End of Session Comments
July 1, 2001
I must begin my assessment of this year’s legislative session by once again thanking the members of the General Assembly for the way that they have treated me, my staff, my cabinet and my agenda. While we may not have always agreed, our interaction has been cordial and respectful and is everything I could have hoped for in my first year.
The civil attitude and tone that we have seen this year is one that most Americans hope for but rarely see in Washington or in other state capitals. It is what the people of Delaware expect, and I think they can be proud of every one of the elected officials in this building, Senators and Representatives, Republicans and Democrats. It has been a wonderful way to begin my term in office.
So what is the effect of the work that the legislature and I have done over the past six months? What affect does it have on Delawareans? I am proud I have been able to fulfill many of the promises I made as I sought this office.
Delawareans now have the right to a speedy resolution of disputes between their doctors and HMO’s, and won’t have to pay out of their pocket if they reasonably go out of the care network.
Delawareans will now know inside of 24 hours when there is an environmental release in their community.
Delaware’s children now have specialists in schools to help them learn to read and after-school programs to help them keep up.
Delaware’s teachers can now take control of their classrooms without fear of being sued for reasonably disciplining a student.
Delaware’s foster children have the prospect of communities of foster families to make their lives a little easier.
Delawareans will soon know that when they make a call to 911 from their cell phone, that dispatchers will know exactly where to find them.
Delawareans know that we have taken the first step toward curbing sprawl in Delaware by asking cities and towns to plan for growth, to grow only where they plan and by taking steps to preserve farmland and open space.
Delawareans know that we have taken steps to improve state government’s implementation of technology so that we can use our resources and serve our citizens more efficiently.
I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish for Delawareans in this session. We have taken tangible steps toward improving their lives.
I want to thank the members of the Senate and House again for their help. But I especially thank the people of Delaware for trusting me with the task of moving our state forward. I hope they will agree that we have done so.
Thank you.
