House Journal: Page 59: Tuesday, January 14, 1997

I envision a day when every at-risk child in Iowa has a senior
volunteer mentor.  We can truly reduce juvenile crime by helping
at-risk kids at an early age.  The best prevention efforts we
can have are ones that channel the kindness and caring of older
Iowans toward the children who need it the most.  Today, I call
on older Iowans to take part in making life better for children
by getting involved in Iowa schools.
The strength of our state depends on the strength of our
families.  Last year, Lieutenant Governor Corning and I
undertook a Campaign for the Family which has helped put more
focus on the needs of Iowa families and has involved hundreds of
people through community family forums all over the state.  
Our goal is to make Iowa the most family-friendly state in
America.  In 1997, we will continue the Campaign for the Family
and hold a Statewide Family Summit to involve Iowans even more
in strengthening our families and children.
My program for this year includes several initiatives designed
to help families be safe, stable, self-sufficient, and healthy. 
We need to implement a system of Learnfare to assure that the
children of those on welfare are getting an education, which is
their most valuable key to self-sufficiency.  I am also
recommending steps to enhance family foster care as well as
services to the frail elderly and Alzheimer's patients.  And we
should also increase preschool opportunities for at-risk
children, expand child care assistance, strengthen our parental
notification law, and prevent teens from using tobacco.
Reducing the tax burden for Iowa families; improving our
schools; making state government more technology-driven;
protecting our citizens; and, strengthening families _ these are
the challenges we face as we forge a new era in Iowa history. 
We have been given so much by those who came before us.  We are
grounded in the good earth with strong values and faith in God.
Our challenge is to employ these values to build a better Iowa _
to take bold steps to achieve breakthrough results.
Today, I stand before you, the people of Iowa, more excited
about our prospects than at any time in my past service to you.
As we stand at the precipice of the 21st century, our place in
history is not unlike that of the first settlers to this state. 
Before us is spread endless vistas of opportunity.  It is for us
to take that vista and make it our own.  We have the land, we
have the people.  We have the resources.
It is for those in this room today to provide the bold
leadership, the vision to make that future ours.  As I look
around this chamber, I see new faces and old friends.  I know
you share my enthusiasm for this state.
Let us harness that shared energy to make 1997 a year future
Iowans will not forget.  Let us not shrink from the daunting
task before us, but rise to usher in a new era of growth and
opportunity for our state.
Let us begin today.
Thank you and God bless you.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: House Journal (77th General Assembly: Session 1)

© 1997 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments? hjourn@legis.iowa.gov.

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