FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2001
Office of the Governor
Contact:  Rusty Cheuvront or Terri Giltner (502) 564-2611 

Governor Patton’s 2001 Reflections

The first year of the new millennium will tragically live on in the minds of all citizens of the world due to the events of September 11.  Beginning a new century and a new millennium with a world war would have been unthinkable to most individuals last year at this time.  But the attacks on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon and the resulting loss in thousands of lives have changed us forever.  We have lost our innocence.  We understand now that we are vulnerable to acts of terrorism.  For the remainder of most of our lives we will mark time and history by this date.

While we are experiencing one of America’s gravest hours, the strength of our great country has always been its ability to overcome both adversity and evil.  History has demonstrated over and over again that it is often during very difficult times that we see the greatest examples of leadership emerge.  We have seen such leadership during the past three months, as we have become a united nation in support of our President and military in their response to this aggression.  As Americans we must continue to move forward and prove to the world that our spirit and resolve will not be broken by a group of crazed terrorists.  This holds particularly true for Kentucky.

Over a decade ago citizens in Kentucky took up the mantel of leadership when they committed themselves to reforming the educational product in the state.  The 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act and the 1997 Postsecondary Education Improvement Act happened because citizens, legislators, business leaders, community leaders, educators, and students partnered together to make them a reality.   A commitment was made to stop the 100 years of decline that had resulted in Kentucky being ranked at the bottom of states in many indicators including education, per-capita income, and other quality-of-life issues.   These pieces of legislation took courage and vision from all of us because it required that we think beyond the next election and the next generation to the Kentucky of 2020 and beyond.   In these tough economic and uncertain war times it is even more important that we don’t lose sight of the 20-year journey we are on to alter the course of history and put Kentucky on a trajectory course that will move us above the national average and make us a center of excellence.

In the State of the Commonwealth address to begin my second term as Governor, I said I had four priorities…education, education, education, and education.  That may sound a little redundant but they are four very unique, but separate, educational priorities that include early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, postsecondary education, and adult education.  It is important that we remain committed to each one of these areas to ensure that Kentucky becomes a major player in the New Knowledge Based Economy.  Education reform does not happen overnight; in fact, in many cases we are talking years and in some cases decades to bring about change.  We are just now beginning to reap the rewards of our decade-long effort. 

• For the first time, Kentucky’s high school and grade school students are performing above the national average in math, science and reading.
• Enrollment in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)  increased 28% during the past two years.
• 5,500 students are enrolled in Kentucky Virtual University.
• 19,000 more students enrolled in our postsecondary education system in 2001 than in 1998.
• $21,600,000 in KEES Scholarships funds were distributed to 31,650 students last year.
• Bucks for Brains funding has resulted in an increase in the number of endowed chairs at our doctoral universities from 48 to 134 and endowed professorships from 58 to 203.
• 12,000 more individuals enrolled in our adult education programs last year representing a 23% increase over the prior year.
• 14,000 individuals earned GEDs this year representing a 41% increase over the past five years.

This is a great beginning, but it is only a beginning.  Despite a decade of education reform, one fourth of our citizens are not as literate as they should be and only 21% of Kentucky adults over the age of 25 have a postsecondary degree.  We must remain vigilant in our efforts to provide affordable and accessible education to all of our citizens.

As we prepare for a new year, especially one that holds more uncertainty than in the past, Judi and I ask that you join us in thoughtful prayer for the families of the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, our military personnel currently fighting this aggression and our nation’s leaders.  President Roosevelt once said, “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.  Let us move forward with strong and active faith.”  As Kentuckians, let us not let the acts of terrorism stop us in our efforts to move Kentucky forward.

May God bless you and your family in the coming year.

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