Friday, February 3, 2023
  • Advertise
  • Submit Story Idea
  • Submit Event
  • Calendar
Arlington Today Magazine
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • People
    • Community
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
    • Uncategorized
  • Digital Editions
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • People
    • Community
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
    • Uncategorized
  • Digital Editions
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Arlington Today Magazine

Still Leading the Way

Richard Greene by Richard Greene
March 6, 2017
in Commentary, Community
0 0
0
Still Leading the Way

Wherever this banner yet waves, the rest of the world takes notice.

0
SHARES
29
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Kos-Danchak Aug 2020
Wherever this banner yet waves, the rest of the world takes notice. 

As I observe the process of a new president organizing his administration, I am reminded of the sobering responsibility accompanying an appointment to a position as our country’s representative. People serving in the top levels in the departments and agencies of our government are chosen by the president as his emissaries in carrying out the policies he was elected to pursue.

Many require the approval of the U. S. Senate, and all of them are subject to the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Related posts

February 2, 2023

February 2, 2023

When I was privileged to receive one such assignment, like all the others so chosen, I swore this oath:

“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

As those words sank in, I felt the mantle of public trust come to rest on my shoulders, and I tried to commit myself to fulfilling the responsibility all of that implied.

Then one day, I gained further realization of just how powerful the role of our country is around the globe. The occasion was an international conference where leaders of other nations were gathered in a big meeting room to discuss matters of mutual interest and chart the course for the next steps in serving the people of the countries we represented.

Our agenda suggested the occasion was destined to last most of the day, as there were many speakers to be called upon by a moderator following a schedule of topics and issues to be addressed.

Each leader spoke from his place at the tables arranged so as to form a big square where everyone could see each other. One by one, they read from prepared material, assisted by staff members sitting behind them. There was a din of noise in the room, cell phones ringing, people milling around, being distracted by side bar conversations and people coming and going from their seats.

I was surprised that so many were not paying a lot of attention to the speakers as their turns were announced. Then came the time when the moderator said, “Now we will hear from the representative of the United States.”

With those words the room suddenly became silent. Everyone stopped whatever else they were doing. All the eyes in the room turned in my direction.

They weren’t looking at Richard. Alas, few had ever met me. They were looking at the guy sitting behind a nameplate that read “The United States.” I realized at that moment something that surprised me but probably should not have. The rest of the world looks more to our country than any other.

This conference wasn’t even about anything as profound as national or world security, or economic leadership, or human rights, or anything one might have encountered on the front pages of the newspapers.

The subject we were dealing with was environmental quality. Significant, yes. But the people that day in leadership roles in other countries turned their full attention to the person representing the most successful nation in the world.

That occasion gave personal meaning to the words of John F. Kennedy on the day of his inauguration:

“I do not believe than any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it – and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.”

Perhaps political opinions and differences that divide us should be guided by the reality that we are the freest people in human history and the envy of the rest of the world.

 

Richard Greene was Arlington’s mayor from 1987-1997, was appointed by President George W. Bush as Regional Administrator to the EPA, and currently teaches in the University of Texas Arlington’s graduate program in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.

Related Posts

  • Arlington On Tap

    Popular happy hour lecture series returns next month with an eclectic speaker assembly

  • Arlington Jogging Trails

    Tails of Arlington walking and jogging trails that will make for a more fun run...

  • A Lasting Bond

    There’s no other sister city relationship like that between Arlington and Bad Königshofen

Tags: AmericaCommunityWe Know Arlington
Stephanie A. Foster

Follow Us

  • But first   coffee    The Arlington Dunkin    located at 5801 Office Park Dr  today announced it will help keep the community running with a happy hour celebration offer throughout the remainder of August  Every day beginning now through Monday  August 31  guests can power through the rest of the month and receive a FREE  Medium Hot or Iced Coffee with any purchase from 2-6 PM   On behalf of local Arlington Dunkin    franchisee  Hiren Patel  Dunkin    is proud to keep Arlington running throughout the month of August
  • Nothing soothes the soul like a trip to the Majestic Smoky Mountains  Read all about the Greene family   s    COVID-cation    and travel safety in the link in our bio
  • Read the latest message from UTA   s interim president  Teik C  Lim  by clicking the link in our bio
  • The City of Arlington announces Unity Council  Read all about this positive way for the city in the link in our bio
  • Here   s to the All Stars  Click the link in our bio to find the complete list of Arlington Today   s 2020 All Star businesses in over 160 categories
  • Put DFW Restaurant week on YOUR calendar  Support your favorite Arlington and local DFW restaurants this August 31-September 6 during restaurant week    For more info and participating restaurants  click the link in our bio
  • This Arlington radio station is making movie magic   Read all about Crystal Vasquez and her upcoming documentary about local radio station     The Ticket     by clicking the link in our bio
  • With the school year starting soon  it   s important to know what   s going on  Read all about AISD and MISD   s back to school plans in the link in our bio
  • August is for the All Stars        Click the link in our bio to read our latest edition of Arlington Today and check out your local All  Star businesses
  • 12 Mighty Orphans: There’s a fascinating ‘story behind the story’ regarding this fine film

    12 Mighty Orphans: There’s a fascinating ‘story behind the story’ regarding this fine film

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • March Scene

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Visionary Who Didn’t Give Up

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boot-scootin’ Boogie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • In case of emergency: Mansfield Fire Department introduces the ‘Vial of Life’ initiative to keep residents on the ready

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Arlington Today Magazine

Arlington Texas Area News and Events Magazine

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • (no title)
  • (no title)
  • (no title)

Category

  • Arlington News
  • Business and Education
  • Commentary
  • Community
  • Design and Interiors
  • Featured
  • People
  • Scene
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness

Recent News

February 3, 2023

February 3, 2023
  • Advertise
  • Submit Story Idea
  • Submit Event
  • Calendar

© 2022 Arlington Today - Designed by Advent Trinity Marketing Agency Web Design

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • Community
    • People
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
  • Digital Editions
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Arlington Today - Designed by Advent Trinity Marketing Agency Web Design

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add Arlington Today Magazine to your Homescreen!

Add