Senate Journal: Page 84: Friday, January 17, 2003
We face new battles-a war on terrorism at home, and, soon perhaps, a war on
terrorists abroad. Already, Iowans have lost their lives to terrorists. Already, our
National Guard has been called up-we are bracing for the worst, hoping for the best. In
difficult times our values get tested. We must be ever vigilant in protecting our
liberties as well as our rights. We should not allow the terrorists to destroy our rights
any more than our liberties. Our Iowa constitution is as precious as our Iowa soil.
Both must be tended with care.
In the past four years, Christie and I have traveled this state from corner to corner,
border to border, river to river. We will continue to do so in the years to come. We
never cease to be impressed by the landscape and awed by the people, the young and
the old. We have talked with farmers and teachers and doctors and truck drivers, and
as often as not, they ask us: "What can we do for you? What can we do for Iowa?"
I’ve thought about that, and there is an answer.
You can dream of a better Iowa.
You can act by embracing change for a better Iowa.
Dream your dreams. Plan on how to turn them into reality. Then work to do it.
The next 12 months for this state are the most critical 12 months the state has
faced for as long as I’ve lived here. Reforming the tax system. Redesigning the
education system. Re-examining the issues involving health care. Reworking the
whole theory of economic development. These all must be explored. These things are
all huge undertakings.
But if all of us-farmer and factory worker, teacher and student, firefighter and chief
executive, governor and legislator-if all of us dream and plan and work, if all of us are
willing to take bold steps, to risk failure, to build on our strengths, to love our past and
embrace our future-if we’re all willing to do that, we’ll have a New Iowa where all of us
thrive and prosper, where we can have jobs and have fun, where we can learn and lead,
where we can live and love.
By seizing the opportunities of a new transformed economy and by embracing
change, we can preserve and maintain the values we cherish for generations to come.
This is our challenge. This shall be our legacy.
You don’t always have to cross a bridge at Burlington to get to a new land.
Sometimes, you can make a new land right where you are.
God bless you, our great state, and our nation.
The Capitol View Elementary Children’s Chorus of Des Moines
sang "Iowa" by Meredith Wilson.
The benediction was offered by Cantor Laura Berkson of Temple
B’Nai Jeshurun, Des Moines.
© 2003 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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Last update: Tue Jan 21 15:50:00 CST 2003
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