Success is Judged by How You Live Your Life, Congressman
Lindsey Graham Tells Tri-County Tech's Class of 1999

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/21/99
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Your success will be judged by how you lived your life, Congressman Lindsey Graham told the 338 graduates at Tri-County Technical College's 36th commencement.

"At the end of the day, your character is what's most important," said Congressman Graham. "Character does count. What people remember is how you lived your life."

Graham, himself a first-generation college graduate, said college changed his life and people's view of him. "People will look at you differently," Graham said to the graduates, many of whom are also first-time graduates. "My opinion of me changed. I hope you will change how you feel about yourself. You're about to embark on a new phase of life," he added.

Congressman Graham earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of South Carolina in 1977 and pursued a master of arts in public administration during 1978. He was awarded a Juris Doctorate in 1981. He established a private law practice in 1988 and served as the attorney for the town of Central and assistant attorney for Oconee County until 1992 when he was elected to the House of Representatives.

"My parents pushed me and believed in me," said Graham. "Their dream was for me to go to college. (Neither lived to see him graduate.) For those who see your kids graduate, what you've done is more important that what I've done in Congress," he said.

"You have exceeded all expectations," he said to the graduates. "It's a day to rejoice. It's the first day of a long journey. It's a day to say thank you -- a day to go home and think about all you've done and to focus on the rest of your life."
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