Senate Journal: Page 88: Friday, January 15, 1999

  Today in Iowa, hundreds of Iowa's best farmers and Iowa's best workers face
  a
  tomorrow of real uncertainty.  Let us promise today that we will not forget
  their
  struggle.  Let us pledge today that we will act swiftly and decisively to
  help when and
  where help is needed most.

  Changes in agriculture and expanding opportunities in our commercial centers
  creates an economic development challenge and opportunity.

  We often speak as if there were two Iowas - one rural and one urban.  If we
  are to
  thrive we must do so as one and we will do so as one.  Combining our rich
  soil, our
  strong work ethic, and quality education system we can unleash the economic
  power of
  every kernel of corn and every soybean grown in our fields.

  As the food capital of the world, we can add real value to our crops and
  open up new
  markets in the state giving hope to our farmers.  At the same time, with
  each new
  product comes the need for research and development, for processing and
  manufacturing, and for marketing that creates the opportunity for high-tech
  - high-
  paying jobs in commercial centers and surrounding communities.

  With a real commitment from all of us, today's dream of Iowa as the food
  capital
  will build a brighter economic future in tomorrow's Iowa.

  With a sense of hope and excitement, we enter a new century with the
  development
  of a new economy not built solely on the strength of our bodies but more on
  the power
  of our intellect.  Iowa is poised to take real advantage of that new economy
  and to offer
  businesses and industries that locate here the promise of long-term
  profitability built
  on the quality of our workers and our long-term investment in their
  continued
  education.

  Our population is stable, but to realize the promise of the future we must
  be able to
  retain and to attract young people to our state.  Let me start by inviting
  my own sons
  to make Iowa their lifetime home and to encourage you to invite the children
  of our
  state to be a part of its future.  To Jess and Doug, and to all the young
  people of this
  state, I say we need you.  Our state's future depends upon your intellect,
  your
  creativity, your energy.

  I realize that if young people are to stay or come back home, we must do our
  part
  before we ask them to do their part.  We must invest in schools.  We must
  support the
  arts.  We must expand cultural diversity and opportunity.  We must recognize
  the
  importance of recreation.  Let us seal that bargain today for a better Iowa
  tomorrow.

  To the members of the general assembly, let me repeat what Governor Harold
  Hughes said in his first inaugural address, and I quote:

  "As we meet, the question uppermost in the minds of the citizens we
  represent is
  whether or not you of the legislature with a substantial majority and I the
  democratic
  governor can work together to develop a constructive legislative program for
  the good

  of the state.  As I see it, we have no choice - if we are to keep faith with
  our oaths of
  office."

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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