{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://baird.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1435", "Rep. Baird Gives Purdue University Winter 2024 Commencement Address", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "IN", "James R. Baird", "B001307", "baird.house.gov", "baird", "https://baird.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "West Lafayette, IN \u2013 Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) joined Purdue University to give the commencement address for the Winter 2024 Commencement ceremonies. Congressman Baird received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in animal science from Purdue University. In his speech, he discussed the value of a degree from Purdue University, his bipartisan work in Congress, his military service in the Vietnam War, and the importance of resilience, service, and sacrifice.\n\nHighlights from the commencement can be found below:\n\nOn the Value of a Purdue University Degree:\n\n\u201cIn receiving a Purdue degree, you are all receiving something extremely valuable, but with this great honor comes a responsibility to serve. Your degree and all of the future opportunities that come with it were earned through perseverance, determination, and sacrifice.\u201d\n\n\u201cYou are all lucky enough to be a part of an institution that other colleges and universities look to for guidance. Now you, as graduates, have the opportunity and responsibility to continue Purdue\u2019s tradition of excellence.\u201d\n\nOn Defending America and Serving in the Vietnam War:\n\n\u201cOur Vietnam Veterans did not receive the recognition and appreciation they deserved for a long time. Veterans faced a poor reception coming home from the war and were not seen as heroes, a far contrast from the celebrations following World War II. Instead, the veterans faced fierce anti-war sentiments and were blamed for the outcome of the war. We were seen as a symbol of defeat, when in fact they were extremely successful on the battlefield. As the years have progressed, Vietnam Veterans are finally receiving the gratitude they deserved. I served, despite the risks and the painful losses, out of love for my country.\u201d\n\nOn the Importance of Resilience:\n\n\u201cThere will always be roadblocks in life\u2013 an excuse not to do something, but that\u2019s where resilience comes in. Resilience carried me through Vietnam. Our gun trucks were made with scrounged armor and weapons obtained by whatever means possible and built in the field. They were not the big, well-equipped tanks you would think we had in combat. It was our ability to adapt to the circumstances and build the gun trucks that saved many American lives and delivered supplies successfully. It was mental and physical resilience that brought me through my recovery and transition back to civilian life after Vietnam. It is this resilience that can take you from the hardest moments in your life to your greatest success.\u201d\n\nOn Having a Commitment to Service:\n\n\u201cIf there is one common thread that binds your life and your career it should be a commitment to service. It was my duty to serve my country in the Army, and it was my continued desire to serve my country that motivated me to run for office. I love this country, and I want to see it changed for the better for my grandkids.\u201d\n\nOn the CHIPS Act and Purdue\u2019s Leadership:\n\n\u201cAnother key bipartisan initiative is the CHIPS Act, which has boosted domestic research and development of semiconductors. This investment has allowed Purdue to become the nation\u2019s leading university for the development of semiconductors. Once again, Purdue\u2019s excellence has set our university above the rest. I believe with historic investments like this, Indiana \u2013 with Purdue at the helm \u2013 is poised to become the Silicon Valley of the Heartland. We are on the precipice of a great comeback for American innovation, and Purdue students like you will lead the way.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://baird.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1435"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4750240370631218, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}