RE-ELECT
SHERIFF JESSE BANE
Harford County, Maryland

"Leadership... With Vision"

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The following speech was delivered by Sheriff Jesse Bane at the annual Al Cesky Scholarship Banquet in May, 2009. Sheriff Bane was the guest speaker at this event. The Al Cesky Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to Harford County high school seniors who excel in both athletics and academics, and who best demonstrate the values reflected in the life of Al Cesky.

Good Evening.

I am truly honored to be here this evening. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe that I would have the opportunity to speak at an Al Cesky event and I am grateful to Bud Ramsey, the Board and this distinguished audience for giving me this opportunity.

I remember Al Cesky. I attended Bel Air High School during some of those years when he was “The Coach”. I remember that he was not the tallest man in the world, but in my eyes he was a giant. He taught some of my gym classes and he even disciplined me once when I got out of line. Getting out of line may be something you find hard to fathom of me as your Sheriff, but I confess that, as a boy, I did have my moments.

Getting back to the matter at hand, a favorite line I use often that is most appropriate this evening is a quote from a John Wayne movie. Mr. Wayne and several other cowboys had just buried a friend. As they mounted their horses, one of them commented with words to the effect that life would not be the same without their best friend; to which John Wayne replied, “A man is never gone until he is forgotten.”

Another quote that has great meaning to me and best describes some of the reasons why we remember Al Cesky is one I display in my office and keep next to my computer at home. It simply states,
          In the end, each of us will be judged by our standard of life,
               Not by our standard of living;
          By our measure of giving,
               Not by our measure of wealth,
          And by our simple goodness,
               Not by our seeming greatness.

For me, preparing comments for this evening was no easy matter. I thought long and hard about what I should say that would honor both the memory of Mr. Cesky and this distinguished group of students. For occasions like these, I always look for those words that will remain with us for a life time. But I also know that because our memories can be short, much of what I say this evening, if not everything, will be erased in our memories by time. I say this from my own life’s experiences, for I cannot tell you who spoke or what he or she said at my commencement exercises for high school or college; nor do I remember who spoke or what he or she said when I graduated from the police academy. I’m certain they were persons of notoriety but I must admit their words of wisdom escape me.

Seeking answers to my dilemma, I asked myself the question, “What would Al Cesky want me to say?” That’s all that matters. Following his example, he was a man of few words. So, my delivery this evening will be brief. He was also a man who knew that, if you had the desire, you would dig deeply to do your best. He also believed that each of us had life experiences that were valuable to us; so we should share those experiences with others because they had meaning, and they carried some significant measure of worth to anyone who would listen.

So here I am; a police officer with 38 years of experience with our mean streets. In those 38 years, I have learned what Al Cesky knew; THAT A CHILD WILL GROW TO BECOME WHAT WE WANT HIM OR HER TO BE IF WE LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND GIVE HIM OR HER THE SUPPORTS HE OR SHE SO DESPERATELY NEEDS.

To understand the value of our parents, let me paint you a picture based on 38 years of observation of life on the other side of the tracks for many children. I see lives and hopes destroyed by alcohol and addictions. I see children who are homeless and travel from home to home hoping that their friends’ parents will give them a place to stay and meal to eat for just one day. I see children who are victims of violence, abuse and sexual molestation. Today, there are children having children; and children who should be graduating high school but who have given up on life instead. They are unable to read or write and they possess little, if any, job skills. Our children are murdering themselves, committing suicides in record numbers, At this time, there are 11 children in the Harford County Detention Center. Most of them are 17 years old, but we have had them as young as 13, both male and female. These are children who used handguns and dangerous weapons in the commission of a violent crime. Their rights have been waived as juveniles and they are now going to be tried as adults. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture. Sadly, I did not see this as a child growing up in Harford County. But today I see it too often and I see the problems growing to epidemic proportions.

In nearly all these circumstances, there is one common denominator; a lack of proper parenting or no parents at all. While such problems were once confined to lower income and crime ridden communities, the problem traverses the fabric of many American families today. In many communities in which I speak when we gather to address juvenile crime and gangs, I find a lack of understanding as to why we are losing our children, particularly to gangs. I tell the people, and I would ask each of you to rent the movie "FREEDOM WRITERS". It is a true account of the lives of children in an inner city neighborhood who are destined for a future of violence, drugs and death. When you view the conditions and circumstances under which these children are being raised, you will develop a greater appreciation for our good fortunes and the opportunities our parents provide for us.

To our young people this evening, I say you are very fortunate to have parents who love you and did everything possible to prepare you for the life and challenges that lie before you. Their job is nearly completed, and they have done it well.

To our students, I shift the emphasis to you. There is a certain peace about me this evening. Seeing you here tonight, knowing what you have accomplished, and hearing of your plans for your future signals the passing of a torch from my generation to a new generation that is prepared for the challenges that lie ahead for you, for us, and for our country. When you pass through that door from high school to life, you will find many challenges, some that will seem insurmountable. But don’t you give up. We need you. Our future is in your hands.

I would like to challenge each of you to make a difference, for it is your obligation to do so. We are here this evening because of one person who made a difference. I speak now of Al Cesky. Here we are, years after his death, celebrating his life and his belief that he could make a difference in the life of a child. I spoke earlier of the movie, “FREEDOM WRITERS”. When you watch it, you will see how one teacher was able to turn around the lives of a group of students whom many of us would have written off; only to have many of them graduate colleges and universities of world renown. Do not spend the investment of your parents on your self alone. Remember that you must pass some of that along to your children and the next generation.

To the students here this evening, I am honored to make your acquaintance. I hold great hope for you and I know you will do well. It appears you are not only talented on the playing field but in the academic arena as well. I know you will make use of your God-given talents to secure a better future, not only for yourselves, but for each and every one of us in this room. There could be no better tribute that any of you could make to Al Cesky than to dedicate your lives to making a difference.

God Bless and I wish you God’s speed.