Howard University Special Convocation Honoring President Nelson Mandela (1 of 2)

So. The. Say. Good morning and welcome to Howard University's live broadcast of the special

convocation honoring South Africa's president Nelson Mandela. I'm cordial now. And joining me is chair of the political science department here at Howard University Dr. Ron Walters. Earlier in the century the great W B Dubois throughout the 20th century will be the coming line. And here today we are here to honor a meeting on two institutions that are in a way the result of the problems of the Columbine Howard University would not exist were it not for racial segregation discrimination and racial oppression and Nelson Mandela would not become the institution which he has become. Were it not for racial apartheid segregation and racial oppression in South Africa. It is in the process of overcoming racial oppression. Howard University was created and the institution that we know with Nelson Mandela has in fact impressed itself on our consciousness. Ron Walters there

is an era of high expectation today. Howard University has often been the scene of historic occurrences of this historic meeting. It's an added charge to this audience. Because the man with the president. There isn't any question about that. You know it seems to me that we have coming to Howard University. Some people have said he is the most distinguished black leader in the world today and it's altogether fitting that he should come to Howard University because this institution is dedicated scores of South Africans to the cadre of people that are brought to bear in South Africa and around. Indeed there are those who argue that Nelson Mandela may not just be the world's greatest black leader but in terms of statesmanship and respect around the world today he may indeed be the world's greatest leader that because someone of his moral stature is needed in the world today.

And when you put him up beside all the world leaders that is the quality that I think most of us would find lacking. I know that the president of Howard University interim president Dr. Joyce Ladner is particularly proud she a woman who spent some years in Tanzania and in Senegal. She has lived in Africa. The university is today launching an International Affairs Center. So bilocation is a particularly proud one for her board of trustees and for all of the members of the faculty staff staff and students. That's certainly true as chairman to many drafting model for the International Affairs Center. This is really a very proud day for the university. We have long had international affairs activities around the campus in our faculty. But what happens today is that we now have a university wide center that's not only going to be active on the campus but it's going to be active in the community and it's going to coordinate a number of our activities. We have already arriving and faculty is here.

Members of the Board of Trustees are here. And as I said earlier we anxiously await the arrival of President Nelson Mandela. And while this occasion is one of great symbolic significance and importance it also underlines the very serious purpose of President Nelson Mandela's visit to the United States because he is here for reasons that have a lot more to do with money than with symbols. That's certainly true I think in his statement to Congress he made it clear that democracy alone would not fight that democracy together with the resources it would bring. South Africa especially like South Africans who through the years of misery and deprivation bring them into the 20th century. And so I think that Howard University is going to help play a role in that regard as well. We are on the upper quadrangle of the main campus of Howard University and we are now about to be joined by the chairman of the District of Columbia City Council. Dave Clark it is my understanding that President

Mandela has arrived and is on his way to found his library for a ceremony that will take place in there. But Dave Clark for one who has dedicated a great deal of his life to the struggle for equality civil rights and human rights also as an alumnus of Howard University. How does this make you feel here today to be a part of this ceremony honoring President Eisenhower. And I am honored to be here on number two. I want to be very inspired inspired by his life and endures strong we're going through difficult times in our city right now. About 100 million dollars of effort should be given. We're being called upon to cut one hundred forty million dollars here and we're going to have to endure some difficult time. And when I look at Nelson Mandela know if he sat in a prison cell or a quarter of a century and most of his life he maintained a vision about what he wanted his home to be or get from Sprint or other difficulties we're going through in our city right now. That's the greatest thing that I take from him

personally. But I also want to share a sense of victory and his presence here today and in a way I'm usually a politician because your own vision has always been clear. When voters in the District of Columbia vote Dave Clark they know exactly what they are getting. You leave nothing in doubt. But a lot of politics in this country and around the world have been smeared by allegations of corruption and as you know barreling and the like Nelson Mandela seems to be a refreshing difference the kind that can inspire all elected officials. That's right. He sat there with his version of history with a person and he didn't give it up. And I think those of us in public office have to take that as a model and as a chair. Thank you very much David Gergen is chairman of the District of Columbia City Council we are now going to be joined by an equally equally well known person that's coming from a different field but a field in which Nelson Mandela himself once participated as a young man. He was a boxer and he talked about how greatly admired the great Muhammad Ali and other boxer so he had a chance to hear about or see while he was incarcerated for 27

years Rock Newman is well known of course as boxing promoter and manager a former champion hoping to be champion again. But he is also a proud alumnus of Howard University. And as you can see rock is very proud to be. I am beaming today Coach Joe this is I. It's one of the happiest days of my life. It's a sense of liberation here. It's just a sense of deliverance that Nelson Mandela entrenched in that jail for 27 years. He's here representing the Republic of South Africa as its president. It is one of the greatest This one of the greatest images of determination and inspiration that exists on this planet today. Indeed when I mentioned earlier that Nelson Mandela had been a boxer in his youth we have here an individual with Constand as a source of inspiration to just about anybody whether they're in sports politics or academia which is what is honoring him today. Well I think probably the greatest thing is that Nelson Mandela was a fighter then and he's a fighter now and he's fighting for all of us. And with the world is better for them.

Thank you very much Rock Newman And of course we have all kinds of dignitaries here today. We're broadcasting from the main campus of the quadrangle of Howard University and we're about to be joined by the statehood senator for the District of Columbia senator. The Reverend Jesse Jackson was also here for this occasion. You have of course played a significant role in advocating freedom democracy and majority rule in South Africa. But here we stand today at an African American institution the preeminent. African academic institution London and to our right by Bill de quarterback here that we're talking to so we have to remember that. But how significant do you think this honor is. Well I think that what is significant. This means how what healing and how one went through a lot of trauma last year. A lot of discrediting that packs a lot of threats a lot of chaos. This is a great moment of healing for Howard University. Dr. Ladden did a good and right thing by working diligently as she did to

get Nelson Mandela to come here. Secondly how would students and faculty members like Dr. Ron Walters and others play a great role in getting Mandela freed in South Africa in the first place. Thrilly he is that the right place or the place that he went this week that denounced him as a terrorist. Five years ago and and dismissed the ANC Howard was not in that category. And so today he is at the right place. He's going to love it. It's going to go for the students. And that and I think it is a statement that African-American students everywhere we were saying earlier untarnished. Nelson Mandela is by the kind of tarnished that generally affects the elected officials in today's world and give them the kind of scrutiny that he has received and will continue to receive. I for one find it amazing that he remains with us in the see stuff with his way in the power. You see he didn't commercial this way in the.

He is not the result of an ad campaign when Mandela walked in this place and people will be electrified. One has to ask why is it because he's 77 other people that was 77 because his six feet two or three. I think that is because of the words he will give. Not necessarily but him one sees him one sees and then the suffering servant he speaks about that and he makes us better and he challenges us because Mandela does not have to have a book does not have a credit card does not have a cost. He has none of that was most people who a man that's materialistic strive for. And yet he is the moral leader of our world today. Reverend Jesse Jackson is the state senator for the District of Columbia. Thank you. Thank you very much. Always thought from the city our universe is in a room on an end it all and we're on the campus of Howard University.

And we are about to welcome the pain Lucas the president of Africa which last night on President Nelson Mandela at your own affair. And we all know how Africa has been struggling against hunger and starvation in Africa for so many years. But indeed today we have another kind of celebration and I for one am happy to see you here on the campus of Howard University. Well I'm delighted to be here because we really have to remember Howard University and Africare launch a health program they service the nation of Rwanda first strike and the week that Mandela came to Africa and Mandela came to our universe the Howard University doctors and social work and an average team left yesterday to fulfill what Mandela is all about the liberation of people everywhere. Today is a proud moment for Howard University. It is a proud moment

for the American people. A proud the entire world because if there were ever a cyber owner the most tired is coming out of you remember. Indeed many people think of liberation only in political and constitutional terms but President Nelson Mandela is here to underline what Africare has been underlining for the past 25 years and that is that true liberation means the ability of people to be close to be fed and to enjoy all of the things in life that we here in the United States have come to take for granted. There is no question about freedom you have to pay a price for those who read the wrong Mandela. We must never forget what Jack Kennedy once said. When he was fighting the Communists. Those who rode the back of a tiger wound up inside those who practice segregation discrimination and equality. They are now on the outside

Mandela's on the inside. That is the way it ought to be. That is the way you see pain because the president of Africare thank you very much. President Mandela is now inside his library and he soon will be emerging here before this audience seated here in the main campus of a quadrangle consisting of faculty staff students members of the general public interest and onlookers. And there is a clear air of electricity humming through this crowd. It is an air of electricity that has a company President Mandela everywhere he has went. And for the pain Lucas I will ask you as a man who has been the preeminent African leaders for years and preeminent leaders in the United States. Why. Just. Because Mandela is no or very bad. How could a person who was jailed for over 30 years and when he walked out of the prison he cried and embraced him Stella. This is the Messiah. This is the man who says every word that

black people can achieve anything. And then in the face of all this agony Mandela learned to love everyone. That is what is all about. That is why he has received what he has received here this week. He transcends color. He is a living proof with the kids of how young people everywhere that black people are properly. Thank you very much once again Payne Lucas the president of Africare. Indeed we are assembled here today in case you are just joining us. This is Howard University's live broadcast of a special convocation honoring South Africa's president Nelson Mandela. We are joined now by well-known activist Dick Gregory who has spent his entire life virtually struggling for human rights. And it must indeed be rewarding to see a man whom you protested against at the South African embassy being jailed not only being released from jail in 1990 but a short four years later.

Short of you are as old as Dick and I a short four years later to see him as president of South Africa here on the campus of Howard University I think when you think about you go from being called a communist to a radical to a parrot. Mr. President and all of that. One thing that I hope that the world will feel at that kindness and especially to young folks all over the world and for folks that if you can just put a check on instant gratification. No one was complaining that he walked out of jail and bad mouth the jailer they had all the nasty things one would say to be in jail legally for 27 years. But he put something above that if it came up in his face and talk about an armed struggle of all life innocent people black and white being killed now he didn't say that. He held on to everything that we really learned in the civil rights movement but all around the world we were able to see a man come out one

day on a Sunday. And we didn't know what to expect. We didn't know what did make him limping along when he came out with a smile. He came out with you know all my life. We've been told there must see him fate. I can think of no one more qualified than you Dick Gregory who got arrested in front of the South African Embassy I think it was Thanksgiving Day 1984 in protest of apartheid in South Africa. It was Gregory's idea I think to do it on Thanksgiving Day because he knew then that that was a slow news day and the television cameras would be all around. Would you have dedicated your life to peaceful protest and a lot of people want to know what is the state of mind. One is to be generous of spirit as Nelson Mandela is and to be as peaceful and peace oriented as the great love just just don't start with people who believe in it. So just to start with you and I know what I ran from L.A. to New York.

It seems to dramatize world and domestic hunger. You know when my pains stop when I stop seeing people and start seeing people being fired I switch it from a negative to a positive and it had a fantastic effect but it's the same thing here. I mean this man is respected all over the world. Even people that make the Libyan fight for peace. Plus my grandmother a great grandmother. And in little babies can relate with this. You see all elderly people sick people. People cannot relate what a frontline they have they can relate with this. We reached out with that love and that kind of the whole world. And what I have to go through these mine is no one know what to call it but basically it felt to me that if we were to the world's richest people and say how can we take a black man and produce him into a world renowned leader that respected all the billions

couldn't work a God for us did reach down destiny. And here we are today as we said at the beginning of this broadcast Dubois said the problem of the 20th century problem of the color line and in a way it is what has brought this meeting here today between President Nelson Mandela and Howard University with an honorary degree will be conferred on President Nelson Mandela who as we speak is now preparing to emerge from founder's memory and do will because we will give him the microphone at that kind of response from Nelson Mandela. Reverend thank you very much for joining us. And we are back now to be joined by C. Dolores Tucker. You have been known for such a long time as a political and human rights activist and it is no surprise to see you here today as we watch the beautiful daughter of President Nelson Mandela being escorted up here to the front of the podium. How do you feel.

It's a miracle morning. It's a majestic morning. It's a message to all of us. How we can overcome whatever odds we haven't reached the mountaintop. I was there in Pretoria with the presidential delegation from prison to prison and now I have him here as a model for you as I look about the education and more of celebrating the second there was in the study against segregation and discrimination in the United States. But again in South Africa. To what extent do you think that it took a man of character and personality of Nelson Mandela to bring us where we are today. It is clear that while he is a symbol of freedom he's a lot more because he seems to personify all of this in his very first of all we have to remember who we are.

We were the first humans that God created. We come from the bowels of the soul of God. And this is what inspired him and kept him alive even in prison. His faith was strong and the message to all of us of America and the world is that we're all a part of humanity that's been his message here and he never forgot it and never knew that he was a child of God. Thank you very much. Thank you. Take care. Back with us now is political scientist Dr. Ron Walters. And as we look at the pomp and ceremony and we think of the struggle ahead for the people of South Africa the purpose of President Nelson Mandela's visit. What do you see as being the kind of contribution that African Americans can continue to make not only in pressuring the government to make its contribution the contribution of African Americans themselves who have already been congratulated by President Mandela for our past contributions. What do we have to do. That's right Cojo. I think we all ought to be proud that President Nelson Mandela or one of the first things he did was to thank African-Americans that back and the

struggle. And I think that now we're in this stage of development. And what we have to do is to contribute all of our civic groups thinking about how we can link up with civic groups Our experts are going to be needed especially in areas like education. And so I think we ought to all be thinking about well how can we contact organizations like Howard University like the agency for International Development and other organizations that are going to provide very much needed technical assistance to help them. Always money is needed. But I think that the government has to an extra hundred billion dollars so maybe we can't give 100 billion dollars and give the most important and that is our own. Let's talk some politics here for a second because Dick Gregory just pointed out that in an interview just a few years ago Nelson Mandela was a terrorist communist and there are those elected officials in the Congress of the United States must be feeling a

little disappointed in his rise to prominence because they have made a career out of office people who have been so described in the past is completely behind this war in the effort to get money for either the legislative bodies of the United States is that the image likely to rear its ugly head. Well certainly Cojo I have seen the allusions to the fact that members of the Communist Party are going to have to have now prominent places in the South African government and others who are members of the ANC central committee. So we can expect that the conservative right wing in this country is going to continue to try to keep legislation in the Congress which you South Africa develop. I'm not sure that a hundred million dollars actually that 100 million dollars on top of 600 million dollars that the administration has promised South Africa

in the next three years the next fiscal year that money for this year for 95 years committed. But the money for the next two years is not so many of us will have to be very vigilant in helping the members of the Congressional Black Caucus who will have the lead role here to fend off that caused by this sort of conservative right wing group. One of them one remembers when Gorbachev came here with President Mandela's popularity. Do you think public good will give steam the going to we're running out of time so Rahm will have to answer that particular question later because President Mandela led by President Howard University is on his way to the podium. We are broadcasting live from the main campus quadrangle here with Howard University. It is a special convocation honoring President Nelson Mandela. Not.

At. Mandela. A red carpet and then onto the podium here on the main campus of the quadrangle faces in the crowd are easily recognizable. There of course. Is Vernon Jordan former president of the National Urban League here as former governor of Virginia Douglas Wilder now the front of the procession. And these are dignitaries some members of the board of trustees here at Howard University some

students here at Howard University. All of something and you can see the smiles on all faces here. This is a moment of great pride for all assembled here today. And as we await the arrival of President Nelson Mandela we just got the wave from Vernon Jordan which means he's going to mention Ron Walters named to President Clinton the next topic. And again here we have Mr. Sharon Kelly. And. Also the head of our Pepsi-Cola company and Black Enterprise magazine Earl Graves and the. Chair of the Board of Trustees Raymond Smith. And we still await President Nelson Mandela. Like all good dignitaries he knows how to keep them probably does not make a better fashionably late. Which is exactly what we're doing here. But it has turned out to be and we should mention this in case you haven't looked out your window it is a beautiful day in Washington a wonderful day in which the temperature is not too cold not too warm and just

the kind of day that this kind of thing should be happening all the time. And let's get back to some of the more serious issues that we were discussing earlier is the goodwill generated by a business which is President Mandela is likely to help him in South Africa politically here. Well I think one thing in South Africa before the public and get in on the plight of legislators and I think that when we're going into the 104 session of the Congress obviously South Africa will be one of those issues that the members of the Congress will be thinking about as a result of his visit. And here he is now president Nelson Mandela has emerged from found his library and is making his way up the red carpet preceded and followed by what appears to be a stampede of reporters and camera persons as he make his way. He makes his way as only he can make his way slowly and in a dignified manner. Standing six foot two inches tall accompanied by Howard University president Dr. Joyce Ladner. She is all smiles because this is an

important day for her too. It is also the day at the International Affairs Center here at Howard University is being launched as President Mandela now ascends the stairs here to the podium. There's also a smile on his face. An awesome dignity of his appearance makes it self evident as Dr. Levy and President Mandela wave a crowd of Huffaker. To the podium. We are broadcasting live from the main campus of the quadrangle. Howard University as the applause begins to build. Well coming up the worst political leader today Prester man a man who's just four short years ago was incarcerated in South Africa spending 27 years in jail. Now a son of the president of South Africa company by the

president of Howard University the colors. I know you did. And we will be taking you to the podium itself for the continuation of this book. There is mad excitement here. People are screaming and hollering you know Mandela may not be a rock star with these emotions but a general is a rock. Star. On. Many. Fronts. And you feel this or you stand here watching. No my lady it's a special

feeling akin to being just a few inches off the ground. Everybody here seems to be a little taller. There were just a few minutes because of Nelson Mandela. We're going to take you to the podium so you can by my special convocation honoring President Nelson Mandela. I'm Cozolino. You. Are. Out. There.

But. You're. Not. Present. The colors. For. Her. Are. Out. There.

For. Her. And. Her. And. Her. Daughter. You.

Please remain standing for the invocation to be delivered by the Director of Public Affairs of the AB giant church and a member of the Howard University Board of Trustees. The Rev. Dr. Thaddeus Garrett Jr. now in quietness and confidence. Let us go to him who has made all of this possible. Dear lord you have taught us that there is but what one man in that his name is all man that there is but one woman in her name is all women. There is but one child and that that child's name is all your children grant that we might make history in this hour in this place. Bless this house we call Howard University. Make it a home for all your children who yearn for knowledge. Teach Us dear Lord to be proud of who we are

and what we are. With our roots deeply embedded in the soil of Africa. We pray that you would bless and protect your soul journey this morning rise up. Your mind his strength and do it in our leader and your son Nelson Mandela. Give him the strength then protection that you gave him when he was in jail here like Paul lú him to rise up. And teach your people. O Lord our Lord joining the soils of these two lands. Bless them and us your children and then we would ask. That after all is said and done. After all the words have been uttered and all the

flags of loan that you would be kind to us. We are weak we are away words. We have only you to turn to God Bless America. And go seek labor in Africa. Please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen the president of Howard University Dr. Joyce a Ladner. Chairman Wyman Smith. Your Excellence President Nelson Mandela your daughter Zenza Mandela Long gone. Ambassador Swartz and other members of the diplomatic corps members of the Board of Trustees of Howard

University. Members of the United States Congress and of the administration. Meir Sharon Kelly and other dignitaries and the government of the District of Columbia to the reverend clergy. Other honored guests. Faculty staff students and friends of Howard University. This is truly an historic occasion today for we officially claim as one of our own. The towering hero of the 20th century. On May 10th 1994 Nelson Mandela was inaugurated to be president of the Republic of South Africa. By his courage determination his sacrifice. And by his singular dedication. Nelson Mandela became a symbol of the

world over of oppressed people longing to be free. But there is yet another trait which characterizes this great man once he was set free. And this was after more than a quarter of a century of unjust imprisonment. Nelson Mandela showed absolutely no bitterness. Instead he forgave his captors and he invited them to join him in building a new South Africa. And in this we are reminded of another moment that was crucial in American history. When one of our leaders advocated malice toward none. Justice for All. And firmness and the right as God gives us to see the right. Mr. President you bring with you to these hallowed grounds of Howard University a spirit of reconciliation and

redemption. It is fitting that Howard University should be the first institution of higher education in the United States to honor these achievements. Since you became president. Long before other American colleges and universities admitted Africans how welcomed Africans are people with open arms. The record shows Mr. President that we admitted our first student from South Africa a man named John Jubba name and 1896. Since then for almost 100 years we have provided education to many South Africans particularly in medicine in engineering and in the sciences including a program in physics conducted jointly with the

University of Buffalo stron and 1970s. We trained in a number of members of the African National Congress who were displaced by the way to uprisings. And more recently. Howard University has provided training for mid-level business executives from your country and this year we were privileged to join with Georgetown University in training a racially and sexually diverse group of young people to join the diplomatic corps of the new South Africa. In short Mr. President I Rukhs between South Africa and Howard University run very deep and it is our determination that through this partnership they will grow even deeper. I am certain that this partnership will be strengthened by the news. I am privileged to announce to this audience today the Congress of the United States government has agreed to remove the

tuition surcharge. That's. The Congress of the United States has agreed to remove the tuition surcharge imposed on international students attending Howard University. Effective January 6 1995. Mr. President this will make it possible to recruit a larger number of international students including and especially more from your own country. I am also pleased to announce today the opening of the new Howard University International Affairs Center which will

vastly enhance the focus and concentration of our students and faculty in world affairs. Finally Mr. President this is how it Universitas annual homecoming observance. We're pleased that you and all of our guests. Are here to participate with us and these festivities and particularly to our alumni. I would say a special word of welcome to you today because you will find that we here on the Hill continue to be firm and true to everyone assembled. Thank you for being with us today and for being an eye witness to this history. The victory of our honored guest is not his alone as he often reminds us it is ours as well for in the largest sense Nelson Mandela's triumph is one of freedom over oppression of right over wrong.

Of renewal and reconciliation a triumph of the human spirit and coziness allele Afrika. Greetings you will be presented by the chairman of the Howard University Board of Trustees. Dr. weighman Smith of the third year. Madam president President Mandela. My colleagues on the board of trustees and other guest faculty students and friends you know Board of Trustees and universities are noted for problems thrust upon them by. Our day to day activities. There are certainly too few occasions when we can stand completely free of the pressing burdens and enjoy the rich glory that is Howard. Such an occasion. Madam President and President Mandela.

Is our privilege today on behalf of my colleagues of the board of trustees and indeed on behalf of the entire university. I have the great honor to welcome to Howard University one of the true giants of our time. For me there can be no greater reward than that. Of breeding on behalf of all of us of Howard University the honorable Nelson Mandela the president of the Republic of South Africa. I had the honor and privilege of attending a luncheon honoring President Mandela at the State Department on Tuesday. I could hear many of the guest greeting each other with joyful expression. Did you ever really think that you would see this day. There's no need for an answer. Many people around the world especially including the rulers of South Africa at that

time considered the bond of apartheid much too strong to be broken. They thought that it would remain forever. But there was a young man from South Africa in whose breast the fires of freedom burned and he was convinced to the contrary. He never never never once doubted that he and his people would be free one day and once more he dedicated his life to that proposition. We've all admired this brilliant visionary leader politician scholar and diplomat. We admired his military leadership as a young lawyer young militant lawyer in South Africa. We admired him as we suffered with him during the long and dark 27 years of his incarceration. We admired him. As he steered the cause the cause of freedom for his people. We admired him as he wove together the intricacies of the first true South

African democracy we were mad at him on election night and we all celebrated with him one before and I had no television he did what looked to me like the electric slide. And we admired him as he stands here today the president of the Republic of South Africa one of the foremost leaders of the world. Ladies and gentlemen I greet you on behalf of the university welcoming you to on occasion without parallel in the history of this university. Can I invite my trustees to stand with me for a second. Members of the board of trustees. Mr. President on behalf of the board of trustees I want to thank you for coming. In very short order. You will become an alumnus of Howard University there by officially joining our ranks. And I want you to know. That this institution is concerned. You have always been and will

always be in our hearts forever. Thank you. To present a litany of tributes to President Nelson Mandela our university brass ensemble with McCutcheon is from the marching band the choir and the chair of the Howard University English department. Dr Eleanor Traylor. This is the time of celebration. We welcome here the hope of an age the ages to come. Let the dry send a message to the Holy.

Spirit of our honored dead proclaimed heroes live. Now the voices sound ancestral song. So go to the glow of vision cast by faith burning through the fog of time to guide the way of all tomorrows truth rides upon us and makes a strong

pride in our past faith for our future and the hope undimmed by all our ancient I traveled in vision to the place of captivity where the people wept for their profits had been taken and their misery was on and on. They struggle only to see their children cut down before their eyes. So wait till June 16 1976. So. In a valley of dry bones one man stood remembering other Harriet. They called her

Douglas. They called him truth the sojourner they called her that Medgar Melk March the Beco remembering seeing all things as love see the nature of himself finding his center like a man remembering stands firm fixed on his purpose while in his home the elements so mixed in him that nature herself might stand up and say to all the world is I made this man for all his life had heard the lamentation of his people. He had said I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony

and with equal opportunity. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve but if need be it is an ideal for which I am prepared to go. Stanley remember in a valley of dry bones one man saw the nature of himself remembering you told his no man then a man. Man. OK a day so.

Now here the prophets. Speak my mouth shall be the mouth of calamity which has no mouth. My voice shall pronounce the blessing of this eyes be and my word is peace. I speak and my word is. I speak. And verse in the new song. I have come a chant through the maze of mystery of living to miraculous meaning finding its values all the late and blessed with truth and love

and peace. I listen to the morning of all life and live my voice saying sing a song praying chant a prayer breathe on the wings of shifting winds that searched the world and bring the storm of change into our land and outside the law of the day. I am the Prince of President Reagan. I fear no second. Time and I am will last so long. All. Your love will now confirm the degree of Norrish Council and introduce our convocation

Speaker Boehner. The candidate will be presented by Dr. weighman Smith chairman of the board of trustees. Madam President I have the honor to present to you His Excellency Nelson Mandela to receive at your hands the honorary degree of doctorate of laws. Nelson Mandela. You have traveled by merit and steadfastness of spirit. Our journey that few individuals possess the capacity to make and recognition of your great devotion and tireless service to the causes of freedom and democracy. Howard University welcomes and honors you this day from the beginning of your student days at Fort Harari University College. More than a half century ago. You labored in the vineyards for the enrichment of human life. It was there that you met Oliver Tambo and Congress and Boffa who were to

be the foundation members of the African National Congress Youth League thus forming the crucible to overcome racial discrimination and all of its destructive forms. Having been engaged in a great moral struggle. Your activities resulted in your being arrested and banned. Many times the place names of Robben Island pulls more prison and Victor versed in prison are for ever branded and etched in the bleak pages of human history and all you spend a period of twenty seven years in prison for your beliefs you emerged tall strong triumphant and free from Victor Verster Prison near Cape Town on February 11th 1919 nine days after the legal unbending of the ANC. Although your life has been forced in the flames of apartheid and the words of the African-American poor Claude McKay. You came out of the

flames of finer stronger frame and on May 9th 1994 you were elected the first president of a democratic and non-racial South Africa. Nelson Mandela. You are eminently constructive. Life is indeed an inspiration to the entire hemisphere and it is instructive to all men and women everywhere who labor for freedom and brotherhood and sisterhood. Nelson Mandela. Therefore by virtue of the authority of. Vested in me by the Board of Trustees of Howard University. I do now confer upon you the honorary degree doctor of laws for Nurse Kasa and admit to you all the rights and privileges pertaining to I direct that you be invested with the good. Appropriate to this high degree and present you with this diploma and citation.

Ladies and gentlemen it is with great pride profound respect and the utmost adulation that I present to you the Honorable his Excellency. Nelson Mandela