Good morning. I am so pleased to be here at Amistad Academy. I just toured your school, and met with your teachers. I am impressed by the work of these outstanding teachers and by each of you. You embody the spirit of courage, freedom and justice that will always be associated with the Amistad story.

The powerful 1997 Steven Spielberg movie, "Amistad," depicted a historical moment about the need for freedom. I believe that education is the road to freedom-a basic civil right. Education can break the shackles of despair and can emancipate the soul.

The Amistad story will always be an important part of American history. Just yesterday, the Washington Post ran an essay about it by columnist Courtland Milloy.

This school is the latest chapter in the Amistad story. If anyone wants to see that freedom in action-the profound power of opportunity and choice-let them come here, to Amistad Academy. Let them visit with you and your teachers, as I have today. This is where we can see the promise of our Constitution fulfilled in the classroom, where students learn together and respect one another.

A quality education is central to the progress of our democracy. This school is a wonderful example, an educational role model. It would be a snapshot of the future if every school were to make the same commitment as this school has to inclusivity, quality and justice.

I can't help but think about the value of equal opportunity and inclusivity. Next month we celebrate another important American story, the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court decision that declared segregation in schools is unconstitutional.

That decision was a milestone in American history. It made our country nobler and better. I know. I lived under segregation for the first part of my life. I couldn't go to the same schools, eat in the same restaurants, go to the same movie theaters or even play on the same basketball courts as my white peers. America was a divided country then. It was a country that suffered because of the sickness of segregation, which institutionalized inequality, ignorance, hatred, violence and cruelty. But, we have come a long way, thanks to the commitment and vision of so many people, like Thurgood Marshall, Muhammad Ali, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and so many others. Thanks to these leaders, all Americans live with more freedom today.

They made a positive difference in my life, and in your life too. They understood the struggle for equality and freedom that will always be a legacy of the Amistad slaves.

I am proud of their legacy. I hope you are proud and share that pride every time you tell people about your school.

You are a living testament to their commitment. Education is the road to personal growth, economic security, employment and a future filled with opportunities. Every class you take makes you stronger. Every minute in school is preparing you for success. Your education is the best investment in your future. And the way to seize the future is to do well in class, read as much as possible and listen to your teachers.

Your teachers offer you the means to a better life, a life filled with more freedom, choice and rewards. And you owe a debt of thanks to your teachers. They are giving you the gift of knowledge, which is more precious than gold.

We want you to have every opportunity and to successfully compete with well-trained students from other countries. With your knowledge, you could make a positive difference, helping to address racism, poverty, environmental degradation, crime, apathy or indifference.

The president realizes that every student must have a quality, world-class education. That is why two years ago he proposed a new law called No Child Left Behind. Congress passed this law with support from Republicans and Democrats. Leaders from across the country all came together because we needed to make our schools much stronger. This law is designed to make your education even more successful and more inclusive, with more choices. And it will make teaching even better. It will provide extra help to the students and the schools who are falling behind. It will give more options for you and your parents. And you will have more resources to work with than ever before. This country is investing a record amount in elementary and secondary education, including more than $57 billion in federal aid in the new 2005 budget.

As our nation improves educational quality and equality, we will look for strong leadership from our charter schools. We will look for your individual leadership as students and future opinion-makers and scholars. You are part of a revolution that will go down in history. This law is a statement by all Americans that your education matters, no matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, Hispanic or Native American, from New Haven or anywhere else. It makes our schools more successful, inclusive and fair.

Recently, a friend of mine, Juan Williams of National Public Radio, wrote a book about the civil rights experience. My Soul Looks Back in Wonder: Voices of the Civil Rights Experience has just come out. In it, Juan talks about "the power of one," how history has been made when one person steps forward, motivating another, convincing a third, and then leading a group of people to bring about positive change.

It matters what you think and who you are. We need each of you to strive for your best, to reach for greatness in your personal growth and in your life's commitment to others. Juan spoke about how one person can make a difference. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, inspiring the creation of a free nation. Winston Churchill inspired his nation to overcome tremendous dangers and difficulties during the Second World War. Dr. Martin Luther King's dream about civil rights inspired actions that brought about a new reality for millions of Americans.

Our future is made one person at a time, one decision at a time, one action at a time. And that future is defined here, in schools like Amistad Academy.

I want to thank you again for inviting me here. I am very proud of you and of your commitment to education. I wish each of you every success and good luck on your final exams.