The prepared text of Alaska Governor Sean Parnell's State of the State address, presented to the Alaska Legislature Wednesday evening in Juneau:
"Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, former Governor Sheffield, distinguished guests, and fellow Alaskans:
I come before you to discharge a duty as old as our democracy. At the beginning of every legislative session, Alaska's Constitution requires the Governor to report on the state of our state.
That is as it should be, because in our country, government reports to the people, not the other way around.
Over the next 90 days, we must heed voices far beyond the echo of this chamber. We must hear not only the voters who cast their ballots in the last election, but also future generations, who will cast judgment on the legacy of opportunity we leave.
This is the voice of history - and we must answer its call.
As I look around this chamber, I see many fresh faces - lawmakers who, I have no doubt, will rejuvenate our debate. Join me in welcoming our newest members and their families.
As I look around, I also remember lawmakers who once served. This past year, we said farewell to Representative Carl Gatto and former lawmakers Al Adams, Cheryll Heinze, Bruce Kendall, Michael Beirne, and Henry Pratt.
We also remember nine military service members who deployed from Alaska and perished before returning home. They gave their lives for our freedom, and now, we live forever in their debt.
Let us stand to thank our service members and veterans - all who have stood in defense of our country.
I want to honor one veteran in particular. He was going to be with us until technical issues at the Juneau Airport prevented that.
After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Rod Bain joined the 101st Airborne Division. A member of Easy Company, he landed - under fire - with his "Band of Brothers" in Normandy, on June 6, 1944.
When Sergeant Bain came home from war, he gave Alaska 25 years of service as a teacher and administrator in schools, from Kake and Petersburg to Anchorage.
An educator, a commercial fisherman, and a veteran, Rod Bain represents the best of Alaska, and the best of America.
We are honored to have Sergeant and Donelle Bain's daughter, Donna, with us here tonight. Thanks to the legacy that Alaskans like Rod and Donelle Bain have given us, our state - the Last Frontier - has remained first in freedom.
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Tonight, I can report to you that our economy remains prosperous, our natural resources remain abundant, our schools remain hopeful, our workers remain competitive, and the state of our state remains strong.
In a time of economic retreat across much of America, Alaska has stepped forward as an outpost of opportunity. Over the two years between 2009 and 2011, more people moved to Alaska than at any other time in nearly two decades.
Americans aren't just looking North to the Future, they are moving North to the Future - and for good reason. While other states run unsustainable deficits, Alaska has billions in budget reserves. While America saw its credit rating shamefully downgraded, we have seen ours upgraded to AAA.
While the federal government in Washington has grown faster than taxpayers can afford, we've held State agency spending growth in Alaska to less than one percent - the lowest increase in recent years.
