April 27, 2003 I attended my child's Lane College Annual Commencement Convation.

I attended an Annual Commencement Convocation at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee to witness my child receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science with the honor of cum laude. President Wesley Cornelious McClure made a beginning comment that we were at the best place that we could be at that time. When President McClure began to share and intoduce Dr. Herenton he stated if you turn on the radio Dr. Herenton is there, if you pick up the newspaper Dr. Herenton is there and when you turn on the TV Dr. Herenton is there. One of the Musical Selections was "I Don't Know About Tomorrow But I Know Who Holds My Hand." President McClure recognized Mr. James Wolfe as being a former Lanite but Mr. Wolfe is also running for mayor of Jackson, Tennessee. Mr. McClure did not recognize Mr. Wolfe as a polictican but as a Lanite. Mr. James Wolfe "formely known as Superwolf" is the husband of Denise LaSalle. While sitting at the Convocation I was looking at the program and this is when I discovered who the Speaker for the Occasion would be. To my surprise a full page about the speaker which was Dr. Willie W. Herenton, Mayor of Mempis, Tennessee. First, before I share about Dr. Herenton's sharing let me share this: I want to jump ahead and share this there was a Pakistani lady there that received a college degree. She was the first one in her family I do believe ever to go to college and receive a degree. Her husband is on the faculty and it was so grand, kind and heart touching of Dr. McClure to share such remarks. He asked her son and her daughter to come up and stand on each side of her. What a great honour it was for me to be in the presence of Dr. Willie W. Herenton and witness him speak in person. Even though Dr. Herenton is a Mayor I am not sharing this message in the Political Realm. Dr. Willie Herenton shared first that he thanked God. Dr. Herenton was dressed like the dignitarian that he is. He talked about Investing, "Investing in Education." He asked the question "Where do we go from here?" Funny when Dr. Herenton began to speak I thought of a dream that I had a couple of weeks ago. I dreamed that I was sitting at a table with some and they were talking about Real Estate. In my dream I was out of state and one lady came in with a pretty diamond ring on her finger and I can remember plainly the question she asked will this also work in Real Estate? Dr. Herenton stated whatever you do -- do it well. Be dedicated to a service of mankind. You must be prepared. Success comes by virtue of hard work, patience, endurance and faith. Nothing worth achieving comes easy. Dr. Herenton shared that he has never been without faith in God. He reminded all of us quite well that these were turbulent times, but don't give up for we are God's children and we are never without hope. Dr. Herenton stated -- that we should pray that God would order the graduates steps. For those that do not know or maybe have never heard of Dr. Herenton I will share a few things about him with you from the program: Under his leadership and close alignment with the Memphis City Council, the City's accomplishments include: The commitment of an unprecedented $160 million to Memphis City Schools for the construction of new schools, repairs, etc. For the first time in Memphis City Schools history, every single student now learns in an air-conditioned classroom! Record economic development with thousands of new jobs and $1.3 billion in downtown redevelopment. A minority economic boom that includes an increase of more than 70 percent in minority business owernship and nearly a 40 percent increase in minority business revenue. He has served on several corporate boards. He has devoted time to many civic and service organizations such as the March of Dimes, the United Way, the Rotary Club, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Economic Club of Memphis. Dr. Herenton is a member of the American Association of School Administrators, the American Management Association, and Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. He has three children.