[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 42 (Friday, April 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3228-S3229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO FIRST LADY OF VIRGINIA ROXANNE GILMORE

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
First Lady of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Mrs. Roxanne Gilmore. I had 
the distinct pleasure of joining Mrs. Gilmore for a luncheon honoring 
her prior to the Governor's Inauguration. Mrs. Gilmore is a remarkable 
woman of uncommon character and an accomplished education professional. 
She is setting a wonderful example for all Virginians and bringing 
tremendous talent, energy, and leadership to the position of First 
Lady.
  Mr. President, I ask that First Lady Gilmore's remarks be printed in 
the Record.
  The remarks follow:

                    Remarks of Mrs. Roxanne Gilmore

       I want to thank each of you for being here today, 
     especially with the weather having taken a turn for the 
     worse. It means a lot to Jim and me that you all would choose 
     to be a part of our inaugural festivities--we wanted to share 
     this experience with as many Virginians as possible. That's 
     why we have traveled to so many wonderful places in the 
     Commonwealth this week--to revisit the beautiful places that 
     we saw during the campaign, and most importantly, to see so 
     many of our friends who sustained us over the last several 
     months.
       It's with many differing emotions that I address you this 
     afternoon. I am deeply honored that a man of the stature of 
     Senator John Warner would host this event today. He is truly 
     one of Virginia's finest sons, and his service and commitment 
     to the people of Virginia overshadows what small service I 
     hope to give the people over the next four years.
       I am thankful that so many of our close friends and family 
     are here and that they were able to weather the roads to make 
     it to Richmond today. You all have understood when we had to 
     say No, we can't come this time, and you sustained us during 
     the rough times. I particularly want to thank Bessie Scott of 
     the VFRW for their tireless efforts on our part during this 
     campaign. There was not a time when they refused to help, and 
     I am proud that I can claim a long-standing membership in 
     such a worthwhile group. I also want to thank the Mills E. 
     Godwin High School Chorus for providing special music for our 
     enjoyment. Our son, Jay, has enjoyed being a ``Godwin Eagle'' 
     this year, and I appreciate the warmth that the Godwin 
     student body has extended to us all.
       Then, indeed, I am somewhat terrified of giving this speech 
     since I see some of my

[[Page S3229]]

     UVA professors and my RMC colleagues in the audience. I hope 
     they left their grade books at home, and focus instead on how 
     much I appreciate their support here today.
       I have often thought it appropriate that as Jim and I 
     embarked on this course in the political world, that a large 
     part of my teaching at RMC included epic poetry--the Odyssey 
     of Homer, and the Aeneid of Virgil. For our course has surely 
     been an Odyssey. On my journey I have seen rosy fingered Dawn 
     on early morning campaign trips--I have seen the wine-dark 
     sea of the Chesapeake Bay--and even some of the political 
     meetings were reminiscent of the great quarrel between 
     Achilles and Agamemnon.
       But just as the journey of Odysseus didn't really end when 
     he reached Ithaca, nor the journey of Aeneas end with his 
     arrival in Italy, our journey is not over, but just 
     beginning. The work of accomplishment will start this 
     Saturday. And while Jim has the legacy of Virginia's great 
     Governors to follow and well-defined Constitutional 
     responsibility to uphold, there are no guidebooks or defined 
     rules to mark the path of a First Lady. Today I want to share 
     with you some of my plans for the next four years.
       Much news has been made of the fact that I will continue to 
     work part-time as a professor of classics. The attention has 
     quite frankly surprised me. During our 20 years of marriage, 
     I have worked full-time, sometimes not at all, and part-time. 
     I now work part-time and will continue to teach while Jim is 
     Governor.
       I never viewed the fact that I would teach as a decision. 
     To both Jim and me, my continuing to teach was never a 
     question. He realizes that teaching is not really a job to 
     me, it is my passion. It is an important part of my life, and 
     Jim's understanding this and supporting it have meant much to 
     me over these past years.
       We of course will continue to be partners in our 
     responsibilities of parenthood. On many occasions Jim has 
     been the one who got up early and prepared Jay and Ashton for 
     school as I traveled or left for school early. We support 
     each other in our goals. And in doing this we are just a 
     typical Virginia family, and we will continue on this path. 
     We will approach life in the Governor's mansion in the same 
     manner we have approached life throughout our marriage. We 
     will draw strength from each other and put a priority on time 
     to spend with Jay and Ashton.
       But I also approach this new period in my life as an 
     opportunity. A First Lady has a public platform that can put 
     the spotlight on ideas and efforts deserving greater 
     awareness. Many Virginians are engaged in innovative 
     approaches to problems and their successes go unnoticed. As 
     First Lady I can help bring attention to these innovations 
     and share these ideas with the rest of Virginia.
       But my roll will not be that of making policy. Jim has that 
     burden on his shoulders. My time and energy outside of being 
     a wife, mother, part-time teacher will be focused on 
     education, history, and tourism.
       As a teacher it will not surprise anyone that I have many 
     ideas about ways to enhance education in Virginia. For 
     example, I would like to encourage schools to utilize the 
     incredible knowledge and experience that our experienced 
     professionals can share with our young people. We have many 
     Virginians who travel the nation and the world sharing their 
     life experiences with various audiences. These same 
     Virginians would gladly spend time in Virginia classrooms 
     where their practical, real-world knowledge would give an 
     added dimension to the educational experience of our youth. I 
     hope to inspire our schools of higher education and our 
     Virginia professional workforce to join in partnership with 
     our secondary schools for the benefit of young people across 
     the state. Programs of cooperation similar to that I 
     witnessed at Randolph-Macon where students from Hanover 
     schools who perhaps had no experience with a college or 
     higher education, were invited to RMC to visit classrooms and 
     laboratories and the cafeteria to see fist hand activities 
     that some of us take for granted. As we enter the 21st 
     century inspiring our youth to reach their full potential 
     should be our first goal.
       Though my degrees are in ancient history, I have always had 
     a fascination and love of Virginia's rich history, and both 
     Jim and I believe that the unmatched historic offerings of 
     Virginia should be the cornerstone of promoting tourism in 
     Virginia. While many states try to compete with Virginia's 
     incredible beaches, golf courses, mountains and parks, no 
     other state can rival the historic jewels that the 
     Commonwealth offers. Studies show that parents try to plan 
     vacations that are both educational and fun--what better 
     place to visit than Virginia where both abound. We should 
     also encourage more Virginians to vacation in Virginia, and 
     then, as they travel outside of the Commonwealth, they can be 
     ambassadors for our own unique treasures.
       These are just a few of the plans that I have considered 
     for our ongoing Odyssey. But I know also from my studies that 
     life brings unexpected adventures and opportunities, and I 
     hope that I can use these unexpected opportunities to serve 
     all Virginians.
       Jim and I will work hard for the families of Virginia and 
     will continue to recognize the honor that it is to serve the 
     people of Virginia. We have the same hopes and dreams that 
     you have for your children. It is our dream that this Odyssey 
     will bring them a Virginia even better than it is today.
       Thank you.

                          ____________________