Back in Texas

We made the trip from Peoria to Austin, Texas today (two days, actually).

We stayed in the Krystal Aire Inn and Suite in Springfield, Mo. It featured wireless internet, an exercise room and a free hot breakfast (I had a bagel and eggs, apples and oragne juice).

I got in two miles on the hotel treadmill too. But, this hotel is 100% non-smoking! I hope that this chain continues to grow.

On Saturday, prior to leaving Peoria, I attended graduation at Bradley University. The speaker was State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias:

More than 1,100 people walked the crimson carpet at the Civic Center on Saturday morning, drawing crowds that nearly filled Carver Arena.

The commencement address was given by Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who drew laughs with his self-deprecating humor about his second-rate status as a graduation speaker but also openly expressed his distaste with the Iraq war and the government.

When Giannoulias ran for election and won in November, he became the youngest state treasurer in the nation at the age of 30.

He called for his peers in the audience to do the same – to run for office.

He said there’s a glaring absence of young, energetic and idealistic people in elected positions.

“I believe if we can harness the energy and talent exhibited by the Bradley class of 2007, we can run a less corrupt and more capable, innovative and compassionate government than our parents’ generation,” Giannoulias said.

Bradley awarded about 970 undergraduate degrees and 190 graduate degrees Saturday, [...]

Giannoulias drew big cheers when he said that his generation (he is only 30 years old) will help elect the first African American President of the United States, Barack Obama! I was one of those who loudly cheered.