|
Mr. Chief Justice,
Lieutenant Governor
Krolicki, members of the
State Senate and
Assembly, honorable
Justices of the Supreme
Court, constitutional
officers, distinguished
guests, members of my
family –my fellow
Nevadans:
First, on behalf of our
State, I would like us
to take a moment now to
express our gratitude to
the men and women who
are serving in uniform,
not only in this state
but also around the
world, making sacrifices
every day to preserve
and protect freedom an
democracy.
Also, please join me in
saluting President
Gerald Ford. His
lifetime was dedicated
in service to God,
Country, and freedom.
America was blessed to
have his leadership and
wisdom at a very
difficult time in our
nation’s history.
Next, I wish to thank my
predecessor, Governor
Guinn, for his many
years of service to
Nevada.
Today, we celebrate the
democratic transfer of
power from one
administration to
another.
It is a transfer that
was born in the fall and
celebrated in the
winter, here today; and
which by its very
nature, heralds the hope
of coming Spring and the
Summer that follows.
We now have a unique
opportunity and
challenge--to take the
nearly 143 years of
growth and progress that
has created the Nevada
of today, and set a
course for the future.
A future that brings
together the diverse
communities and citizens
of this great state into
a common cause- One
Nevada. Together we can
create a new ideal of
what it is to live the
American Dream.
One Nevada is a place
where all of our
communities set aside
what separates us, and
embrace what unites us
from our citizens who
mine the earth, drive
trucks along our
highways, or serve our
tourists in our hotels,
to those that teach in
our schools and those
who enforce our laws, we
come together ONE
Nevada.
We are striving to
create a better state
that will continue to be
the envy of all those
who seek hope and the
opportunity for
themselves and their
families.
In order to achieve
real results for all
Nevadans, I know I must
reach across the aisle,
and understand that the
shared patriotism I have
with each person here
today does not create
barriers but builds
bridges.
In order to reclaim the
American Dream for all
Nevadans, to truly have
One Nevada- we must not
only build these
bridges- we must cross
them together.
We must not allow the
interest of one part of
the State to override
the concerns of
another. Some would
call that politics. I
would call it turning
our backs on the lessons
of history, for any
great society that pits
one group against
another is bound to
fail.
The test of leadership
is to find common ground
and then to lead the
way. That challenge, to
find One Nevada is one
that we shall not shrink
from.
When Nevada’s first
Governor, James Nye,
placed his hand upon the
Bible, he affirmed that
the supreme executive
power of this state
shall be vested in a
Chief Magistrate, and he
solemnly swore to see
that all laws are
faithfully executed.
It is this same oath
that I have taken, and I
am equal to the
challenge.
On that day in 1864,
Governor Nye initiated a
long-lasting tradition
for governors who, in
addition to their
constitutional duties,
assumed the enormous
task of leading the
people of Nevada – a
tradition of striking
the right balance and
course for our fledgling
population, and
determining this rugged
western state’s
destiny.
In the past fifty years,
our governors have
strived to improve upon
what Governor Nye and
others had begun. They
made the tough
decisions; together they
oversaw the greatest
expansion in Nevada’s
history and they
contributed mightily to
the protection of the
Nevada way of life.
“Letting Nevadans decide
what is best for Nevada”
is a hallmark of our
state that has guided
each governor that has
served before me, and it
shall guide my
administration just the
same.
Let us strive to strike
a balance between
listening to the people
and governing them. In
Ronald Reagan’s second
inaugural address as
Governor of California,
he said that “when those
who are governed do too
little, those who govern
can – and often will –
do too much.”
Fortunately, for the
past 143 years, this
state has been blessed
with leaders who knew
just how much to govern
– and with citizens who
set the path for them to
be led. That is the
balance that we must
strive for every day.
All of us must share a
common vision of one
Nevada – which can only
become a reality if we
agree upon what promises
that vision entails.
It is a promise to make
all decisions with
fiscal discipline and
strive to renew our
faith in the American
Dream - a dream of home
ownership, safe streets
and bountiful
opportunity. |
