Senate Journal: Page 51: Tuesday, January 14, 1997

  2nd Day TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1997 51
  I am recommending we establish penalties for underage gambling and increase
  the
  penalties for underage drinking. The budget I ampresenting also includes a
  20 percent increase in funding for the successful and innovative treatment
  efforts already
  underway in Iowa communities.
  Several weeks ago, I visited Lucas Elementary School, just east of the
  Capitol in one
  of Des Moines' inner city neighborhoods, to announce an ambitious prevention
  effort we will be undertaking this year. Iowa is blessed with thousands of
  retirees who
  regularly volunteer in their communities. There is no better way to help
  at-risk children than to provide for them caring, committed adultmentors who
  will encourage
  them to stay in school and succeed.
  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 gettinginvolved in
  Iowa schools.

  The strength of our state depends on the strength of our families. Last
  year, Lt.
  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 frailelderly
  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 ourcitizens; 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.

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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