[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7907-S7908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BIPARTISANSHIP
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, on November 6, millions of Americans,
including thousands of Vermonters, headed to the polls to cast their
votes in these midterm elections. Back home, Vermonters reelected our
governor, Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, to another term in office.
They also returned Democratic majorities to the State house and senate.
I was moved by the remarks delivered by Governor Scott on election
night. Of the elections, he said, ``Vermonters are saying they want us
to work for them, not against each other. They are saying we need to
listen to one another and prove to the rest of the nation that in
Vermont we can and will rise above partisan politics.''
I have spoken in Vermont about Governor Scott's speech. I believe his
remarks show how we work together in Vermont and how we should work
together in Washington. I am proud of the challenge put forth by
Governor Scott. I know that, in Vermont, it is a challenge we can meet.
The book will soon close on the 115th Congress, one in which one
party controlled majorities in both the House and Senate and the White
House. The book will open on the 116th Congress, where I hope we can
move forward with the bipartisan spirit that Governor Scott challenged
us all to adopt in his remarks on election night. As it has throughout
our Nation's history, Vermont is leading by example. It is an example I
implore every Senator to follow. Let's focus on what unites us, rather
than promote greater division between us.
I ask unanimous consent that the remarks of Vermont Governor Phil
Scott be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Vermont Governor Phil Scott's Election Night Speech--Tuesday, November
6, 2018
Thank you all very much for being here tonight.
First, I want to thank my family--especially my wife Diana
and my daughters Erica and Rachael, my mom and many other
family members for their love and support. I wouldn't be
standing here today without you.
Throughout my life--whether it be in business, racing or
politics--I've been able to bring people together who have
the right attitude and chemistry.
I'd like to first thank my team. Both my campaign team who
worked long days that became longer nights; as well I want to
thank my cabinet and my staff who stuck with me through thick
and thin. I'm blessed with an incredibly talented team, so
loyal and bright, who have spent the last two years working
to make the vision we share for Vermont a reality.
Now I know we've taken tonight off, but I look forward to
continuing our work, with all of you, first thing tomorrow
morning.
Tonight, 180 Vermonters were elected to serve as our
Legislature for the next two years.
I want to personally congratulate each of them--some here
this evening. I look forward to working with you in the
coming months. And ``work'' being the key word because
there's so much to do.
There are few higher honors than being elected by your
neighbors, for them to have enough faith and trust in you to
represent them and their interests and be the person they are
counting on to work on the issues that are most important to
them and your community.
And there's no greater responsibility than working every
day to understand and solve the problems facing our state.
For those newly elected, like I was 18 years ago, you may
still think everything is black or white, yes or no, but I
would warn you, there's a lot of gray in between.
Typically, there are no easy answers, no corners to cut--
only hard work ahead, to do all we can to create a stronger,
more vibrant future for all of us.
[[Page S7908]]
In electing a Governor of one party and a legislature led
by another the message Vermonters have sent us tonight is
clear: work together.
Vermonters are saying they want us to work for them, not
against each other.
They are saying we need to listen to one another and prove
to the rest of the nation that in Vermont we can and will
rise above partisan politics.
We must come together for the future of our state in order
to strengthen our economy, make Vermont affordable and
protect the vulnerable in all 251 communities in Vermont.
Whether you're from Brighton or Brandon, Alburgh or
Albany--we all want the same thing.
We want the kids in every community to get a great
education, learn a trade, pursue the career of their dreams,
buy a home, start a family and retire right here in the state
we love.
This is the challenge we face together. And tonight, I
humbly accept that challenge once again.
I'd also like to thank my opponent, Christine Hallquist,
for stepping up and running an energized and historic
campaign.
While we may not have agreed on many issues, we did agree
from the start that this race would be about the things we
felt mattered most to the people of Vermont.
While across the nation other races in other states turned
negative and uncivil, in Vermont, we rose above it.
The news out of Vermont this election was clear: we can
disagree, we can debate--and we can do it with passion--but
in this state, we can do it respectfully.
It wasn't perfect. And at times we were reminded that we're
not immune to the hate and bigotry that is all too present
around the country, but by and large, this campaign was
marked by the type of civility Vermonters, and Americans for
that matter, deserve in our public process.
There was probably no better example of that than Zac Mayo
and Lucy Rodgers of Cambridge, two candidates, ending a
debate last month by sitting together to perform a musical
duet.
For this, and for stepping up, and putting yourself out
there, I'd like to thank all candidates tonight.
From the top of the ticket all the way down, it's not easy
to put yourself out there--win or lose. So, I thank you for
your contribution to the conversation and commitment to
making Vermont a better place.
I'd also like to note that the issues that have been raised
in this campaign due to Christine's historic candidacy are
front and center.
I want you to know that as long as I'm Governor, I'll
continue to make sure our state lives up to our motto of
freedom and unity as well as our reputation of tolerance and
compassion by being the most welcoming in the nation, while
defending all Vermonters from hate and bigotry.
This will remain one of my administration's top
priorities--no exceptions.
Today, Vermonters spoke loud and clear.
So, tonight, I'll reaffirm my commitment to the three
principles on which my administration bases every decision we
make:
First, we're going to continue to make Vermont more
affordable.
I travel the state every day, I see the struggles our
neighbors face and I know that the high cost of living, doing
business, energy, healthcare, education and taxes are forcing
too many to look elsewhere for opportunity.
We should all find that unacceptable. So, as I've done for
the past 18 years, I'll spend the next two, working to
reverse that trend.
Second, if we're going to grow our economy, we must bring
more into the workforce and attract more people to our state.
We need more kids in our schools, more workers for our
businesses, more proud, first time homeowners right here in
Vermont.
We need a bigger labor force to support the public
investments we care about because if we don't--if we can't
grow our economy--then we're faced with two options: raise
taxes or make cuts to programs which could harm the most
vulnerable, neither of which is acceptable.
That's why I ask legislators, in fact, all elected
officials to work with me on a plan to grow our workforce to
increase our working age population because our future
literally depends on it.
Third, we're going to protect our neighbors. We'll continue
to address the opioid crisis, those suffering from mental
health issues and find ways to make sure all Vermonters have
access to affordable healthcare.
We'll take care of our elderly and our veterans--who have
given so much to us--our children, and those who need us
most, when they need us most because it's what we do in
Vermont.
And finally, if we're going to accomplish any of this, we
must continue to rise above partisanship and politics of hate
and division.
Our time to make a difference for those who have elected
us, is far too short. We can't allow ourselves to fall victim
to pettiness, political games and angry rhetoric.
Now more than ever, we must be better role models because
our children are watching, and they want to be just like us.
We must be better, kinder and more respectful to each other
and take the time to listen.
This is the challenge ahead. This is my vision for our
future.
It is the greatest honor of my life to have the trust of
Vermonters to carry out this work on their behalf.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart and as I've
done throughout my entire life, I will do my very best not to
let you down.
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