5:05 p.m., Jan. 5, 2008--Delaware's adopted son, a native of West Virginia who was raised in Virginia, you fell in love with Delaware the first time you saw it, from the window of a military aircraft flying into the Dover Air Force Base during your first year in the U.S. Navy. In 1973 you returned to Delaware to live permanently. At the age of 29, you ran for and won your first political office, as state treasurer--a position you held for three terms. You went on to serve Delaware citizens with distinction in the U.S. House of Representatives for five terms, and then as the state's governor for two terms. You have represented us admirably in the U.S. Senate since 2001.

All told, your fellow Delawareans have elected you to statewide public office a record 12 times, surely an impressive endorsement of your courage, intelligence, leadership and tireless dedication to your adopted state.

Proud veteran and supporter of the armed forces, you attended Ohio State University as a Navy ROTC midshipman and earned a bachelor's degree in economics. You served as a naval flight officer in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and later as a P-3 aircraft mission commander. You continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until retiring from military service in 1991, after 23 years of active and reserve duty, with the rank of captain. Your experience has made you a sympathetic, knowledgeable and unfailing supporter of our men and women in the armed forces.

Two-term governor of Delaware, you worked with Republicans and Democrats and the people of this state to balance budgets, cut taxes, overhaul public education, reform welfare, preserve farm land and open space, earn Delaware its first AAA credit ratings and cement Delaware's reputation as a great place to start and grow a business. You established the 21st Century Fund, which led to the preservation of thousands of acres of agricultural land and open space and the awe-inspiring reclamation of Wilmington's Christina Riverfront. Your strong and personal leadership in economic development, which brought together business, labor and community leaders, helped to bring thousands of new jobs to Delaware.

Respected national leader, during your second term as Delaware's governor, your colleagues across the nation selected you to be vice-chairman and then chairman of the National Governors' Association (NGA), and you later directed the NGA's Center for Best Practices. You so impressed other members of the U.S. Senate that after just three years you were named Deputy Whip, the first time since 1881 that a U.S. senator from Delaware has held a leadership position. You also serve as vice chair of the Democratic Leadership Council. General Colin Powell singled you out as a national leader for your work in mentorship. You recruited over 10,000 of your fellow Delawareans to be mentors, and you lead by example by serving as a mentor yourself.

Esteemed and effective consensus builder, you have earned a reputation in Washington for bipartisan action that is rare in today's political climate. The Washington Post's David Broder called you “a notably effective and nonpartisan leader, admired and trusted on both sides of the aisle.” Your willingness to work with your colleagues across party lines enables you to achieve results that benefit your Delaware constituents and all Americans.

Ardent environmentalist, you were concerned about conservation issues long before green became the vogue. While a graduate student here at the University, you designed a production facility to make solar panels. Your commitment and leadership on environmental issues has grown with each passing year. You co-chair the Recycling Caucus in the U.S. Senate, and you lead the way as Chairman of the Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Most recently you were a key force in forging the Energy Independence and Security Act, which boosts fuel-efficiency standards for the first time in three decades.

Loyal and supportive Blue Hen, you received your master's degree in business administration from the University in 1975, and you have been a good friend and ambassador ever since. You return to campus almost every semester to meet with and discuss public policy issues with our students and many of them have had the opportunity to work in your Washington or Delaware offices. You have also contributed all of your congressional papers to the University of Delaware library, making them available to future generations of students and scholars.

Sen. Carper, for more than 30 years, in all that you have said and done as a political leader, you have held strong to your convictions, refused to give up when fighting for what is right, and most importantly, you have never forgotten that you serve the people.

John F. Kennedy once said that when the high court of history sits in judgment on each of us, we will be measured by the answers to four questions: “First, were we truly men of courage....Second, were we truly men of judgment....Third, were we truly men of integrity....Finally, were we truly men of dedication?” When these questions are asked of you, Sen. Carper, the answer will be a resounding, “Yes!”

Therefore, under the authority of the Board of Trustees of the University of Delaware, I have the great pleasure and honor of conferring upon you, Thomas R. Carper, the degree of Doctor of Laws and do declare you entitled to all the rights, honors, and privileges to that degree appertaining throughout the world. In testimony thereof, I am pleased to present to you this diploma.