Senate Journal: Page 29: Tuesday, January 15, 2002
Please join me in saluting these folks and the thousands of other Iowa heroes, now
and in the past, who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice so much to protect the
blessings of our liberty.
The events of September 11 caused all Americans to reassess our own safety and
security. Here in Iowa, we responded immediately by sending members of our
National Guard to protect our airports and research labs. And we have undertaken a
longer-term response, as well, by surveying our state’s critical assets so we can provide
the security Iowans require.
There is nothing more important than protecting the security of our families and
our future—making sure that every Iowan has an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of
liberty promised in our Constitution.
But those blessings of liberty can be threatened by more than acts of violence; they
can be destroyed by ignorance, illness, and the inability to earn a decent living.
Providing hope—protecting family security, building a brighter future for Iowa’s
families—was a mission we embarked on well before September 11. And with the help
and cooperation of the legislature, we have made important progress.
More than at any time in history, a world-class education is essential to both the
economic security of individual Iowans and the future economy of our state. For the
past three years, we have worked very hard to make education Iowa’s number one
priority.
For the first time, the State of Iowa has partnered with local school districts, to
invest in modernization, new construction, and other critical needs so that schools are
up to date and a safe place for kids to learn.
We have invested in recruiting and retaining quality teachers. We worked to pass
an important program to boost teacher pay in Iowa, while providing training and
mentoring to support our teachers.
We have invested in the smaller classes that are essential to ensure that children
get the attention they need to learn and excel. We are committed to reducing class
sizes. And as a result of that commitment, we have begun to see results. Last year,
after ten years of decline, Iowa’s elementary students’ reading comprehension test
scores showed improvement. Those same students were among the nation’s leaders in
progress in math and science. These numbers, though just a beginning, reflect the
wisdom of our investment, and point to a brighter future for our children and our state.
I want to congratulate the schoolchildren of Iowa, and their parents and teachers,
for this heartening improvement in performance. And I want to thank the members of
this legislature for making support for smaller class sizes a priority in Iowa. Your
actions have made a difference for our children—and for our state.
Yet, we know that children cannot learn or reach their full potential when their
health is threatened. Access to quality, affordable health care ought to be the right of
every Iowa child.
© 2002 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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