SOUTH EASTON — Superintendent Luis Lopes is pleased to share that former White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card, Jr. visited Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School’s AP Government students on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
Card discussed the events of 9/11 and how to handle crises when on-the-spot decisions need to be made. He also discussed with students the leadership skills they can develop as vocational students to prepare them for the future security of the country. A question-and-answer session was held and students were able to ask Card questions based on what they’re learning in their AP Government course.
Card was appointed in November 2000 and served as chief of staff to President George W. Bush from January 2001 to April 2006. He is the second-longest serving White House chief of staff.
As chief of staff, he coordinated the priorities of the Administration’s agenda, the development of policies and appointments of cabinet secretaries and senior officials throughout the government.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Card whispered in President Bush’s ear while the President was sitting in a classroom in Florida, telling the President that terrorists had attacked the United States. Card then led a government-wide reorganization to best allocate resources to deal with the aftermath of 9/11 and the new terrorist environment.
Card also served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Bush and directed President Bush’s transition office during the transition to the Clinton Administration. He served in President Bush’s administration as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff, and in the Reagan Administration as Special Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Card is a native of Holbrook and served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1975-1983.
“It was an honor to host Mr. Card and give our students the opportunity to hear from someone who has such an immense amount of experience in different roles, levels of government and presidential administrations,” Superintendent Lopes said. “He brought a unique firsthand perspective on many topics which allowed our students to make connections between the real world and what they’re learning in class, which is an incredibly valuable part of their education.”
Card was introduced by plumbing student Trista Sicard of Mansfield. High School administrators, School Committee members, and other special guests were also in attendance.
Card also participated in a student-led tour of the Precision Machining, Cyber Security and Automotive departments.
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