By U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)

Graduates,

Congratulations! Whether you’re completing primary and secondary school, four years of college, three years of law school, two years of a technical degree, or any other number of academic years, you are marking a significant achievement. Countless hours of reading, learning and studying are all finally paying off.

I know this year hasn’t looked like what you imagined. There are no senior proms, no finals study sessions in the library, no goodbye hugs from classmates and, hardest of all, no commencement ceremonies to celebrate your accomplishments with family and friends. Job and internship opportunities are uncertain, and you’re wondering what happens next.

Yet you haven’t given up. Communities across Arkansas are pulling together to cheer you on with parades and signs, help you with job searching and much more. Not even a global pandemic can take away the pride we have in all you’ve done and all you will accomplish.

So again, congratulations. Congratulations for persevering through all the late nights and assignments, congratulations for getting to this milestone and congratulations on keeping your heads held high in the face of disappointment and uncertainty.

Now, in the words of Teddy Roosevelt, “Do what you can, with where you are, with what you have.” Don’t stop moving forward just because your plans have changed. Use this time to grow and pursue your dreams, and remember that even though you’re done with school, or at least this phase of school, you’ll never stop learning.

I’m proud of each and every one of you, and wish you all the best in your future careers.