Governor Jack Markell discusses his 2011 resolutions to move Delaware forward in the new year.
Governor's Weekly Message
Governor Jack Markell discusses the benefits that young leaders gain while participating in the Boys and Girls State Program.
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Full text of Governor Jack Markell’s weekly message:
Let me start by saying – Happy New Year!
Most of us start the year with a set of resolutions, and I’ve got a few that I think we all share.
The first is we resolve that our top priority will remain expanding economic opportunity for everyone and getting people back to work who are looking for it.
In 2010, we’ve had some real bright spots on this front - from the lights going back on and hundreds going back to work at the Delaware City refinery – to companies like Sallie Mae upstate and Perdue AgriBusiness downstate choosing Delaware as the site of the their new national headquarters.
Or our bipartisan efforts to help support and recruit small businesses, which drive so much economic growth.
But there’s so much more work to be done and we’re resolved to do it.
Second, we resolve to keep moving forward with efforts to strengthen our public schools. All over the state, students, parents, educators and employers turned out to make clear that we’re working together to make sure kids graduate ready to succeed –
that employers can look to Delaware as a place for top talent
and that parents can look to Delaware as a place where their kids can raise their own families and succeed in their own careers.
Third – we resolve to stay focused on fiscal responsibility. Just as Delaware families are looking each day for new ways to save money, our state government keeps looking for opportunities to cut some costs and deliver better value. Hopefully, you’ll resolve to keep sending your suggestions on this to Ideas.Delaware.Gov
There’s a great song that shows up on the radio this time each year, because of this great line:
“It’s been a long December, but there’s reason to believe that maybe this year will be better than the last.”
It’s in our power to make that happen. This new year is our chance and our time to make even more progress on the things that matter most.
Which is why the most important resolution we can make is to keep working together. Because what makes our great state so special is that we realize how much stronger we are when we focus on all that we have in common – all that we share - and all that we’ll be able to do, together,
To make 2011 a year that Delaware keeps … moving forward.