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00:00:13>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
I WOULD CALL TO ORDER THE
00:00:18JOINT CONVENTION OF THE OHIO
HOUSE AND THE OHIO SENATE.
00:00:22IS THERE A QUORUM OF THE
SENATE PRESENT?
00:00:26THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE
00:00:32SENATE, SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT,
00:00:35THERE IS A QUORUM OF THE
SENATE PRESENT.
00:00:37>> THE NEXT QUESTION, IS
THERE A QUORUM OF THE HOUSE
00:00:42PRESENT?
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
00:00:46HOUSE LEADER, REPRESENTATIVE
BUHER.
00:00:51>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT,
A QUORUM OF THE HOUSE IS
00:00:54PRESENT.
>> THERE BEING A DW QUORUM
00:00:57PRESENT OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND
NAT FOR THE 124TH GENERAL
00:01:02ASSEMBLY, THE JOINT CONVENTION
IS HEREBY CALLED TO ORDER.
00:01:06I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OUR
GUESTS AT THIS POINT IN THE
00:01:10GALLERY TO PLEASE STAND, AS
WELL AS THE MEMBERS ON THE
00:01:13FLOOR, FOR A PRESENTATION OF
THE COLORS.
00:01:16THIS WILL BE DONE BY THE
WESTLAND HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR
00:01:21ROTC, AND THEN WOULD YOU
REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE
00:01:26OF ALLEGIANCE.
PLEASE PRESENT THE COLORS.
00:01:33PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE SAYING
OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
00:02:30>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF
00:02:34AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC,
FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE
00:02:38NATION, UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
00:02:42JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> , THE GOVERNOR OF THE
00:03:24STATE OF OHIO, BOB TAFT.
[APPLAUSE]
00:03:27>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
00:04:26THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
00:04:44SPEAKER HOUSEHOLDER,
PRESIDENT FINAN, MEMBERS OF
00:05:02THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR O'CONNOR,
00:05:07CHIEF JUSTICE MOYER AND THE
JUSTICES OF THE OHIO SUPREME
00:05:10COURT, ELECTED OFFICIALS,
CABINET MEMBERS, FELLOW
00:05:16OHIOANS, THANKS FOR JOINING US
TODAY.
00:05:18I AM HONORED TO DELIVER MY
THIRD STATE OF THE STATE
00:05:23ADDRESS.
AND, MY FRIENDS, THE STATE OF
00:05:26OHIO IS STRONG.
IN FACT, IT IS STRONGER TODAY
00:05:29THAN WHEN I TOOK OFFICE.
AND MY ENTHUSIASM FOR THIS
00:05:33JOB ONLY INCREASES.
EVEN AS I WATCHED THE
00:05:38INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT
BUSH, I DIDN'T THINK HE WAS
00:05:40GETTING THE BEST JOB IN
AMERICA BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE
00:05:45IT.
[APPLAUSE]
00:05:46>> AND THIS YEAR IN COLUMBUS
THERE IS AN EXCITEMENT IN THE
00:06:00AIR THAT I FIRST FELT 25 YEARS
AGO, WHEN I ENTERED THE HOUSE.
00:06:04I CAN SENSE THE ENTHUSIASM
AMONG THE NEW LETIONDERS.
00:06:08FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE, IF
THERE IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE I
00:06:12CAN GIVE TO THE FRESHMEN
MEMBERS, IT IS THIS: ALWAYS
00:06:16LISTEN TO THE GOVERNOR!
(LAUGHTER.)
00:06:22RIGHT NOW, OF COURSE, YOU
HAVE LITTLE CHOICE.
00:06:26BUT I COMMEND YOU FOR
ENTERING THE ARENA.
00:06:30AS WE TALK AND GET TO KNOW
EACH OTHER BETTER, I REALIZE
00:06:34HOW FORTUNATE WE ARE THAT MEN
AND WOMEN OF GOOD CHARACTER
00:06:37AND SOUND VALUES ARE WILLING
TO SERVE OUR STATE.
00:06:41AND TO THE MEMBERS WHO ARE
RETURNING, I THINK I SEE A FEW
00:06:46OF YOU OUT THERE SOMEWHERE,
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT THE
00:06:51LAST TWO YEARS.
IN THE MORE CHALLENGING DAYS
00:06:54AHEAD, YOUR WISDOM AND
EXPERIENCE WILL BE CALLED UPON
00:06:57AS NEVER BEFORE.
ALTHOUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
00:07:00IS ORGANIZED ALONG PARTY
LINES, SOME WOULD SAY BATTLE
00:07:04LINES, THAT IS NOT HOW MOST
OHIOANS THINK ABOUT STATE
00:07:09GOVERNMENT.
THEY DON'T SEND US HERE TO
00:07:11WAGE PARTISAN WAR.
THEY WANT RESULTS.
00:07:14THEY WANT US TO WORK TOGETHER
TO ADDRESS THE PEOPLE'S
00:07:18BUSINESS AND THE BIG ISSUES OF
OUR DAY.
00:07:22SPEAKER HOUSEHOLDER, I
CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR
00:07:26ELECTION AS LEADER OF THE
HOUSE.
00:07:28I WAS INSPIRED BY YOUR
OPENING REMARKS THAT WE MUST
00:07:32OFFER A PASSPORT OF UNLIMITED
OPPORTUNITY AND PROGRESS NOT
00:07:38PARTISANSHIP.
I ECHO THAT SENTIMENT AND
00:07:42LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
YOU AND YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM.
00:07:44AND DURING MY MANY YEARS OF
WORKING WITH YOU, SENATOR
00:07:48FINAN, I'VE SEEN YOUR
LEADERSHIP FOR OUR HOMETOWN,
00:07:52OUR ENTIRE STATE, AND AT THE
NATIONAL LEVEL.
00:07:55THANK YOU, SENATOR, AND THE
MEMBERS OF YOUR LEADERSHIP
00:07:59TEAM FOR BEING SUCH GOOD
PARTNERS THESE PAST TWO YEARS.
00:08:02TO MINORITY LEADERS FORD AND
HERINGTON, I VALUE THE
00:08:07CONTINUED COOPERATION THAT WE
HAVE HAD WITH YOU AND YOUR
00:08:11MEMBERS.
AND TO MY HARD-WORKING
00:08:14CABINET, THANKS FOR ALLOWING
ME TO REST EASY AT NIGHT,
00:08:17CONFIDENT IN THE GOOD JOB THAT
YOU DO.
00:08:21WOULD THE CABINET PLEASE
STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.
00:08:25THESE FOLKS WORK VERY, VERY
HARD FOR ALL OF US.
00:08:30[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
00:08:34LET ME THANK FIRST LADY HOPE
TAFT FOR HER TIRELESS EFFORTS
00:08:44TO HELP FAMILIES AND YOUNG
PEOPLE IN OUR STATE.
00:08:47THIS YEAR, HOPE TELLS ME THAT
SHE WILL HELP BUILD 25 HABITAT
00:08:53FOR HUMANITY HOUSES ACROSS
OHIO.
00:08:55HOPE, AFTER ALL THAT
DRILLING, HAMMERING AND
00:08:58SAWING, YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR A
UNION CARD WITH THE BUILDING
00:09:02TRADES.
[APPLAUSE]
00:09:04>> THANK YOU, HOPE, FOR ALL
THAT YOU DO FOR OHIO AND FOR
00:09:19ME.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE
00:09:21GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE'VE
ACCOMPLISHED MANY GOOD THINGS
00:09:25THIS YEAR.
THIS PAST YEAR.
00:09:26WE MERGED TWO CABINET
DEPARTMENTS TO CREATE A
00:09:30SEAMLESS SYSTEM OF WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT.
00:09:32WE REDUCED OUR WELFARE ROLLS
TO THE LOWEST LEVEL SINCE
00:09:371967.
WE CUT OUR WORKER
00:09:40COMPENSATION RATES EVEN AS
OTHER STATES WERE RAISING
00:09:43THEIRS.
WE WON PASSAGE OF THE CLEAN
00:09:45OHIO FUND TO REVITALIZE URBAN
AREAS AND PROTECT OUR
00:09:49WATERWAYS AND GREEN SPACES.
WE MADE A DRAMATIC ADDITION
00:09:52TO OUR STATE PARKS BY
PURCHASING 120 BEAUTIFUL ACRES
00:09:58ON LAKE ERIE'S MIDDLE BASS
ISLAND.
00:09:59WE ENACTED A NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED PLAN TO INVEST
00:10:04TOBACCO SETTLEMENT MONEYS IN
SMOKING CESSATION, PUBLIC
00:10:07HEALTH, MINORITY HEALTH,
EDUCATION, AND TECHNOLOGY.
00:10:11LAST YEAR, I CHALLENGED OUR
CABINET TO MOVE CUSTOMERS FROM
00:10:15IN-LINE TO ON-LINE.
TODAY, WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS.
00:10:19EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS CAN NOW
FILE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
00:10:22CLAIMS AND PAY PREMIUMS
ON-LINE.
00:10:24WITHIN TWO YEARS, HALF OF ALL
PERSONAL INCOME TAX RETURNS
00:10:29WILLING FILED ELECTRONICALLY.
THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP OF
00:10:33LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR O'CONNOR,
SOME 40,000 OHIOANS HAVE
00:10:37REGISTERED THEIR VEHICLES
QUICKLY AND CONVENIENTLY AT O
00:10:41OPLATE.COM.
WE COMPLETED THE WORK OF THE
00:10:44MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT
COMMISSION TO CREATE A MORE
00:10:47EFFICIENT, CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY
STATE GOVERNMENT.
00:10:49I WAS PLEASED THAT MY TRADE
MISSION TO JAPAN HELPED SECURE
00:10:54$127 MILLION IN NEW INVESTMENT
FOR OHIO.
00:10:57THROUGH THE JOB CREATION TAX
CREDIT, COMPANIES INVESTED
00:11:01MORE THAN $1.4 BILLION IN
OHIO, HELPING RETAIN OR CREATE
00:11:0635,000 JOBS LAST YEAR.
FINALLY, WITH YOUR HELP,
00:11:12WE'VE PROVIDED MORE THAN $2.2
BILLION IN TAX CUTS IN THE
00:11:17PAST TWO YEARS, DEDUCTIONS FOR
HEALTH CARE, JOB TRAINING,
00:11:21ADOPTION, AND RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT, RAISING THE
00:11:24HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, LOWERING
ESTATE INVENTORY TAXES, AND
00:11:28PROVIDING MORE THAN $1 BILLION
IN INCOME TAX CUTS FOR OHIO'S
00:11:35FAMILIES.
NOW, THAT'S A RECORD WE CAN
00:11:36ALL BE PROUD OF!
[APPLAUSE]
00:11:39>> IT'S A RECORD THAT
REFLECTS THE WILLINGNESS OF
00:11:52OHIOANS TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES
AND PULL TOGETHER TO GET THE
00:11:56JOB DONE.
THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF OUR
00:11:59PEOPLE, THE SPIRIT OF OHIO.
AS WE RENEW THAT SPIRIT
00:12:05TODAY, WE FACE CHALLENGES
UNSEEN IN NEARLY A DECADE.
00:12:08OUR ECONOMY IS SLOWING.
REVENUES ARE DOWN.
00:12:12AND OHIOANS ARE CONCERNED
ABOUT THE FUTURE.
00:12:14THE BUDGET THAT I WILL SUBMIT
NEXT WEEK WILL BE CHALLENGING.
00:12:18MANY AGENCIES WILL RECEIVE
LESS IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR
00:12:22THAN IN THE CURRENT ONE.
A TIGHT BUDGET REQUIRES TOUGH
00:12:27DECISIONS.
AND IN MAKING THOSE DECISIONS
00:12:31I HAD THREE GOALS: ONE, TO
BALANCE THE BUDGET WITHOUT NEW
00:12:34TAXES.
WE'VE DONE THAT.
00:12:35TWO, TO HOLD THE LINE ON
SPENDING FOR OVERHEAD AND
00:12:39REDUCE THE SIZE OF
BUREAUCRACY, WE'VE DONE THAT.
00:12:42AND FINALLY, AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY, TO INVEST 50% OF
00:12:46ALL NEW SPENDING IN EDUCATION
AT ALL LEVELS, AND I'M PROUD
00:12:50TO REPORT THAT WE'VE DONE
THAT, TOO!
00:12:55[APPLAUSE]
>> WE ARE ALREADY CONFRONTING
00:13:06OUR BUDGET CHALLENGES.
I'VE DIRECTED AGENCIES TO CUT
00:13:09SPENDING BY 2 TO 4% IN THE
REMAINDER OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.
00:13:14AND I WANT TO THANK MY
CABINET FOR YOUR COOPERATION
00:13:17AND SACRIFICE.
THE PERSONNEL CAPS RESULTING
00:13:20FROM OUR HIRING FREEZE ARE
WORKING.
00:13:22SINCE JANUARY, 1999, WE'VE
REDUCED THE SIZE OF
00:13:26NON-CORRECTIONS STAFFING BY
NEARLY 1,000 POSITIONS.
00:13:29DESPITE THESE EFFORTS, WE
HABBER NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT THE
00:13:34FUTURE.
IF WE DIP INTO A TRUE
00:13:37RECESSION, MORE DRASTIC
MEASURES WILL BE REQUIRED.
00:13:40BUT FOR US, THIS IS NOTHING
NEW.
00:13:43WE HAVE WEATHERED CHALLENGING
TIMES BEFORE.
00:13:45THE SPIRIT OF OHIO GIVES US
THE STRENGTH TO DO SO AGAIN.
00:13:51SO TODAY, AS WE CELEBRATE
SHARED ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE
00:13:55PAST, LET US CHART OUR COURSE
FOR THE FUTURE.
00:13:59ENABLING EVERY CHILD TO
SUCCEED IS MY NUMBER ONE
00:14:03PRIORITY.
IT DRIVES OUR AGENDA, AND
00:14:05FUELS MY ENTHUSIASM.
WE KNOW THAT OHIO WILL
00:14:08SUCCEED IN THE 21st CENTURY
ONLY IF OUR STUDENTS SUCCEED.
00:14:11WE HAVE MANY GOOD SCHOOLS,
AND EVEN MORE THAT ARE
00:14:15IMPROVING.
YET TOO FEW STUDENTS -- TOO
00:14:18MANY STUDENTS LEAVE SCHOOL
UNPREPARED FOR THE SKILLED
00:14:21JOBS OF TODAY.
AND WE FACE A JUNE DEADLINE
00:14:24FOR RESPONDING TO THE LATEST
DeROLPH DECISION, WORKING
00:14:29TOGETHER, WE WILL MEET THAT
CHALLENGE WITH A PLAN THAT
00:14:31GOES BEYOND ADEQUATE FUNDING,
A PLAN TO MAKE OHIO A NATIONAL
00:14:35LEADER IN STUDENT SUCCESS.
ALREADY, WE'RE WELL ON OUR
00:14:39WAY.
OUR FIRST EDUCATION BUDGET
00:14:41WAS THE LARGEST EVER, EVERRING
HALF OF NEW RESOURCES IN
00:14:46EDUCATION.
OUR $10 BILLION SCHOOL
00:14:48BUILDING PLAN IS THE MOST
COMPREHENSIVE IN THE NATION.
00:14:51AND OhioReads HAS EXCEEDED
OUR GRAITEST EXPECTATIONS.
00:14:55IN MY INAUGURAL ADDRESS I
CALLED FOR 20,000 OHIOANS TO
00:14:59SERVE AS VOLUNTEER READING
TUTORS.
00:15:02FRANKLY, SOME THOUGHT I WAS
SETTING THE BAR TOO HIGH.
00:15:05I DID NOT.
I AM PLEASED TO REPORT TODAY
00:15:10THAT WE HAVE SUR PASSED OUR
GOAL -- MORE THAN 27,000
00:15:13OHIOANS ARE MAKING A
DIFFERENCE BY TUTORING A
00:15:18CHILD!
[APPLAUSE]
00:15:20>> THANK YOU TO THE TUTORS.
IN SPITE OF OUR PROGRESS, WE
00:15:39CANNOT REST.
WE CANNOT REST UNTIL EVERY
00:15:42CHILD LEARNS HOW TO READ IN
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, UNTIL EVERY
00:15:47CHILD GRADUATES FROM HIGH
SCHOOL PREPARED FOR COLLEGE OR
00:15:49FOR THE JOBS OF TODAY.
NO, WE CANNOT REST UNTIL
00:15:53EVERY CHILD HELPS RENEW THE
SPIRIT OF OHIO.
00:15:57AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, MY STYLE
IS PLAIN AND SIMPLE -- IT'S
00:16:03LISTEN, LEARN, AND LEAD.
DURING THE PAST YEAR, I'VE
00:16:08BEEN LISTENING AND LEARNING
ALL OVER THIS GREAT STATE, IN
00:16:11SCHOOLS, ON MY FIELD TRIPS, IN
MEETINGS WITH SUPERINTENDENTS
00:16:14AND LEGISLATORS.
I'VE LISTENED TO PARENTS WHO
00:16:18WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO SUCCEED
IN COLLEGE, ON THE JOB AND IN
00:16:21LIFE.
I'VE LISTENED TO TEACHERS WHO
00:16:23KNOW THAT MODERN, SATISFY
SCHOOL BUILDINGS MEAN MORE
00:16:26LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM.
I'VE LISTENED TO SCHOOL
00:16:29LEADERS ABOUT UNFUNDED
MANDATES AND THE CHALLENGE OF
00:16:33PAYING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
AND I'VE LISTENED AS THE
00:16:36SUPREME COURT SPOKE TO US ALL
IN THEIR LANDMARK SCHOOL
00:16:40FUNDING DECISIONS.
AND HERE'S WHAT I'VE LEARNED:
00:16:43WE ALL SHARE THE SAME GOAL --
WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO
00:16:47SUCCEED.
AND WE'RE GETTING READY TO
00:16:49SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS OF
LEARNING AND MANY PEOPLE
00:16:54DESERVE THE CREDIT.
THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WHICH
00:16:57HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED
FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS; THE
00:17:01SUPREME COURT, FOR PRODDING US
FORWARD, AND TAKING INTO
00:17:05ACCOUNT THE PROGRESS WE HAVE
MADE; THOUSANDS OF EDUCATORS
00:17:08IN OUR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND
HIGH SCHOOLS WHO CARE DEEPLY
00:17:13ABOUT OUR CHILDREN.
AND, FINALLY, I'VE LEARNED
00:17:16THAT STUDENT SUCCESS IS ABOUT
MORE THAN JUST BETTER
00:17:20TEACHING, MORE THAN HIGH
STANDARDS, MORE THAN
00:17:23ACCOUNTABILITY, MORE THAN
CHOICE, EVEN MORE THAN
00:17:27ADDITIONAL MONEY.
THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES OR
00:17:30MAGIC CURES.
THE BATTLE FOR STUDENT
00:17:33SUCCESS MUST BE FOUGHT ON MANY
FRONTS.
00:17:36TOWARD THIS GOAL, I AM
ANNOUNCING A COMPREHENSIVE
00:17:43PLAN: THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR
STUDENT SUCCESS.
00:17:46IT IS ACHIEVABLE, IT IS
WORKABLE, AND IT WILL MOVE
00:17:50OHIO TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS!
[APPLAUSE]
00:17:56THE FIRST BUILDING BLOCK IS
THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS.
00:18:10IT'S ABOUT CLEAR STANDARDS.
COMMON SENSE ASSESSMENTS, AND
00:18:14HOLDING SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS
ACCOUNTABLE FOR RESULTS.
00:18:17WE WILL IMPLEMENT THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
00:18:20COMMISSION FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS, WHICH ARE FULLY
00:18:22FUNDED IN OUR BUDGET.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE
00:18:25LEADERSHIP FOR YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO INTRODUCE THE
00:18:28COMMISSION'S WORK AS HOUSE
BILL AND SENATE BILL 1.
00:18:31WHEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED, OHIO
WILL HAVE A SYSTEM OF
00:18:36STANDARDS, ASSESSMENTS AND
ACCOUNTABILITY THAT RANKS
00:18:39AMONG THE BEST IN THE NATION!
[APPLAUSE]
00:18:44>> I APPRECIATE THE
00:18:52EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT MADE BY
EACH ONE OF THE COMMISSION
00:18:55MEMBERS, LEGISLATORS,
EDUCATORS, EMPLOYERS, AND
00:18:59PARENTS.
TWO SPECIAL MEMBERS, KAY
00:19:02SHREWSBERY, A TEACHER FROM
TOLEDO, AND LEE MILLER, A
00:19:05TEACHER FROM SIDNEY, ARE WITH
US TODAY.
00:19:08KAY, AND LEE, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR HARD WORK, FOR SHARING
00:19:13YOUR CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR YOUR
00:19:15COMMITMENT TO STUDENT SUCCESS.
WE APPRECIATE IT!
00:19:18THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
00:19:20>> LET ME ALSO COMMEND THE
OHIO SUPREME COURT FOR
00:19:36RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF
STANDARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
00:19:39THE COURT SAID A THOROUGH AND
EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF SCHOOLS
00:19:46REQUIRES STATEWIDE STANDARDS
THAT ARE FULLY DEVELOPED,
00:19:48CLEARLY STATED AND UNDERSTOOD
BY EDUCATORS, STUDENTS AND
00:19:51PARENTS.
OUR FIRST BUILDING BLOCK WILL
00:19:54DO JUST THAT.
"PREPARING FOR SUCCESS" IS
00:19:59THE SECOND BUILDING BLOCK.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND
00:20:02HEALTH CARE WILL ENABLE EVERY
CHILD TO ENTER SCHOOL READY TO
00:20:06LEARN.
AND CHILDREN MUST HAVE A
00:20:08FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG
LEARNING BEFORE THEY LEAVE
00:20:12ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
IN ORDER TO MOVE OHIO TO THE
00:20:15HEAD OF THE CLASS, WE WILL:
REFOCUS THE HELP ME GROW
00:20:19PROGRAM, TO ASSURE NEWBORNS,
INFANTS AND TODDLERS HAVE THE
00:20:23BEST POSSIBLE START IN LIFE.
CONTINUE OUR COMMITMENT TO
00:20:27CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE.
UPGRADE THE SKILLS OF HEAD
00:20:29START TEACHERS AND KEEP OHIO A
NATIONAL LEADER IN EARLY
00:20:33CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND PUBLIC
PRESCHOOL.
00:20:36WE'LL PROVIDE EXTENDED
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
00:20:39STUDENTS WHO ARE FALLING
BEHIND; CONTINUE THE SUCCESS
00:20:43OF OhioReads BY BRINGING IT TO
MORE SCHOOLS ACROSS OHIO, AND
00:20:47OFFER STATE FUNDING FOR
ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN TO OVER
00:20:5050 ADDITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
SERVING 12,000 CHILDREN.
00:20:54THERE IS STRONG EVIDENCE THAT
ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN HELPS
00:20:59ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESS.
AND DON'T JUST TAKE MY WORD
00:21:01FOR IT, ASK OUR GUESTS FROM
ECOLE KENWOOD ALTERNATIVE
00:21:07ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HERE IN
COLUMBUS, ALONG WITH TEACHER
00:21:11JAI SCOTT, WE ARE JOINED BY
ALL-DAY KINDERGARTENERS
00:21:15ABIGAIL NYPAVER, ASHLEY COOLEY
COOLEY, MALICK SOW AND DELSHON
00:21:20JACKSON.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US
00:21:23TODAY.
STAND UP AND TAKE A BOW.
00:21:26[APPLAUSE]
AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, THEY
00:21:43SPEAK FRENCH, TOO, SO IF
ANYBODY, YOU WANT TO PRACTICE
00:21:45YOUR FRENCH, THEY'RE PRETTY
GOOD.
00:21:47THE THIRD BUILDING BLOCK IS
"CLASSROOMS EQUIPPED FOR
00:21:51SUCCESS."
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE
00:21:53LEGISLATURE, WE CONTINUE TO
IMPLEMENT OUR 12-YEAR $10
00:21:57BILLION PLAN SO THAT EVERY
CHILD GOES TO CLASS IN A SAFE,
00:22:02SECURE BUILDING.
SINCE I'VE BEEN GOVERNOR,
00:22:04WE'VE EVERRED NEARLY $800
MILLION IN SCHOOL BUILDING
00:22:07RENOVATION AND REPAIR.
SINCE 1997, THE STATE HAS
00:22:12PROVIDED $1.8 BILLION FOR
SCHOOL BUILDINGS, AN AVERAGE
00:22:16OF 81% OF THE NEEDED DOLLARS
FOR THESE PROJECTS.
00:22:20IN FACT, WE HAVE SO MANY
SCHOOL PROJECTS PLANNED THAT
00:22:23WHEN I LEAVE OFFICE, I MAY
JUST GO INTO THE SCHOOL
00:22:26CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS, BECAUSE
I KNOW I'LL HAVE STEADY WORK.
00:22:30[APPLAUSE]
BUT THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT
00:22:41OHIO HAS THE MOST AMBITIOUS
SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM IN THE
00:22:45NATION.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT
00:22:50POSSIBLE!
[APPLAUSE]
00:22:52>> OUR FOURTH BUILDING BLOCK,
"PARTNERS IN SUCCESS," WILL
00:23:02NEN SURE OHIO HAS A HIGHLY
TRAINED TEACHERS READY FOR THE
00:23:05CLASSROOM AND PRINCIPALS READY
TO LEAD.
00:23:08WE'LL PROVIDE ALMOST $80
MILLION FOR TEACHER TRAINING
00:23:11OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS,
EXPAND SUMMER INSTITUTES FOR
00:23:15READING INTERVENTION, AND
PROVIDE MENTORS FOR ENTRY-YEAR
00:23:19TEACHERS.
WE WILL ALSO ENABLE MORE
00:23:21TEACHERS TO BECOME NATIONAL
BOARD CERTIFIED, MAINTAINING
00:23:25OUR LEADERSHIP AMONG THE
STATES IN TEACHING EXCELLENCE.
00:23:28AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO FUND
THE PRINCIPAL'S LEADERSHIP
00:23:33ACADEMY AND ASSIST SCHOOL
DISTRICTS IN PROVIDING
00:23:35TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO
ENTRY-YEAR PRINCIPALS.
00:23:37FROM MY MANY VISITS TO
CLASSROOMS THROUGHOUT OHIO, I
00:23:41CAN TELL YOU THAT GOOD
TEACHERS PLUS GOOD PRINCIPALS
00:23:45EQUAL GOOD STUDENTS.
OUR SUCCESS PLAN ENSURES ALL
00:23:50THREE.
[APPLAUSE]
00:23:51>> OUR FINAL BUILDING BLOCK
IS "MAKING SUCCESS POSSIBLE."
00:24:04A NEW METHOD OF FUNDING
SCHOOLS.
00:24:06THE SUPREME COURT NOTED THAT
THE CURRENT BASIC AID FORMULA
00:24:10MAY NOT REFLECT AN ADEQUATE
AMOUNT OF FUNDING, SO WE
00:24:16RAISED THE BAR.
OUR NEW FORMULA LOOKS TO
00:24:19SPENDING LEVELS IN SUCCESSFUL
HIGH PERFORMING DISTRICTS
00:24:22WHICH MEET 20 OF 27 CURRENT
STATE STANDARDS, PROVIDE AT
00:24:26LEAST ONE ADVANCED PLACEMENT
COURSE, OFFER PUPIL-TEACHER OF
00:24:3121-TO-1 OR LESS AND HAVE AT
LEAST 80% OF THEIR TEACHERS
00:24:35WITH FIVE OR MORE YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE.
00:24:37USING THIS NEW FORMULA WILL
INCREASE THE BASE COST PER
00:24:41PUPIL TO $5,484 IN FIVE YEARS.
AND WE ELIMINATE THE
00:24:46REMAINING UNFUNDED MANDATE,
THE COST OF INCREASED
00:24:49GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.
WE'LL INCREASE THE STATE'S
00:24:52SHARE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION
AND BEGIN PAYING MOST COSTS
00:24:56ABOVE $25,000 FOR STUDENTS
WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS.
00:25:00THE STATE SHARE OF SCHOOL
TRANSPORTATION WILL RISE FROM
00:25:0455 TO 60% WITHIN TWO YEARS.
IN ADDITION, OUR BUDGET
00:25:09CONTINUES FUNDING FOR STEPS
ALREADY TAKEN TO END SCHOOL
00:25:13DISTRICT BORROWING AND OFFSET
THE IMPACT OF PROPERTY TAX
00:25:17ROLLBACKS.
AND OUR BUDGET BOOSTS FUNDING
00:25:20FOR OhioReads, ALTERNATIVE
SCHOOLS, GIFTED EDUCATION,
00:25:25DISADVANTAGED PUPIL IMPACT AID
AND STUDENT INTERVENTION.
00:25:28LET THERE BE NO DOUBT, OUR
PLAN WILL PROVIDE MORE THAN AN
00:25:32ADEQUATE EDUCATION FOR EVERY
CHILD IN OHIO WHILE REDUCING
00:25:36RELIANCE ON PROPERTY TAXES.
[APPLAUSE]
00:25:41BUILDING BLOCKS FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS IS A SYSTEMATIC REFORM
00:25:59OF EDUCATION.
ITS FIVE POINTS ARE LINKED,
00:26:03IT MUST STAND TOGETHER AND NOT
BE PULLED APART TO ENSURE THAT
00:26:06NO CHILD IS LEFT BEHIND.
OUR WORK DOES NOT END WITH
00:26:11PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION.
00:26:12WITH A RAPIDLY CHANGING
ECONOMY, OUR STUDENTS NEED
00:26:17MORE THAN A HIGH SCHOOL
DIPLOMA TO COMPETE FOR THE
00:26:20BEST JOBS.
HIGHER LEARNING EQUALS HIGHER
00:26:24EARNING.
RIGHT, ROD?
00:26:26AND SOME ARE GETTING THE
MESSAGE.
00:26:28ENROLLMENT AT OHIO'S PUBLIC
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ROSE
00:26:32BY MORE THAN 2,600 STUDENTS
LAST YEAR.
00:26:35THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS.
THE BAD NEWS IS THAT ONLY
00:26:39ABOUT HALF OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATES GO TO COLLEGE.
00:26:42THIS MUST CHANGE CITY
COUNCILMAN
00:26:51[APPLAUSE]
AND SO DESPITE THE TIGHT
00:26:58BUDGET, WE'RE INVESTING IN
HIGHER EDUCATION.
00:27:00WE EXPAND OHIO INSTRUCTIONAL
GRANTS AND PROVIDE NEW DOLLARS
00:27:04TO COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY BRANCH
00:27:07CAMPUSES.
WE GUARANTEE THAT DURING THE
00:27:10NEXT TWO YEARS THE TWO-YEAR
CAMPUSES WILL FREEZE TUITION.
00:27:15LET'S APPLAUD THAT.
THAT'S GOOD.
00:27:18[APPLAUSE]
>> HIGHER EDUCATION PERFORMS
00:27:28A LEADING ROLE IN OUR STRATEGY
TO PROMOTE PROSPERITY FOR ALL
00:27:31OHIOANS.
FINDING QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES
00:27:34REMAINS THE NUMBER ONE
CHALLENGE FACING EMPLOYERS IN
00:27:38OUR STATE.
OHIO'S WORKERS MUST BE
00:27:41TRAINED AND RETRAINED TO MEET
THE DEMANDS OF THE 21st
00:27:46CENTURY.
THEREFORE, WE'LL EXPANDS JOBS
00:27:50CHALLENGE FUNDING TO ENABLE
TWO-YEAR CAMPUSES TO PROVIDE
00:27:53MORE TRAINING COURSES.
WE'LL CREATE THE HIGHER
00:27:56SKILLS PARTNERSHIP TO MARSHAL
THE RESOURCES OF TWO-YEAR
00:27:59COLLEGES AND CAREER CENTERS,
TO JOINTLY ALIGN AND MARKET
00:28:03THEIR TRAINING SERVICES TO
OHIO BUSINESSES.
00:28:05MORE OHIOANS WITH HIGHER
SKILLS ARE NEEDED ALSO TO
00:28:08ATTRACT THE HIGH-TECH JOBS OF
THE FUTURE, AND WE HAVE AN
00:28:13AMBITIOUS TECHNOLOGY AGENDA.
THE OHIO PLAN WILL PROVIDE
00:28:18$40 MILLION TO SUPPORT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN
00:28:21BIO, NANO, AND INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY.
00:28:23A NEW BIOMEDICAL FACILITIES
FUND WILL PROVIDE $12 MILLION
00:28:27TO LEADING RESEARCH
INSTITUTIONS.
00:28:30AND WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT
OUR TECHNOLOGY ACTION FUND, TO
00:28:35STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO
COMPETE FOR FEDERAL RESEARCH
00:28:38DOLLARS AND PROVIDE FUNDS FOR
PROMISING TECHNOLOGY
00:28:41INITIATIVES.
WE'RE HELPING TO FUND
00:28:45START-UPS LIKE iMEDD, WHICH
RECENTLY MOVED HERE FROM
00:28:48CALIFORNIA TO CREATE
BREAK-THROUGH MEDICAL DEVICES.
00:28:51iMEDD IS A SUCCESS STORY IN
THE MAKING.
00:28:53CEO, CARL GROVE, IS HERE WITH
US TODAY.
00:28:57CARL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT OF
00:29:03OHIO.
[APPLAUSE]
00:29:05>> WE MUST MAKE OHIO A MORE
ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LAUNCH A
00:29:21HIGH-TECH FIRM.
WHILE MOST HIGH-TECH
00:29:23START-UPS DON'T TURN A PROFIT
IN THE EARLY YEARS, THEY OFTEN
00:29:27OWE A SIGNIFICANT NET WORTH
TAX.
00:29:29SO TODAY, I'M PROPOSING THAT
NEW HIGH-TECH FIRMS BE
00:29:33EXEMPTED FROM THAT TAX DURING
THEIR FIRST THREE YEARS OF
00:29:37OPERATION.
LET'S GIVE START-UPS A
00:29:39FIGHTING CHANCE TO SUCCEED.
[APPLAUSE]
00:29:43>> THE SPIRIT OF OHIO WILL
SEE US THROUGH A SLOWING
00:29:54ECONOMY.
BUT WE CAN TAKE ACTION NOW TO
00:29:57ENSURE THAT OHIO REMAINS A
GOOD PLACE TO DO BUSINESS, NOT
00:30:01JUST FOR HIGH-TECH FIRMS, BUT
FOR MANUFACTURERS, SERVICES
00:30:04AND SMALL BUSINESSES AS WELL.
I'VE ASKED THE DEVELOPMENT
00:30:08DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH THE
LEGISLATURE TO CRAFT A JOBS
00:30:11BILL.
IT WILL OFFER INCENTIVES TO
00:30:13CREATE NEW JOBS AND PROTECT
EXISTING ONES, INCLUDING A
00:30:18JOBS RETENTION TAX CREDIT FOR
COMPANIES THAT INVEST AT LEAST
00:30:21$200 MILLION IN OHIO
FACILITIES AND RETAIN AT LEAST
00:30:251,000 JOBS.
IT WILL OFFER A STRONG
00:30:28INCENTIVE FOR COMPANIES TO
STAY IN OHIO, INVEST IN OHIO,
00:30:31AND KEEP HIGH-PAYING JOBS
RIGHT HERE IN OUR STATE.
00:30:35[APPLAUSE]
>> AS WE SEEK TO KEEP OUR JOB
00:30:49CLIMATE STRONG, WE KNOW THAT
SOME INDUSTRIES ARE THREATENED
00:30:53AND SOME AREAS OF OUR STATE
HAVE NOT FULLY SHARED IN OUR
00:30:56PROSPERITY.
I RECENTLY VISITED TWO STEEL
00:31:00MILLS, LTV TO THE NORTH AND
WHEELING PITT IN THE EAST.
00:31:03A STEELWORKER I SPOKE WITH,
DENNY SARGEANT, A HEATER AT
00:31:07WHEELING PITT, TOLD ME OF HIS
CONCERN THAT HE MIGHT NOT BE
00:31:11ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR HIS
FAMILY.
00:31:13NEXT WEEK, I'LL CONVENE A
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE OHIO
00:31:17STEEL COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE
CHALLENGES FACING THIS CRUCIAL
00:31:21INDUSTRY.
AND THEN I'LL TAKE THE
00:31:23COUNCIL'S IDEAS, AND THE
CONCERNS OF DENNY SARGEANT,
00:31:26AND MANY OTHERS LIKE HIM, TO
CONGRESS AND TO THE BUSH
00:31:30ADMINISTRATION.
LET THERE BE NO MISTAKE, I
00:31:34SUPPORT FREE TRADE.
BUT I WILL FIGHT ILLEGAL
00:31:37STEEL DUMPING THAT HARMS OUR
STATE AND THREATENS OUR JOBS.
00:31:42[APPLAUSE]
>> WE MUST EXTEND OUR
00:32:04PROSPERITY TO TWO ADDITIONAL
AREAS -- OUR URBAN CENTERS AND
00:32:07APPALACHIA.
WE WILL USE THE CLEAN OHIO
00:32:09FUND TO RECLAIM URBAN
BROWNFIELDS AND CHANGE OUR TAX
00:32:13LAWS TO REVITALIZE WHOLE
NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES,
00:32:17NOT JUST SINGLE PARCELS OF
LAND.
00:32:19LAST YEAR, WE DOUBLED FUNDING
FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN
00:32:23APPALACHIA, AND WE WILL KEEP
THAT COMMITMENT AGAIN THIS
00:32:26YEAR.
WE'LL WORK TO ATTRACT MORE
00:32:27FEDERAL FUNDS TO DISTRESSED
COUNTIES.
00:32:29AND WE'LL FUND THE APIAN NEW
ECONOMY PARTNERSHIP TO
00:32:35INCREASE INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND PROVIDE
00:32:38ASSISTANCE TO START-UP
COMPANIES IN THAT REGION.
00:32:40THROUGH EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY, AND
00:32:44ENTREPRENEURSHIP, THE PEOPLE
OF APPALACHIA, WHO HAVE GIVEN
00:32:47SO MUCH TO OUR STATE WILL ONCE
AGAIN JOIN IN THE PROSPERITY
00:32:52OF OHIO.
[APPLAUSE]
00:32:56AS WE HELP OUR CHILDREN
SUCCEED AND OUR ECONOMY
00:33:10PROSPER, WE WILL NOT LOSE
SIGHT OF THOSE IN NEED.
00:33:13OUR YOUNGEST, OUR OLDEST, AND
PERSONS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY,
00:33:17MENTALLY OR DEVELOPMENTALLY
DISABLED.
00:33:19ALREADY, 38,000 OHIOANS ARE
CARED FOR IN HOME OR
00:33:24COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS,
RATHER THAN IN LARGE AND MORE
00:33:27COSTLY INSTITUTIONS.
MY BUDGET EXPANDS THESE
00:33:30SERVICES, INCLUDING PASSPORT,
WHICH SERVES ELDERLY OHIOANS
00:33:34IN THEIR HOMES; HOME CARE,
WHICH PROVIDES HOME NURSING
00:33:37SERVICES TO PERSONS UNDER 60;
AND MORE INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS
00:33:42FOR OHIOANS WITH MENTAL OR
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
00:33:44WE'LL ALSO ADDRESS THE
STAGGERING COST OF
00:33:49PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR OUR
SENIOR CITIZENS.
00:33:52THIS YEAR ALONE WE'LL SPEND
MORE THAN $800 MILLION ON
00:33:57PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR LOW
INCOME OHIOANS.
00:33:59BUT THE HIGH COST OF
PRESCRIPTIONS IS A BURDEN FOR
00:34:03EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY FOR
SENIORS WHOSE PRESCRIPTION
00:34:05COSTS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED
IN THE PAST 8 YEARS.
00:34:09WE KNOW THAT INSURANCE
COMPANIES ROUTINELY NEGOTIATE
00:34:12DISCOUNTS OF UP TO 30% OFF THE
PRICE THEY PAY FOR DRUGS, AND
00:34:16SOME PASS THOSE SAVINGS ALONG
TO CONSUMERS.
00:34:18SO I'LL PROPOSE LEGISLATION
TO ALLOW THE STATE TO SELECT
00:34:23THE BEST POSSIBLE DISCOUNT
PROGRAM FOR ALL OHIO'S
00:34:27SENIORS, AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE
THROUGH THE GOLDEN BUCKEYE
00:34:29CARD.
IT'S TIME TO GIVE SENIORS A
00:34:31HELPING HAND WITH THE COST OF
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
00:34:35[APPLAUSE]
IN CARING FOR THOSE IN NEED, I
00:34:54HAVE ONE LAST THOUGHT.
OHIOANS NEED RELIEF FROM THE
00:34:58HIGH COST OF HEATING THEIR
HOMES.
00:35:00OHIO IS IN THE MIDST OF ONE
OF THE COLDEST WINTERS.
00:35:03UNFORTUNATELY, FUEL SUPPLIES
ARE LOW AND DEMAND IS HIGH.
00:35:07WE CONTINUE TO HELP FAMILIES
MEET THESE UNPLANNED EXPENSES,
00:35:11THE AVERAGE LOW-INCOME
ASSISTANCE PAYMENT IS ALMOST
00:35:13TWICE WHAT IT WAS LAST WINTER.
BUT WE MUST DO MORE.
00:35:17VIOLET HULL, A 90-YEAR-OLD
WIDOW WHO LIVES ALONE WROTE TO
00:35:22SAY THAT HER BILL JUMPED FROM
$249 IN DECEMBER TO $606 IN
00:35:27JANUARY.
SHE'S EVEN HAD TO SELL SOME
00:35:29OF HER FURNITURE TO PAY FOR
HEAT.
00:35:31MILLIONS OF OHIOANS, LIKE
VIOLET, HAVE FELT THE SQUEEZE.
00:35:35SO TODAY I'M ANNOUNCING
"PROJECT THAW" A ONETIME HOME
00:35:41HEATING CREDIT OF UP TO $250
FOR FAMILIES AND SENIORS OF
00:35:45MODEST MEANS.
I'VE ALSO STRUTHED ALAN
00:36:02SCHRIBER, OUR PUCO CHAIRMAN,
TO ISSUE A 60 DAY MORATORIUM
00:36:07ON HOME-HEATING DISCONNECTIONS
TO PROTECT THOSE CUSTOMERS
00:36:11PARTICIPATING IN A COMPANY
PAYMENT PLAN.
00:36:12FURTHER, I'VE ASKED OHIO'S
NATURAL GAS COMPANIES TO
00:36:15CONTRIBUTE A TOTAL OF AT LEAST
$5 MILLION TO HELP LOW-INCOME
00:36:20CUSTOMERS PAY HEATING COSTS.
LET'S ACT NOW SO NO FAMILY
00:36:25DOING THEIR BEST TO PAY THEIR
BILLS WILL BE WITHOUT HEAT
00:36:28THIS WINTER.
[APPLAUSE]
00:36:30THERE'S ANOTHER DANGER THAT IS
MENACING OUR CHILDREN.
00:36:45WHATEVER YOU CALL IT -- METH,
ICE, OR CRANK --
00:36:50METHAMPHETAMINES HAVE MANY
STREET NAMES BUT A SINGLE
00:36:54RESULT, LIVES DESTROYED.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE
00:36:58SEIZING RECORD AMOUNTS OF
METH, AND SEEING AN ALARMING
00:37:01SURGE IN THE NUMBER OF LABS
THAT PRODUCE IT.
00:37:03SO TODAY, I ASK YOU TO JOIN
ME IN ENACTING LAWS TO FIGHT
00:37:09THIS ILLICIT DRUG AND TO
ATTACK THESE TOEK LABS.
00:37:13WE WILL NOT ALLOW THIS DRUG
TO DESTROY ANY MORE LIVES IN
00:37:17THE STATE OF OHIO.
[APPLAUSE]
00:37:20AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE AN
AMBITIOUS AGENDA.
00:37:36BUT OHIOANS ARE AN AMBITIOUS
PEOPLE.
00:37:41OHIO WAS THE FIRST TRULY
AMERICAN STATE, SHAPED BY THE
00:37:45CONGRESS FROM THE WHOLE CLOTH
OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
00:37:49WE EMBODY IN OUR SPIRIT THOSE
UNIQUELY AMERICAN QUALITIES OF
00:37:56RESOURCEFULNESS, INGENUITY,
HARD WORK, AND THE ABILITY TO
00:38:01PULL TOGETHER TO CARE FOR ONE
ANOTHER.
00:38:03I SAW THAT SPIRIT OF OHIO AT
WORK LAST YEAR WHEN MOTHER
00:38:07NATURE AGAIN UNLEASHED HER
FURY ON XENIA, KILLING ONE,
00:38:11INJURING MANY, AND DESTROYING
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN
00:38:14PROPERTY.
I MOBILIZED STATE AGENCIES TO
00:38:17ASSIST THE PEOPLE OF GREENE
COUNTY, AND WHEN I TOURED
00:38:20DAMAGED AREAS THE NEXT
MORNING, CLEANUP EFFORTS WERE
00:38:24WELL UNDERWAY.
FIRE, SAFETY AND RESCUE
00:38:27FORCES AND DEBRIS-REMOVAL
TRUCKS POURED IN FROM ALL OVER
00:38:32SOUTHWEST OHIO.
THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE WAS
00:38:34TREMENDOUS.
BUT EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE WAS
00:38:37THE HUMAN RESPONSE.
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.
00:38:41RED CROSS WORKERS SETTING UP
EMERGENCY SHELTERS, OHIOANS
00:38:45FROM AROUND THE STATE SENDING
GIFTS OF FOOD AND CLOTHING.
00:38:49THERE WERE INDEED MANY HEROES
OF THE XENIA TRAGEDY.
00:38:54ONE HERO IS WILLIAM BAHUN,
HERE TODAY FROM XENIA
00:39:00CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL.
WILLIAM ORGANIZED 100 OF HIS
00:39:03FELLOW STUDENTS TO IMMEDIATELY
HELP THEIR DEVASTATED
00:39:06COMMUNITY.
THEY CLEANED UP DEBRIS, THEY
00:39:08BOARDED UP HOUSES AND
BUILDINGS.
00:39:10THEY EVEN PROVIDED HOME-BAKED
COOKIES AND BOTTLES OF WATER
00:39:14TO VICTIMS.
WILLIAM, TO YOU AND ALL THE
00:39:17HEROES OF XENIA, YOU ARE THE
TRUE SPIRIT OF OHIO.
00:39:20THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
00:39:23MY FRIENDS, WE CAN RENEW THE
00:39:50SPIRIT OF OHIO TIME AND TIME
AGAIN IN THE COMING YEARS, AS
00:39:54WE PULL TOGETHER TO IMPROVE
OUR SCHOOLS, CREATE NEW JOBS,
00:39:59AND TECHNOLOGIES, CARE FOR
THOSE IN NEED, AND PROMOTE THE
00:40:02HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL
OHIOANS.
00:40:04WE WILL MAKE THIS STATE,
WHICH WE ALL LOVE SO DEARLY,
00:40:09AN EVEN BETTER PLACE TO LIVE,
TO WORK, AND TO RAISE A FAMILY
00:40:13AT THE DAWNING OF THE 21st
CENTURY.
00:40:15THANK YOU, AND MAY GOD BLESS
OHIO AND HER PEOPLE.
00:40:22[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
00:40:46THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
00:40:52[APPLAUSE]
>> CHAIR RECOGNIZES SENATE
00:41:49PRESIDENT PRO TEM SENATOR
JOHNSON FOR A MOTION.
00:41:50>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
I MOVE THAT THIS JOINT
00:41:53CONVENTION OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY STAND IN ADJOURNMENT.
00:41:57>> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
JOINT CONVENTION STANDS
Note : Transcripts are compiled from uncorrected captions