House Journal: Page 59: Tuesday, January 12, 1999

	President Kramer then presented Governor Terry E. Branstad who 

delivered the following condition of the state address:
President Kramer, Speaker Corbett, Lieutenant Governor Corning, Governor-Elect 
Vilsack, Lieutenant Governor-Elect Pederson, Chief Justice McGiverin, Justices and 
Judges, State Officials, Senators and Representatives, Distinguished Guests, and 
Friends.  
On this, my last State of the State Address, pardon me if I get just a little bit 
nostalgic.  I vividly recall, back in 1982, when then Governor Ray was being touted for 
his 14 years of outstanding service.  My friend Senator Chuck Grassley, in his own 
unique style, rose before the assembled throng and pronounced that Governor Ray was 
"the longest Governor in the history of Iowa."  Well, I've never been accused of being 
the "longest" Governor in Iowa; the shortest, maybe; but never the longest.
These past 16 years have been the best years of my life.  Challenging, yes; stressful, 
at times; demanding, always.  But I was and remain invigorated each and every day by 
my love for this state and its people.  To all of you who have put up with my mustache, 
my less than silver tongue, and my Iowa earnestness over all these years, I say thank 
you.
Thank you for giving this farm boy from Winnebago County a chance to be your 
Governor.  I will never forget the honor you gave me when I led you well, nor the 
tender mercies you showed when I struggled with you to find a better way.
To the members of the General Assembly past and present, to Lieutenant Governor 
Corning, my partner of the last eight years, and our State officials, and all those 
Iowans who dared to dream with me of better things to come, I say thank you.  You've 
built a better Iowa for all of us.
It's been a great run.
? In January 1983, the unemployment rate was 8.9 percent and 126,000 
Iowans were out of work.  Today, our unemployment rate is 2.5 percent 
and more Iowans are working than ever before.
? Sixteen years ago, our budget was not balanced and taxes had to be 
raised.  In 1999, we have a record budget surplus, and taxes have been 
cut four years in a row, and should be cut again this year.
? In 1983, we were in the midst of a farm crisis where we literally lost a 
generation of Iowans.  As we approach the 21st century, we can be proud 
that Iowa is growing again, and a majority of our counties are gaining 
population.
I can go on:
? The unemployment trust fund - from a $63 million deficit to a surplus of 
over $750 million;
? Manufacturing jobs, up almost 24 percent, despite a decline nationally, 
with payroll jobs up 40 percent;
? Per capita income, up 115 percent;
? Housing values, 147 percent higher in the last ten years;
? Factory exports, up 234 percent and business failures, down 80 percent 
in the last decade.

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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