Troy, N.Y — United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) will speak at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 199th Commencement, on Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. at the Harkness Field.

“Senator Clinton is a national and global leader, focusing on issues of national security, innovation and science, and education.  She has given important focus to regional economic development, paying particular attention to upstate New York concerns,” said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. “We are delighted and honored to have her speak to the next generation of leaders in science, technology, and the arts at the May Rensselaer commencement.” 

Senator Clinton is the only First Lady ever elected to the United States Senate, where she has served since 2000.  She is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Committees for Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and Environment and Public Works. 

Senator Clinton’s stated priorities are homeland security, economic security, and national security, along with improving health care, promoting education and protecting the environment.

She has been an advocate for support of basic research, including co-sponsoring the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act.  She is also a strong advocate for improving access to higher education.

Clinton, a long-time advocate for children, is author of several books including It Takes a Village:and Other Lessons Children Teach Us, and Living History.  She attended Wellesley College and Yale Law School.

Rensselaer will confer an honorary degree on Senator Clinton at the May Commencement. 

Contact: Theresa Bourgeois
Phone: (518) 276-2840
E-mail: bourgt@rpi.edu