rikers island. they hold fast to the optimistic belief that education, hard work and second chances are the stuff of america. and that they have a right to take part in the dream. of the graduation, corrections department commissioner said we are about rebuilding the past and building futures. so on the 4th of july, i m going to think of the rikers island graduates, and i m going to wave a flag without hesitation, not because i ve forgotten my nation s many wrongs, because i remember them. and i am nonetheless proud of my country, not because of perfection, because the alt alternative is too graeme. all deserve freedom, and all have the right to pursue happiness. that is a dream worth celebrating, with fireworks and that s our show for today. thank you to karen finney, katina vanden heuvel and igor