I would like to congratulate the class of 2008 on a job well done, and welcome you into the next phase of this wonderful thing we call "life's adventure".

I had the pleasure of attending your graduation ceremony on June 22, at the Hofstra Stadium and have to say it was a beautiful event. There were wonderful speakers, a great video presentation, and a spirit of optimism in the room that was simply contagious. However, there was one message that was presented to you that I think requires correction.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that one of the speakers at the event was our respected representative, Senator Chuck Schumer. The senator gave an inspiring speech on how he progressed through life and the decisions he had to make along his career path. He spoke about the early direction his jobs were taking him, and then of his decision to change that direction against the desires of his family and of general wisdom. He then justified his decision on the simple theme of happiness. There is no substitute for "getting up in the morning and loving your job", I remember the senator saying. And I thought to myself, "what a wonderful message to give the graduating class at this point in their lives".

However, after the inspiring story, Senator Schumer talked about legislation that he sponsored and passed in the senate that allowed the parents of the students sitting before him to deduct the costs of their college tuition. He then stated that this deduction was only available to a subset of the families sitting before him; those families making less than $200,000 per year, and this is where I think the senator sent you the wrong message.

If supporting education and tuition deductibility is right for some Americans, then it is right for all Americans. By putting a salary test on his support for higher education, the senator sends a message that the government will "punish success", will punish people for making good decisions, taking risks, and doing well. These are all qualities we, as parents, have spent years trying to teach you and hope you have absorbed. Success is hard work and should be rewarded. This is the message I hope you remember.

So, enjoy your summer as you prepare for college or career. This is a wonderful period in your life where you will be making many decisions and taking many risks!

Thomas McPartland