Gubernatorial Address: Massachusetts, 1987

Metadata	Value
Governor	Michael S. Dukakis
State	Massachusetts
Year	1987
Delivery Date	January 07, 1987
Governor's Party	Democratic
GPID	2b257e8c171e9c84c9423a05b5d83dad
Primary Source URL	Link
Raw Extracted Text URL	Link

Document Summary (Beta)

In his 1987 State of the State address, Governor Michael S. Dukakis of Massachusetts expressed gratitude for his re-election and pride in the progress made in the state. He highlighted the need for continued efforts to improve the state's government, economy, and social services. Dukakis emphasized the importance of addressing issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, school dropouts, and adult illiteracy to create opportunities for all citizens. He also hinted at contemplating a campaign for national office, acknowledging that his decision would be influenced by the success and partnership experienced in Massachusetts.

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UMASS/AMHERST MASS. G67.2 : M38/2 312066 0273 8293 9 GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS COLLECTION JUL 8 1987 University of Massachusetts Depository Copy COVERNOR MICHAEL S. CUKAKIS DELIVERED BEFORE BOTH HOUSES MASSACHUSETTS: BRINGING DOWN THE PAPRIERS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS CF THE GENEPAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS JANUARY 8. 1987 I CAN’T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE TO YOU IN WORDS THE JOY AND GRATITUDE THAT KITTY AND I AND OUR FAMILY BRING TO THIS. OUP THIRD INAUGUPAL-T-E FIPST. I MIGHT ADD. WHEN I HAVE NOT BEEN FORCED TO TAKE A FOUR YEAP VACATION BEFORE RETURNING TO THE STATE HOUSE. FOUR YEARS AGO. THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMONWEALTH GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY RARE IN AMERICAN POLITICS–A SECOND CHANCE. THEY ASKED YOU AND ME TO RESTORE INTEGRITY AND COMPETENCE AND COMPASSION TO STATE GOVERNMENT. AND I SAID ON THAT DAY IN JANUARY OF 1983 THAT IF THERE WAS ONE THING I HOPED WE COULD DO TOGETHEP IT WAS TO MAKE THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH PROUD OF THEIR STATE GOVERNMENT. I BELIEVE WE HAVE DONE THAT - - - NOT PEPFECTLY. BECAUSE WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS WITH ALL THE IMPERFECTIONS THAT MORTALS HAVE–NOT COMPLETELY. BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS TO COMPLETE AND NEW WORLDS TO CONQUER– BUT PRIDE IS BACK IN MASSACHUSETTS. CUR PEOPLE ARE PROUD AND CPTIMISTIC AND CONFICENT ABOUT THEIR COMMONWEALTH AND ABOUT ITS FUTUPE. AND THIS LEGISLATURE HAS HAD MUCH TO DO WITH ALL THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE PAST FCUP YEARS. Tc THE SPEAKER. TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT. TO EACH OF YCU WHO HAS SERVED WITH ME AND TO THOSE WHO BEGIN YOUR LEGISLATIVE CAREERS THIS WEEK. MY SPECIAL THANKS. THIS HAS BEEN A TEAM EFFORT IN EVERY SENSE CF THE WORD–AND I AM SPATEFUL TC YOU ALL. AND TODAY. AS WE LOOK FORWAPO TO A BRIGHT AND EXCITING FUTURE. I AM GRATEFUL TO THE PEOPLE OF l’ASSACHUSETTS FOP GIVING ME A NEW TEAMMATE. ONE WHO IS HERSELF A MAKER OF MASSACHUSETTS HISTOPY AND A TRAILELAZER INTO NEW TERRITORY. To Ev MURPHY. 3 HEAPTFELT WELCCME AECARD. AFFORD. CLEAN AND SAFE DRINKING WATER. FOR THE THOUSANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE DEVOTED THEIR PROFESSIONAL LIVES TO PUBLIC SERVICE. WE ARE ON THE THRESHOLD OF SWEEPING PENSION REFORM THAT WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE RETIREMENT SECURITY THEY HAVE EARNED. WE HAVE ALREADY MADE A SOLEMN COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THOSE AMONG US AFFLICTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS–TOO MANY OF WHOM ARE BARELY SURVIVING IN SHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS. THIS YEAR WE MUST APPROVE THE CAPITAL PESOURCES WE NEED TO TPANSFORM OUR MENTAL HOSPITALS INTO FIRST-CLASS INSTITUTIONS AND TO BUILD HOUSING THAT CAN PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT FOR EMOTIONALLY-TROUBLED CITIZENS. THEY. TOO. CAN AND SHOULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO LIVE THEIR LIVES WITH DIGNITY AND NOW THAT THIS LEGISLATURE HAS APPROVED A STRONG AND COURAGEOUS PRISON EXPANSION BILL. WE MUST FINISH THE JOB BY ENSURING THAT THE PUNISHMENT OF THOSE WHO COMMIT VIOLENCE AGAINST OTHERS IS TOUGH AND FAIR AND CONSISTENT. - 2 - WE BEGIN 1987 WITH SOME IMPORTANT AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS. To ERADICATE THE SHADOW OF HOMELESSNESS THAT HAUNTS THE NEEDY AND TO EXTEND THE DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP TO YOUNG FAMILIES. WE MUST EXPAND OUR EFFORTS TO REHABILITATE EVERY ABANDONED UNIT OF HOUSING IN THIS COMMONWEALTH AND BUILD THOUSANDS MORE AT A COST THAT OUR PEOPLE CAN To SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF EVERY MASSACHUSETTS FAMILY. WE MUST APPROVE LEGISLATION THAT CAN PROTECT US FROM THE DANGERS OF SOLID AND HAZARDOUS AND RADIOACTIVE WASTE AND GUARANTEE ALL MASSACHUSETTS FAMILIES THE PAST FOUR YEARS. IT IS A TIME FOR DREAMS. A TIME FOR VISION. IT IS A TIME WHEN WE HAVE IT WITHIN OUR POWER TO CREATE A FUTURE OF UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITY FUTURE IN WHICH EVERY MASSACHUSETTS CITIZEN ENJOYS THE KIND OF OPPORTUNITY WE EACH WANT FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OUR FAMILIES. IT IS A GOLDEN TIME IN A GOLDEN STATE–A TIME WHEN THE GLOW OF OPPORTUNITY THAT LIGHTS THIS COMMONWEALTH CAN SHINE IN EVERY HEART AND EVERY HOME. ILLUMINATING A FUTURE WHERE THE DPEAMS AND ASPIRATIONS OF EACH OF US AND EACH OF OUR CHILDREN CAN FIND FULFILLMENT. I BELIEVE THAT DREAM. THAT VISION IS WITHIN OUR GRASP. AND IF THERE IS ANY STATE IN THE NATION THAT CAN TRANSFORM THAT VISION INTO REALITY, IT IS MASSACHUSETTS. NOT AS AN ACT OF CHARITY–NOT SIMPLY BECAUSE OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO PEOPLE IN NEED. IMPORTANT THOUGH THAT MAY BE–BUT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL OF US LIVE RICHER AND BETTER LIVES IN A SOCIETY IN WHICH ALL OF US HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THE BEST THAT IS IN US AND MAKE A REAL CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY. IF WE ARE TO MAKE THAT VISION REAL-IF WE ARE TO OPEN UP THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY TO ALL OF OUR CITIZENS–THEN WE MUST CCMMIT OURSELVES TO TWO FUNDAMENTAL GOALS– FIRST. THE BUILDING OF AN ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CREATIVE THAT IS INNOVATIVE THAT IS COMPETITIVE: AND THAT CAN PROVIDE US WITH THE MEANS OF CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY CITIZEN AND EVERY FAMILY IN THE COMMONWEALTH. AND - 3 - BUT THIS IS A TIME TO DO MORE THAN SIMPLY COMPLETE THE GOOD WOFK OF SECOND, AN ALL-OUT ASSAULT ON THE CAUSES OF POVERTY AND DEPENDENCY–NOT JUST THE TREATMENT OF THEIR SYMPTOMS AND CONSEQUENCES. THESE TWO GOALS GO HAND IN HAND–AND - IN MASSACHUSETTS WE UNDERSTAND THAT. FOR WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN NOT ONLY CREATE A BIGGEP. PIE BUT THAT WE CAN MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE TO GET TO THE TABLE AND MAKE HIS OP HER OWN CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS WE HAVE ACHIEVED AND THE PRIDE WE FEEL. THAT IS WHY OUR CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GPOWTH AND GOOD JOBS AND A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY IS so IMPORTANT. AND THANKS TO OUR EFFORTS OVER THE PAST DECADE. WE HAVE A WONDERFUL FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD. WE MUST CONTINUE TO NUPTUPE THE SPIPIT OF INNOVATION. WE MUST CONTINUE TO BUILD LINANCES BETWEEN AND AMONG THE BUSINESS AND LABOR AND EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITIES. WE MUST CONTINUE TO INVEST IN EDUCATION–A ALL LEVELS AND FOR ALL AGES. WE NEED A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN APPLIED TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTIVITY THAT CAN HELP TURN OUR OLDER MATURE INDUSTRIES INTC MODE N. MARIIFFACTURING ENTERPRISES IN WHICH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND GPOWING COOPERATION BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND LABOR CAN MAKE US COMPETITIVE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD. WE NEED SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATORS WHERE YOUNG AND PPOMISING ENTREPRENEURS CAN COME TOGETHER TO BUILD THE CIGITALS AND DATA GENERALS OF THE FUTURE. WE NEED A FIRST-CLASS ET.CFK OF CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO CPE UP THE DOCA OF CPPORTUNITY TO - 4 - IN ALL OUR HISTORY? MORTGAGING THEMSELVES FOR LIFE. AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO INVEST IN A FIRST-CLASS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND IN THE KIND OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY THAT HAS MADE MASSACHUSETTS ONE OF THE GREAT PLACES TO LIVE AND BRING UP ONE’S FAMILY. THIS MUST BE OUR AGENDA FOR THE COMMONWEALTH’S ECONOMIC FUTURE. THIS IS THE AGENDA WHICH WILL NOT ONLY ALLOW MASSACHUSETTS TO KEEP PACE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY BUT TO LEAD IT. BUT THE CHALLENGE WE NOW FACE GOES FAR BEYCND CUP COMMITMENT TO A STRONG ECONOMY. WE NOW HAVE IT WITHIN OUR POWE P TO ENSURE THAT EVEPY CITIZEN– AND I MEAN EVERY CITIZEN CAN CONTRIBUTE TO AND SHAPE IN CUR ECONOMIC GOOD FORTUNE. YES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF LIVING AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELTER FOR THE POOREST CF OUP CITIZENS–FOR THOSE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN RAVAGED BY FORCES BEYOND THEIR CONTROL. HERE WE HAVE DONE MUCH ALPEADY–ORAMATICALLY INCPEASING BENEFITS FOR THOSE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: BUILDING MORE HOUSING FCP FAMILIES OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME THAN AT ANY TIME I’ll OUP. HISTORY: EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF STATE SHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS FROM ? TO FC: AND IN THE LAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS ALONE HELPING 2600 MASSACHUSETTS FAMILIES MOVE FROM SHELTERS AND HOTELS AND MOTELS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. - 5 - THOUSANDS OF MASSACHUSETTS WORKERS WHO APE ENTERING A FUTURE IN WHICH THERE MAY BE. QUITE LITERALLY. MORE JOBS THAN PEOPLE TO FILL THEM. AND WHEN HAS ANY STATE EVER HAD AN OPPOPTUNITY LIKE THAT IN OUR LIFETIMES–OR WE NEED A COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY FUND THAT WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR FAMILIES TO INVEST IN A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN WITHOUT SUCCESS STORY. OUR CHALLENGE NOW IS NOT SIMPLY TO HELP OUP. CITIZENS SURVIVE: IT IS TO HELP THEM FLOURISH. HOW DO WE DO THIS? HOW DO WE CREATE GENUINE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY CITIZEN AND EVERY FAMILY? IN TWO VERY FUNDAMENTAL WAYS. FIRST, WE MUST REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO HELP THOSE WHO APE NOW ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO LIFT THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY. THANKS TO THE ET CHOICES PROGRAM. THIRTY THOUSAND WELFARE FAMILIES HAVE MOVED FROM WELFARE TO WORK IN LESS THAN THREE AND A HALF YEARS. TEN THOUSAND MORE WILL BE JOINING THEM THIS YEAR. AND THANKS TC ET. A NEW CONGRESS. I AM CONFIDENT. WILL APPROVE NATIONAL LEGISLATION MAKI’.G ET A POLICY FOR THE NATION. SECOND, WE MUST BRING DCWN THOSE BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITY THAT HAVE. FOR TOO LONG, MEANT GENERATIONAL POVERTY AND DEPENDENCY FOR TOO MANY. WHAT ARE THOSE BARRIERS? FIRST, THE FAILURE OF RESPONSIBILE PARENTS–USUALLY FATHERS–TO PROVIDE THE SUPPORT THEIR CHILOREN ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE. THANKS TO THIS LEGISLATURE. WE NOW HAVE THE MEANS AND THE TOCLS TO ENFORCE OUR CHILD SUPPORT LAWS AGGRESSIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY. AND : WANT TO SAY TODAY TO THOSE FATHERS THAT THE DAYS WHEN THE TAXPAYERS CF THIS COMMONWEALTH WERE PREPARED TO ASSUME YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILDREN ARE OVER. You HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THAT CHILD AND ITS MOTHER: AND IF WE HAVE TO GO AFTER YOU AND YOUR WAGES TO ENSUPE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IS. WE’LL on IT. - 6 - BUT THIS. BY ITSELF. WILL DO LITTLE TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR EVERY FAMILY IN THIS COMMONWEALTH TO EARN ITS PLACE IN THE MASSACHUSETTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH. OUR GOAL: DRUG FREE SCHOOLS 8Y 1990. TEEN PREGNANCY–NOW A FACT OF LIFE FOR TWENTY THOUSAND YOUNG WOMEN IN THIS COMMONWEALTH. A VIRTUAL GUARANTEE OF POVERTY AND DEPENDENCY IN TOO MANY OF THESE CASES–UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. AND DO SOMETHING WE WILL. AS WE WORK TO PROVIDE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A BETTER START TO THEIR ADULT LIVES. SCHOOL DROPOUTS–YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE FALLING 8Y THE WAYSIDE AS THEY FAIL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE THE TICKET TO THEIR FUTURES. WE ALREADY KNOW THAT A COMBINATION OF STUDY AND WORK. UNDER THE RIGHT DIRECTION. CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE FOR THESE YOUNGSTERS. AND WE WILL WORK PARTICULARLY CLOSELY WITH THOSE CITIES AND TOWNS THAT BENEFIT MOST FROM OUR EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY YOUNGSTER IN THIS STATE–EVERY YOUNGSTER–EARNS A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND AN OPEN DOOR TO A BRIGHT FUTURE. ADULT ILLITERACY NO CITIZEN OF THIS OR ANY OTHER STATE CAN POSSIBLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WE ARE CREATING UNLESS THEY CAN READ AND WRITE AND CCMPUTE. WE WILL CREATE A CITIZENS’ LITERACY CORPS–ONE THAT I HOPE WILL ATTRACT LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS WHO WANT TO HELP OPEN THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY TO THOUSANDS MORE. WE’LL MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO ENLIST THE TALENT AND IDEALISM OF OUR COLLEGE - 7 - DRUG AND ALCOHOL BUSE–PROBABLY THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT CAUSE OF POVERTY AND DEPENDENCY AND CRIME WE FACE IN THIS COUNTRY. THANKS TO THE WORK OF THE GOVERNOR’S ALLIANCE AGAINST DRUGS AND THE EFFORTS OF THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS ACROSS THIS COMMONWEALTH. NO STATE IS BETTER EQUIPPED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RESOURCES THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS HAVE NOW GIVEN US. AND WE SHALL 00 SO–IN EVERY CITY AND TOWN ENTHUSIASM AND IDEALISM TO THIS EFFORT. CHILD SUPPORT. DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE. TEEN PREGNANCY. SCHOOL DROPOUTS. ADULT ILLITERACY. THESE ARE THE BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITY. THESE ARE THE BARRIERS TO OUR DREAM OF A SOCIETY IN WHICH THERE IS GENUINE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. AND THESE ARE THE BARRIERS THAT IN MASSACHUSETTS WE WILL STRIVE TO BRING DOWN. TOTALLY. PERMANENTLY. WE BEGIN THAT TASK A WEEK FROM SATURDAY AT AN ALL-DAY CONFERENCE HERE AT THE STATE HOUSE–A CONFERENCE WHERE LEGISLATORS AND MAYORS AND SELECTMEN AND CITIZENS FROM EVERY COPNER OF THE COMMONWEALTH WILL COME TOGETHER TO EXCHANGE IDEAS. EXPLORE NEW APPROACHES. LEAPN FROM EACH OTHER HOW WE CAN BRING DOWN THE BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITY. FOR WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS NOT SOME GRAND SCHEME DEVELOPED IN THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OR IN THE LEGISLATURE. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE WORK AND LEADERSHIP OF CITIZENS IN EVERY CITY AND TOWN–TACKLING THESE PROBLEMS IN COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS. IN SCHOOLS AND WORKPLACES- WITH PLENTY OF SUPPORT FROM THOSE OF US AT THE STATE HOUSE. I HOPE THAT EACH OF YOU–AND EVERY CITIZEN OF THE COMMONWEALTH-WILL - THINK ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTION YOU CAN MAKE. THE ROLE YOU CAN PLAY IN THIS EFFORT. IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS SUGGESTING TO YOUR BOSS THAT YOUR COMPANY HIRE ONE OF OUR ET GRADUATES. CP SOMETHING AS CHALLENGING AS - 8 - STUDENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS WHO CAN BRING THEIR OWN SPECIAL BRAND OF AND WRITE. BUT WHATEVER IT IS. I HOPE THAT EVERY CITIZEN OF MASSACHUSETTS WILL JOIN IN A GRASS ROOTS CAMPAIGN TO OPEN UP THAT DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY TO EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OF OUR COMMONWEALTH. JOIN US THIS NEW YEAR AS WE SET OUT ON OUR MARCH ALONG THE ROAD CF OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OUR CITIZENS WHERE OUR SCHOOLS ARE FREE CF DRUGS MASSACHUSETTS WHERE EVERY ADULT CITIZEN CAN READ AND WPITE A POAD THAT LEADS TO A MASSACHUSETTS IN WHICH EVERY YOUNGSTER GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL ALL PARENTS–UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS A ROAD THAT LEADS TO A MASSACHUSETTS IN WHICH EVERY CINGLE WELFARE FAMILY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN IT CAN WALK OUT INTO THE BRIGHT SUNSHINE OF OPPORTUNITY WITH A GCCD JOB AT DECENT WAGES IN A SAFE AND ATTRACTIVE EIGHBOPHOOD FAMILY IN THIS COMMONWEALTH CAN SAY TO THEMSELVES AND THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS, “THERE’S A FUTURE FOR US NOW–AND WITH IT NEW HOPE THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE AN EVEN BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES.” “ IF THERE IS ONE THING WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED OVEP THE PAST DECADE. IT IS THAT WE HAVE THE WILL AND THE MEANS AND THE ENEPGY TO CREATE THIS SOCIETY–THE KIND OF SOCIETY THAT STANDS FOR ECONOMIC OP PORTUNITY AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE. IT WAS DANIEL WEBSTER WHO CHALLENGED AN EARLIER GENERATION OF DAY STATERS TO “CALL FORTH ITS INCUSTRY. DEVELOP ITS RESOURCES”. AND TO SEE WHETHER THEY IN THEIR TIME “MIGHT NOT PERFORM SOMETHING WORTHY TO BE REMEMBERED.” A ROAD THAT LEADS TO A MASSACHUSETTS IN WHICH OUR TEENAGERS–AND - S - VOLUNTEERING AN EVENING A WEEK TO HELP A MEMBER OF YOUR COMMUNITY TO READ A POAD THAT LEADS TO A MASSACHUSETTS A ROAD THAT LEADS TO A IN WHICH THE MEMBERS OF EVERY DREAM OF OPPORTUNITY FOP ALL. - 10 - LET THAT BE THE CHALLENGE FOR THIS GENEPATION OF RAY STATERS. LET HISTORY RECORD THAT WE DID SOMETHING WORTHY TO BE REMEMBERED. LET US COMMIT OURSELVES HERE AND NOW THAT IT WILL BE OUR GENEPATION WHICH BRINGS DOWN THE BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITY–OUR GENERATION THAT WILL MAKE REAL THE T.’d like to say something to all of you in a very personal way. I’ve got some awesome decisions to make in the next few months. And they are decisions that I intend to make only after much thought and much reflection. Put nobody knows better than the Covernor of the Commonwealth that I would not even be remotely contemplating a campaign for national office if it were not for the extraordinary success we have achieved together. so, in a very real sense, whatever decision I will make will grow out of the sense of partnership and mutual trust that we have created these past four years. I want to thank all of you who have given me much wise advice and counsel during the past few weeks. And whatever decision I make, T want you to know that being the governor of Massachusetts has been the richest, the most fulfilling and the most enjoyable experience anyone in pub] ic life could possibly ask for. PACE 11