If you go into public life or if you are prominent in some other way. You will from time to time be asked to attend an event. You would like to go to that event for as short a time as possible. Because you have to be there but, you don't really enjoy it. Now, you often hear people read letters, 'Oh, I cannot be with you in person, but I am here in spirit.' More often if you go into politics, you will be places in person where you are not in spirit. But when you do those things I have one important piece of advice: Never let anyone take your coat. Because the time will come when you want to sneak out early, and through the room will ripple the cry 'Where is the Congressman's coat?'

Barney Frank, from his 2009 Commencement Address at the American University School of Public Affairs. Video and Transcript Here.