Governor Michael Easley inaugural speech

              Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603- 8001
( 919) 733- 5612 - Toll Free 1- 800- 662- 7005
FAX ( 919) 733- 5166
Today you have honored me a second time to fill the high office of Governor of North Carolina.
I am humbled by your confidence, determined to meet your expectations and committed to the worthy
goals that our people have set for this state.
Four years ago, we celebrated the birth of a new century. Though still in its infancy, it has been a time
of great change and great promise. We have seen adversity, but we have been resilient.
The people of North Carolina have met the 21st century with optimism, with confidence and with
ambition. They have called for improved education and a better economy, and are determined to lead
with innovation and with knowledge.
We have realized the challenge of the global era and while others fear the changes, we embrace them --
confident that the character and spirit of our people will prevail.
For the past decade, we have witnessed a rapid and steady decline of those enterprises and industries
that were basic to our economy for well over a century. The wave of foreign trade has eroded the
lowest segment of our economy. But we are charting these new waters with confidence and wisdom,
determined to expand our knowledge and improve our skills.
Today, both scripture and commerce require that none of our people’s talents shall be buried.
The demands placed upon us are clear. In North Carolina, we must educate our people to navigate this
sea of change and set a new and better course to economic prosperity and security.
We are building confidently on the system of education with which we have been so blessed.
Now as one economic era has ended and another has begun the time for indecision and timidity has
passed. We are already on the path of progress.
Our full attention must be focused on the transition of our economy cons istent with the educational
demands of this global era.
We welcome the challenges that remain.
Our people must have more knowledge to prevail. We will offer it.
Our state must expand its creative talent. We will produce it.
And, our people must have more skill to compete. We will provide it.