Out of Cambodia and into the American Dream

Sentinel & Enterprise

Updated:   06/21/2015 

By Rady Mom

Special to The Sun

Coming here today is just like coming home to family. Middlesex Community College is my loving second family that gave me my confidence and will to succeed as a young immigrant in Lowell. To me, Middlesex Community College is the community.

In 1982, I immigrated to the United States to arrive in the frigid climate of Duluth, Minn. As a very scared 12-year-old who spoke not a word of English, I was lucky to have escaped the Killing Fields of Cambodia and still have some of my family intact. War-torn Cambodia lost over 1.5 million of its citizens, in the Khmer Rouge genocide of the 1970s.

It was a horror and nightmare that can never be forgotten. We are so thankful to the United States, and Lowell, for providing us with safety and the opportunity for a new life. For this, I truly say "God Bless America" in all its ways with its many leaders and citizens.

I am living the American dream. And each of you graduating today shares that precious dream with me. As you receive your diploma, you are taking a shining step forward, forging the courage and skills necessary to implement your own path to success.

America provides opportunity like nowhere else in the world. However, it is up to us to search and recognize that opportunity even in hard times and failure.

You must always keep moving, keep looking forward, and to keep faith in your own ability to succeed.

Failure does not mean defeat. Failure makes us work harder to find our own way. We have to craft that path with the skills and lessons you learned here at Middlesex.

I am a good example. When I first ran for the City Council in 2005 I was defeated by a large margin. Had I gained that elected position, I would not have aimed higher and gained the position that I have now.

Looking back, had it not been for my temporary failure, I would not have been successful for the more important position I have today. I would not have become the first Cambodian state legislator in the history of the United States.

Failure hurts. It makes you feel that all hope is lost. It was no different for me when I thought my career in public service was over.

But little did I know at the time it was just starting.

Today is also a very emotional day for me, as I relive my Middlesex days, and join with the dreams in each of the eyes and minds of the graduates and their families.

When I came to the podium today, I took an extra moment just to gaze at the beautiful faces in the audience, and to see that the Middlesex Class of 2015 is making history and making America very proud.

You are like a full stanza of the inspirational song, "America the Beautiful." In as many ways as you are different, you bring together your strengths to move the future.

Together we face our hardships, overcome the pain and difficulties of our past, and set our collective sights on the horizon of success. Remember, you are not alone ... ever.

Remember that your family and classmates are your network for support and success. Keep them close and keep good faith in your ability to succeed. Your dreams decide your destiny.

So today, I wish to thank you for listening to my thoughts and for being an inspiration to me with your success. We are all so proud of you, what you have done, and for what you will achieve in the future.

Your success is written in the stars of life. What you believe is what you will achieve.

Lastly, like many of you, I wish to thank those that are closest to me and are my inspiration to succeed. I wish to publicly thank my lovely wife, Sirady, who not only is the mother of our four children, but my guide to stay strong as we raise our family here in Lowell.

Also, I wish to thank my parents: my mother and my late father. My parents sacrificed everything and went through untold dangers to give their children a new life in the safety of America. I wish my late father was here to see the hope and success in this room today. He would be very proud of all of you.

Lastly, I wish to leave you with one last thought: Have faith in yourself. Surround yourself with positive people and positive energy. Respect one another as you would respect a member of your family. And live life to its fullest. After all, you are the bright future of America.