Indiana’s leaders plan for change

INDIANAPOLIS – Moments after taking his second oath of office, Gov. Mitch Daniels urged Hoosiers to act as leaders during tough economic times.

The three floors of the atrium in the Indiana State House were full of politicians and citizens attending the Inaugural Ceremony. Daniels was one of several elected officials sworn into office Monday, including Lt. Gov. Rebecca Skillman, Attorney General Gregory Zoeller and Superintendent of Public Instruction Anthony Bennett.

In his inaugural speech, Daniels compared Indiana’s current condition to the transition from winter to spring.

“We must believe and resolve to see that these present troubles are but a frost in April, a brief chill before the full flowering of the greener Indiana to come,” Daniels said.

Taking tips from President-elect Barack Obama, Daniels advocated hope and the necessity of change. He urged the people to look at the positives, including future jobs and prosperity.

“In dramatic contradiction of old stereotypes, Hoosiers have announced emphatically to a world that belongs to the creative and nimble, where fortune truly favors the bold, that we not only accepted change but are prepared to lead it and invite the rest of America to follow us,” Daniels said.

In an interview after the ceremony, Daniels underscored the importance of a college education and said students who are pursuing a college education – even during hard economic times – are doing the right thing.

“First of all, recognize that the return on a college education is still the best investment students can make,” Daniels said.

He said students who are currently enrolled should challenge themselves to take the hardest classes to impress future employers and help their chances of getting a job in the future.

“Don’t miss the chance to push yourself,” Daniels said. “We’re doing the best we can to help.”

Bennett stressed the necessity of institutions to place the focus back on Indiana students, instead of those who are out of state or international.

“We need to put our kids and our state back in their rightful place,” Bennett said in his speech.

Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Evansville, said in an interview following the ceremony that today’s students face a lot of stress. He urged politicians, families, teachers and students to work together.

“There is not a free ride,” Ellsworth said. “It’s not a ‘come when you want and stay as long as you’d like’ situation. We have to step up together. We can’t make a law that says, ‘Work harder, try harder and study harder.’”

Ellsworth also said he thought Daniels’ allusion to spring was a good analogy.
“Indiana and the whole country know we’re in a bad place,” Ellsworth said. “We’re going to have to be cheerleaders for our state and our district.”

Rep. Baron Hill, D-Bloomington, who is currently working with Obama on economic plans, agreed.

“I thought the governor gave an inspiring speech,” Hill said. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get this economy going again.”