University of Michigan Commencement Speech

President Bush spoke before the graduating class of the University of Michigan after receiving an honorary degree from the school. In his remarks, President Bush discussed the responsibilities of the United States in the post-Cold War era and the role it must adopt in the future. He focused upon the role of free enterprise in the American social and economic system, mentioning the administration’s policies concerning the Education: 2000 initiatives, the capital gains tax, and empowerment of American citizens. He received extended applause after mentioning the freedom of speech, which has been an issue of concern on American college campuses in recent years. He criticized the movement toward “political correctness” on college campuses, which he said mandates sheer force as a substitute for the conflict of ideas. President Bush contrasted the speech delivered by Lyndon Johnson in 1964 at the University of Michigan commencement ceremonies by introducing the concept of the “good” society, close