From the Capitol

"I have the greatest admiration for Dr. Murano, having watched her revitalize the agriculture program at Texas A&M over the last three years. She is a nationally known researcher and food safety expert, and a visionary leader in the academic and research community. As a former student of Texas A&M, and a graduate of their animal science program, I am excited an agriculture expert will lead the university for the first time in a long time, recognizing agriculture is vital to our future and not merely our past."

We stand poised at a critical juncture in our state’s history. We live in a world where technology is accelerating at a blinding pace, the marketplace has become truly global, and economic power has become truly mobile. Although our country and our state have sustained a remarkable economic pace, our current momentum alone will not carry us where we need to go.

In the global economy, investment flows to the places where the right combination of talent, technology, business climate, infrastructure and markets converge. Texas won’t automatically be that place. That’s not to say we shouldn’t be proud of the innovative policies we have implemented: our state’s economy is one of the most vigorous in our country.

DALLAS – Gov. Rick Perry today launched the Governor’s Competitiveness Council, saying the group will develop a powerful plan for future economic prosperity.

The council was created to identify impediments to global competitiveness and make recommendations for how Texas can improve its economic footing for long-term, sustained success.

DALLAS – Gov. Perry today participated in the presentation of a $2.4 million grant over a five year period from the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) to the University of Texas (UT) at Dallas to replicate the UTeach program, which will certify UT Dallas undergraduates to become high school math and science teachers. UT Dallas is one of 12 sites nationally to be awarded a replication grant.

"Texas is once again leading the nation with winning ideas, such as the UTeach program, which will help us close the math and science gap in today’s schools, before it becomes a salary gap in tomorrow’s workplace and an opportunity gap for Texas families."

This summer, when Hurricane Dean drew a bead on our coast, the people in this hall made a team effort that showed the remarkable progress we’ve made in the past two years. The preparations for Dean rallied resources and efforts from local government, Texas Military Forces, volunteer organizations, private sector partners, state agencies, school districts, and law enforcement.

In the days heading up to projected landfall, a steady stream of fuel tankers, ice trucks and school buses flowed toward the target zone,  local officials kept their people informed, and first responders got ready for the worst case scenario.

SAN ANTONIO – Gov. Perry today addressed more than 3,500 emergency management and homeland security professionals at the Texas Homeland Security Conference, sponsored by the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management.

"The combined strength of committed, experienced officers working together across divisional lines, equipped with advanced technology, sufficient resources and the freedom to make decisions are the key to our current and future safety," said Perry.

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry named 29 industry leaders, public and higher education officials, and representatives of key state regulatory agencies to the Governor’s Competitiveness Council for terms to expire at the pleasure of the governor. The council will be charged with identifying impediments to the state’s ability to remain competitive in a global marketplace and recommending steps the state should take to improve its economic footing.

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today awarded $1,468,131 to Texas State University-San Marcos for Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT), which is designed to train law enforcement officers across the state on responding to hostile situations. The grant is awarded through the federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program and is distributed by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division (CJD).

"The ALERRT program provides practical, real-life training for local law enforcement that helps keep our communities and workplaces safe in dangerous situations," said Gov. Perry. "This hands-on training is good for officers and good for Texans."

Of all the people gathered here tonight, the most important ones are our veterans, the men and women who have risked their lives and literally sacrificed their bodies for freedom. You have my heartfelt respect and admiration for your courage and commitment.

I am a member of the generation called the “baby boomers,” probably the most privileged generation our nation has ever known. Because of the freedom won for us by the Greatest Generation, we have enjoyed better education, more opportunity, and greater personal success than any that preceded us.

LUFKIN – Gov. Rick Perry today spoke at the East Texas Economic Development Summit, where he touted the state’s business development tools and applauded East Texans for their self-reliance and self-determination.

The summit, co-hosted by Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, Sen. Robert Nichols and the Texas Forest Country Partnership provides an opportunity for local and regional officials, business and civic leaders, chamber officials and economic development professionals to learn about economic development tools and resources available to them.