If my school history lessons are remembered correctly, this country was founded by a group of honorable people who chose to pledge to honor a set of basic principles - principles which incorporated a dedication to doing what is right for and by all people.  In other words:  honor.  As the federation grew and as potential states respectively sought admission to the federation, one presumes their individual state efforts were led by honorable people who also chose to pledge to honor the original set of principles set forth by the founders of this country.  In turn, again one presumes that each used that pledge as a model for the formation of governments within their own respective states.  And so we grew, and have grown, honorably and with honor.

When my daughter was only a few weeks old in early 1996, the PACT program seemed to me a tremendously good way for me to very conservatively honor my pledge to my wife and my daughter to do the best I could for the future of our daughter's education.  I signed up and gladly, faithfully, and honorably made each and every payment.  I was even so enthused, and was blessed to be able to do so, that I paid off our contractual commitment way ahead of schedule.  Each year I would receive communication from the PACT Program confirming my daughter's enrollment and the "paid-in-full" status of our contract.  Each time I would with pride file it away in the file with the original contract which until recent months I had no doubt would be honored by those I believed to be honorable.

No doubt we live in serious times.  But hasn't every time in the history of our federation of states been serious in its own right?  Haven't the honorable always emerged to honor their pledges?  Today I strain to look for honor among the so-called honorable who lead us.  The PACT Board attempting to change the rules.  The Governor remaining silent.  The Legislators opining divided views.  The Candidates squabbling over the differences between what is the "legal" thing to do and what is the "moral" thing to do.  I say: Poppycock!

I am sure we all imagine our next generation of leaders, whether business, civic, education, government, religious, military, agriculture, non-profit, or otherwise, will be honorable people, who will perform their leadership roles with the same honor not only that we expect from today's leaders, but that which we have always expected from the leaders of our country and our state.  What will we teach them, or rather, what will they learn, should we allow the pledges made to them through the PACT Program to not be honored?

The PACT Program was a pledge, a commitment, a contract - one which everyone expected and believed would be honored.  It is so easy to let the reactions to the current crisis be all about the money.  No doubt the money is serious.  But I for one believe it is time for the PACT Program leadership, the Governor, the Legislators, and the Candidates to shift their focus.  Look instead toward doing the honorable thing, and to doing what is expected of you, each and every one of you as leaders.  Honor those whom you serve.  Do this now, and we can expect honor from the leaders who come after you.  Do not, and you will not be remembered by them, or by anyone else as being honorable.  History is in front of you.  Will you show honor and be honorable?