People for Patty Murray Luncheon Event with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Remarks by Senator Patty Murray
People for Patty Murray Luncheon Event with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Thank you. There is such great energy in this room. You know what Hillary . . . I think we can feel victory in the air.
As I look around, I see a lot of friends out there - welcome. Thank you so much for your help, support, encouragement - my family and I appreciate it.
I'd like to recognize my Senate colleagues who have joined me today. Traveling all the way from North Dakota, my friend and fellow member of Senate Leadership - you might know him from Fahrenheit 9/11 - Sen. Byron Dorgan. Most recently she's been fighting to keep our electricity rates down by taking on Enron and those in the Bush Administration who are sitting on their hands doing nothing in the face of overt fraud and market manipulation - a great partner - Senator Maria Cantwell. We'll hear from her later, but I'd like to acknowledge up front, just how pleased I am to have my friend Senator Clinton here with us today.
If you're an elected official - please stand up - let's give them a round of applause -thanks for all you do.
I would also like to acknowledge all of the active duty, reserve, guard, and veterans in the audience - I want to thank you for your service - we have asked a lot of you, and this is one senator who will not forget.
Would all of those who are serving, have served, or have family who are serving please stand and everyone join me in thanking them for all they do for all of us. We're all here, ready to go, because we know this is one of the most important elections in our lifetimes.
Everything we want for our country is at stake.
We are here because we believe in the people of America. And we are here because we believe in an America where we are opening doors of opportunity for all Americans.
But you know, these last few years - for far too many Americans those doors of opportunity have been closing.
Friends, it is time to put the American people first.
We are here because we believe in an America where every child goes to a safe school, has great teachers, and learns the skills they need to succeed. We are here because we believe in an America that values our parents and grandparents. An American where - after a lifetime of hard work - our seniors don't fear retirement, because they have -
the healthcare they deserve,
the prescription drugs they need,
and financial security.
We are here because we believe in an America where the air is clean and the water is safe to drink.
We are here because we believe in an America where our veterans get the help, support, and respect they have earned.
We are here because we believe in an America where families can support themselves with good jobs in a growing economy.
We are here because we believe in an America where a woman has the right to make her own choices about her own body.
And we are here because we believe in an America that respects the rights of others and an America that is respected throughout the world.
But friends, today these American values are under attack. Instead of finding open doors of opportunity - too many Americans face the closed-door policies of an Administration and majority in Congress indifferent to their struggles. We all know that public education forms the cornerstone of our democracy.
We all want out kids to get a great education, and we know what it takes to help kids succeed -
a highly-motivated teacher,
un-crowded classrooms,
and extra help when they need it.
It is these policies that reflect American values and open doors of opportunity.
But every
teacher,
every parent,
and every child -
in every community
will tell you today - the Bush Administration is failing too many kids with its implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act.
It's time to give our schools more than just rhetoric and provide the help and support they need so our kids can succeed.
America is the leader when it comes to technological advancement and new scientific break-throughs that help people live better lives.
Here in Washington State, we are proud of our heritage of discovery -
from Boeing and Microsoft,
to the University of Washington,
Washington State University,
and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center -
Washington State has always been at the cutting edge of human discovery. Today, with the emergence of genetics and bio-technology, our state and our country are poised to - once again - lead the way.
Government has been - and must continue to be - a partner on this voyage of discovery.
It is these policies that reflect American values and open doors of opportunity. But today, the President and members of Congress are limiting our ability to discover new cures through stem cell research.
They are letting politics - not science - dictate future progress - that's wrong.
It's time to change the President's policies on stem cell research and make health care research, the lives it saves, and the jobs it creates a priority for our country. And speaking of jobs and opportunity, since January 20, 2001 - when President Bush was sworn into office - Washington State has lost more than 46,000 jobs - giving us one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.
Right now, there are over 200,000 unemployed workers in Washington State. This stands in stark contrast to the eight years of the Clinton Administration when Washington State increased the number of jobs by over 500,000. How did we create those jobs then? By sticking to our values and putting America's working people first.
If we want to compete and win in today's global economy, we know what we need to do.
We need to help people of all ages update their skills and get the job training they need. We need to invest in the infrastructure - roads, bridges, highways, and communications -that attract new employers.
And we know we need to invest in research today, because that is going to create the jobs of tomorrow.
But today, the White House and the majority in Congress are saying no to training, no to building our infrastructure, and no to investments in our future - and when they say no - they close the doors of opportunity that come with the jobs these investments create today, and the foundation for job growth it creates for tomorrow. We know we can do better. . . And as Democrats we are ready to roll up our sleeves and get our priorities back in order so we can invest in America again. My job is to open doors for all Americans - so they can have the opportunities I have been so fortunate to have growing up in our country. I look at every issue I face that way.
A few months ago, I offered a bill to help women and children escape domestic violence.
The Republicans and their allies tried to kill my bill.
In fact, they lined the Capitol with lobbyists to pressure senators to oppose my bill - and they tried to pressure me every way they could.
But I didn't back down.
I said even if that vote was 99 - 1, I would always be the one vote for women and children every time.
Because it is about opening doors of opportunity - not closing them. I take that responsibility seriously and with your help and support, I will continue to fight for the people of Washington State.
Now, later in the program, we are fortunate to be able to hear from a real American leader - who is doing everything she can to open doors of opportunity for her state of New York and our entire nation.
I have seen her work up close and no one works harder for the things she believes in - and stands firm in defense of those values that make our country great - than she does. She is a wonderful colleague to have in the Senate, and I value her friendship and support. We serve together on several committees in the Senate, and work together in Senate Leadership, and
I can assure you, when Hillary speaks, people listen. But before we hear from her, I want to introduce a wonderful young woman who is with us today, Aya Dixon, who I have asked to introduce our guest. Aya is a sophomore at Linfield College and has taken a real leadership role in helping to make our community stronger.
She is a long-time tutor in student literacy programs, and as a junior in high school, she represented the United States as a Sports Ambassador in the People to People program where she played in the Championship game of the European youth soccer Haarlam Cup in the Netherlands.
Aya is doing everything she can to prepare to confront the world that awaits her - she works hard, she is furthering her education and already embodies a sense of public service.
But it's up to us to make sure that the doors of opportunity don't close on Aya, and it's up to us to give Aya and her generation a country and a world that are better than we found it.
My friends, we've got work to do.
Please join me in welcoming Aya Dixon.