Governor John Engler
Second Inaugural Address - January 2, 1995
Four years ago, as I prepared to take the oath of office, Governor George Romney looked
at me with those steel grey eyes and said: "Be bold."
The promises we made that day were bold. And my friends, together, we kept those
promises!
We cut taxes.
We restored the spirit of enterprise and personal responsibility.
We renewed the values and principles that have made Michigan great.
I pledge today to the people of Michigan that we will continue to be bold, courageous,
decisive.
My fellow citizens, if you look behind me, you see a beautiful Capitol building
restored to its historic grandeur and glory. And if you look about you, you see two
beautiful peninsulas -- Michigan -- revitalized, ready for a new year, ready for a new
century.
We have embarked on a Michigan renaissance -- a renaissance of ideas and initiatives,
of opportunity and action.
Four years ago, we started a revolution. Today, Michigan's renaissance is America's
hope.
Together, we have transformed Michigan from the broken buckle of America's Rust Belt to
a bright beacon of hope for America's families. And last November, this light of change
helped bring our nation back home to its founding principles.
Two days from now, a new Congress will be sworn in. We pray they will have the courage
to be bold, to follow Michigan's course, to make history just as we have made history.
Their mandate is for nothing less than the most sweeping changes in our government since
the Great Depression.
This is a defining moment in American history. Overwhelmingly, the American people
voted for change in Washington.
Change to cut taxes and help families.
Change to limit government and balance the budget.
Change to restore the American dream and put you -- the people -- in charge.
This incredible chance for change will come only once in our lifetime. It will not be
easy, for with major change comes risk and uncertainty.
But as our Michigan experience has taught us, by being bold, by staying the course, by
holding fast to our principles, the people will take up the challenge and accomplish great
things.
Leadership in the 21st century will be defined by taking risks, not by clinging to the
failed policies and ideas of the past.
It is imperative to the people of Michigan that this new Congress succeed. Michigan has
already accomplished much, but there is much more to do. In a second term, we seek to
build upon our legacy as Michigan continues its quest to lead and innovate.
We will seek to free the power and money that for too long has been held captive in
Washington. Not to hoard them in Lansing, but to put your money back in your pocket and to
put you back in charge.
This is fundamental. America and Michigan were founded by pioneers seeking the freedom
to control their destiny. We have never shied away from a challenge, never given up when
times were tough. We have always had faith -- in ourselves and in our future.
If we put our hearts, our heads and our hands together, we can do anything we set out
to do. That's the Michigan way!
My friends, the genius of our democracy and the tradition of Michigan is that
extraordinary leaders can rise up from ordinary backgrounds.
Look at the public servants on this podium. There are no Kennedys, no Roosevelts -- no
families of wealth or privilege -- just sons and daughters of Michigan.
For example, a homemaker, mother and teacher who after raising a family would become
the only woman elected to leadership in the Michigan House, Senate and Executive Office.
That's Connie Binsfeld.
A young city attorney from Northern Michigan who would advance from being the nation's
youngest attorney general to the nation's longest serving, and most distinguished,
attorney general. That's Frank Kelley.
A fourth generation Michiganian, great granddaughter of a Calumet storekeeper and
daughter of a Scottish immigrant who would become a township supervisor, county treasurer
and the first woman elected Secretary of State. That's Candice Miller.
The Lebanese American son of a UAW worker who would become the first in his family to
go to college, then earn a Harvard law degree and now take office as our United States
Senator. That's Spencer Abraham.
And remember two great men who are leaving office -- two giants of public service who
helped define Michigan politics in the second half of the 20th century.
Richard Austin -- Michigan's first black Certified Public Accountant, elected delegate
to the Constitutional Convention, and our longest serving Secretary of State.
Robert Griffin -- four decades of public service as a U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator,
and as Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.
Justice Griffin, Secretary Austin -- on behalf of the people of Michigan, thank you for
your outstanding service.
Inspiring women and men -- but what is truly remarkable is that there is nothing
unusual about their heritage -- loving families, proud parents, hard working communities.
Places like Munising and Lansing, Alpena and Detroit, Garden City and St. Clair Shores
-- the map of Michigan and the face of Michigan.
And that's the beauty of Michigan. That anyone from anywhere and any walk of life can
rise to lead. Someone here today, or someone listening, will grasp the mantle of
leadership and earn their place in Michigan history.
My vision is to pass on to them:
* a Michigan where work pays and crime does not;
* a Michigan where government is small and efficient and families are healthy and
strong;
* a Michigan where air and water are clean, our precious natural resources protected
and conservation a way of life;
* a Michigan where government protects your rights and your freedom -- like the right
to own firearms and the freedom to use them to hunt and enjoy the bounty of Michigan's
great outdoors;
* a Michigan where all citizens have an equal opportunity to fare well in life, and
none are condemned to life on welfare;
* a Michigan where hard work -- on the line, on the farm or in the classroom -- is
honored and respected, and where learning is lifelong;
* a Michigan where children, born and unborn, are safe and have the opportunity to
receive a world-class education, and where parents have the right to choose their
children's schools;
* a Michigan that measures success, not by the number of programs or the size of its
budget, but rather by the number of successful, independent citizens and the size of our
economy;
* a Michigan where ingenuity, risk-taking and entrepreneurship are rewarded and where
job providers can prosper and create more jobs;
* and a Michigan where taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.
This vision is our challenge. I am confident we will succeed because I have faith in
you.
Your families make Michigan strong at heart.
Your values make Michigan wealthy in spirit. Your ideas make Michigan a laboratory of
ingenuity.
Your faith and courage make Michigan a state forever destined to be a pioneer and a
world leader.
More than 100 years ago, Governor Austin Blair said: "The principles that underlie
all things do not change. The teaching of heroes will never pass away."
I stand here today proud of Michigan's past, optimistic about our future and filled
with hope for all our children and our nation.
My fellow citizens, this is our moment. We have the chance to be heroes because
Michigan is more than a state of Great Lakes. We are a state of great people.
Thank you very much. Happy New Year, God bless Michigan and God bless our families.
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