Former House speaker Hastert talks to Trine graduates

ANGOLA, Ind. — Former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert told Trine University graduates that the toughest task he ever faced was teaching economics.

The former Illinois congressman addressed the graduating class at the northeastern Indiana college on Sunday. The Herald-Republican reports Hastert said his very toughest job was teaching economics to high school students, and the second hardest job was teaching basic economics to members of Congress.

Trine President Earl Brooks awarded Hastert an honorary doctorate after the speech.

Hastert served eight years as House speaker, making him the longest-serving Republican to hold the job. He retired from Congress in 2007.

Last year, former University of Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz was the commencement speaker at Trine. A year earlier it was former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight.