HUD Secretary Cisneros to speak at graduation

Gave Convocation address to Class to 1996 U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros is expected to accept an invitation to give the keynote speech at this year's Commencement ceremony, Interim President Claire Fagin said yesterday. Fagin said Cisneros has tentatively agreed to give the address and that she is hoping to receive written confirmation from him within the week. "Everybody says he's just a fantastic speaker," Fagin said. "And he is also a superstar in terms of things going on in Washington." Cisneros last spoke at the University less than two years ago when he gave the Class of 1996's Freshman Convocation speech, stressing the importance of multicultural living. Fagin said that positive reaction to Cisneros' Convocation speech was one of the major reasons he is being invited back to the University to present the Commencement address. "When he spoke for Freshman Convocation, everybody just loved him," Fagin said. Cisneros is a prominent Latino community leader and the former mayor of San Antonio, Tx. He was one of President Clinton's first Cabinet-level appointments after taking office. As mayor of San Antonio, Cisneros is remembered for his bold leadership on urban issues, including housing and his role in recruiting David Robinson to play basketball for the San Antonio Spurs. Last year, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke at Commencement, where she addressed the issue of free speech and the rights and responsibilities of graduates. Senior Class President Matthew Canner, a member of the selection committee, refused to comment about Cisneros last night.