Commencements since becoming president. It comes after the white house fallout of the sudden dismissal of james comey during the fbi investigation into possible ties between the Trump Administration or rather trump campaign, i should say and russia. Now this is as four candidates prepare to interview today for the fbi director job. We have a team of political reporters and analysts standing by here. Lets begin with cnn washington Correspondent Ryan Nobles who is at the commencement. You see him there on the left. What are you hearing from the crowd there . I understand theres about 7,000 students and families who will be watching. What are they saying . What do they expect . Reporter well, this is expected to be a pretty friendly crowd for the president. This is a group of people and voters in particular that generally supported him during the election and, of course, here at Liberty University their president Jerry Falwell jr. A very influential evangelical leader that allowed the
thank you. Right there on the righthand side of your screen we see from moments ago the president as he arrives taking some steps down to the waiting car and on his way to Liberty University. As the president prepares to speak there in lynchburg, some waiting to hear from him are still conflicted over their support for the president. Lets go to another part of the city there, lynchburg, another cnn correspondent spoke with a family that is mixed on their support. Not all of them supported him, the president. Reporter hey guys, good morning. There seems to be, many constituents in the heart of the bible belt who are not sure what to make about President Trumps recent tweets and behavior. What we did find the president still enjoys the benefit of doubt from many of those in the heart of the bible belt and we found that was at play under one familys roof. They call it the white house of
lynchburg. The white family tackles everything at the dinner table from projects to politics behind the controversial firing of fbi director james comey. Those who are, which is the majority here, those who are pro trump voted for trump, i think Something Like this doesnt, isnt going to shake them one bit. Reporter larry white and his wife kathy are raising their family in lynchburg, in the center of virginia but leaning right more than 50 of the city voted for donald trump. We all basically have the same world view. A christian world view. But when it gets into politics theres certainly going to be some variation. Reporter the whites are highly conservative but also conflicted when it comes to their views on President Trump. I didnt actually vote for him. Reporter 23yearold ana white is one of the few in her family who didnt cast a vote for President Trump. Recent trump tweets have reassured her of her decision. Her President Trump voting
Family Members still stand by their choice. I dont think there will be any one time oh, okay shouldnt have voted for him, he was not the her joy thought he was. Like he wasnt a hero to begin with. You didnt vote for him thinking avenues hero. I have trust issues with the former president. And the president before that. So the idea of trusting this president , or not trusting is not new. Reporter this is the kind of dialogue youll find at the whites dinner table. Intense. We get very intense and passionate. Theres a lot of us so its hard to talk at the dinner table. Reporter this weekend its trumps turn to talk in lynchburg a place that welcomed him as a candidate and now as president. This part of virginia is home to some of trumps steadfast supporters as the city republican vice chair. He was part of the reagan revolution. Its important for people to come to lynchburg, meet voters,
meet people and see what its all about. Reporter over 100 days into trumps Presidency Griffin and fellow republicans seem unphased by the Controversy Swirling over the white house. I want to support the job hes doing. I want him to be a good representation of america. I love this Country Reporter the whites faith in President Trump is being tested but their faith in the office is unshakeable. A feeling shared by many in this brass buckle of the bible belt. And the white will be in the audience waiting to hear President Trump speak. The Comey Termination has dominated the conversation at the dinner table. People here say they are questioning the timing. Others felt it was the right thing to do. There was a consensus with one question among the white family and that is President Trump should stop tweeting. Thank you. Lets bring in our panel to discuss. Cnn commentator, cnn political analyst, cnn president ial historian and former Clinton Campaign media director. Welcome to all. Were just a few minutes away from the president speaking today. First to you, adams, our president ial historian. This president first choice here Liberty University. The significance and what you expect to hear from him . First of all im always interested when the president use as prayer address. Im interested in the themes he focus on. Were going to see some shift if any in his message. Im also going to be looking for statements by the president president likes to interact with the audience. Maybe hell say some things off the cuff thats not in his prepared remarks. It would be interesting if he were to refer to the last week
and talked about how he understands leadership. Be interesting if he talked about rule of law. And it would also be important if he doesnt refer at all to the controversy of the last week. So, ill be listening intently. Ron, what do you anticipate well hear . Are we going to hear something that will make news today . Are we going to hear a message of unity as we have gotten word that at least it will in part be something along those lines and how will he do that . Ill be surprised if he addresses the issues that are front and raised by his dismissal of the fbi director. Evangelical christians are a corner stone of the Republican Coalition based on issues, you know, especially when conservative Christian Movement started it was often described as values voters. Its hard to see how donald trump with everything thats swirled around him in the
campaign was an example of values, you know, defined in that way. It was more about issue position and particularly the appointment of a fifth republican justice on the Supreme Court which has been his biggest Policy Achievement so far. He won 80 of white Evangelical Christians. This is right at the corner stone of the coalition and i think hell be talking about the policy positions that kind of connect him to those voters. I think that will be the principle message i think today because as i say, it is not really a values connection, its a Policy Connection and that was made very clear in this campaign. You see on the stage the president there arriving to his, his left, your right on the screen. This is Jerry Falwell jr. Head of Liberty University there. As we watch here live pictures, the president preparing for the Commencement Address his first commencement as president of the United States, not all of these students are supportive of the president. During the campaign we know there were protests today. But during the campaign there was a petition online and a letter liberty united against trump. I want to read just a portion of this to give us maybe some color about some of those in opposition. Because our president has led the world to believe that Liberty University supports donald trump, we students must take it upon ourselves to make clear that donald trump is absolutely opposed to what we believe and does not have our support. Were not proclaiming our opposition to donald trump out of bitterness but out of a desire to regain the integrity of our school. They go on to say we dont want to champion donald trump we want only to champion for christ. So, the narrative that this is in full an audience that is friendly to the president , maybe not 100 accurate. I think thats true. I think that certainly if youre an evangelical who believes that lying is against what the bible teaches, if you believe that
committing egregious acts of Sexual Assault against women by groping them thats against what the bible teaches then youre going to be in opposition to donald trump and i think that, you know, the students who wrote that certainly were concerned about a number of Different Things he said during the campaign whether they be racist or sexist and i think that coming out against donald trump shows that they believe in the tenets of the bible and what it teaches and they have integrity in that regard. Dont go anywhere. We see them putting hand to heart. Most likely saying the pledge of allegiance. Well be right back as we have word from the president as he was on Air Force One on his way to make his Commencement Speech. Well play that for you after the break. Stay close. When used with diet and exercise. Trulicity is not insulin. It should not be the first medicine to treat diabetes, or for people with Type 1 Diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Do not take trulicity if you or a Family Member has had medullary thyroid cancer, if youve had multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome type 2, or if you are allergic to trulicity. Stop trulicity and call your doctor right away if you have a lump or swelling in your neck, severe pain in your stomach, or symptoms such as itching, rash, or trouble breathing. Serious side effects may include pancreatitis, which can be fatal. Taking trulicity with a sulfonylurea or insulin, increases your risk for low blood sugar. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite and indigestion. Some side effects can lead to dehydration, which may make existing Kidney Problems worse. Onceweekly trulicity may help me reach my blood sugar goals. With trulicity, i click to activate whats within me. If you want help improving your a1c and blood sugar,
activate your within. Ask your doctor about onceweekly trulicity. So beautiful. What shall we call you . Tom name it tom studies show that toms have the highest average earning potential over their professional lifetime. See . Uh, its a girl. Congratulations two of my girls are toms. I work for ally, finances are my thing. You know, im Gonna Go Give Birth real quick and then well talk, ok . Nice baby. Lets go. Here comes tom 5 nothing, stops us from doing right by our customers. Ally. Do it right. Whoo look out. Ally. Do it right. Featuring egos patented, 56 the 1 rated,volt,power mower. Arc lithium battery technology, it delivers the cuttingtorque of gas. The ego mowers durable construction makes mowing in difficult conditions easy. The selfpropelled model makes it effortless. And it folds flat in seconds for easy storage. The ego power mower. Exclusively at the home depot and ego authorized dealers. And job creation with the power vested in people youre looking here at the Liberty University commencement as it gets under way. The president not in your screen there but shortly as he delivers the first Commencement Speech to Liberty University. The first extended appearance well see from him after the firing of fbi director, now former africa director james comey. This comes during that period, the question now was the firing of james comey directly related to the fbi investigation into russias immediate knowledge to the 2016 election . Heres what the president said a few moments ago on Air Force One on comeys replacement. Watch this. Do you think you might make a decision or an announcement . These are outstanding people that are very well known. Highest level. Before the trip next week important,ly . Even that is possible. Our panel is back with us now. Lets start with andre. We didnt get you last time. Just now potentially days away, andre, from the announcement of the next potential fbi director. Thats exciting. You know, i have my own favorite but whom ever is i think it starts a fresh start to a new presidency. Many people were concerned about the former fbi directors different ties and allegiances. So part of it in the administration is cleaning it. And keep in mind part of Donald Trumps big sale to the American People he was draining the swamp. Im a Firm Believer in term limits not only for members of the United States congress and senate but so many of these agency heads. It needs turn over from time to time. If you look at the list of people who are being considered these are fresh faces from outside of washington. Lets put up the four faces if we can. Go ahead, andre. Well, my hope is that we do get somebody that has a nonpartisan background. But outside of that its time for some turnover in so many of these different positions not just fbi director. I know when i was a State Senator i got rid of the magistrates and put new ones in. People elected me over the person that had been there for a long time and i came in with a different idea and different approach to government. There were some growing pains but thats part of continuing this wonderful Electoral System we have and if people didnt like that they didnt have to vote for me next time as they can with donald trump. I want to ask you, adams, we had some reporting from cnn here from some senior white house officials that theres a sense of dejection that most were
caught offguard by the decision to fire james comey and even Vice President mike pence was rattled by the events this week. What do you make of that characterization of the morale in the white house this early on in the presidency . Well, this president seems to be winging it a lot of the time. And the decision to remove the director of the fbi at a time when the fbi is under take an investigation of the 2016 campaign creates at the very least leaving aside legal and political issues. Terrible optics. And the president normally works with his inner team, i mean previous president s, republican or democrat would have worked with their team to come up with a communication strategy, a messaging strategy to prepare the American People, to explain why such a potentially controversial decision was made. And, obviously, it didnt happen in this case. We saw that with the scrambling, the fact the explanation of why comey was fired changed and the president himself upset or undermined the white houses explanation. I dont know whether the morale was high or low. I wouldnt be surprised if it was low. What i think will be interesting to watch is the extent to which the White House Team can be consistent over the next little while. Has the president learned anything from this . Will he . Can he learn from this . The impression that the United States, the American People got last week was a country that was led by a white house that is in disarray. And if the morale is low there, its not surprising to me at all. Let me come to you, ron from the Air Force One there we heard from the president that it could be potentially a few days which means we go from firing of james comey to now the path to confirming the next fbi director. Is washington ready to pick the
next guy or woman without knowing how or why the previous fbi director was let go . I think your question answers itself. There are many, many questions to be answered about how the previous person was let go. I cant andres point kind of misses the central issue here is that whatever the other motivations, other justifications were for removing james comey, the president fired the senior Law Enforcement official overseeing the investigation of whether his campaign was colluding with the russians in an effort the destabilize the 2016 election. Thats the core issue. That hangs over whoever comes into the job. Whoever he points no matter how independent, no matter how wellrespected is coming in to office with the knowledge that the president fired their predecessor while they were pursuing this investigation and to tims point acknowledge that that was part of his thinking in the interview with lester holt after sending out the white house or allowing or encouraging
the white house staff to go out with a completely different story that they undermine and made not true from the beginning. Thats there. Thats part of this legacy going forward, no matter who steps into this job they know their predecessor was removed by the president while they were investigating. Now, weve had legal scholars today in the Newspaper Debating whether that amounts to an obstruction of justice depending on the mine set of the president. All of that is a very serious cloud over this next appointment and the idea that were going to turn the page and move on to the merits of another person without fully investigating here i think is kind of unlikely. A lot of people think this investigation cant move forward without hearing from comey himself. And were getting word from the New York Times reporting this morning that comey does want to testify, but he wants to do so publicly. Lets listen to senator mark warner here from last night talking about james comey and
testifying. We just heard from the director that hes not able to make it tuesday. Its my hope we can find a time, i think its really important that the congress and more broadly the American People hear Director Comeys side of the story. What do you make of the news this morning that comey wants to testify, he wants to do it publicly. Do you think that will happen . I do think it will happen. I think eventually well see Director Comey take an oath and testify before the congress in an open hearing because i think that he believes in transparency and in some points in history, you know, it was to a fault i think that hes been criticized for the way he handled the email investigation and almost trying too hard to appear transparent in that regard so i think its important that he testified in front of congress
under oath because we do need to get to the bottom of not only the hacking but now this new issue thats been raised this week which is why the president would all of a sudden in the middle of a ten year term now what was mentioned earlier is that there should be term limits. There are. Theres a reason why theres a ten year term for fbi director. They are supposed to be apolitical. Be able to go across more than one administration so they are not partisan. The fact that the president in his own words admits he fired Director Comey because of the Russian Investigation into his own campaign we need to know more about that specifically and also ensure that the Investigation Continues in earnest in the fbi and senate and house and i dont know how we do that without a special prosecutor. I think that this process actually has been too politicized. I do hope we hear from information director jim comey. Stay with us. You see on your screen now this
is Jerry Falwell jr. President of Liberty University. Were just minutes away from hearing from President Trump, his first Commencement Address as president of the United States. Well take a quick break and well be right back. Ponent was. Pe blood clots in my lung. It was really scary. A dvt in my leg. I had to learn all i could to help protect myself. My doctor and i choose xarelto® xarelto®. To help keep me protected. Xarelto® is a latestgeneration blood thinner. Thats proven to treat and reduce the risk of dvt and pe blood clots from happening again. In clinical studies, almost 98 of patients on xarelto® did not experience another dvt or pe. Heres how xarelto works. Xarelto® works differently. Warfarin interferes with at least six bloodclotting factors. Xarelto® is selective. Targeting just one critical factor, interacting with less of your bodys natural bloodclotting function. Dont stop taking xarelto® without talking to your doctor as this may increase risk of blood clots. While taking, you may bruise more easily,
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job sometimes is to support the president and clean up the president s messes if thats required. I think the problem last week and this gets back to something ron said is deeper than that. The president just didnt change the rationale the public rationale for firing comey. The way he explained himself put himself in joe jeopardy. Im not saying yet legal jeopardy but he actually he actually deepened suspicions that he did this because he was worried about the direction that the Russian Investigation was going. Im not saying that was the reason he did it. But the way in which he explained himself. And the letter that he sent to mr. Comey. Both of these are tell tale, and give you a sense thats what motivated him. If thats what motivated him there will be enormous pressure
on whoever he selects. Lets listen here to the president of the United States, his first Commencement Speech. [ applause ] thank you very much, everybody. And congratulations to the class of 2017. Thats some achievements. [ applause ] this is your day and youve earned every minute of it. And im thrilled to be back at Liberty University. Ive been here, this is now my third time. And we love setting records. Right . We always set records. We have to set records. We have no choice. Its been a little over a year since ive spoken on your beautiful campus, and so much as changed. Right here the class of 2017 dressed in cap and gown, graduating to a totally brilliant future. And here i am standing before
you as president of the United States, so im guessing there are some people here today who thought that either one of those things either one would really require major help from god. Do we agree . [ laughter ] [ applause ] and we got it. [ applause ] but here we are celebrating together on this very joyous occasion, and theres no place in the world i rather be to give my first Commencement Address as president than here with my wonderful friends at Liberty University. [ applause ] and i accept this invitation a long time ago. I said to jerry that i would be there. And when i say something, i mean it. [ applause ]
i want to thank president Jerry Falwell and his incredible wife becky. Stand up, becky. For their kind words. Their steadfast support. And their really wonderful friendship. Let me also extend our appreciation to the entire falwell family, trey, sara, leslie and caroline. Thank you for everything you do to make this university so exceptional. Truly one of the great schools. Most importantly to our new graduate, each of you should take immense pride in what you have achieved. Theres another group of amazing people we want to celebrate today. And they are the ones who have made this journey possible for you, and you know who that is . Nobody. You forgot already. Youre going to go out and do whatever youre going to do. Some of you will make a lot of
money. Some will be even happier doing other things. They are your parents and grandparents. Dont forget them. [ applause ] you havent for got them have you . Never ever forget them. They are great. Especially this weekend lets make sure we give a really extra special thanks to the moms. [ applause ] dont forget our moms. Because graduates today is your day. Today is your day. But in all of this excitement dont forget that tomorrow is mothers day. Right . I had a great mother. Shes looking down now. But i had a great mother. I always loved mothers day. Were also deeply honored to be joined by some of the nearly 6,000 service members, military veterans and military spouses who are receiving their diplomas today. Would you please stand. Please stand. [ applause ] wow. [ applause ] thats great. Thank you very much. Great job. Were profoundly Grateful Over Tory single one of you sacrificed to keep us safe and to protect gods precious gift of freedom. It is truly a testament to this university and to the values that you embrace that your graduating class includes so many patriots who have served our country in uniform. Thank you very much. To the class of 2017, today you end one chapter but you are about to begin the greatest adventure of your life. Just think for a moment of how blessed you are to be here today at this great, great university. Living in this amazing country,
surrounded by people who you love and care about so much. Then ask yourself, with all of those blessings, and all of the blessings that youve been given, what will you give back to this country and, indeed, to the world . What imprint will you leave in the sands of history . What will future americans say we did in our brief time right here on earth . Did we take risks . Did we dare to defy expectations . Did we challenge accepted wisdom and take on established systems . I think die, but we all did. And were all doing it. Or did we just go along with
convention, swim downstream so easily with the current and just give in because it was the easy way, it was the traditional way, or it was the accepted way . Remember this, Nothing Worth doing ever, ever, ever came easy. Following your convictions means you must be willing to face criticism from those who lack the same courage to do what is right, and they know what is right, but they dont have the courage or the guts or the stamina to take it and to do it. Its called the road less traveled. I know that each of you will be a warrior for the truth. Will be a warrior for our country. And for your family. I know that each of you will do
what is right, not what is the easy way, and that you will be true to yourself and your country and your believes. In my short time in washington, ive seen firsthand how the system is broken. A small group of failed voices who think they know everything and understand everyone, want to tell everybody else how to live and what to do and how to think. But you arent going to let other people tell you what you believe, especially when you know that youre right. [ applause ] and those of you graduating here today, who have given half a million hours of charity, last year alone, unbelievable amount of work and charity and few
universities or colleges can claim anything even close, we dont need a lecture from washington on how to lead our lives. Im standing here looking at the next generation of american leaders. There may very well be a president or two in our midst. Anybody think they are going to be president , raise your hand . [ applause ] in your hearts are inscribed the ovals of service, sacrifice and devotion. Now you must go forth into the world and turn your hopes and dreams into action. America has always been the land of dreams, because america is a nation of true believers. When the pilgrims landed at
plymouth, they prayed. When the founders wrote the declaration of independence, they invoked our creator four times because in america we dont worship government, we worship god. [ applause ] that is why our elected officials put their Hands On The Bible and say, so help me god. As they take the oath of office. It is why our currency proudly declares in god we trust. And its why we proudly proclaim that we are one nation under god. Every time we say the pledge of allegiance. [ applause ]
the story of america is the story of an adventure that began with deep faith, big dreams, and humble beginnings. That is also the story of Liberty University. When i think about the visionary founder of this great institution, reverend Jerry Falwell sr. , i can only imagine how excited he would be if he could see all of this and all of you today and how proud he would be of his son and of his family. In just two days we will mark the tenth anniversary of reverend falwells passing. I juiced to love watching him on television, hearing him preach. He was a very special man. He would be so proud not just at
what youve achieved, but of the young men and women of character that youve all become. And, jerry, i know your dad is looking down on you right now, and he is proud. He is very proud. [ applause ] so congratulations on a great job, jerry. [ applause ] reverend falwells life is a testament of the power of faith to Change The World, inspiring legacy that we see all around us in this great stadium, this is a beautiful stadium, and it is packed. Im so happy about that. I said how are you going to fill up a place like that. It is packed, jerry. [ laughter ] it is a beautiful campus. Its a World Class University for Evangelical Christians and i want to thank you because boy did you come out and vote, those of you that are old enough. In other words, your parents. [ cheers and applause ] boy oh, boy you voted. You voted. No doubt many people told him his vision was impossible. And i am sure they continue to say that so long after he started at the beginning with just 154 students. But the fact is no one has ever achieved anything significant without a chorus of critics standing on the sidelines explaining why it cant to be done. Nothing is easier or more pathetic than being a critic, because they are people that cant get the job done, but the future belongs to the dreamers. Not to the critics. The future belongs to the people who follow their heart no matter what the critics say. Because they truly believe in their vision. At liberty your leaders knew from the very beginning that a strong Athletic Program would help this campus grow so that this school might transform more lives. That is why a crucial part of reverend falwells vision for making liberty a World Class Institution was having a world class football team. Much like the great teams of notre dame. Great school. Great place. In fact, Vice President mike pence is there today. Doing a fabulous job as he always does. [ applause ] a few years ago the New York Times even roa story on the great ambitions of the liberty
flames. That story prompted a long time president of another school to write a letter to jerry. Its a letter that reverend falwell would have been very, very pleased to read. Jerry tells me that letter now hangs in the wall in the boardroom of your great university. It came from the late father Theodore Hesper who was the beloved president of the university of notre dame, 35 years ago. Like this schools founder, he was a truly kindhearted man, of very, very deep faith. In the letter the father recounted recount ed notre dames own rise to a Football Powerhouse and he wrote something so amazing and generous, he wrote i think that
you are on that same trajectory now and i want to wish you all the best and encourage you from the start, and from being able to start very small and arriving in the big time. Thanks to hard work, great faith and incredible devotion those dreams have come true. As of february of this year, the Liberty Flames are playing in the fbs, the highest level of competition in ncaa football. [ applause ] dont clap. That could be tough. Dont clap. That could be tough. Im a little worried. I dont want to look at some of the scores here. Swrerry, are you su jerry are you know what youre doing here. Those other players are big and strong and fast. From the most humble roots youve become a powerhouse in bothation and sports and just wait until the world hears the
football teams youll be playing on your schedule starting next season. President falwell gave me a list of some of those schools, the ones youll be playing in 2018. Would you like me to read the names, just came out . Would you like hear them . Im a little bit concerned. [ laughter ] umass. Virginia. Auburn. Jerry, are you sure you know what youre doing . [ laughter ] jerry, auburn. I dont know about that, jerry. This could be trouble, jerry. Rutgers. Old dominion. Brigham young. Army. I might be at that game. Who am i supposed to root for . Tell me. Thats a tough one, jerry. I dont know, jerry. Ill have to think about that one, jerry. Buffalo. Troy. Virginia tech. Oh, no, jerry, ole miss. And wake forest. Those are really top schools. Maybe in four or five years. Maybe youll build it up. The success of your Athletic Program arriving on the big stage should be a reminder to every new graduate of just what you can achieve when you start small, pursue a big vision and never ever quit. You never quit. If i give you one message to hold in your hearts today, its this. Never ever give up. There will be times in your life youll want to quit, youll want to go home. Youll want to go home, perhaps to that wonderful mother thats sitting back there watching you and saying mom, i cant do it. I cant do it. Just never quit. Go back home and tell mom, dad,
i can do it. I can do it. I will do it. Ill be successful. Ive seen so many brilliant people, they gave up in life. They were totally brilliant. They were top of their class. They were the best students. They were the best of everything. They gave up. Ive seen others who really didnt have that talent or that ability and they are among the most successful people today in the world because they never quit and they never gave up. So just remember that, never stop fighting for what you believe in and for the people who care about you. Carry yourself with dignity and pride. Demand the best from yourself. And be totally unafraid to challenge entrenched interests and failed power structures. Does that sound familiar, by the way . The more people tell you its not possible, that it cant to be done, the more you should be
absolutely determined to prove them wrong. Treat the word impossible as nothing more than motivation. Relish the opportunity to be the outsider. Embr embrace that label. Being an outside serrefine. Embrace that label. Because its the outsiders who Change The World and make a real and lasting difference. The more that a broken system tells you that youre wrong, the more certain you should be that you must keep pushing ahead. You must keep pushing forward. And always have the courage to be yourself. Most importantly, you have to do what you love. You have to do what you love. Ive seen so many people, they are forced through lots of
reasons, sometimes including family to go down a path that they dont want to go down. To go down a path that leads them to something that they dont love. That they dont enjoy. You have to do what you love, or you most likely wont be very successful at it. So do what you love. I want to recognize a friend who is here with us today, who can serve as an inspiration to us all. Someone who doesnt know the meaning of the word quit. Real champion. A true, true champion. Both on the field, off the field, hes a hall of fame quarterback for the buffalo bills, really a good friend of mine, amazing guy, jim kelly. Wheres jim . Hes here some place. Stand up jim. [ applause ] what a great man. [ applause ] jim kelly. He was tough. Jim, do you have any idea how much money you would be making today . They would hit jim, it was like tackling a linebacker. They would hit jim and keep going down the field. He was much more than a quarterback. He had tremendous heart and he knew how to win. Jim is tough and his toughest fight of all was that he beat cancer not once but twice. [ applause ] and i saw him and his incredible wife as they were in a very low moment, jill. Very, very low moment. And it was amazing the way they fought. It didnt look good. I would have said maybe, maybe
its not going to happen. But there was always that hope because of jim and jims heart. But i want to just say its great to have you here today, jim, and these people are big, big fans. If you can get a young version of jim kelly, youll be beating a lot of teams, jerry. So, interestingly, though, i said i wonder what jim is doing here. His daughter erin crosses the goal line to you and today with you. So erin, stand up. Where are you, erin . Where is erin . Congratulations erin. Congratulations. Graduating from liberty. [ applause ] great choice. Thank you. Liberty university is a place where they really have true champions. And you have a simple creed that you live by, to be really
champions for christ. Whether youre called to be a missionary overseas, to shepherd a church or to be a leader in your community, you are living witness of the Gospel Message of faith, hope and love. And i must tell you im so proud as your president to have helped you along over the past short period of time. I said i was going to do it and, jerry, i did it. A lot of people are very happy with whats taking place, especially last week. We did some very important signings. [ applause ] right, james . Very important signings. America is better when people put their faith into action. As long as i am your president , no one is ever going to stop you from practicing your faith, or from preaching whats in your heart. [ cheers and applause ] we will always stands up the right for all americans to pray to god and to follow his teachings. America is beginning a new chapter. Today each of you begins a new chapter as well. When your story goes from here, it will be defined by your vision, your perseverance, and your grit. Thats a word jim kelly knows very well, your grit. In this im reminded of another man you know very well. And who has joined us here today. His name is george rogers. Liberty university cfo and Vice President for a quarter of a century. During world war ii, george spent three and a half years as
a prisoner of war. He saw many of his fellow soldiers die during the death march. He was the victim of starvation and torture as a prisoner of war. When he was finally set free he weighed just 85 pounds and was told he would not live past the age of 40. Today george is 98 years old. [ applause ] great. [ applause ]