfect. None of us are. I cannot promise complete, unbroken success. But I can promise you this: From American intelligence there will be no failure of spirit, no lapse in focus, no shortage in valor.

We will need every ounce of them. Because our values--our drive for justice and its essential partner, liberty--find not only admirers in the world, but enemies. Those who believe that they alone have the right to control the destinies of others, without so much as a question, check or challenge.

In our most urgent task, the fight against terror, we must do more than tighten security and disrupt cells of killers. That will never be enough. We must also encourage, by our words and actions, the forces of tolerance and moderation that form the vast majority of a kind and loving Muslim world

It has been--and will be--a long, tough road. We will continue to win battles-and we will lose some as well.

But on one point there can be no doubt: We and our allies around the world will prevail. On the strength of the military and intelligence forces we deploy. The hope and opportunity we provide. And, most of all, the values that shape our lives.

When I talk to the people I serve--the American people--I try to give them some sense of who I am as a person. Not just a name in the paper. But a husband and father. Someone whose defining values are those of my Mom and Dad.

And, on this day filled with advice, I would in closing like to share, a few of them with you.

First: Know who you are: My mother escaped from Albania on a British submarine just as the Iron Curtain was closing, never to see her family again. My father came to the United States from Greece just before the Great Depression--without a word of English, a nickel in his pocket, or a friend in sight. They are the two greatest people I have ever known. Imagine their courage. They dedicated themselves to educating their two sons in a new country. I talk about them with great pride to make my point. Each of you has family stories of courage and sacrifice. They are part of your heritage--reminders of what your values are and who you are as men and women. Never forget them.

Second: Honor the service and the sacrifice of men and women who protect this country and our values. As you are having a Shiner Bock in the Dixie Chicken--I know about that place--remember the men and women in military uniform, the law enforcement and intelligence officers working around the globe, around the clock to protect your way of life--putting their lives on the line, so that you can pursue your life's dreams in total freedom. Better yet, honor them with service of your own.

Third: Follow your heart and dare to take risks. If you do not wake up every day with great passion for your work, you will be miserable. Do not just go through the motions. Never put yourself in the position of regretting what you did not try to do. Every experience, whether it is good or bad, if it is based on the passionate belief that you are doing something you love, will give you the will and the character to learn, grow and persevere. Stand up for yourself and your dreams. Do not lose your youthful idealism for the world.

Fourth: Fight hatred and prejudice wherever you see it, If there is one thing in today's world that is most responsible for the turmoil we see, it is ethnic and religious hatred. It haunts us across continents--in the Balkans, in Africa, in the Middle East--and even here in the United States of America. The fundamental lack of tolerance that people show for each other drives so much of the instability that we confront. Every one of us carries prejudice of one sort or another inside us. Purge it from your souls, get it out, and never turn a blind eye toward hatred when you encounter it--never.

Fifth: Laugh as much as you can. Never take yourself too seriously. Have the ability to stand back and admit your shortcomings and failures with grace and humor. This ability will help you weather any storm in your life.

Sixth: Take care of the people around you. If you take care of people, they will always take care of you. Many of you will rise like meteors to the top of your chosen professions. On the way up, treat the people around you with the decency, respect, and generosity that have been shown to you. Have a kind word. Offer a helping hand. If and when you reach the top, show a little humility. Why? Because there will come a day when the crash occurs. When failure comes. When you plummet down the ladder. The fall will be gentle if people remember you as a caring, considerate human being, and someone may even extend a helping hand.

Seventh: Pray. Ask God for the guidance and strength to meet the challenges of life. Put on His armor to face the forces of evil. Manifest His goodness in caring for those who are weak and in need, showing love for others each and every day.

Finally, I would say to all of you--it is a little old fashioned, but you need to hear it, even on a campus as patriotic as this one. Love and serve your country.

I still get a lump in my throat when I see the flag go by. Not for what it is, but for what it represents. Liberty. Dignity. Opportunity.

In no other country in the world could someone like me, the son of immigrants, stand before you as Director of Central Intelligence. It would happen no place else.

When you put these eight things together, they add up to one big secret for success as a human being--a secret I am happy to reveal:

Serve someone other than yourself, serve something bigger than yourself.

May God always bless you and your families.

Gig 'em Aggies!