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Bradley speaks to Udall fellowship winners

Arizona Summer Wildcat

Scholarship awarded to students studying environmental conflict

The tradition of environmental awareness and legacy of Morris K. Udall was the topic of former Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Bradley's speech Saturday evening while speaking to the Udall foundation scholarship winners.

There are 80 scholarship recipients - which rewards students from around the nation studying environmental policy - who receive up to $5,000 towards their education.

"The Udall family is the finest in public service and values," Bradley said. "He came in at just the right time, just when people were realizing what protecting the environment was about - There will not be another who will do as much as he did."

The reason that there aren't condos on the hills outside Tucson was the environmental fervor of Udall, Bradley said.

While he had praise for the Udall legacy, he was concerned about the state of politics in the United States and the challenges for future leaders.

"Our democracy is imperfect, it's dominated by money, it has a media that is superficial and does not give context for any complex decisions, not enough politicians stick to their core convictions because they feel that if they do they cannot win," he explained. "You don't have to sell out to succeed."

Bradley encouraged the students to follow the traditions of Udall and not back down from their convictions for fear of not succeeding.

In the current age of prosperity and expansion a new type of leader is necessary, he said. "When you're a Udall fellow, you have an expectation to use the knowledge for change."

"You need a scientific background, a deep understanding of realities and a conviction and courage to act as Mo Udall did," he said.

One of the concerns that he pointed out was that volunteerism on campuses nation wide is at an all time high yet cynicism about the political system is also at an all time high.

"Something is discontenting the political process from yearning in young people," he said. "A commitment to public service is a commitment to see the circumstances of all people."

While the nation is going through a great period of prosperity there will always be people who are being left behind, Bradley explained. A public servant has to remain ever vigilant to the concerns of those being left behind.

"Taking interest in their lives, in health and education will make us all stronger," he said.

Urging the students to become angry, not just about environmental conditions but about human conditions and to use that passion to bring about change, he said "don't become satisfied - remain angry about conditions that still exist."

He also encouraged the students to change their view of how the country works. While it is important to the political process to retain political identity Bradley said you have to look at the situation differently.

The only thing that balances out private power is public power, he said.

"I suggest that you think of our nation not only in narrow terms - not only as democrats and republicans - but you think of our country as a three leg stool, balanced on government, private business and citizens."

In addition to Bradley, Stewart Udall, brother to the late Mo Udall, spoke to the students.

He spoke to the audience about the qualities he sees in Bradley which are the same qualities that were prominent in his brother.

After the speech Bradley presented all the recipients with certificates and thanked them for their dedication to the field of environmental study.

"This whole weekend has been really great, learning what the Udall Foundation is all about," said Alana Malar, an environmental studies major from Juniata College in Pennsylvania.

"Bradley was a very good speaker, he came off as being sincere - tonight was a real honor to be here," said Michelle Sargent, a political science student from Vassar College in New York.

Richard Clark can be reached at city@wildcat.arizona.edu.