Introduction

Mike Downey: This year I was flattered to be asked to deliver the commencement address at many fine universities, colleges, trade schools and high schools. He says he wrote a kind of generic yet heartfelt commencement address to all the graduates of trade schools a couple of years ago that's still out there. "I honestly can't find a better message to deliver to the class of 23 than the one I already wrote,"Downey says.