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Secretary
of State Mary Kiffmeyer’s
Second Inaugural Address
Delivered
in Saint Paul, January 6, 2003
It is an
honor to address you today, once again as Minnesota’s Secretary of State.
I want to begin by thanking
 | my
husband, for his support and sacrifice (we’ve been married for 35 years as
of today, by the way),
| my
children for understanding the importance of being good citizen,
| my
grandchildren for reminding me that sometimes reading a story is the most
valuable thing their grandma secretary of state can do,
| the
people of Minnesota for entrusting this office to me,
| my
friends and supporters for their talents and time, and
| the
Lord above with whom I know my future is secure and who loves us all no
matter our titles. | |
During
the past four years, there have been many challenges, in Minnesota, nationally,
and abroad. Yet Minnesotans have
shown increased community spirit and increased patriotism.
Patriotism is like a thread that is woven through our history, tying
together the generations in the fabric that is America.
We take our patriotic commitment seriously in Minnesota.
Nationally,
the older generations have taken seriously their responsibility for being good
citizens by voting and serving as election judges, and we thank them heartily,
and it is important that the younger generations now embrace good citizenship
with the same enthusiasm. We’ve
made a lot of progress in Minnesota. In
2000 and 2002, our state had the highest voter turnout in the nation.
Not only that, but our young people participate at a rate twice the
national average.
Still, we
have work to do. There are many
people who could register to vote, but do not, and people who are registered,
but do not show up at the polls.
We must
instill in all Minnesotans the value that says, “Voting is a not only
something you could do, it’s something you get to do.”
Voting is one of the most important activities in your life.
Election Day ought to be a tremendous day of celebration—not because
you always get to have your way, but that you get to have your say.
That’s one of the most fundamental rights upon which our nation was
founded
We must
remember, though, that no matter what the government initiative, or the
political system, the strength of our nation is based on the efforts of
individuals.
Sometimes
individuals think their little efforts are small and insignificant and don’t
matter, and when I get to feeling that way myself, I remember a little poem from
Edward Everett Hale, which goes something like this:
I am only one
But I am one
I can’t do everything
But I can do something
And I won’t refuse to do the something
That I can do
Just
because I can’t do everything
It’s
important for each of us to take our circle of responsibility seriously and take
our actions one by one and do the best job possible.
As we do, our country will continue to be strong and a light to the
world.
The price
of freedom is eternal vigilance on everyone’s part—every individual
Minnesota, every individual American.
Thank you, God bless you all, and God bless the Great State of Minnesota.
Mary
Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake Township) is Minnesota’s 20th Secretary of
State.