Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 13, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke calls for new citizen and community partnerships to aid students and cement state's prosperity in new century

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today called for a renewal of personal responsibility and community partnerships to bolster school children's learning and to ensure Washington's prosperity continues into the new millennium. Locke made the call to action during a joint session of the state Legislature in his first State-of-the-State speech since taking office one year ago.

"Creating these partnerships - and restoring the central role of responsible citizenship - is both our most urgent challenge and our most promising route to real solutions," said Locke. "The first and most important partnership must be to accelerate the improvement of our public schools.

"I ask that each of us pledge to put aside self-interest, join as partners, and transform our vision for the coming century into a legacy that will stand the test of time," Locke concluded. The governor asked Legislators and approximately 220 guests in the House gallery to stand as a symbol of their commitment to work together.

Governor Locke highlighted the activities of citizen volunteers, state workers and students from Spokane, Vancouver, Mount Vernon, Bellevue and Yakima during his speech. Each stood up at their seats in the gallery as the governor described the positive difference they are making in their communities.

Governor Locke asked Legislators to put aside partisan politics to adopt a Washington agenda that addresses critical needs that can't wait until the next biennium. The agenda includes a Washington Reading Corps of 25,000 volunteers, financial rewards for superior public school teachers, charter schools, incentives for businesses to locate in economically struggling rural communities, long-term transportation solutions, restoration of salmon habitat and clean rivers and streams for Washington's citizens.

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