On the Road: Energy, Intelligence, Idealism

Press Release

Addressing students at the University of Chicago on Monday, Sen. Bernie Sanders told an audience packed into Rockefeller Chapel that the "energy, intelligence and idealism" of young people had been agents for change for generations. And he challenged the young audience "to stand up and be leaders today."

Sanders pointed to advances in recent decades on civil rights (the first African-American president), gay rights (marriage equality) and women's rights (workplace advances for professionals) which would have been unimaginable when he sat in the same chapel for his graduation ceremony in 1964.

Laying down a challenge to today's students, Sanders said young people, like those who have galvanized public opinion behind the push for a $15-an-hour minimum wage, can be at the vanguard of the fight for economic justice.

"When we stand together we can accomplish extraordinary things," he said.

"Please do not tell me that in the United States of America, at a time we're seeing a proliferation of millionaires and billionaires, don't tell me we have to have the highest rate of child poverty on earth," Sanders said.

"Please don't tell me that we have to be the only major country on earth that doesn't guarantee health care as a right," he added.

"Don't tell me that we cannot have the best childcare pre-K system in the world," he continued.

"Don't tell me that here in Chicago or in Vermont that we've got to have senior citizens trying to make ends meet on $12,000, $13,000, $14,000 a year ," he added. "Don't tell me we can't expand Social Security and provide a decent retirement," he said.

"I ask you as young people to stand up and be leaders in this country. Help us create a nation where every person realized the full promise of equality that is our birthright as Americans."

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