Si Se Puede Award- Jose Antonio Contreras

The National Hispanic University
Commencement
June 6, 2009

Thank you Dr. Lopez... esteemed faculty and staff of The National Hispanic University & Honored Guests and Friends.

When I hear the words... "Si Se Puede" I think of the greatness that was Cesar Chavez... Someone, to who many of us, owe a great deal, A Man... who was not afraid to challenge injustice and serve the greater good. A man... who makes me proud, to be Mexican American.

These same words now pay tribute to the legacy of another great man... Dr. B. Roberto Cruz... Our school founder... who whole heartedly believed those words to be true... a man who was taken from us much too soon in life. A man who's dream was this university... a hero to me and a great many others. Thank you Dr. Cruz for your vision and your efforts, and your determination so that we could all be here today with you in our hearts and in our thoughts. I stand before you a member of the graduating class of 2009.

I stand before you a man who is thankful for this award... truly humbled. A man thankful for the support of his family... Martha my wife, my kids and grandchild... Mom... to my Dad thank you for your love and understanding. My brothers... and all my friends who are my friends today... My teachers Dr. Mary Crocker Cook... Judy Clemons... Dr. George Guim, Dee Marcus for your direction and guidance.

I would like to take this moment... to give a special thanks. It was exactly five years ago... the first weekend in June 2004, a Saturday... that I was released from the Santa Clara County Jail... I had just served 120 days of a six month sentence... for drugs. I was in jail because I was a drug abuser... And the Judge who I went before... thought more of my life than I did. His honor chose to exercise his wisdom... and put me in a program rather than send me to prison, because he saw that I was already a prisoner to drugs, he saw that I needed help, even though I couldn't see it for my self. That Judge... on that day... was my higher power. That judge on that day... saved my life by giving me the opportunity to get help... and I have never forgotten. Today I remain and have remained clean and sober and more importantly focused. That man ... the judge who saved my life is here today and I would like to say... Thank you. I would like to say Thank you to his Honor Ron Del Pozzo. Thank you for putting me where I needed to be... in jail... in a program, which lead me to where I am today... right now... a college graduate and... not an ex- con. Thank you for saving my life.

In words made famous by Nelson Mandela;

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God."

Let me say in closing... it is with Great Honor that I accept this award... it is with great humility that I say thank you... for thinking me worthy of this award that honors the memory of Dr. Cruz... a life defining award... and it is with great hopes that I say to anyone who will listen...

QUE SI SE PUEDE.