House Journal: Page 47: Tuesday, January 11, 2000
We teach the Pledge of Allegiance to all our children. They are justified in asking us
if we believe, if we truly believe and live the words we have them memorize.
Do we really believe in liberty and justice for all? I believe in our heart of hearts we
do. I believe Iowa can lead the nation in delivering on this guarantee.
I’d like to invite you here this morning to stand with me, placing our hands over our
hearts, and repeating the words that our country was founded on. Let us stand a little
taller and a little straighter, and think about these simple words that should guide our
lives - particularly that last phrase.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic
for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Over the last two hundred plus years, Americans have fought and died to uphold
that vision of liberty and justice for all. We owe a debt of gratitude to those veterans
which is why we propose fully funding Iowa’s share of the World War II memorial.
Please remain standing as I close. We have now said the Pledge of Allegiance. It
will be a sign of our individual and our collective integrity, whether we live by those
words and act by them when we take action in this chamber, in the Senate Chamber
and in the Governor’s office. It will be a sign of our collective leadership that we
improve our quality of life and realize Iowa’s promise.
As we make our communities safer, our schools better our health care more
accessible, or environment cleaner, our crops and workers more valuable and our
government more accountable, people will come. As we build on our strengths of fertile
soil and fertile minds, people will come. As Ray Kinsella was told in the movie "Field of
Dreams" about our fields of opportunities: "People will come." They will come to Iowa
for reasons they can’t even fathom. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most
definitely come."
May your God, my God, and our God bless this great state and its people.
Thank you.
Governor Thomas J. Vilsack was escorted from the House chamber
by the committee previously appointed.
On motion by Rants of Woodbury, the joint convention was
dissolved at 11:15 a.m.
The House stood at ease at 11:16 a.m., until the fall of the gavel.
The House resumed session at 11:31 a.m., Speaker pro tempore
Sukup in the chair.
© 2000 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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