Senate Journal: Page 45: Tuesday, January 14, 1997

  2nd Day TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1997 45
  The land. The richest and most productive on earth. The early Iowa
  immigrants,
  coming as they did from clay or rock filled soilsof the East or Europe,
  stood in awe of the endless acres of lush loam. They sank their roots into
  that good earth and it
  broughtboth good crops and good people.
  The people. What is Iowa without its people? We are a state of immigrants,
  hardy
  pioneers who braved nature's cruelest elements to build homes and farms, and
  raise families. Those of us who have had to do chores on a bitter cold Iowa
  January
  day can only marvel at the toughness and resilience of our parents and
  grandparents who faced the sting of those northwest winter winds, and never
  turned
  back.
  These hardiest of souls, unfettered by excessive government restrictions,
  built
  communities, schools, and churches. Education was always first with them so
  that their children could have a better life. Anyone willing to work hard
  had a chance to do
  well. Justice was based on personal responsibility and common sense. And
  life revolved around work, family, and faith.

  Hard work, education, personal responsibility, common sense, family, faith
  in God --
  those are the gifts we have been given by our Iowa forebears.
  Nineteen ninety-seven is a new beginning for Iowa. Filled with all the good
  granted
  to us by our ancestors and our creator, we face new challenges, new barriers
  to progress. But we do so with our cupboards full and our state stronger
  than ever.

  Consider, for a moment:

  More people are working in Iowa today than ever before.
  The incomes of our families are rising faster than those of other American
  families.
  We remain a good place to live and raise a family. In 1996, we were rated as
  the
  "Most Livable State," the "Healthiest State," and the "Best State for
  Families and Marriage."
  Landmark legislation last year makes Iowa the nation's leader in school
  technology.
  Iowa land values are continuing to climb -- up 16% in just the last year.
  We have the soundest state budget in the country -- with the biggest surplus
  of any
  state in the nation.
  We have already turned the corner in Iowa. From recovery to growth; from
  scraping
  by to building reserves; this state is poised for great things to come.
  Iowa is a work in progress. We can -- and must -- do more. We must make this
  a
  better state. Our growth rates are still too small; too many areas are not
  sharing in our economic gains; too many Iowans don't make enough to
  adequately support a
  family; too many of our students are not prepared to compete in a global
  economy; too many Iowans fear crime in their communities and neighborhoods;
  and Iowans pay
  too much to government in taxes.
  I know there are those of you who think that I've probably been around too
  long --
  that my first name is Governor. But I'll tellyou what; I'm not tired; I'm
  not complacent and I will pour every ounce of my energy into making this
  state a haven
  for growth and opportunity if you will help me.

Iowa General Assembly

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

© 1997 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments? sjourn@legis.iowa.gov.

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