Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 24, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke marks 100th day in office with 100 school children

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today celebrated his 100th day in office by meeting with 100 school children who gave him advice on how to improve learning in their classrooms. The children read letters they had written to the governor explaining how they would change their school if they were governor.


"Our children are often wise beyond their years. I think we can all learn valuable lessons if we take time to listen to them," said Locke. "Insights from students will help me as I work with teachers and parents to make our state's schools the best in the nation."


Gov. Locke has visited seven schools and nine colleges across the state since his inauguration January 15. Vancouver's Superintendent of Schools, James Parsley, thanked the governor for visiting students in his district. "Governor Locke radiates a genuine commitment to all of Washington's residents, but most particularly he conveys a deep sense of caring about the young people of our state.


"He has a hopeful vision for the future and stresses the importance of caring for one another, working hard and receiving a good education," Parsley continued. "The power of his message and his persona are positive forces which I have seldom seen equaled."


Yakima Schools Superintendent Dr. Larry Petry agreed Locke's actions illustrate his desire for a top notch education system. "Governor Locke has proven by example that he is committed to education and the needs of students in Eastern Washington. Instead of governing from Olympia he has spent time with parents, teachers and community members discussing how students can achieve academic success. He's been a man of his word," Petry said.


Since taking office, the governor has held town hall meetings in Bellingham, Spokane, Yakima, Tri-Cities and Vancouver and also visited the communities of Camas, Montesano, Port Angeles, Seattle, Shelton, Spokane, Tacoma and Wenatchee. "I firmly believe that all wisdom does not reside in Olympia," Locke said. "I'm committed to talking to real people across the state and listening to their concerns and opinions."


During Locke's visit to Port Angeles last week, he gave community leaders a $50,000 grant from his emergency fund to help build a new North Peninsula skills retraining center. Training will be provided to workers laid off from fishing and timber industry jobs.


"Gov. Locke's recent visit demonstrates his concern and support for rural communities which are going through economic change," said Dick Foster, port commissioner and chair of the Port Angeles Economic Response Task Force. "We feel a real action-based partnership with his administration. His support of an economic summit here will help share our response with other rural communities."


In 100 days, Governor Locke:

- Proposed a financial plan for Washington that increases spending for education;

- Proposed and signed legislation that rolled back the Business and Occupation Tax for a $100 million savings per year for Washington businesses;

- Proposed and signed historic Workfirst welfare reform legislation that puts a five-year lifetime limit on benefits and requires community service or work of those who are capable as a condition to receive benefits;

- Signed his first Executive Order requiring all state agencies to streamline regulations on businesses while still protecting workers and the environment;

- Visited and listened to front-line state employees;
Required many departments to reduce their budgets by 5% to free-up money for education while staying within the Initiative 601 spending limits;

- Proposed legislation that creates incentives for departments to save money.

When visiting with the 100 school children who wrote him letters, Locke told them his job is to make sure Washington schools are the best they can be. "Your job," he told the students, "is to work hard in school because a good education gives you the chance to be whatever you want to be. One of you might be governor some day."

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