House Journal: Page 99: Friday, January 15, 1999

	This state was settled by people who brought with them little more than ingenuity 

and determination. No problems were unsolvable. Nothing dulled their spirit for this 
beautiful, fertile land.
What would they say to Iowans today? What would they say to us? We tell pollsters 
we are generally satisfied with our lives, but are watching in dismay as we:
? see our students' test scores slip
? see many schools in need of repair
? see streams and rivers fouled by pollution
? and see methamphetamine tearing at families and communities.
These problems strike at our soul. For Iowans have always known that while we 
couldn't provide ocean views, mountain ranges, and the bright lights of the biggest 
cities, we could provide the things that really mattered: the highest standards in 
education, a clean environment, and wonderful communities to raise our families. 
When these are threatened, Iowa's very sense of self is threatened.
Our ancestors, those sturdy pioneers, would tell us to roll up our sleeves and get to 
work as a community.
"Every member of the community is important," they would tell us. "Civic 
responsibility is important," they would tell us. And they would tell us something else: 
"Don't leave anybody out. Cast a big net and draw in everyone, those new to politics, 
those who've just arrived in our state, those who have not traditionally had a voice in 
government."
Here's an amazing fact: Iowa has more small communities than any other state in 
the nation. This means that more of our people have the opportunity to serve, and be 
involved in the running of this state.
Iowa must make use of all its people. Civic responsibility cannot be left to a few. For 
civic responsibility isn't reserved for those of one background, or one gender, or one age.
Tom Vilsack gave me, an outsider to politics, an extraordinary opportunity to run 
for office, and you the citizens have given me an extraordinary opportunity to serve. I'd 
like this spirit of inclusion to spread to make this a better state for all of our citizens.
This shouldn't be hard, because Iowa has a proud history of reaching out to others. 
Whether it was welcoming Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s or piling sandbags during 
the flood of 1993, neighbor helping neighbor has been the very soul of our state. One 
writer called it "the casserole reflex" - Iowans automatically give to others in need.
The Vilsack-Pederson administration wants to build on this generous spirit to 
create opportunities for all Iowans.
It is my deepest hope that our administration will, more than anything else, stand 
for opportunity.
Opportunity for Iowa - all Iowa - to prosper.

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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Last update: Thu Jul 15 13:40:03 CDT 1999
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