Senate Journal: Page 84: Friday, January 15, 1999

  "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.

  Opportunity for Iowans - all Iowans, no matter what their background, their
  economic status, or their special circumstances - to thrive.

  I am confidant this is what the Vilsack-Pederson administration will bring
  to Iowa:
  A government of optimism in a land of opportunity.  And add one other thing:
  Commitment, because optimism without commitment won't get the job done.

  It is my most fervent hope that in this state of opportunity, the government
  of
  optimism will rebuild our hopes, rekindle our dreams, reinvigorate our
  lives.

  But you can't solve problems if you can't see them.

  You can't help people if you don't know them.

  So I am pledging today to do volunteer service somewhere in our state each
  week,
  and I challenge others to do the same.  I plan to help school children with
  their
  reading, to serve meals at a homeless shelter, to help a neighborhood
  clean-up project,
  or any other task that will help me learn about the problems and the people
  working to
  solve them throughout this great state.  I know there are many needs, but I
  know also
  that Iowa has many willing hands.

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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