| Remarks by Governor Ted Kulongoski |
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| May 2, 2006 |
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Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon
Thank you Gale for your very generous introduction. I’d like to start by acknowledging my friend, His Excellency, the Consul General of Mexico; Mayor Potter; Chamber President Duarte; and each of you – honored friends and guests.
I also want to recognize two critical members of my staff. Lydia Muniz is helping me make Oregon a leading state for directing more public and private sector contracts to women, minority and emerging small businesses. Danny Santos is like a great baseball player who can play any position. No matter what I ask him to do – he gets the job done. Most recently, he served as my policy advisor on public safety, at a time when major issues relating to the state police, the Oregon National Guard, and emergency management were all coming across my desk.
It’s a great pleasure to be with you today – and a special honor to participate in this year’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce scholarship luncheon. If anyone knows about the importance of receiving a helping hand with going to college – I do.
As most people in Oregon know, I was raised in a Catholic home for boys – and at the time, most people would have called me a “down on his luck” kid. This much is certain: I don’t remember anyone saying to me when I was growing up, “Teddy, I expect great things from you.” But a few adults, some inspiring teachers – and, yes, the G.I Bill after I finished my service in the Marines, enabled me to go to college and law school, and begin a successful career as a lawyer, legislator, Attorney General, judge – and now Governor.
My point is this: I wouldn’t be where I am without help. And many of you probably wouldn’t be where you are without help. So all of us know what a scholarship or financial aid can mean to a young person who wants a post-secondary education – but can’t afford one. That’s why I have worked very hard to hold the line on tuition costs at Oregon community colleges and universities – and greatly increased the number of Oregon Opportunity Grants.
Today, every graduate of an Oregon high school, with good grades, will receive financial help from the state to go to a community college or four-year institution – public or private. And this assistance is now being extended to part-time students – which will help many of our Hispanic students who need to work while they’re in school.
I’ll have more to say shortly about what we’ve accomplished in education over the last three years – and where my vision for education goes from here. But first I want to point out that government cannot, by itself, shoulder the responsibility of helping young Oregonians earn a post-secondary education. We need help from foundations, civic organizations – and the business community.
All of us benefit from a highly educated workforce – and all of us must have a hand in creating that workforce. That’s why I want to offer my deep appreciation to the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce for again providing scholarships to talented, hardworking Hispanic students.
These scholarships are investments in Oregon’s future. We live in a global economy. We live in an interconnected economy – especially with our Latin American and South American neighbors. And we live in a high tech economy. This means Oregon cannot afford to lose the ideas, drive, and intelligence of young Hispanics. They are tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, scientists, doctors, business leaders, and public servants. So the scholarships you offer today are really seeds of prosperity – both for the students who receive them, and all the citizens of Oregon.
I consider education a two-way street. As a community we need to make sure that Hispanic students have what I want every Oregon student to have – the best education, the best training and the best skills in America.
But there is much that non-Hispanic Oregonians can learn for your history, culture and language. I love the Spanish language. And although I struggle with it, I can tell you that my Spanish is good enough to know that today is “El segundo de Mayo,” not “Cinco de Mayo.”
Since this luncheon is part of the weeklong celebration of Cinco de Mayo, it is worth noting that the spirit of Cinco de Mayo lives in the hearts and work of your members. Let me explain. Mexico declared its independence from Spain about two centuries ago – in 1810. But it was more than half a century later that Mexican forces fought the French army, on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla.
The Mexicans won a great victory that day – against overwhelming odds – and gave the Mexican people the hope and confidence they needed to face the future as an independent nation. That’s what the spirit of Cinco de Mayo is all about – hope, confidence, and taking charge of your own future.
Oregon is a long way from the Puebla. But many Hispanic families in Oregon face tough economic challenges – and real uncertainty caused by an emotional public debate over illegal immigration and the place of immigrants in our society. That debate was heard across Oregon – and America – yesterday, including in front of the capitol in Salem. Fortunately, the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is helping out with these economic challenges and uncertainties by supporting Hispanic-owned businesses, and providing scholarships to deserving Hispanic students.
These are more than good deeds. They are victories that inspire people and give them the hope and confidence they need to take charge of their own destiny – just as Mexico took charge of its destiny in the wake of the Battle of Puebla. Today, you will distribute 127,000-dollars in scholarships to 55 outstanding Latino students – from across the state.
As a former Marine, I feel a special pride in knowing that the Navy partnered with the Hispanic Chamber by presenting a full-ride ROTC scholarship to a deserving Hispanic recipient. I also want to acknowledge the many parents, family members and teachers who are here today. Your unbendingsupport of your sons, daughters and students is certain to help today’s scholarship winners succeed – not only in school, but also in life.
So to each of you I say: Thank you and congratulations – because while our attention is focused on the 56 young Hispanics who have earned the scholarships they’re receiving today, their achievements are built on the love, guidance and opportunity you have given them.
I want to talk to you today about my own vision for education in Oregon – and how this vision is tied to the strength of our economy, and our ability to match the skills of young workers with the needs of Hispanic and other businesses.
As you know, when I first became Governor, I made growing our economy and creating living wage jobs my highest priorities. We had the highest unemployment rate – and the slowest economic growth in the nation. But over the last three years, together we have turned Oregon’s economy around. Our unemployment rate is down to 5.4-percent, and we are growing faster than 45 other states.
Over 100,000 new jobs have been created in Oregon since I became Governor – and I’ve convinced many major companies either to move to Oregon, expand in Oregon, or stay in Oregon. At the same time, we streamlined government; added more industrial land; kept workers’ compensation rates low; raised our investment in tourism to record levels; and facilitated the expansion of air service to Mexico through Mexican Airlines.
We’re a national leader in high-tech innovation – and one of the top ten states in being awarded patents. We’re also investing billions of dollars in public infrastructure – doing major upgrades to our roads, bridges, and air, rail and port facilities, as well as our community colleges and universities. These investments will create thousands of new jobs – and many new business opportunities for members of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
And needless to say, my door has always been – and will remain – open to you. All this progress has occurred because we’re doing things right in Oregon. In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, we’ve taken hold of our own future, and positioned Oregon to be a leader among states that have a traded sector economy.
But we still have a lot of work ahead of us. That’s because just as a growing economy gives us the revenue we need to fund our public schools, community colleges and universities, a first rate education system is absolutely critical to keeping Oregon competitive in the global economy. In other words, if our schools aren’t the best in the world – we’re not going to be able to compete economically with the best in the world.
We also risk losing our brightest young minds to other states – the kind of minds that you are awarding scholarships to today. That’s why we need to take the next step – and create a stable and viable way to budget, fund and manage education in Oregon. Not just for K through 12, but the entire system – starting with Pre-K and continuing all the way to community colleges, universities, and the training and retraining of older workers. I call this seamless system of education the Education Enterprise.
Let me give you a brief update on the progress we’re making building my vision of an Education Enterprise. During last year’s regular session of the Legislature, we raised funding for K through 12 by 8-percent. Then last month, I called a one-day special session of the Legislature. In that short time, we passed five bills – including one giving our public schools an additional 42.2-million dollars in lottery funds for the upcoming school year. I also asked the legislature to extend gap-bond authority to Portland Public Schools, enabling Portland School Board to provide 15-million dollars to Portland schools each year for the next three years.
These are important first steps toward the creation of the Education Enterprise – but there is more to do. That’s why in December, I will present to the Legislature a K through 12 budget with a target of 6-billion dollars for the 07– 09 biennium.
I’ll also propose that we dedicate 61-percent of Oregon’s General Fund to the entire Education Enterprise, and that we guarantee a minimum 10-percent budget increase every biennium – for each sector of the Enterprise. By the way, the 6-billion dollar target for the next biennium is 104-million dollars more than the 10-percent guarantee. The 104-million will come from my new education investment fund.
What does a 6-billion dollar K through 12 budget mean for young Hispanic children in public school – and their parents? It means we can start restoring physical education, art and music, and remedial assistance to struggling students. These were never educational frills. They have always been absolutely critical to education excellence, and I am determined to make them available to every young person attending an Oregon public school.
As for the state as a whole, if my plan is adopted by the Legislature, Oregon will be solidly above the national average for per student spending by the end of the 07-09 biennium. For the 09-11 biennium, the numbers look even better. There will still be the guaranteed 10-percent increase – no matter what the state of Oregon’s economy. But instead of 104-million, my education investment fund is projected to kick in more than 500-million dollars in additional support for our public schools – bringing the total K through 12 budget in 09-11 to over 7-billion dollars. That’s an increase of more than 2-billion just since I became Governor.
What will 7-billion dollars buy for the students, parents and teachers of Oregon? Most important – we’ll be able to make a real run at reducing class size. Not just in K through 3. But from kindergarten all the way through 12thgrade.
That means more individual attention for students. Less stress for teachers. And more well educated Hispanic students that you will be proud to reward with scholarships. If the Legislature adopts my plan for an Education Enterprise – the days of cutting school budgets, cutting class days, and increasing class size will be over – forever!
But that is just the beginning. We will also strengthen our community colleges and universities – and better prepare the thousands of Oregon students who graduate high school every year, and want a marketable skill – but not a college degree. That’s what is so important about the Education Enterprise: It addresses the real needs of real Oregonians – employers, workers and students.
For employers – this means having a pool of well-trained workers who can handle the demands of a growing business. To make sure you have those well-trained workers, I have greatly expanded the number of workforce training grants – and we’re working with employers to design training programs that align the skills of workers with the needs of business.
For workers or students – the Education Enterprise means having access to an education and workforce training system that is well-funded, high quality – and responsive to his or her long-term career goals. So who really benefits from an Education Enterprise as I envision it? Citizens across Oregon – including:
The 48-year old Latino from Gervais, who’s been laid off from his job and needs to be retrained.
The 19-year-old Latina from Woodburn, who doesn’t want a four-year degree – but wants a technical career in manufacturing.
The 25-year-old Latino from Portland who has worked for a few years and now wants to continue his education at an Oregon community college or university.
The Latina businesswoman in Salem whose company depends on highly skilled and productive employees.
And countless other proud and hardworking Hispanic students, workers and business owners.
I cannot promise that our investment in the Education Enterprise will make every Oregonian rich. Neither can I promise that it will it mean instant success for all Latino students. But I can promise a fully funded and seamless Education Enterprise that teaches critical thinking skills – and the hands-on skills necessary to build, maintain and add customer value to Oregon products. I can promise a system that will do more to put earning power in the hands of every Oregonian, including our Hispanic families and businesses. I can promise a system that provides relevance and hope to the laid-off Latino in Gervais; the young Latina in Woodburn; the businesswoman in Salem, and the tens of thousands of low-income Hispanic students who want useful, rewarding jobs.
I am committed to fulfilling all of these promises – but I can only succeed with your help. So today, I ask you – as leaders in the Hispanic community – to help me turn my vision for education into a plan of action we can bring to the Legislature in January 2007, and pass with bipartisan support.
Before closing, I would to talk briefly about an issues that was recently in the news. In 2000, the Mexican Consulate generously hosted what became known as the Carousels of Information, which were open to anyone who wanted to attend. These events around the state helped us disseminate information about eligibility for public programs to people who do not speak English.
Because of security concerns, the Consulate found it necessary to limit access to these events. This past March, because of the limited access, I thought it best to pursue other means of getting this information out to our non-English-speaking populations.
I have continued to affirm, however, and I do so again today, that the State of Oregon remains committed to providing state agency information to all culturally and linguistically diverse communities. With Mexican Consul General Fernando Sanchez here, I want to express my continued appreciation for all of the great work done by the Mexican Consulate.
As you know, the Consulate’s work goes beyond helping Mexican nationals. It includes services that benefit every Oregonian through cooperative efforts on tourism and health, and education. I consider the Consul General a personal friend, just as Oregon and Mexico are the closest of friends – and Mexico and the United States are inseparable allies. This is as it should be, and will always be.
In closing, I again want to thank the Chamber, and all of you, for your work building Hispanic businesses, and for the generous scholarships you will award today.
Thank you and Hasta luego!
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