THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

COMING UP THIS WEEK MEANINGFUL WORKS OF ART AND THE DIGITAL GENERATION AND WHAT CAN COLLEGE GRADUATES LEARN FROM A FROG?

WELL, WE BEGIN WITH THE DOGGED DAYS OF SUMMER.

MARYLAND HAS NEW WORKPLACE RULES FOR WHEN THE HEATED AND HUMIDITY BECOME DANGEROUS WE SPOKE WITH LABOR SECRETARY PORTIA WU.

>> THE DAYS ARE GETTING HOTTER.

WE'RE EXPERIENCING A LOT OF OVER 90° TEMPERATURES.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE THE NEW SAFETY STANDARD.

MARYLAND'S THE FIRST STATE ON THE EAST COAST TO HAVE A STANDARD LIKE THIS.

IT APPLIES TO ALL EMPLOYERS.

INDOOR OR OUTDOOR.

WHERE EMPLOYEES ARE EXPOSED TO A HEAT INDEX OF 80° OR ABOVE.

SO BASICALLY WHAT IT IS, IT IS A SET OF COMMON SENSE STEPS THAT EMPLOYERS SHOULD TAKE AND WORKERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE ON THE JOB.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THE STEPS?

AROUND THESE PARTS A HEAT INDEX OF 80 IS A NICE DAY.

AND WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE THAN THAT.

>> IT IS A COMMON SENSE APPROACH.

FOR EMPLOYERS THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THEY NEED TO DO.

FIRST OF ALL HAVE A PLAN.

SO YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE, WRITTEN DOWN AND EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO IF THE TEMPERATURES SPIKE.

ALSO, MAKE SURE YOUR WORKERS AND MANAGERS ARE TRAINED ON THAT PLAN SO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

AND BE MONITORING THE HEAT.

YOU CAN DO THAT IN A HOST OF WAYS THERE ARE APPS RIGHT NOW THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHEN THEY NEED TO TAKE ACTION.

AND THEN THE STEPS IN THOSE PLANS ARE JUST COMMON SENSE.

THINGS A LOT OF EMPLOYERS ARE ALREADY DOING BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE THINKS ABOUT THESE THINGS.

THAT INCLUDES TAKING BREAKS, HAVING SHADE, HAVING WATER AVAILABLE SO WORKERS CAN DRINK FREQUENTLY AND ALSO HAVING A WAY TO REPORT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG AND KNOW WHAT STEPS TO TAKE NEXT.

>> Jeff: THIS FOLLOWS THE HEAT RELATED DEATH OF A BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE LAST SUMMER.

TO WHAT DEGREE WAS THAT THE IMPETUS FOR THIS CHANGE?

>> WELL, THIS HEAT STANDARD HAD ALREADY BEEN UNDER DEVELOPMENT FOR QUITE SOMETIME.

OBVIOUSLY THAT WAS A TRAGIC LOSS.

WE KNOW EVERYDAY WORKERS ARE BEING EXPOSED TO ALL KINDS OF HAZARDS AND IT IS OUR JOB AT MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO PROTECT THEM WHETHER THAT BE HEAT OR OTHER KINDS OF EXPOSURES.

BUT WE HAD BEEN WORKING ON THE STANDARD FOR A WHILE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THIS IS BECOMING AN INCREASING RISK AND HEAT IS, IN FACT, ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE WEATHER-RELATED WAYS THAT WORKERS DIE ON THE JOB.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A WRITTEN PLAN TO WHOM DOES THAT APPLY?

IS IT BIG EMPLOYERS?

SMALL EMPLOYERS?

AND EVEN YOU THINK ABOUT INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTORS WHO DON'T GET PAID IF THEY ARE NOT WORKING >> IT APPLIES TO ALL EMPLOYERS BIG OR SMALL.

BUT HERE'S THE THING... FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE A TEMPLATE ON THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WEBSITE.

THERE IS A VERSION IF YOU WANT TO CLICK ON THAT YOU CAN USE THAT AND USE WHAT IS ALREADY WRITTEN.

WE ALSO PROVIDE FREE CONSULTATION SERVICES TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

ABSOLUTELY FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL IF YOU ARE A SMALLER BUSINESS SAYING I'M NOT SURE HOW TO DO THIS YOU CAN CALL US AND WE'RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE TOES SERVICES AND HELP YOU PUT TOGETHER A PLAN.

>> Jeff: THERE IS AN ADJUSTMENT PERIOD MANDATED ADJUSTMENT PERIOD FOR A NEW EMPLOYEE WHO SAY, YOU KNOW, COMES ABOARD TRYING TO THINK OF THE WORST JOB YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE IN AUGUST, MAYBE A ROOFER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, PAVING CONTRACTOR, IF SOMEBODY STARTS AUGUST 1 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HAPPEN?

>> SO THAT IS A GREAT POINT.

IN ADDITION TO DOING THINGS LIKE HAVING REST, SHADE, WAYS TO COOL DOWN WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT HEAT AFFECTS EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY.

AND ONE OF THE KEY PARTS OF A PLAN AND WHAT YOU SHOULD DO ON THE JOB YOU NEED TO SORT OF RAMP UP OR EASE IN.

YOU SHOULDN'T BE SUDDENLY PUTTING EIGHT HOURS IN ON THE JOB IN 90° HEAT WITH NO PRIOR EXPOSURE AND GETTING YOUR BODY USED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES.

PEOPLE CAN WORK UNDER HEAT WITH THE APPROPRIATE PROTECTIONS BUT THEY DO NEED TO HAVE TIME TO LET THEIR BODIES ACLIMATIZE TO THAT WEATHER.

>> Jeff: IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT ORDERS ANYBODY TO SHUT DOWN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS IS THAT ANOTHER COMMON SENSE THING?

IS IT SOMETHING THE STATE HAS CONSIDERED DOING?

>> I'LL SAY, OF COURSE, THE STANDARD IS MEANT TO BE FLEXIBLE TO ADDRESS THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT YOU ARE FACING.

MOST OF THE MEASURES KICK IN WHEN THERE'S HEAT INDEX OF 80 OR ABOVE AND ALSO HIGH HEAT ABOVE 90°.

AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, EMPLOYERS DO NEED TO TAKE EXTRA STEPS TO HAVE MORE REQUIRED REST OR BREAKS OR OTHER MITIGATING MEASURES.

THE IDEA IS THAT BUSINESSES SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT HOW CAN THEY CONTROL THOSE THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN OPERATE SAFELY.

>> Jeff: TALK, IF YOU WOULD, ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL ASPECT OF THIS, THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THE EARLY SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE, WHICH ARE OBVIOUSLY REALLY SERIOUS CONDITIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S PART OF THE TRAINING.

PART -- WE MAY THINK I THOUGH WHAT HEAT STROKE LOOKS LIKE BY THE TIME IT GETS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT SOMEONE IS COLLAPSING IT'S TOO LATE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN RECOGNIZE EARLY SIGNS LIKE PRO FUSE SWEATING, DIZZINESS, DISORIENTATION, A RASH.

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THIS CAN MANIFEST.

IF PEOPLE HAVE THAT TRAINING AND INFORMATION, THEY CAN MONITOR THEMSELVES, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR A COWORKER OR BUDDY.

AND ALSO WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE WE ACTUALLY HAVE TALKED TO OVER 1300 INDIVIDUALS ALREADY TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION.

SO FRONTLINE WORKERS, MANAGERS, EVERYONE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW THE OTHER THING FOR PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS IT INCLUDES CONFUSION.

SO IF YOU ARE OUT IN THE HEAT AND YOU ARE GETTING CONFUSED, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HELP YOURSELF FIGURE OUT THAT IT'S HEAT EXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE WHICH POINTS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERYBODY LOOKING OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER ON THOSE DAYS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE RECOMMEND EITHER HAVE A BUDDY SYSTEM OR MAYBE LIKE A WAY TO CHECK IN.

MAYBE THAT IS JUST VIA TEXT OR WALKIE-TALKIE TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE MONITORING PARTICULARLY ON THE HIGH HEAT DAYS THINGS CAN COME ON SUDDENLY.

SO WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS ALL THE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED WE ARE THE FIRST STATE IN THE EAST OR THE NORTHEAST TO DO THIS.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN IN TALKING TO OTHER STATES MAYBE OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD?

>> SO FIRST OF ALL THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE STANDARDS ALREADY IN PLACE.

WE LOOKED AT THAT AND A LOT OF SCIENCE THAT HAS BEEN DONE BOY THE MILITARY FROM INDUSTRY THAT HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH HEAT LIKE CONSTRCTION.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES IN PLACE ALREADY.

WE ADOPTED A LOT OF THOSE.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID LEARN FROM THAT WAS THE POINT OF A CLIMATIZATION OR EASING IN AS I MENTIONED BEFORE THAT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE WITH EDUCATED ABOUT THAT AND UNDERSTAND THE STEPS THEY NEED TO TAKE.

>> Jeff: LAST QUESTION ON THIS, ARE THERE PENALTIES FOR EMPLOYERS WHO DON'T FOLLOW THE REQUIREMENTS HERE TO HAVE A PLAN AND SO FORTH?

AND WOULD THAT ALSO FIGURE TO LEAVE THEM OPEN TO LIABILITY IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?

>> SO UNDER MARYLAND LAW, YES, EMPLOYERS CAN HAVE PENALTIES IMPOSED ON THEM IF THEY DON'T COMPLY WITH THE LAW OR IF THEY WILLFULLY DISREGARD THE LAW.

OUR EMPHASIS RIGHT NOW IS REALLY ON OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THESE NEW OBLIGATIONS AND THAT THEY HAVE THE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THEM AND KEEP EVERYONE SAFE ON THE JOB.

>> Jeff: BEFORE WE GO YOUR DEPARTMENT HANDLES UNEMPLOYMENT DATA IN THE STATE.

WE KNOW THE FEDS HAVE BEEN LAYING OFF A LOT OF FEDERAL WORKERS.

A LOT OF WHOM LIVE IN MARYLAND.

ARE YOU SEEING THAT REFLECTED IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT DATA AT THIS POINT?

>> WE ARE SEEING SOME UPTICK IN THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS.

WE'VE HAD OVER 1800 MARYLANDERS FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE HERE IN THE STATE.

SO WE KNOW THAT THERE IS AN INCREASE OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE MANY ACTIONS WHERE WE'RE FEELING THE CONSEQUENCES.

WE POST OUR NUMBERS ON THE WEBSITE EVERY WEEK SO THE PUBLIC CAN SEE HOW THINGS ARE UNFOLDING AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON IT.

WE'RE ALSO PROVIDING WORKSHOPS WEEKLY, WEBINARS HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND NOT ONLY HOW TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BUT HOW TO HELP THEM LOOK FOR NEW WORK, RETOOL THEIR RESUMES, FIGURE OUT IF MAYBE THEY ARE INTERESTED IN A CAREER TRANSITION LIKE THE FEDS TO EDS INITIATIVE THAT THE GOVERNOR LAUNCHED OF HELPING FEDS WHO MIGHT WANT TO MOVE INTO TEACHING.

WE HAVE A HUGE NEED FOR THE TEACHERS AND LEADERS IN MARYLAND SCHOOLS.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO SECRETARY WU.

NOW A BIG ECONOMIC VICTORY FOR BALTIMORE.

THE CIAA TOURNAMENT IS STAYING PUT.

HERE IS CHARLES ROBINSON.

>> WHEN THE CIAA CLOSED SHOP IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, THERE WERE QUESTIONS IF IT WOULD RETURN.

ACCORDING TO THE CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, THE CITY WHO HOSTED THE EVENT PRIOR TO BALTIMORE IS OUT.

CHARLOTTE WHICH HAD HOSTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS MADE A STRONG CASE OVERTURNING THE EVENT BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY TO SEVERAL HBCU SCHOOLS IN THE STATE.

>> A LOT OF BASKETBALL IN NORTH CAROLINA.

INCLUDING IN CHARLOTTE NBA TEAM, AND THEY HAVE OTHER ISSUES WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO USE THEIR ARENA IN DOWNTOWN CHARLOTTE THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO ACCOMMODATE THE CIAA.

THAT CONFERENCE.

WHEN THE CIAA COMES TO BALTIMORE, THEY ARE SPECIAL.

THEY GET A LOT OF ATTENTION AND ATTENDANCE AT THE TOURNAMENT HAS BEEN RISING AND SO EVEN BEYOND 2029 I HOPE THE CIAA WOULD SAY BALTIMORE IS IN IT IS A GREAT VENUE FOR US.

>> JACKIE PARKER McWILLIAMS THE CIAA COMMISSIONER MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN BALTIMORE OF AN RFP FOR THE TOURNAMENT.

SEVERAL CITIES EXPRESSED INTEREST INCLUDING CHARLOTTE.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU THREW THEIR HAT IN THE RING WITH OTHER PARTICIPATING CITIES.

IN THE END IT LIKELY CAME DOWN TO RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

>> YOU WANT TO SUPPORT EVENTS THAT HAVE REAL ECONOMIC IMPACT.

AND THIS CIAA TOURNAMENT IS ONE OF THOSE EVENTS.

WE LOST OTHER CONVENTIONS TO WASHINGTON D.C. AND OTHER CITIES OVER THE COURSE OF TIME.

OUR CONVENTION CENTER IS NOT THAT NEW AND IT'S NOT BEEN REFURBISHED IN THREE DECADES BUT THE ARENA IS COMPETITIVE.

IT IS A LOVELY SIZE FOR THIS KIND OF TOURNAMENT.

AND IT IS A VICTORY FOR VISIT BALTIMORE AND AL, OF COURSE, AND IT IS A WONDERFUL PARTING GIFT FROM HIM TO THE COMMUNITY TO SECURE THIS TOURNAMENT FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS TO COME.

>> WHILE THE TWO SIDES DOT THE I'S AND CROSS THE T'S, ONE OF THE OLDEST HBCU EVENTS WILL LIKELY CALL CHARM CITY HOME IN 2029.

IN BALTIMORE, I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: CHARLES THANK YOU.

THREE HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES IN THE MID-ATLANTIC ARE COLLABORATING ON AN ART EXHIBIT THAT FEATURES WORKS FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM IN NORFOLK.

THE GALLERY WAS FIRST HOST THE EXHIBITION TITLED DEFINE YOURSELF.

THAT'S A QUOTE FROM AUTHOR JAMES BALDWIN WHO WARNED BEING DEFINED BY OTHERS.

>> MARGARET BUREAUS ON THIS WALL IT IS A PRINT SHE WAS AN IMPORTANT BLACK FIGURE IN THE ARTS MOVEMENT IN CHICAGO AND SHE WAS THE FOUNDER OF THE DE SABLE MUSEUM.

AND BREWERS PIECE IS A REIMAGINATION OF AN ILLUSTRATION ABOUT THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE WHERE THE FEMALE FIGURE WAS SEXUALIZED AND SHE REIMAGINES IT AS AN EMPOWERED WOMAN WHO IS NOT SEXUALIZED AT ALL THIS HELPS US UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TEAM OF WANTING TO BE SEEN BUT IN ONE'S OWN TERMS IS IMPORTANT IN THIS EXHIBITION.

THE ELIZABETH SCULPTURE IS IMPORTANT.

SO SHE WAS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AMERICAN SCULPTOR AND HER WORK ASKS THE VIEWER TO COME NEAR.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HER FORMS ESPECIALLY HER FEMININE FORMS YOU SEE THE BEAUTY AND THE INNER STRENGTH THAT THEY EXUDE.

THE FACT WE ARE ABLE TO SHOW A SCULPTOR LIKE THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE THESE WORKS HIGH VALUE BUT THEY ARE FRAGILE IT'S HARD TO GET LOANS OF THEM FROM INSTITUTIONS.

IT'S SPECIAL THAT OUR STUDENTS CAN ROLL OUT OF BED AND COME INTO THE GALLERY AND BEHOLD A BEAUTIFUL AND IMPORTANT PIECE.

>> STUDENTS WERE INVOLVED IN PREPARING AND PRESENTING THE EXHIBIT.

SENIOR KEY THAN JOHNSON HAS A FAVORITE.

>> THIS IS CALLED MERCY BY DENNIS CALLED WOOD AND IT INVOLVES THE CART ACTIVITIES VISITING THIS PERSON A TEENAGER IN PRISON.

AND HE GAVE THIS PRISONER THE OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY HIS SELF IN HIS OWN TYPE OF WAY AND HE CHOSE TO DO THIS.

AND IT JUST SPOKE OUT TO ME BECAUSE OF HOW CREATIVE THIS PERSON IS.

I MEAN, JUST BY LOOKING AT THIS PRISONER YOU WANT TO ASSUME HE WOULD BE A CREATIVE AND BE ABLE TO DEPICT THIS IN AN ARTISTIC WAY AND IT MAKES ME THINK OF MYSELF, BECAUSE PEOPLE GO OFF OF FIRST APPEARANCES.

AND THEY RUN WITH THE FIRST APPEARANCES WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT YOU.

AND IT SHOWS THERE ARE DEEPER PARTS OF OURSELVES THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT UNTIL THEY ASK YOU OR UNTIL YOU SHOW IT TO THEM.

>> FOR THE DIGITAL GENERATION, THE VARIOUS STYLES AND MESSAGES ON DISPLAY STILL RESONATE.

>> EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN CREATIVE STYLE AND EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN DEPICTION WHAT THEY WANT TO TELL WHETHER IT'S WITH A PHOTOGRAPH OR A PAINTING, OR A COLLAGE.

IT'S JUST AN AWESOME ENCAPSULATION WHAT ALL WE CAN DO AS HUMAN BEINGS.

>> >> Jeff: FUNDING WAS PROVIDED BY THE ART BRIDGES FOUNDATION.

BIG CHANGES ARE COMING FOR METRO WASHINGTON TRANSIT RIDERS.

WE SPOKE WITH CHIEF TRANSPORTATION OFFICER LEROY JONES.

>> OUR BUS SYSTEM HAS 52 YEARS OLD AND WE'VE NEVER REALLY TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY REDESIGN THE OVERALL NETWORK.

LIKE WE'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS HERE AND THERE.

BUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE THE DC REGION HAS SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGED OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS.

AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE DURING THE COURSE OF THIS MET WORK REDESIGN WE HAVE TRIED TO TAKE THE BEST APPROACH FROM A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW CAN WE WORK WITH OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS TO PROVIDE THE BEST BUS NETWORK VERSUS [INAUDIBLE] WE ARE IMPLEMENTING NEW SERVICE.

THAT DOESN'T EXIST TODAY.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW ROUTE THAT WILL GO FROM THE PLAZA TO NATIONAL HARBOR.

NATIONAL HARBOR DID NOT EXIST YEARS AGO.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS A ROUTE THAT IS GOING TO BENEFIT 47 NEIGHBORHOODS TO THE WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER.

SO WE'RE DOING A LOT OF THINGS THAT IS GOING TO PROVIDE A LOT MORE CONNECTIVITY FOR OUR CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT THIS REGION.

>> Jeff: WHAT I RECALL FROM SIMILAR REIMAGININGS OF BUS NETWORKS IN OTHER PLACES IS THAT YOU WILL HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY HAPPY.

THE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET FROM DOWNTOWN TO NATIONAL HARBOR FOR EXAMPLE.

BUT THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO BE UNHAPPY.

BECAUSE THERE'S LESS FREQUENT SERVICE EITHER TO THEIR COMMUNITY OR TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO GET TO.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE THOSE THINGS?

>> YES, THAT IS DEFINITELY A SENSITIVE TOPIC AND I JUST WANT TO SAY FROM DAY ONE THE TEAM HAS WORKED REALLY HARD TO ENGAGE WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.

WE DIDN'T WAKE UP AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO REDESIGN THIS NETWORK.

WE HAVE COMPLETED THREE ROUNDS OF PUBLIC OUTREACH TO THE ENTIRE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION STARTING IN THE FALL OF 2022 WE DID ANOTHER ROUND OF FEEDBACK AND CUSTOMER INPUT.

SPRING OF 2023 AND THEN ANOTHER ROUND SPRING OF 2024.

AND THIS IS THE LARGEST PUBLIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGN THAT WE HAVE TAKEN ON HERE AT METRO.

SO MUCH SO WE HAVE ENGAGED OVER 45,000 PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY SOME ARE CURRENT CUSTOMERS AND SOME THAT COULD BE METRO CUSTOMERS.

WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED A LITTLE OVER 21,000 COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT, 2025 BUS NETWORK THAT WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT WITH THE VISIONARY NETWORK.

IN ADDITION, WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 12,000 SURVEY RESPONSES.

AND WE'VE HELD OVER 130 CUSTOMER FOCUSED EVENTS ACROSS THE REGION OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.

ALSO, IN ADDITION TO ENGAGING THE PUBLIC, WE'VE ALSO ENGAGED OUR TEAM OVER 1400 TEAM MEMBERS OVER 800 BUS OPERATORS ALMOST A THIRD OF OUR WORKFORCE.

AND OTHER OPERATION STAFF AND WE'VE ALSO HELD 120 BRIEFINGS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS THROUGHOUT THE REGION ALONG WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES.

SO WE'VE DONE -- WE'VE BEEN INTENTIONAL ABOUT TRYING TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE.

>> Jeff: AND NEW ROUTES TAKE EFFECT JUNE 29TH.

>>> A SAMPLING OF THE WORDS OF WISDOM IMPARTED AT THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AROUND OUR STATE.

GRADUATES HEARD FROM LEADERS IN VARIOUS FIELDS AND FROM A FROG.

>> WHEN SOMEONE ASKS YOU WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THAT DEGREE, IT'S OKAY IF YOU DON'T HAVE A FULL RESPONSE FOR THEM.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK BACK MANY YEARS FROM NOW, YOU AREN'T GOING TO SAY TO YOURSELF I WISH I WAS MORE CERTAIN WHAT I WANTED TO DO COMING RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY.

YOU ARE GOING TO SAY I'M PROUD OF WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED.

I'M PROUD OF WHAT I DID.

AND YOU KNOW WHO ELSE IS GOING TO BE PROUD OF YOU?

ME.

AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY THE DEFENDANT ANY THAT WE NEED FOR YOU TO HONOR.

AS WAS SUNG BY THE AMAZING CHOIR, FACING THE RISING SUN OF OUR NEW DAY BEGUN.

LET US MARCH ON.

UNTIL VICTORY IS WON.

[APPLAUSE] GOD BLESS YOU.

GO OUT AND WIN.

DO NOT FORGET THE ASSIGNMENT AND MAKE SURE YOU GO OUT THERE AND KEEP DOING THAT.

THANK YOU CLASS OF 2025.

CONGRATULATIONS FOR WHO YOU ARE AND FOR ALL YOU CONTINUE TO DO.

GOD BLESS YOU GUYS AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] >> AS A SOCIETY, WE HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY DIVIDED.

AND I DON'T JUST MEAN POLITICALLY.

I MEAN PHYSICALLY.

WE SEND AN E-MAIL RATHER THAN MEETING IN PERSON.

WE SEND A TEXT RATHER THAN TALKING ON THE PHONE.

WE PLACE AN ORDER USING DoorDash.

SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SEE OR TALK TO ANYBODY.

AND AS A PUBLIC FIGURE, I THINK ABOUT HOW INCREASED ISOLATION STUNTS COLLABORATION.

AS A MOTHER, I THINK ABOUT HOW INCREASED ISOLATION IS HARMING OUR CHILDREN.

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MORE DISCONNECTED FROM COMMUNITY THAN EVER.

AND AS A RESULT, THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM DANGEROUSLY HIGH RATES OF MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

LOOK, INNOVATION AND EFFICIENCY ARE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.

BUT WE MUST BE INTENTIONAL AND CAREFUL ABOUT HOW WE USE THEM.

>> AND WHAT MAKES YOUR NEW LIFE SO UNIQUE IS THAT YOU MUST TAKE MULTIPLE PECULIAR SPECULATIVES YOU WILL BE JUNIOR OFFICERS OF COURSE, ANSWERABLE TO COMMANDERS, CAPTAINS, ADMIN RALES AND GENERALS AND PEOPLE LIKE ME.

YOU WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW ORDERS.

EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO.

AND IF I CAN OFFER ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FROM A JUNIOR ENLISTED GUY TO NEW OFFICERS TO SAY THAT WHEN YOU SAY WITH ALL DUE RESPECT THAT IS NOT A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD.

>> I GOT CHEWED OUT MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER BECAUSE I ASSUMED I COULD SAY WHATEVER I WANTED TO IF I SAID WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.

YOU LEARN THAT THE HARD WAY.

BUT IMPORTANTLY YOU ARE NOT JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT YOU WILL BE GIVING THEM.

AND JUST AS I SEE YOU AS OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE SO YOU MUST SEE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO CALL YOU SIR AND MA'AM AS YOUR MOST SACRED CHARGE.

>> YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT JUST WHEN YOU ARE ON THE PRECIPICE OF GREATNESS, YOU WILL START TO FEEL SOME DISCOMFORT.

I'VE BECOME FAMILIAR WITH DISCOMFORT.

I'VE SAT WITH IT.

I'VE STAYED UP THROUGH SLEEP BUILDING NIGHTS.

I'VE PUSHED MY WAY THROUGH UNCERTAIN MOMENTS LIKE THE ONES THAT YOU HAVE SURELY VISITED DURING THE COURSE OF THIS JOURNEY.

IT HASN'T BEEN EASY.

BUT THOSE MOMENTS HAVE DRIVEN YOU TO GET UP EVERYDAY AND WORK TOWARD YOUR GOALS.

YOU'VE LEARNED I'M SURE BY NOW, TO LEAN IN, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU LEAN IN AND WHEN THE DISCOMFORT COMES THAT MEANS YOU ARE ALMOST THERE.

AND ONCE YOU GET TO THE OTHER SIDE, I CAN ASSURE YOU IT'S ALWAYS WORTH IT.

SUCCESS FEELS SO MUCH SWEETER AFTER STRUGGLE.

>> I'VE BEEN ON OVER 80 TEAMS IN MY LIFETIME.

AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE BEST TEAMMATES MAKE THE GREATEST TEAMS.

WHEN YOU PEOPLE BELIEVE IN YOU, MAN IT CHANGES THE GAME.

WHEN YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, THAT CHANGES YOUR LIFE.

HOW DO YOU BECOME THE BEST TEAMMATE?

EASY.

BY BEING YOU FULLY TURNED UP.

THERE ARE SO MANY OUTSIDE VOICES THAT WE ALL HEAR.

MYSELF INCLUDED.

I'M HERE TO SAY MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS THE ABSOLUTE LOUDEST.

HOW DO YOU TALK TO YOURSELF, HOW DO YOU VIEW YOURSELF, WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?

WE WANT YOU TO FIND YOUR SUPERPOWER MANY OF YOU DON'T KNOW YOURS YET AND THAT IS WHEN THE FUN BEGINS.

SPIDER-MAN, LEARNED TO CAST HIS WEB.

SUPERMAN HE LEARNED HE COULD FLY.

YOURS MAYBE MORE SUBTLE BUT I PROMISE YOU, IT'S JUST AS POWERFUL.

>> PLEASE WELCOME YOUR 2025 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER KERMIT THE FROG.

[APPLAUSE] >> WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BIT YOUNGER THAN ALL OF YOU I USED TO HAVE FUN IN THE SWAMP PLAYING LEAPFROG IT WAS OUR FAVORITE GAME.

KIND OF OUR ONLY GAME.

BUT WE LOVED IT.

EXCEPT FOR MY COUSIN ALBERT.

HE NEVER ACTUALLY LEAPT.

HE STEPPED ON YOUR BACK AND USED YOUR HEAD LIKE A LILLEY PAD.

SURE HE GOT AHEAD, BUT HE WAS ONLY BY STEPPING ON YOU.

WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IS HOW YOU SUCCEED.

AND SOME CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IT.

BUT I KNOW THEY ARE WRONG.

AS YOU PREPARE TO TAKE THIS BIG LEAP INTO REAL-LIFE, HERE IS A LITTLE ADVICE.

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO LISTEN TO A FROG.

RATHER THAN JUMPING OVER SOMEONE TO GET WHAT YOU WANT, CONSIDER REACHING OUT YOUR HAND AND TAKING THE LEAP SIDE-BY-SIDE.

BECAUSE LIFE IS BETTER WHEN WE LEAP TOGETHER.

>> Jeff: KERMIT THE FROG IS NOT MAKING THE ROUNDS OF THE NATION'S COLLEGES.

HE WAS RETURNING TO HIS ROOTS AT COLLEGE PARK WHERE HIS CREATOR JIM HENSON, WAS ONCE A STUDENT.

>>> AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU MONDAY EVENIN AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

[♪♪]