GOVERNOR DAVIS’ REMARKS

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND INTRODUCTION, WALLIS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING TOGETHER PROBLEM SOLVERS FROM BOTH PARTIES AND FOR DEMONSTRATING WE ALL BENEFIT WHEN LEADERS HAVE THE COURAGE TO CROSS PARTY LINES AND FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK.

ITS AN HONOR TO INTRODUCE TWO DISTINGUISHED GOVERNORS WHO HAVE EMBRACED THIS APPROACH – GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AND GOVERNOR JANET NAPOLITANO.

GOVERNORS ARE EXECUTIVES. WE ARE EXPECTED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, NOT JUST TALK ABOUT THEM.

SADLY WASHINGTON HAS FAILED TO TAKE LEADERSHIP ON MANY IMPORTANT PUBLIC POLICY MATTERS SUCH AS STEM CELL RESEARCH, THE REDUCTION OF GREEN HOUSE GASES, AND IMMIGRATION REFORM.

UNLIKE WASHINGTON, GOVERNORS DON’T HAVE THE LUXURY OF PASSING THE BUCK. WHEN WASHINGTON FAILS TO ACT, GOVERNOR’S MUST TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS HEAD ON.

IN 2002 I WAS HONORED TO SIGN THE FIRST BILL IN AMERICA THAT AUTHORIZED STEM CELL RESEARCH FROM ANY SOURCE, INCLUDING HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS.

I ACTED AFTER WE LOST MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, MARY RYER TO ALZHEIMER'S. I WANTED TO STIMULATE RESEARCH THAT MIGHT SPARE OTHER FAMILIES THE PAIN MY WIFE SHARON AND I EXPERIENCED.

IN 2002 I WAS ALSO PLEASED TO WORK WITH THEN ASSEMBLYWOMAN FRAN PAVLEY AND SIGN THE FIRST BILL IN AMERICA TO REDUCE CARBON EMITTING FOSSIL FUELS, A LAW DETROIT IS STILL TRYING TO FIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY 11 OTHER STATES HAVE ADOPTED SIMILAR LEGISLATION.

I WANT TO SALUTE GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER FOR BUCKING HIS OWN PARTY AND EMBRACING THE NEED FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH AND THE REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS.

HIS STAUNCH SUPPORT OF STEM CELL RESEARCH PERSUADED VOTERS TO ADOPT A FAR REACHING STEM CELL INITIATIVE IN 2004 – AND HE IS WORKING HARD TO ENSURE THAT CALIFORNIA LEADS THE COUNTRY IN REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES.

IN FACT HIS REPEATED EMPHASIS ON THE REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS HAS HELPED FORCE THE ISSUE TO CENTER STAGE IN WASHINGTON.

ANOTHER ISSUE ON WHICH CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ACT IS IMMIGRATION REFORM. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE PROBLEM DOESN’T GO AWAY, IT SIMPLY REAPPEARS AT THE FRONT DOOR OF EVERY BOARDER GOVERNOR IN AMERICA. 

TO THIS END, GOVERNOR NAPOLITANO HAS PROVIDED REMARKABLE LEADERSHIP.

I APPLAUD GOVERNOR NAPOLITANO’S STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR GREATER BOARDER SECURITY, TOUGHER EMPLOYER SANCTIONS, AND A COORDINATED CRACK-DOWN ON FRAUDULENT IDENTIFICATION. THESE ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF WHAT AMERICA NEEDS TO ACHIEVE REAL IMMIGRATION REFORM.

AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR, GOVERNOR NAPOLITANO HAS SEEN IT ALL. SHE’S SEEN DRUG TUNNELS, HUMAN SMUGGLING, AND OVER-CROWDED EMERGENCY ROOMS.    HOWEVER, DESPITE IT ALL, GOVERNOR NAPOLITANO CONTINUES TO TACKLE IMMIGRATION REFORM EVERYDAY WITH A SPIRIT OF CENTRIST BIPARTISANSHIP; AN EXAMPLE THAT WASHINGTON SHOULD MODEL.

NOW ITS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE MY SUCCESSOR AND FRIEND – GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER.

GOVERNOR, I THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO CARRY THE BATON TO ADVANCE STEM CELL RESEARCH AND THE REDUCTION CARBON EMITTING FOSSIL FUELS; NEITHER OF WHICH ARE POPULAR ISSUES IN YOUR PARTY. HOWEVER, YOU’VE REPEATEDLY REACHED ACROSS THE AISLES TO FORGE SOLUTIONS THAT HELP CALIFORNIANS.

WE CAME FROM DIFFERENT PLACES, BUT WE’VE BOTH HAVE HAD THE GREAT PRIVILEGE OF HELPING EVERYDAY CALIFORNIANS IMPROVE THEIR LIVES…

AND ONE MORE THING…. WE BOTH MARRIED WAY ABOVE OURSELVES…PLEASE WELCOME THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, FORMER FIRST LADY SHARON DAVIS --- AND FIRST LADY OF CALIFORNIA, THE REMARKABLE MARIA SHRIVER. 

NOW LETS GIVE IT UP FOR GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER.