May 13, 2007
George Stephanopoulos opening
statement:
Thank you. Wow, this is the first time I’ve received applause
walking into a press conference!
It’s just a privilege to be here at St. John’s on such a
terrific day, such a beautiful day.
Q: How did your upbringing prepare you for
the life that you now lead?
A: I certainly was taught to
think about politics, think about the broader world, but also one
of the things I learned from dad was that, in a way, being a priest
is also a public life. So, you learn how to handle yourself
in public and to speak, to think, and we were always encouraged
growing up to engage with the broader world.
Q: Who were your role models growing
up?
A: It would have to be my
parents. No question about that. One of the things they
encouraged was also…our house was always filled with books, with
newspapers…we were always encouraged to think about what was going
on, not only within our community, but outside of it.
Reverend Robert G. Stephanopoulos opening
statement:
I’m delighted to be here, of course, and to follow George’s
footsteps. There’s a saying in Greek about growing sweet
basil in a pot and when one does that, the adage goes, ‘along with
the basilico getting water, so does the pot.’ I’m the pot,
but I’m very grateful for the privilege being granted to both of us
from St. John’s University, which I consider to be an excellent
school. I’ve been with the faculty for years now and I see
some of my already distinguished graduates.
I’m also grateful for the honor that has been awarded me with
George from the University granting a degree of recognition for
years of service and dedication not simply to an institution of
higher education, which this is, but also to the public at
large. That’s the field that we selected, I thought, as he
mentioned already, that George should have gone into law, but what
he’s done in fact, as his book will indicate, has applied all of
the requirements of a good priest to public service. He’s
done that very well, he communicates very effectively, that’s one
of the responsibilities of a priest and a preacher and I know that
that kind of service is an inspiration to many people who have come
into contact with us and who we represent as a model and
inspiration for your lives and others as well.
I’m grateful to the University and Father Harrington for the
recognition he’s given us.
Q: What was one of the high points of your
teaching career here at St. John’s?
A: The presence of the Greek
students here, which is in the hundreds, is a very important one
and one that makes the University proud. George also
mentioned that many of the undergraduates of this University are
first and second, maybe even third generation. People who had
a limited opportunity in order to receive the kind of education
that has as high degree of excellence as St. John’s offers.
So, I’m grateful to the University for using a pool of very
interested and able people from the greater community, from Queens
and beyond in order to get an education and to go on to become
productive members of society.
Q: How did it feel to have your son
honored with you?
A: It’s a moment of pride and it’s
a great achievement on his part and his mother and I and the rest
of the family feel that we did what we could to help him in his
public service.
The first feeling of real pride was when we visited him at the
White House. Being in the presence of the President and the
First Lady. That was the first time and this is a very great
moment as well. I’m very pleased.