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Bill Clinton accepts Spartan Statesmanship Award for Distinguished Public Service

November 18, 2015
<p>Former President Bill Clinton speaks on Nov. 18, 2015 at Kellogg Center. Clinton is a part a series of speeches created by former Gov. Jim Blanchard to promote public service among citizens. </p>

Former President Bill Clinton speaks on Nov. 18, 2015 at Kellogg Center. Clinton is a part a series of speeches created by former Gov. Jim Blanchard to promote public service among citizens.

Photo by Joshua Abraham | The State News

The last time former President Bill Clinton was on MSU's campus, he had just left office and had begun to fully involve himself in his non-governmental organization, the Clinton Foundation.

On Wednesday night, Clinton addressed a full forum of people ranging from legislators to basketball players. He accepted the Spartan Statesmanship Award for Distinguished Public Service at the Governor Jim Blanchard Public Service Forum in the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.

Clinton is the first recipient of the award.

The forum was established by former Michigan Governor Jim Blanchard and his wife Janet, after they donated $1 million to MSU.

Blanchard, an MSU alumnus, has served in the U.S. House of Representatives, was the 42nd Governor of Michigan and Ambassador to Canada under Clinton.

"Through this forum we want to encourage a new generation of public leaders and thinkers," Blanchard said.

Blanchard said he and Clinton have been friends for over 30 years and that people will remember him in years to come for not only his work but his heart.

"Bill Clinton's public service could fill ten lifetimes," Blanchard said. 

While talking about public service, Clinton addressed the recent terrorist attacks most notably in Paris last Friday.

"I'm useless today because before this thing in Paris happened, I wasn't mad at anybody," Clinton said.

He said conflict for the sake of conflict in today's politics won't solve anything.

Clinton will be going to Dayton, Ohio on Thursday to commemorate the 20 year anniversary of the end of the Bosnian War.

Clinton spoke directly about students and all citizens for their role in public service.

"We are going to share this future," Clinton said.

Clinton said inequality, instability and identity threaten this future. He said diverse opinions and groups can make things better.

"We'd be better off if it were a future of shared responsibilities, shared opportunities and a shared sense of community," he said. 

Clinton said larger, diverse opinions and groups can make the world a better place and the job will get done better.

"A lot of the protest groups you see around the world today including some in America and on our campuses are from people who feel they are not seen," Clinton said.

Before the forum, student protestors were staged in the Kellogg Center and continued throughout the speech.

President Lou Anna K. Simon said, "We're pleased we're a part of the Clinton Foundation, we're pleased he is here because we need to hear words that help inspire us, help us galvanize to action."

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Simon said it's up to students to carry the message of what they hear from Clinton much like Clinton did with the world.

Simon left for most of Clinton's speech to speak with protestors at the event.

MSU announced on Sunday it is joining the Clinton Global Initiative University and will offer a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Clinton said jokingly back when he was applying for colleges he was offered a tuition scholarship to MSU and wonders how different his life might have been if he'd taken it. 

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