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My Dad was valedictorian of Flint Mandeville High School class of 1956 about 90 kids. I happened across his graduating speech recently, and it blew me away. 53 years ago my Dad said: "We are entering a changing world, one of automation and employment change where education is an economic necessity. We will have increased periods of time to do as we wish,as our work week and retirement age continue to decline and we wish that were true. We shall take part in, or witness, developments in science, medicine, and industry that we can only dream of today. It is said that the future of any nation can be determined by the care and preparation given to its youth.
我父亲曾作为学生代表在毕业典礼上致辞。我最近看到他的毕业演讲，震住了。他说，这是一个瞬息万变的时代，一个科学技术和人才就业在不断变革的时代，教育成为发展的必需品。我们有更多的时间做想做的事，因为工时减少，退休提前，我们期待这一刻的到来。参与或见证科学、医学、工业的飞速发展。人们说，一个国家的未来取决于对年轻人培养。
If all the youths of America were as fortunate in securing an education as we have been, then the future of the United States would be even more bright than it is today. "If my Dad were alive today, the thing I think he would be most happy about is that Lucy and I have a baby in the hopper. I think he would have been annoyed that I hadn't gotten my Ph.D. yet. Thanks, Michigan!
如果所有美国青年能像我们一样接受教育，美国的前景会更加光明；如果父亲还在世，他会为即将出世的小孙子而高兴，也我没获得博士学位而揪心。感谢密歇根大学！
Dad was so full of insights, of excitement about new things, that to this day, I often wonder what he would think about some new development. If he were here today. Well, it would be one of the best days of his life. He'd be like a kid in a candy store. For a day, he'd be young again. Many of us are fortunate enough to be here with family. Some of us have dear friends and family to go home to. And who knows, perhaps some of you, like Lucy and I, are dreaming about future families of your own. Just like me, your families brought you here, and you brought them here.
他对于新事物总有着敏锐的观察，并充满热情。我时常幻想，他会如何看待现在的变化。如果他还在，这会是他人生中最美好的时光。他会像在糖果店的孩子那样开心，我们大部分人都很幸运，有家人为伴，有朋友相随，可能有些人正在憧憬和另一半的未来。当初家人带你来此读书，如今他们见证你毕业。
Please keep them close and remember: they are what really matters in life.Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Lucy. And thank you, all, very much.
请务必珍惜！记住——他们才是你们生命中最重要的人！谢谢你，妈妈！谢谢你，Lucy！谢谢大家！
