Vice President Kamala Harris is making history by becoming the first woman to deliver a commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy.
She told the 2021 graduating class on Friday, “You may witness some of the worst of humanity. But promise that you will never forget the best of who we are, that you will never forget the ideals you stand for.”
Harris called on the class to “fight for those ideals” and “fight for our democracy.”
“And remember, our constitution is not only something to defend, it is a guide. It is a guide for your service. It begins with three simple words: We the people. Not I, we. Our nation was designed to be a team sport and we are in this together,” Harris added.
Watch her remarks below:
VP Kamala Harris delivers 2021 U.S. Naval Academy commencement address.
— The Recount (@therecount) May 28, 2021
Harris just became the first woman to give the graduation speech at the Naval Academy. pic.twitter.com/nbIFvZ7OYz
Harris also touched on the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it has “accelerated what was happening before, and it has accelerated our world into a new era. It has forever impacted our world. It has forever influenced our perspective.”
She continued, “And if we weren’t clear before, we know now: Our world is interconnected. Our world is interdependent. And our world is fragile.”
The vice president also mentioned the threat of cyberattacks and climate change.
“A gang of hackers can disrupt the fuel supply of a whole seaboard. One country’s carbon emissions can threaten the sustainability of the whole Earth,” Harris continued.
She called the U.S. military the “best, the bravest, and the most brilliant.”
President Joe Biden delivered a commencement speech at the Coast Guard graduation last week, as IJR reported.
“I can only assume that you’ll enjoy educating your family about how the Coast Guard is ‘The hard nucleus around the Navy forms in times of war,’” Biden said.
The president joked with the class upon not receiving applause, “You’re a really dull class.”
He added, “I mean come on, man. Is the sun getting to ya?”
