Right . We always set records. We have to set records, we have no choice. It has been a little over a year since i have spoken on your beautiful campus. So much has changed. Right here, the class of 2017, dressed in cap and gown, graduating to a totally brilliant future. Here i am, standing before you as president of the United States. So, i am guessing there are some people here today who thought either one of those things, either one would really require major help from god. Did we agree . We got it. [applause] but here we are, celebrating together, on this joyous occasion. There is no place in the world i would rather be to give my first commencement address as president than here with my wonderful friends at liberty university. [applause] President Trump i accepted the invitation a long time ago. I said to jerry that i would be there. When i say something, i mean it. [applause] President Trump 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, sarah, wesley, laura, and caroline, thank you for everything you do to make the university so exceptional. One of the truly great schools. Most importantly, to the new graduates, each of you should take immense pride in what you have achieved. There is another group of amazing people we want to celebrate today. They are the ones who have made this journey possible for you. And you know who that is . You forgot already. You are going to go out, you will do whatever you are going to do, some will make a lot of money. Some will be happier doing other things. They are your parents and grandparents, do not forget them. [applause] President Trump you have not forgotten . Never, ever forget them, they are great. Especially this weekend, lets make sure we give a really extra special thanks to the moms. [applause] President Trump dont forget our moms. Graduates, today is your day. Today is your day, but, in all of this excitement, do not forget that tomorrow is mothers day, right . I had a great mother. She is looking down now. But i had a great mother. I always loved mothers day. We are deeply honored to be joined by some of the nearly 6000 service members, military veterans and spouses receiving their diplomas today. Would you please stand . Wow. [applause] President Trump that is great. Thank you very much. Great job. We are profoundly grateful to every single one of you who sacrifice to keep us safe and protect gods precious gift of freedom. It is truly a testament to the university and the values that you embrace that your graduating class includes so many patriots who have served the 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 lives. Just think for a moment about 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 you have been given, what will you give back to this country and indeed 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 i did. We all did. We are 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, traditional way, or 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. They know what is right, but they do not have the courage or the guts, or the stamina to take it and to do it. It is 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 you will be true to yourself, your country and your beliefs. In my short time in washington, i have 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 are not going to let other people tell you what you believe, especially when you know that you are right. [applause] President Trump those of you graduating today who have given half a million hours of Charity Last Year alone, unbelievable amount of work and charity. Few universities or colleges can claim anything even close. We do not need a lecture from washington on how to lead our lives. I am standing here, looking at the next generation of american leaders. There may very well be a president or two in our midst. Anyone think you will be president , raise your hand . [applause] President Trump in your hearts are inscribed the values 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 do not worship government, we worship god. [applause] that is why the 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 it is why we proudly proclaim that we are one nation, under god every time we say the pledge of allegiance. [applause] President Trump 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 senior, 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 10th anniversary of reverend falwells passing. I used to love watching him on television. Hearing him preach. He was a very special man. He would be so proud, not just of what you have achieved, but of the young men and women of character that you have all become. Jerry, your dad is looking down on you right now and he is proud. He is very proud. Congratulations. Great job. [applause] President Trump reverend falwells life is a testament to the power of faith to change the world. The inspiring legacy that we see all around us in this great stadium, this is a beautiful stadium. And it is packed. I am so happy about that. I said, how are you going to fill up a place like that . It is packed, jerry. [laughter] President Trump it is a beautiful campus. And your smiling faces. But it all began with a vision. That vision was of a worldclass university for evangelical christians. 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. Boy, oh boy. You voted. You voted. No doubt many people told him his vision was impossible, i am sure they continue to say that so long after he started. At the beginning with just 154 students. The fact is, no one has ever achieved anything significant without a chorus of critics standing on the sidelines, explaining why it cannot be done. Nothing is easier, or more pathetic than being a critic. Because they are people that cannot get the job done. The future belongs to the dreamers, not 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 beginning that a strong Athletic Program would help the campus grow so the school might transform more lives. That is why a crucial part of reverend falwells vision for making liberty a worldclass institution was having a worldclass 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] President Trump a few years ago the New York Times even wrote a 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. It is a letter that reverend falwell would have been very, very pleased to read. Jerry tells me that letter now hangs on the wall in the boardroom of your great university. It came from the late father theodore hexberg, the beloved president of the university of notre dame 35 years ago. Like this schools founder, he was a truly kindhearted man of deep faith. In the letter, he recalled that notre dames own meteoric rise from a small, midwestern school to a National Football powerhouse. Then he wrote something so amazing and generous, he wrote, i think you are on that same trajectory now, and i want to wish you all of the best and encourage you from the starting, and from being able to start very small and arriving in the big time. Thanks to hard work, great faith, and devotion, those dreams have come true. As of february of this year, the Liberty Flames are playing in the highest level of competition in ncaa football. Dont clap, that could be tough. I am a little worried. I dont want to look at the scores here. Jerry, are you sure you know what youre doing here . [laughter] President Trump other players are big and fast and strong. But i have a feeling that you will do very well. From the most humble roots you have become a powerhouse in education and sports. Just wait until the world hears the football teams you will be playing starting next season. President falwell gave me a list of some of the schools. The ones he will be playing in 2018. Would you like me to read the names . Would you like to hear them . Im a little bit concerned. Umass, virginia, auburn, jerry, are you sure you know what you are doing . [laughter] President Trump jerry, auburn . I dont know about that. This could be trouble, jerry. Rutgers, old dominion, brigham young, army, i might be there, who am i supposed to root for . Tell me. I dont know. That is a tough one, jerry. I dont know, jerry. I will 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 years or five years i will come. Good luck. The success of your Athletic Program arriving on a 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, it is this never, ever give up. There will be times in your life you will want to quit. You will want to go home. You want to go home perhaps to that wonderful mother sitting back there watching you and say, mom, i cannot do it. I cannot do it. Just never quit. Go back home and tell mom, dad, i can do it. I can do it. I will do it. You are going to be successful. I have 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, the best of everything, they gave up. I have seen others who really did not have a talent or 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 interest and failed power structures. Does that sound familiar, by the way . The more people tell you it is not possible, that it cannot 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 an outsider. Embrace that label. Being an outsider is fine. Embrace the label. Because it is the outsiders who changed the world and who make a real and lasting difference. The more that a broken system tells you that you are 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. I have seen so many people, they are forced through lots of reasons, sometimes including family, to go down a path that they do not want to go down. To go down a path that leads them to something they do not love or enjoy. You have to do what you love, or you most likely will not 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 does not know the meaning of the word, quit. Real champion. A true, true champion, both on the field, off the field. He is a hall of fame quarterback for the buffalo bills, really a good friend of mine. An amazing guy, jim kelly. Where is he . He is here someplace. Stand up, jim. [applause] President Trump what a great man. Jim kelly. He was tough. [applause] President Trump jim, do you have any idea how much money would be making today . They would hit jim and its like tackling a linebacker. They would hit him, four or five guys that weigh 320 pounds, they just keep going on the field. He was 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] President Trump i saw him and his incredible wife as they were in a low moment. Jill. Very low moment. It was amazing the way they fought. They did not look good. I would have said, maybe it will not happen. There was always that hope because of jim and his heart. I want to say, it is great to have you here today, jim. These people are big fans. If you could get a young version of jim kelly, he will be beating a lot of teams, jerry. [applause] President Trump interestingly i said, i wonder what jim is doing here . His daughter, erin, crosses the goal line to you and today with you. Erin, stand up. Where are you . Congratulations, erin. Congratulations. Graduating from liberty, great choice. Thank you. Liberty university is a place where they really have true champions. You have a simple creed that you live by. To be really champions for christ. Whether you are called to be a missionary overseas, to shepherd a church, or to be a leader in your community, you are a living witness of the gospel message of faith, hope, and love. I must tell you, i am 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 happy with what has taken place, especially last week. We did some 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 what is in your heart. [applause] President Trump we will always stand up for the right of 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. That is a word jim kelly knows very well, your grit. In this, i am reminded of another man you know very well and who has joined us here today. His name is george rogers. Liberty universitys cfo and Vice President for a quarter of a century. During world war ii, he spent three and a half years as a prisoner of war. He saw many of his fellow soldiers die during the baton 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] President Trump great. [applause] President Trump that is so great, george. If anyone ever had reason to quit, to give into the bitterness and anger that we all face at some point, to lose hope in gods vision for his life, it was indeed george rogers. But that is not what he did. He stood up for his country. He stood up for his community. He stood up for his family. He defended civilization against the tide of barbarity. The kind of barbarity we are seeing today and we have been witnessing of the last number of years. I just want to tell you as your president , we are doing very, very well in countering it. Just hang in there. Things are going along very well. You will be hearing a lot about it next week from our general. Things are going along very, very well. Through it all he kept his faith in god, even in the darkest depths of despair. Like so many others of his generation, george came home to a nation full of optimism and pride, and began to live out the american dream. He started a family. He discovered gods plan for him and pursued that vision with all of his might, pouring his passion into a tiny college in a place called lynchburg, virginia. Did you ever hear of that . Lynchburg . Do we like it . We like it, right . I flew over. It is amazing, actually. What started as a dream with a few good friends, he helped shepherd into the Largest Christian University in the world. Just look at this amazing, soaring, growing campus, and i have been watching it grow, because i have been a friend of liberty for a long time now, jerry, a long time. Thanks in part to georges financial stewardship, hun