Most of the speeches I see elected officials give are full of policy jargon, exaggerated claims or partisan political messages. So, it was a delight recently to hear Gov. Mike Braun and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith speak to high school FFA students from around the state.
There was no red meat or careful wording. The speeches, instead, were uplifting and full of kindness.
Beckwith kicked it off with a quick but effective address. At town halls, the controversial lieutenant governor can be combative. But this talk was positive and inspiring.
“You know, as I stand here, I’m reminded about the things that make Indiana an amazing state, one of the best states in the union, by far, because of integrity, hard work, dedication and excellence. I think there is not a better group of students that embody that than FFA members and students,” he said.
Beckwith recalled growing up in the world of agriculture with his father as president of the Michigan Dairy Association.
He encouraged the students to think beyond themselves.
“What are you leaving? What are you giving back? What are you doing to serve your fellow man, your community, your friends, your family and those that will come after you?” Beckwith asked.
He said the best leaders in his life were the ones who would sacrifice themselves to uplift others.
“That is the mark of a true leader … And those are the people that everybody wants to be around.”
Beckwith also encouraged the young Hoosiers to have empathy and be sensitive to what others are going through on life.
“You need to be walking with them, doing life with them, you know, linking arms with them. And if you do that, you’re going to be somebody that for years to come, will be very successful. No matter where your steps take you, you will be successful in everything you do.”
Braun started his speech by talking about his time in the U.S. Senate and then told the teens that he gets up early each day — without using an alarm clock — to pack as much into his day as he can.
He said most people know him as running a successful automative business, but one of the most enjoyable times of his life was as a farmer. And he stressed how important it was for him and his wife to return to their hometown of Jasper.
“You’re going to have a lot of forks in the road, and the more you get involved in what you like, it’s gonna prepare you for whatever you choose to do,” Braun said.
“You never know where life is going to take you. All I can tell you, is you’re showing right here that you’re going to be a mover and a shaker. You’re probably in the arena that I’ve enjoyed most, being a tree farmer and involved in the row crop side of it, having that turkey farm. If you get up each day, you view it with opportunity. You work hard. You never know where life might take you. Someday, you might even decide to get into public service.”
The governor ended by telling the students not to afraid of challenges.
“Always be willing to stick your neck out and take a little risk, otherwise, you’ll get down the trail and maybe be disappointed that you didn’t do more.”
I know these aren’t the kind of speeches that elected officials can give every day. They have to focus intently sometimes on budgeting, taxes and policy. But for one day it was a fond departure. And I hope the kids enjoyed it as much as I did.
Niki Kelly is editor-in-chief of indianacapitalchronicle.com, where this commentary first appeared. She has covered Indiana politics and the Indiana Statehouse since 1999 for publications including the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Send comments to editorial@therepublic.com.
