Outgoing Union College President Roger Hull is calling on Congress to create mandatory two-year military or social service requirement for young adults.
The 62-year-old Hull, retires as president of the liberal arts school in Schenectady later this month after 15 years, was awarded an honorary doctorate before giving the keynote graduation speech yesterday.
Hull recalled the spirit of community service that followed the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. He noted that more than 17-hundred U-S soldiers have died in military action in Afghanistan and Iraq since and wondered why many Americans have — quote — “reverted back to the life they lived prior to 9/11.”
Said Hull, “Why do so few of us care? Why do so few of us share the burden?”
His proposal for two-year service in the military or in a social program received mild applause from the hundreds of family and friends watching the ceremony.