Governor Voinovich's Selected Speeches   

1995 Inaugural Address (9th January, 1995)
State Capitol, Columbus, Ohio

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Lt. Governor Hollister -- Speaker Davidson -- President Aronoff --Chief Justice Moyer -- honored elected officials -- members of the clergy -- members of my Cabinet -- third graders from Stewart Elementary School -- fellow citizens, friends, and my family -- thanks to each of you for joining us here today.

I want to particularly thank the clergy from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions for being here to invoke and ask God's blessing on our state and our people.

It is fitting on this day of passage to acknowledge one of Ohio's political giants -- a man of strong faith who has just begun his journey from active duty into our state's history books -- Speaker Vern Riffe.

Vern, working with you and President Aronoff has been a special privilege. Together, we have made a measurable difference for the citizens of Ohio. I am honored that the final chapters of your tenure were written while I was Governor. Your legacy is etched in your wonderful family and in the countless Ohio citizens whose lives were made better through your service.

On behalf of all Ohioans, thank you for everything you've done for our state. I treasure your friendship.

As many of you know, I worked closely with Speaker Davidson when she was Minority Leader of the House. JoAnn, I look forward to working with you and Stan as we continue to make a difference for Ohio. Thank you both for your participation in my Inauguration. I also want to welcome those other Ohioans who have joined me on stage for this occasion. They represent Ohio's diversity as well as the common qualities that unite us and serve as the foundation of our great state.

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The first thought that comes to mind today is, "What a difference four years can make!"

Two days after I took office on January 14, 1991, Operation Desert Storm was launched, and the United States went to war in the Persian Gulf. Back home in Ohio, unemployment hovered around six percent -- we faced a projected billion-dollar budget deficit -- and we were falling farther behind our competition.

My clarion call at the time was that Ohio was a great state, with great potential -- but it was not working up to its capacity. Most Ohioans, including our state employees, agreed that we could do better -- we could catch up -- and we could be a leader again.

Today, the United States is at peace, while here at home, our unemployment is at a 20-year low, and Ohio is a benchmark leader in many areas of state responsibility.

We have tried to respond to a very clear message the voters sent in 1990 and reaffirmed in 1994. People were fed up with big government -- fed up with government that presumed to know or sought to provide all of the answers -- and fed up with government that had forgotten its mission and lost touch with its customers.

They were telling those of us in government that we were no better than the people whose hard-earned dollars go in the tax basket. Ohioans were expecting us to work harder and smarter and do more with less, just as they were doing in their households, farms, factories, and offices.

And they were reminding us of how Lincoln defined "good government." He said, "The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot do so well, for themselves, in their separate and individual capacities."

I have always said that government is only one thread in the fabric of a community. I believe government's highest calling is to empower people and galvanize their energy and resources to help solve our problems, meet our challenges, and seize our opportunities.

I also believe it's a leader's role to reach deep into every individual, draw out the goodness that's inside, and inspire people to use that goodness to help themselves, their families, and their communities. In my first Inaugural address, I said: "Perhaps my greatest challenge as Governor will be to convince every Ohioan that they are truly needed and that they can really make a difference. One organization -- one group -- one person can make a difference in someone's life."

It is on that theme that I want to focus my remarks today.

When I said those words, I was actually echoing a belief instilled in me by my parents. There are six children in our family, and we were taught that part of earning and deserving our citizenship was giving back, not only to our immediate family, but to our community and to our country.

I grew up in a family involved in the "Y," the Urban League, PTA, church, and scouting. In fact, the Boy Scouts recognized my dad with their highest honor for volunteerism, the "Silver Beaver" award. I'm wearing it today, just as I did when I was sworn into office four years ago.

Each of the organizations my parents were involved with are filled with people trying to make a positive difference in the lives of others. My parents' activism explains why I chose public service as a career, and why my brothers and sisters are active in their communities.

For example, my sister, Jo Anne, volunteers with a drug awareness program in her local schools and teaches confirmation classes. Mary Anne headed up the local Cub Scout group and is involved in various community projects.

Mike is tutoring a severely handicapped child and takes Holy Communion to housebound members of his parish. Vic is chairman of the Alcoholism Services Cleveland Board. And Paul, who has done so much to help me in my career, serves as board chairman for Parmadale Family Services -- an agency that works with troubled kids. And their spouses are as involved and committed as they are. There are thousands of families in Ohio like mine who are doing the same things. I'm talking about self-sufficient families who are successfully raising and educating their children and saving for their retirement.

In fact, there is a silent army of individuals, families, and character-building organizations in Ohio, standing on your own -- not connected to government in any way and not asking for a thing. No one pays much attention to you, but I know you're out there. You're the unsung heroes of Ohio.

I understand that government should strive to create an environment that makes it easier for you to keep doing what you are doing. That is why, since taking office as Governor, I have focused on the four areas where I feel state government has the best chance of doing just that. Managing with hard-nosed efficiency -- insisting on measurable improvement in education -- stimulating job growth -- and enhancing the quality of our lives. These have been our priorities.

Our vision for Ohio is called "Ohio 2000 / Ohio First." It's our strategic blueprint for action in each of those four areas and our plan to assure Ohio's place as a national leader and world-class competitor in the 21st century.

Ohio 2000 / Ohio First is a coordinated plan to help Ohioans remain or become self-sufficient -- to ensure that our homes and neighborhoods are safe -- and to improve the quality of our physical and natural environment.

It is also an investment strategy that has paid, and will continue to pay, dividends in a higher standard of living for more Ohioans -- better performance by our public institutions -- greater individual responsibility -- and less government intervention in the lives of our citizens.

It acknowledges that state government cannot do it alone. That is why we have worked hard to build partnerships and to empower individuals, organizations, and businesses in helping us assure that everyone has the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential.

I am grateful to the thousands of people in communities across Ohio -- some of whom are on stage with me today -- who, in addition to taking care of themselves and their families, have opened their eyes and their hearts to help their fellow citizens. They've done so through many unselfish acts and through the dozens of volunteer agencies that help support the family by building character. I'm talking about organizations like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, 4-H and the FFA.

Can you imagine what a better country we would have if everyone followed the Scout oath and laws, or the 4-H pledge? These organizations and so many others like them are making Ohio a better place to live, work, and raise a family. We must build on the foundation they have laid.

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I've worked hard since January 14, 1991 to follow up on my pledge to convince you that you are truly needed. I wondered whether I would get the same support from the private sector at the state level that I did when I was Mayor of Cleveland. The answer has been a resounding "Yes!"

All told, some 642 people volunteered more than 194,000 hours of their time to help on everything from advising us on Cabinet selections to analyzing our workers' compensation system to improving efficiency through our Operations Improvement Task Force. The total estimated value of their time and services exceeded fourteen million dollars! I suspect that represents the largest private-sector commitment to reinventing state government anywhere in the country. Xerox made one of the most significant recommendations by helping us, in partnership with our unions, to empower and involve our workforce.

Our "quality" initiative -- an acknowledged benchmark nationwide -- is transforming the culture of our workplace so that we can better serve our internal and external customers. And it is also making a difference in the lives our state workers.

During my three days of "quality" training last month, one of the presenters shared with us how it had helped her team be more efficient, and, more important, how it changed her life and even improved her marriage! Quality Services through Partnership will remain our number one management initiative in my second term. I am grateful to our unions for their ongoing partnership.

In the area of education improvement, the new paradigm is "lifelong learning." That encompasses conception through the start of school -- K through 12, including school-to-work -- and post-secondary education, including training, retraining, and higher education.

From prenatal care to kindergarten, our Family & Children First Initiative seeks to cut government red tape, coordinate service delivery, and assure that the dollars we dedicate to families are invested wisely. It's a partnership between state government and local communities to empower those on the local level to get the job done for our children and families.

Our commitment to Head Start is the cornerstone of this effort. I'm proud that Ohio leads the nation in state funding and the number of eligible children involved in this proven program. I was reminded of how important that commitment is during a visit to a Head Start program in Perry County.

We asked a rather shy four-year old girl how she liked going to her Head Start school, how she liked her teacher, and some of the other questions you would typically ask a young child. She quietly replied that she really liked school and was making new friends. But as we were about to leave, she added, "Guess what else? Since I'm coming here to school, my mom is doing better, too!"

We now have nine Family & Children First pilot programs up and working in 13 counties, and another 31 counties are moving forward on their own. One of those pilots -- Lawrence County -- is represented here today. With your help, there is no reason why all 88 counties cannot be involved in the Family & Children First partnership.

Senior citizens are also making a positive difference for our families and children through our intergenerational programs. For example, through the Foster Grandparents program, older Ohioans share up to 20 hours of their time each week with special needs kids.

I call it the "love factor." It helps the kids, but it also brings new meaning to life for older Ohioans. I hope more of you can participate in these intergenerational programs. There is an old saying that those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

I'm encouraged that so many others are also choosing to work together to help Ohio children. For example, the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, the Association of Ohio Children's Hospitals, and our Department of Health are partners in a new campaign to help immunize Ohio infants.

This initiative follows a number of significant contributions from private sources. For example, Aetna Insurance donated a computerized tracking system; Signa Insurance sponsored an educational workshop; and the Toledo Junior League joined forces with the Red Cross, a local television station, and others to renovate a van that now serves as a mobile immunization center. And wait until you hear about our "Help Me Grow" program in February!

All of this work is aimed at achieving the first national education goal -- helping all children start school ready to learn. This goal is also a key component of our Ohio 2000 / Ohio First plan.

At the K through 12 level, our reform and partnering efforts are driven by two goals -- securing measurable improvement in the academic performance of our children, and making school relevant to the workplace. Once again, the business community has stepped up to the plate.

For example, Dupont and other businesses in Pickaway County designed a "reality test" to help local students and parents understand what skills and knowledge are necessary in today's workplace. In Medina County, local businesses helped draft a model curriculum and have agreed to hire from a list of students who complete it.

My wife, Janet, working with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, has empowered and involved hundreds of people and organizations in the Ohio Adopt-A-School program.

There are many wonderful stories about how this program is making a positive difference. One of those involves Claudia Melton, an executive secretary at the State Highway Patrol. Through a partnership with the Commission on African-American Males and Centennial High School, which is the Patrol's adopted school, Claudia began tutoring a young Vietnamese lady in English language skills.

Today, she's working with that young lady's entire family, and helping ease their transition into their new community. Claudia Melton is making a difference, and so are many other state workers in the 34 agencies involved with Adopt-A-School.

This program has expanded to about one-third of all Ohio school districts and school buildings. Janet's goal is to see to it that every Ohio school has a partner and every child who needs a mentor, has one.

Much good work is also being done by local Business Advisory Councils and Ohio 2000 communities across the state --communities like Defiance, which has one of our finest Ohio 2000 partnerships. I like to say, "Show me a school district where the local business community is involved, and I'll show you a school district that's improving."

The National Alliance of Business and the National Business Roundtable have singled out Ohio as a benchmark state for the private sector's involvement in education improvement. Our Governor's Education Management Council helped shape our "Education for Results" reform package for primary and secondary education. And we're getting results. Ohio is bucking the national trend, and our ACT, SAT, and proficiency test scores are on the rise!

And recommendations of the private-sector Managing for the Future task force are bringing about historic changes in Ohio's higher education system. Professors are spending more time in the classroom. Duplication in major study offerings is being eliminated. And significant cost savings in physical plant operations have been achieved.

Another new private-sector partnership -- the Ohio Business Roundtable -- is also contributing. A forum for Ohio's top CEOs to become involved in public policy issues, the BRT helped us put together our workers' compensation reform package two years ago, and has now made education its top priority for 1995.

Perhaps the most exciting new education partnership is "BEST" -- which stands for "Building Excellent Schools for Today and the 21st Century." BEST is a broad partnership of education, business, labor, and community organizations that will focus on raising standards, increasing accountability, broadening community support, and achieving the eight national education goals.

To expand on all of this work, I am, today, calling for an unprecedented effort by every business in Ohio, no matter how small or large, to become a partner with a school in your community -- either by joining Janet's army or getting involved through your local Business Advisory Council.

In spite of our growing success in many of these areas, there are still too many people who are not receiving the education or training they need to become self-sufficient. Not surprisingly, many of them are trapped within a welfare system that needs a complete overhaul.

You will be hearing more about our plans in this regard in my State of the State address later this month. But, if we are serious about reforming welfare, then government and the private sector must work together to educate or train those who need it and to generate the private-sector jobs that will put them on the path toward self-sufficiency.

I'm proud that in Ohio, businesses are voluntarily providing skill training and workplace literacy assistance. They recognize that it's good business and good citizenship.

Park Farms in Stark County has joined with its labor union and the local Urban League to provide classroom and on-the-job training for underskilled, disadvantaged applicants. I regard this effort as especially important because it responds to the needs of our inner-city unemployed.

In addition, Lt. Governor Hollister will be spearheading an unprecedented effort to better target state resources in supporting our workforce, and helping every Ohioan who wants a job, to find one.

Ohio's business community has really risen to the occasion in support of our efforts. They helped us craft our two jobs bills that are already improving Ohio's business environment. Their recommendations are also helping us in expanding Ohio's role in international trade and in properly deploying our scientific and technological resources.

We simply went to our customers and asked them for their guidance. And, do you know what? We're getting results.

Our Jobs Creation Tax Credit has generated more than two billion dollars in private investment and created or saved more than 67,000 jobs. Ohio exports have increased by 170 percent since 1987, well ahead of the 90 percent national growth rate. The Ohio Technology Network is transforming our state into the gigantic research park I knew we could become.

Site Selection magazine ranked us first in the nation in 1993 in new business facilities and expansions. And we've got our fingers crossed that we're going to be number one again in 1994.

In addressing Ohio's many "quality of life" issues, we have focused our attention on reducing crime, improving our environment, and expanding health care coverage. In each of these areas, government must accept a large share of the responsibility for positive change. But there is still much that individual citizens, businesses, and other organizations can do to be of help. As Mayor of Cleveland, I saw how effective citizen "crime-watch" or "block-watch" programs can be in making our neighborhoods safer. As Governor, I've been gratified by the extensive, voluntary participation of Ohio businesses in our pollution prevention efforts. Our TreeSource program, with its volunteer organizations in 86 counties, will plant or maintain some 15 million trees across the Buckeye State this year.

As we've expanded our PASSPORT program to keep thousands more seniors in their own homes instead of in nursing homes, I've watched families, friends, and neighbors join together to help provide for the needs of those older Ohioans.

And I want to thank everyone who will be attending tonight's Inaugural Ball. The food that we've asked you to bring will be distributed to hungry Central Ohioans by the Mid Ohio Food Bank. Volunteers from the City Year program will help deliver the food to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries throughout this region.

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It should be clear to all of us that a great many Ohioans are working very hard to make a positive difference for our state. Yet, I know that we have only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible. Later this month, in my State of the State address, I will outline in detail our plan to target state resources for the next two years so that we may build on the good work already being done by so many of our fellow citizens.

Let me close by again thanking that silent army of people who have touched the lives of many. Although the history books may not record your names, your contributions will live on. Although you reflect the diversity that is Ohio, you are kindred spirits, joined by the common thread of caring, sharing, and giving something back that unites us all as God's children.

One such person is my own mother, who, although in her early eighties, still worked as a volunteer in the library of an inner city school. My brothers and sisters and I would ask her, "Mom -- why are you still doing this? You've done enough! Why don't you just rest and take it easy?"

Her answer was always the same. "Because I'm needed."

Yes, Mom. You are needed. And yes, Ohioans. You are needed, too.

Each and every person in this state has a unique gift -- a special something that can make a difference in the life of someone else. I hope every person -- every family -- every business -- every organization -- will heed the call and identify that one thing that each can do.

The vision we have set for Ohio aims high, and some of our goals may be just barely within our grasp. My two mottos as Governor have been Ohio's own motto -- "With God, all things are possible" -- and the one I've followed since becoming Mayor of Cleveland: "Together, we can do it."

I'm confident that, with God's help and working together, we can achieve our goals, become a national leader and world-class competitor, and secure Ohio's future for our children.

Thank you.