Winter Convocation 2004

William Breault, building services

My name is Bill Breault and I’ve worked in building services here at the College for more than 30 years. I am honored that I was asked to talk at today’s Convocation and, to be honest, a little confused. People who know me will tell you that I always speak my mind. Why, I wondered, would Holy Cross give me this forum so I could speak it?

But they did. I think it was because the organizers knew I always say what I think. So let me say this. The topic of this Convocation is "what are our obligations to one another?" For me, that’s not just a nice, friendly question. Being responsible for other people - at work, at home, and in the community - is a major part of my life. It seems that too many people sit on the sidelines and are critical about the people who are out there fighting for things. For me, something that’s worth believing in is worth fighting for.

We ARE responsible for one another. We DO have an obligation. And it’s not just for the people we know. We have an obligation to our neighbors, even if we’ve never met them. We have an obligation to our co-workers, even if we never see them outside of work. We have an obligation to speak out on issues and fight the fight for people who are afraid to do it for themselves.

I live in Main South, right across the tracks. I grew up here and care about that neighborhood. I care about South Worcester where I work with residents and businesses to bring attention to that area and to keep it from being stepped on just because the people are poor.

As Bill Durgin will tell you, I’ve never been in the back pocket of the College. But I was always honest with them and they were always honest with me. I have a responsibility to the College and to the people I work with, and they have a responsibility to me.

My obligation to others is to be direct, fair and honest; to let people know where I’m coming from and why I’m doing things. My obligation to others is to fight for what I believe in, even if it isn’t always what people want to hear or even if it makes me enemies. To believe strongly in something and to stay on the sidelines is a betrayal, not only of yourself, but of everyone else.

To finish up, I care about people and neighborhoods. Part of caring for people is taking their side when they are being bullied or pushed around. I have done that almost every day of my adult life, and I intend to keep it up. That is my obligation to others.