we come together today at gaston hall. throughout our history, this hall has served as one of the most important places for political discussion here in washington. and here it reflects the commitment we have as an academic community located in our nation's capitol to engage in a national dialogue on the issues raising her country. last month, in a message to our community, i reaffirmed a responsibility to bring the resources of our university into engagement with the challenges in our nation. and one of the ways in which we realize this commitment is through fostering and promoting the debate and dialogue that takes place on this hilltop. today, we are honored to welcome two individuals who have played an important role in shaping and directing economic policy for our country -- former chairman of the federal reserve system and the economic recovery advisory board paul volcker and vice president joe biden. mr. volcker and vice president biden have been long-term colleagues in leadership intended to promote the flourishing

we come together today at gaston hall. throughout our history, this hall has served as one of the most important places for political discussion here in washington. and here it reflects the commitment we have as an academic community located in our nation's capitol to engage on a national dialogue on the issues facing our country. last month, in a message to our community, i reaffirmed a responsibility to bring the resources of our university into engagement with the challenges in our nation. and one of the ways in which we realize this commitment is through fostering and promoting the debate and dialogue that takes place on this hilltop. today, we are honored to welcome two individuals who have played an important role in shaping and directing economic policy for our country -- former chairman of the federal reserve system and the economic recovery advisory board paul volcker and vice president joe biden. mr. volcker and vice president biden have been long-term colleagues in leadership intended to promote the flourishing

it's good to be back in gaston hall. my son, hunter, as a matter of fact, five bidens have graduated from this great university. based on tuition, i think a sidewalk should be named after me. one of my two sons, hunter biden, a brilliant young man, and two of my sister's children and two of my brother's children and it has served them all incredibly well. i was thinking that as i walked out the first time i walked on this stage was back when father owe donovan was president. he asked me to deliver the most difficult speech i have ever delivered in my life. no speech, i mean this sincerely, did i work harder on. my son joined the jesuit volunteer corp. it was a retreat filled as this hall is today. i was asked by father whether i would come and speak on how my faith had informed my public policy. i had spent most of my career, all of my career, making sure never to twain let the twain meet or to talk about my faith as it related to public policy. it was personal. i didn't know how to tell father o'donovan. i worked very h

we come together today at gaston hall. throughout our history, this hall has served as one of the most important places for political discussion here in washington. it reflects the commitment we have as an academic community located in our nation's capitol to engage on a national dialogue on the issues raising her country. last month, in a message to our community, i reaffirmed a responsibility to bring the resources of our university into engagement with the challenges in our nation. and one of the ways in which we realize this commitment is through fostering and promoting the debate and dialogue that takes place on this hilltop. honored to welcome two individuals who have played an important role in shaping and directing economic policy for our country -- former chairman of the federal reserve system and the economic recovery andsory board paul volcker vice president joe biden. mr. volcker and vice president biden have been long-term leadershipin intended to promote the andrishing of our economy promoting transparency an