Congratulations to Booker T. Washington High!

Today we received notification that President Barack Obama will give the commencement address to Memphis’ Booker T. Washington High School this year.  Booker T. Washington won this privilege through a highly competetive process that drew interest and votes from students, parents, families, and citizens around the country.

I would like to be among the first to congratulate the Booker T. Washington HS family on this incredible honor, particularly their Principal, Ms. Alisha Kiner, and all of the students, family members, faculty, and staff who worked so hard to accomplish this goal. I know I speak for the entire city of Memphis when I say that I am so proud of you!

Our sense of pride in this terrific achievement is an echo of the pride we feel in our students every single day.  As public servants, as supportive parents, and as concerned citizens, we must work harder than ever to make sure that every child in our city has access to the best education possible.  By helping our students receive a world-class education that prepares them for college and an increasingly competetive global economy, we can make sure that Memphis, the Mid-South, and the United States will win the future together.

 Again, we thank President Obama for making Memphis his City of Choice for this wonderful honor!