Senate Journal: Page 85: Friday, January 15, 1999

  I come here this morning, a small-town Iowan who has always loved Iowa, a
  businesswoman who chose to stay in Iowa, a mother, grandmother, and aunt who
  wants her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to have opportunities
  in Iowa.
  I come here this morning to ask just one thing of you.

  Please join us.

  Please join us in this government of optimism in this lovely, rich land
  blessed by
  God and nurtured by our ancestors.  Please join us in this government of
  optimism in
  this great state of opportunity.

  Together, we can create the Iowa of our dreams.

  Thank you.

  The Mount Pleasant High School Chorus performed "Battle Hymn
  of the Republic."

  The oath of office was administered to Governor-elect Vilsack by
  Chief Justice Arthur A. McGiverin, with Mrs. Christie Vilsack
  assisting.

  President Kramer then presented Governor Tom Vilsack, who
  delivered the following inaugural address.

  Governors Fulton, Ray, and Branstad, Lt. Governors Pederson, Corning, and
  Zimmerman, Chief Justice McGiverin and distinguished members of the court
  and
  judiciary, honorable members of the general assembly - past and present,
  executive
  counsel members, and ladies and gentlemen:

  Today is a day of passages in the state of Iowa, as we inaugurate a new
  administration and look forward to the dawning of a new millennium.

  It is a day to look forward to the challenges and opportunities before us,
  to take
  stock of who we are and where we are, and to take aim at where we want to
  go.

  Before I speak of the future, let me say a word about Governor Branstad and
  Lt. Governor Corning and their families.  Governor and Lt. Governor - you
  have led us
  during the best of times and through some of the worst of times.  You have
  worked
  tirelessly to improve the management of state government and to diversify
  and
  strengthen the state's economy.  You have worked for over two decades for
  the state
  and the people that you love - to make Iowa a better place to live - and you
  leave office
  having done so.  On behalf of a grateful people, I extend our deepest
  appreciation to
  you and to your families for the sacrifices you have made on our behalf.

  Twenty-three years ago, I followed my heart to Iowa.  My wife, Christie, and
  I
  settled in her hometown of Mt. Pleasant.  We wanted to be close to family.
  Our hopes
  and dreams were simple.  We wished to raise our own family in a caring,
  warm, and

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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