John,

Congratulations to the class of 2020!

I could not be more proud of all of Oregon's 2020 graduates – at all levels of your education.

These past few months, as we were hit by a severe worldwide public health crisis, have changed all of our lives – yours, especially. End of year celebrations and recognition, school plays and sports, in-person graduations, canceled. Summer – and even fall – plans, uncertain.

I'm so sorry for these disappointments and want to thank you and your families for your good nature, your flexibility, and your understanding.

The challenges of this 2020 Spring – not to mention those we still face – will ultimately make you wiser, stronger, and better prepared, when the time comes, to take on the future and change our communities for the better.

If there ever was a time our state, country, and world needed fresh, bold perspectives, it is now. I am confident you will rise to the occasion.

I also want you to know that I consider education to be among the most important tools we have to build a better future for Oregon. That's why I will continue to do whatever I can as the People's Attorney to ensure we set up our young people to succeed and thrive.

That's also why I'll continue fighting alongside educators to ensure they have the resources to serve our students. I'll continue working to reform student loan servicing: no one's student debt should become the obligation of a lifetime!

I'll continue advocating for equity in our classrooms: we cannot leave behind our trans students; our homeless students; our students of color; our students with disabilities. And I'll continue taking on the Trump administration and Betsy DeVos to hold for-profit schools accountable and protect critical Title IX protections.

I can't wait to see what you, our newly minted Oregon graduates, will do next! If you are continuing on as students, I wish you the very best for the school year 2020-2021.

And if you are a teacher or a parent, let me say directly to you: You are truly awesome! Please know this: All of you have an ally and admirer in your state's Attorney General.

I hope to be re-elected this fall, so I can continue to do the important work we have begun to make Oregon a more fair and more just place to live.

Once again, hats off to our 2020 graduates!