April 17, 2009
Peace Maker Breakfast - Honoring Rufus Glasper
Mayor Phil Gordon
Honoring Rufus Glasper
Well, first I want to thank my good friends at Valle del Sol for inviting me to spend a few minutes with you this morning. As I recall (which I barely do) -- the last time I was with Valle del Sol was just a few days after I fell out of a tree and ended up in a back brace. Ironically, I remember talking about public safety that day.
But what I DO remember, is that in nearly every speech I give, I talk about three things: Education, Public Safety and jobs. So we talked about Public Safety; I ALWAYS talk about jobs. And this morning, we’re here for Education.
So even with a broken back, I have now completed the Hat Trick.
I am so proud of our involvement in education. In Arizona, cities have no legal obligation – or even an official role to play – when it comes to education. But by no means does that absolve us of our greater responsibility (which goes way beyond the law books) to do anything and everything we can to help with the education of our children.
The stakes are too high for anyone – or any city -- to sit this one out.
Not every city gets its feet wet in the Education Pool – but Phoenix has dived in head first.
After school programs, of course. But we have opened a series of small high schools with specialized curriculum. And the campus we are building downtown – at the University level, is the first of its kind in this country.
Of course, we simply couldn’t have done that on our own. We needed partners. Great partners. And we got ‘em. This morning, we’re honoring one of the best.
Thank you Dr. Glasper – for sharing our vision – and for sharing YOUR vision with us. Your stewardship of the Maricopa Community College District has been stellar. Your accomplishments, profound. And your friendship is something I will always treasure.
I found an article about Victor Hugo, the French author, and his take on the importance of public education. In one of his few interviews with the French press, he said something that when I read it struck a chord with me about a very basic reason we should all be involved. “He who opens a school door”, Hugo said, “closes a prison.”
Dr. Glasper, thank you for opening so many doors.