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This year, the US Senator John Hines Award for greatest public service by an elected or appointed official is given to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Sandra Day O'Connor is one of America's most respected and influential public officials. From an early age she set her sights on success. She graduated from high school at 16. Then from Stanford University with honors. In 1972, she became the first woman to hold the position of majority leader in the United States Senate. 10 years later, she made history again, becoming the first woman to serve on the US Supreme Court. During her tenure, she has emerged as a pivotal decision maker, distinguished by for thorough consideration of complex issues, and her determination to keep the scales of justice balanced and fair. For life away from the court is equally accomplished. In addition to being a mother of three, she is a tireless volunteer, and a strong advocate for public service. The Jefferson awards is proud to salute Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. My serious regret is that we're not assembled here tonight as a political nominating convention in which I had been empowered to place a nomination for president the name of Sandra Day O'Connor. I could do that with unrestrained gusto. Because I believe that she would bring to this country, the kind of practical sense of leadership that we would love. But tonight, we'll do the best. And we are presenting her with the best Johnson Foundation has to offer. And that is the award for public service.

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
Well, Charlie Bartlett, that's so kind of an introduction. And I am so honored. You know, these awards were held for many years that the Supreme Court, and I had the privilege of sponsoring them for a number of years, and I love listening to all listen, I can't believe now I'm receiving an award. There's a little poem from the 19th century that I liked, and I'm not going to read it all it describes an older man who had a journey to make them foot. It took him through river in a deep canyon. And after crossing it he stayed and built a bridge across the little river. Old man said a fellow pilgrim near you're wasting strength with building here your journey will end with the ending day. You never again must pass this way. You cross the chasm deep and wide why build you the bridge at the even tide? The builder lifted his old gray head, good friend in the path I've come he said there are follow up after me today a youth who speak must pass this way. That chasm has been not to me to that bear here you may a pitfall be he tumors cross and the Twilight them, good friend, I'm building the bridge for him. Now, ours is a nation built on pride and sacrifice and commitment to shared values on a willingness of our citizen is to give up their time and their energy for the good of the whole. The American Institute for Public Service supports and encourages our citizens to engage in public service. Indeed, for all of the good that can be done by citizens who volunteer or who become involved in political affairs or in other ways. The simple truth is that our nation needs hardworking, innovative, dedicated people to devote their working lives to its operation and improvement. We have a great nation today because those bridge builders of the past gave of themselves in a way that really mattered. Anyone who's worked in public service knows the fight never seems easy file it's being waged. You cannot expect your efforts will meet with immediate success. But the ever present understanding that you're part of something bigger than yourself, and that your efforts are paving the way for those who will follow makes a life of public service work the bumps along the way. A single generation of public servants cannot build all the gaps bridge all the gaps of inequality, and injustice, nor spam the chasms of our nation's critical needs. But if we focus our energies on sharing ideas, finding solutions, and using what's right with America, to remedy what's wrong with it, we can make a difference. Our nation needs bridges and bridges are built by those who look to the future and who dedicate themselves to helping others. Those who cross the bridge as you build. Well, thank you. And thank you, Jefferson awards are honoring some bridge builders this year and every year.