With our Race to the Top application, we are seizing President Obama's challenge to take our already great schools to the next level.
Let me say a word about the Milwaukee Public Schools. We had better face the cold, hard reality about MPS - we simply cannot continue to allow one group of our kids to be held back.
I believe in the Milwaukee Public Schools. I'm often in those schools. My wife is there weekly. I have fought for and delivered for the Milwaukee Public Schools since taking office.
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But the McKinsey report demonstrates that the Milwaukee Public Schools as currently operated cannot be sustained financially, and not because you as a Legislature have not provided them the funding.
The state and federal government fund 80 percent of the Milwaukee Public Schools' budget. In my seven years as Governor, we have directed more than $5.2 billion to the Milwaukee Public Schools.
Even more important, the Milwaukee Public Schools as currently operated cannot be sustained educationally. Despite our huge state investment, test scores show Milwaukee consistently ranks at the bottom of urban districts in the country.
It is becoming harder and harder for the people who are fighting to defend the status quo.
We have great teachers and principals in Milwaukee. And we have bright students who come to school eager to learn. But what we don't have is clear, consistent, accountable leadership focused on reform.
We need a superintendent appointed by the mayor who will have a clear mission of reform and the ability to drive real change - day after day, month after month, year after year.
Look, I understand change is hard.
I want to thank Senators Taylor, Plale, Carpenter and Sullivan and Representatives Colon, Fields, Richards and Staskunas for their courageous willingness to challenge the status quo and look out for the kids in Milwaukee Public Schools.
Only this Legislature can make this change. If you do not act now, you will be picking up the pieces of a broken school system within a few years and failing children who desperately need your help.
If we put partisanship aside - if we don't play political games - and most importantly, if we act in the best interests of the children, not the adults - we can take a historic step to bring strong leadership and reform to the Milwaukee Public Schools.
As difficult as times have been, there are so many people who inspire us - and remind us why Wisconsin is such a great place.
I am so proud of all the countless organizations and individuals across our state who have stepped up in this bad economy to meet the needs of struggling families.
Here's just one example. The Feeding America food bank in Milwaukee distributes more than 12 million pounds of food each year to 235,000 Wisconsin families. This year, demand increased by 22 percent.
We are joined tonight by three individuals who represent thousands across the state who run food banks - who give generous donations - and who deliver the food to people on the streets.
Please join me in welcoming and thanking - Feeding America President Bonnie Bellehumeur, Maureen Crowley of the Benidt Foundation, and Reverend Michael Champion, who runs a food pantry out of his church - a storefront on Fond du Lac Avenue in Milwaukee.
And of course, I couldn't talk about Wisconsin pride without talking about the Green Bay Packers. While we all wish they were still playing right now, it's an honor to have Packer and Badger great Mark Tauscher with us tonight.
When Mark injured his knee last season, many predicted it would be the end of his Packer career. But like Vince Lombardi once said, "it's not whether you get knocked down. It's whether you get up."
Like Wisconsin, Mark has worked hard to come back - and we are glad he did to cut down on those sacks. He's also showing what it really means to be a Packer - because he's not only making a big difference on the field, but in his community as well.
Mark is dedicated to literacy. He visits schools throughout the state to promote reading, and he has started his own foundation to improve literacy in Wisconsin.
On behalf of the people of Wisconsin, Mark, let me say thank you for your extraordinary play on the field and extraordinary service to our community.
But nobody is a greater source of pride to all of us than our brave men and women in uniform who courageously serve our country - especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Last year, Wisconsin lost 8 soldiers - 2 during the terrible tragedy at Fort Hood and 6 on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are honored to be joined tonight by the family of Captain Russell Seager of Mount Pleasant, who was killed that tragic day at Fort Hood, and the family of Sgt. Nikolas Mueller of Little Chute, who was killed in action in Afghanistan.
Tonight, we want to honor the sacrifice of these Wisconsin heroes - and all those who have given their lives for our country. We owe them a debt of gratitude we can never repay.
We also want to honor those who are still serving our country - and those who have just come home.
Last year, we had the largest operational deployment of our Guard since World War II - more than 4,000 Wisconsin soldiers and airmen. They have performed dangerous missions with bravery -- and while 3,200 of them came home this month, many still serve.
None of my duties as Governor brings me more pride than being Commander-in-Chief of our Wisconsin National Guard. Over the course of our history, and especially since the September 11 attacks, our National Guard has been asked to make enormous sacrifices. Each time, they have responded with the same professionalism and courage that makes our state and our country so proud.
Please join me in thanking the leadership of our National Guard - Adjutant General Don Dunbar and Brigadier General Mark Anderson - and four of those brave men and women who have served with honor and distinction and who have just come home:
From the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team - Command Sgt. Major Ed Hansen and Lt. Col. Leah Moore;
From the 91st Sapper Engineer Company - Lt. Dylan Abler;
And from the 115th Fighter Wing - Lt. Col. Erik Peterson;
I want to thank them - and all the men and women of our Guard and all our armed services - for going above and beyond the call of any citizen. On behalf of everyone in Wisconsin, I am proud to welcome you home as our newest veterans.
And I'm incredibly proud that I'm Governor of a state that doesn't just say "thank you, goodbye" to our veterans, but provides them with the most comprehensive veterans' benefits of any state in the nation - including a ticket to college - tuition free.
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On Memorial Day nearly four years ago, I was proud to sign a bill that ensures our veterans have the chance to get an education -- tuition-free -- at one of Wisconsin's great universities or technical colleges. Nearly 7,700 enrolled just last school year alone.
Let me introduce two veterans who've taken advantage of this opportunity. Jason Matthys is an Army National Guard veteran who returned from Iraq in 2004. He's used the Wisconsin GI Bill to earn a Bachelor's in Secondary Math Education. And while teaching high school in Livingston, he's working on his master's in school counseling.
David Jeske is a Marine who has served three tours of duty in Iraq. He is currently in his sophomore year at UW-Eau Claire, and is pursuing a degree in finance and a minor in economics. He's involved in several student veterans' organizations and is the President of the University Veterans Club.
Jason and David, we thank you for your service and for continuing to make our state proud.
Yes, times have been tough. But this difficult time has made us focus on our most basic - our most important priorities.
When they write the history of this time, let them say we met our generation's challenge.
We helped those in trouble - we made health care available to our citizens - we educated our kids - we invested in our businesses and workers - we seized the new opportunities presented - and we moved boldly into the future.
Thank you all.
On Wisconsin."
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The Joint Convention arose.
7:56 P.M.
