Message to the Class of 2020

Dear Friend,

Every spring, families across New Mexico gather to honor the years of hard work and sacrifice that led to graduates earning their diplomas. This year is different. Drive through graduations and homemade senior pictures have replaced large ceremonies. This pandemic may have taken away the pomp and circumstance, but I want to be sure all of our graduates know how immensely proud we are of them.

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich addresses New Mexico's graduates in the Class of 2020, May 15, 2020.

To all the Class of 2020 graduates in New Mexico, you may not be able to gather and celebrate your accomplishments in the way you had always dreamed, at least not yet. However, that doesn't change what truly matters: the lifelong friendships you formed throughout your years in school and the knowledge instilled in you by your teachers and mentors.

These are more uncertain and frankly scary times than most of us have ever experienced. But I would encourage you to not let that limit your dreams and ambitions. You are truly the future of our great state. If you put your minds to it, there is no limit to what you can accomplish. And there is so much we are counting on you to do in the months and years ahead.

I am confident that your families are even prouder of you today after seeing how you have risen to the challenge of these months of unexpected adversity. I know I am. Especially in these times, you give us all hope for the future.

To all the graduates in New Mexico, congratulations on a job well done.