Speech
Upward Bound of Montana Tech Awards Banquet
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
Butte
5/16/2003
***Check Against Delivery***
Thank you, Amy and good evening to you all. I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to join you tonight as we honor the Upward Bound award winners.
Thank you so much for inviting me. My favorite part of this job is interacting with the students of Montana. It always refreshing to share ideas with the future of our state and this evening has shown me that our state is going to be in great hands.
It is great to see Chancellor Gilmore here this evening. Chancellor, thank you for making Upward Bound a priority. And to you Amy, without your tireless efforts we would not be here.
Please join me in thanking them and the director and coordinators for all that they do.
Amy is correct; I would have been eligible for this program as neither of my parents attended college. My parents, much like yours, worked from a very early age many hours a day to ensure that our family had all we needed. The one thing they knew we needed was a proper education.
Education has always been a priority for my family and it certainly has been something we have worked very hard on in my administration. Education is the backbone of every economic pursuit in Montana. Upward Bound and your hard work plays a very important role in the progress that we are making.
The most important issue facing education in the United States is access to post secondary education. The program you are a part of is another positive step in the evolution of access to higher education.
Every Montanan - every American should be concerned about removing barriers that keep students from post-secondary education. All students and all young people should be able to achieve any goal they set for themselves.
To you the students, the sky truly is the limit and when institutional or economic barriers keep you from reaching your goals it upsets me.
We should do be doing everything in our power to break down those barriers. If we do not, then we have not done our job as educators, governors or legislators.
We must work to make sure that every student is successful. This program is a great first step. Another exciting aspect of Upward Bound is that it truly is a cooperative effort between K-12 and higher education.
It has long been a desire of many education leaders to implement a kindergarten through graduate school system. A K-16 effort will help facilitate student readiness to take advantage of the access that is afforded them and to complete a college degree. Smooth transitions create relaxed students that achieve in the classroom.
It is those transitions that make this program so successful. Through the Upward Bound Bridge Program the impacts of high school to college are minimized and it is proven that this increase the chance for success.
Access translates into success. By ensuring that every student has the opportunity to pursue an education after high school we will make our state a vibrant place for better paying jobs.
Economic development is the cornerstone of my administration – and the goal of improving our economy is all about you – the students here tonight.
We have to be courageous enough to embrace change, not run from it.
Our vision is to make a better Montana by building on the traditional values of hard work, education, and family that you epitomize and that have always made us great.
We are working hard to create an environment to recruit and retain the businesses that will provide good-paying jobs for you to stay, live, work and raise your families here.
On that note, I would also like to extend my congratulations to the families of the young people here tonight. Thank you, first and foremost, for raising such outstanding kids. It takes an incredible amount of work and effort to raise a child; you’ve done an outstanding job.
I also want to thank you because I’m sure that many of you helped to encourage your children to never give up on their dreams. By being that positive force you helped them make the right choice.
It is that unbreakable spirit and inextinguishable flame that make dreams come true.
This “never give up” attitude is one of the most important characteristics an individual can have. Some call it perseverance; I call it guts.
Your perseverance pays off doesn’t it? Your hard work is rewarded at many levels. Not only are you on track to obtain a high school and college degree but you are here tonight to receive very important awards that recognize your achievements.
You have earned the admiration of your teachers, peers, friends and family. You have made them very proud. I can say that I join all of our fellow Montanans in sending congratulations for what you have accomplished.
But through your hard work you have also traveled to Washington, DC. It is so important for young people to visit our nation’s capital.
Your special experience in Washington has created memories that will last a lifetime.
Then this summer you are taking a trip that will make may of us jealous. Retracing the steps of Lewis and Clark is something that many people will never be able to do. You will have a wonderful time.
When you think about it, you are not that much different from Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. You are constantly exploring, discovering, learning and adapting. What’s more, you will be even more successful in your endeavors.
With each new experience you are growing wiser, stronger, and closer to achieving your goals. I know with all my heart that you will meet those goals and so much more.
So, as you retrace the steps of the Corps of Discovery know that you personally have so much more to discover. Work through difficulty, shake off adversity, and always know that you can do whatever you desire.
I have faith in you.
Congratulations on your awards and all you have done. May God bless you all.
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