Richard Celeste 1984 State of State Address

              FOR RELEASE UPON DELIVERY JANUARY 18, 1984
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR'S PRESS SECRETARY
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS GOVERNOR RICHARD F, CELESTE
Mr. Speaker.  Mr. President.  Distinguished members of the General Assembly.  Mr. Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court.  Elected state officeholders.  Members of the Cabinet. Ladies and gentlemen.
Nearly one year ago, I stood before you and talked with you of the serious problems facing the State of Ohio, Today, I come to you with a very different message.
In just one year, Ohio has moved from a state of drift and decline to a state entering a new period of growth ... from a state mired in financial chaos to a state blessed with growing financial stability ,,, from a state floundering in fear and despair to a state with a clear sense of purpose and direction.
History will record that in 1983, the Celeste Administration and this General Assembly had the vision and courage to change direction .,, and that we are determined to harness every available resource to give our citizens what they want and desire most — a steady job.
Ohio, once the heart of America's frontier, and the heart of this nation's industrial revolution, is at the heart of it all once again.  Ohio is ready to lead this Nation once again,
Ohio is ready to lead America in innovation and entrepreneurship, Ohio is ready to meet the test of global competition,  Ohio is ready to marshall its vast resources — to put its people back to work.
Ohio is ready to recommit itself to excellence in education.
And Ohio is ready to use the tools we have at hand — constitutional and statutory powers — to protect our citizens pocketbooks.
In 1983, Ohioans offered clear evidence that we can and will exercise national leadership once again,
* * Of 20 states participating in the President's Small Business Revitalization Program, Ohio ranked first — and secured more than $97 million worth of assistance for small businesses, creating 4,000 new jobs for our citi-zens.  Ohio led the way for stimulating growth for small business.
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