Vice President Kamala Harris congratulates cadets on 'remarkable journey'
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May 18—NEW LONDON — Vice President Kamala Harris has begun the keynote address during the 141st Commencement Exercises of the Coast Guard Academy, congratulating cadets on completing a "a remarkable journey."
Harris arrived on campus at about 11:15 a.m. after flying into the Groton-New London Airport.
The Vice President will discuss how she sees the world, the work of the Coast Guard, and the role of the cadets in each, according to a White House press release.
On foreign policy, Harris will describe the state of the world that cadets are entering, where long-standing rules and norms are under question, including in Ukraine, but also more broadly around the world. She will underscore that upholding the international rules-based order is how we ensure the safety, security, and prosperity of the United States and how we preserve stability around in the world — and that the Coast Guard plays a vital role in these efforts.
On domestic policy, Harris will discuss how the Coast Guard supports American jobs and livelihoods, ensures the resilience of our supply chains, and contributes to our efforts on climate, and cybersecurity, among other areas.
Among the Class of 2022, 39% are women and 36% are underrepresented minorities, with the largest number of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in academy history. In addition to the U.S., graduates come from Cambodia, Iceland, Jordan, Mexico, Madagascar, Palau, Panama, Rwanda and Ukraine.
Anton Kononuchenko from Ukraine got particularly loud applause as Superintendent Rear Adm. William Kelly read the names of cadets from other countries, and Kelly said, "We stand with you, Anton."
Distinguished Graduate Logan Tobias later said in his speech, "Continue to be brave, Anton. Fortune will favor you soon enough."
This is also the first year the academy is graduating cadets from the cyber systems major, created in 2018.
Superintendent Rear Adm. William Kelly told the cadets, "You have navigated the 200-week journey, you have led the Corps of Cadets through a global pandemic, and you have sprinted through the tape."
Tuesday morning, proud families looked on as cadets marched onto Washington Parade Ground for a review.
First-class cadet Olivia Gonzalez, who serves as the Regimental Workplace Climate Officer for the Corps of Cadets, is graduating after pretty much growing up on campus. She said her father is English professor Jose Gonzalez. He immigrated from El Salvador to New London at age 8.
Olivia Gonzalez said when she was growing up, her family sponsored Honduran cadets at their house, and "seeing the family atmosphere, I knew I wanted to be a part of that." She said growing up, the cadets were always so kind to her.
Gonzalez, who is from Waterford, graduated from Marine Science Magnet High School and was a government major at the academy.
In her time at the academy, she liked being involved in the affinity councils, saying she wanted to do what she could to make other people feel welcome. She was involved in Compañeros, which has a focus on Latino culture, and a part of the diversity peer educator program. Gonzalez was also a member of the crew team.
Upon graduating, she is headed to Pensacola-based Coast Guard cutter Dauntless, which works in drug interdiction and migrant interdiction missions.
The commencement ceremony can be livestreamed at uscga.edu/commencement.
This will be Vice President Kamala Harris' first visit to the academy, after delivering the keynote address at the Naval Academy last year. Like presidents, vice presidents typically rotate through the service academies; former Vice President Mike Pence came to the Coast Guard Academy in 2018.
Parking restrictions are in effect due to Harris' visit, with no parking allowed on River Ridge Road, Deshon Road, Nameaug Avenue, Oneco Avenue, Farnsworth Street, Winchester Road and Uncas Avenue until later today, at the discretion of police. Riverside Park in New London and Bluff Point State Park in Groton are also closed.
Members of the public are allowed to assemble at McKinley Park, the grass parcel on Williams Street just pass the overpass at Briggs Street, and the grass parcel across from the main gate at the academy.
