Governor Blunt Meets with Missouri's Future Women Leaders

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

June 25, 2008

Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290


WARRENSBURG  Gov. Matt Blunt today addressed the young women attending Missouri Girls State and encouraged Missouris future women leaders in government and business to follow their dreams and remember the importance of public service and giving back to their communities.

"The idea that each of us matters, that any one man or woman can change the world for the better, may not be popular with modern historians, but it is a power strong enough to change the world," Gov. Blunt said. "To consistently do what is right for the right reason takes diligence, courage, and faith in yourself and God."

Gov. Blunt encouraged the young women attending Girls State to follow their dreams. The governor reminded the young women about the power of one person to change the world for the better, and challenged them to not go through life a spectator but to fight to make their dreams a reality and to play an active role in their communities through public service.

To ensure that Missouri future leaders, like the young women at Girls State, have the necessary skills to succeed in life, Gov. Blunt has made education his top budget and public policy priority.

Gov. Blunt has been a champion for Missouri college students. His record of accomplishment for higher education includes quadrupling funding for needs-based Access Missouri scholarships, funding to support education opportunities for health professionals, and $103 million in new funding for colleges and universities in addition to the $335 million provided by his Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative.

Gov. Blunts landmark Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative is a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and the state. The partnership, authorized through legislation and supported by lawmakers, reinvests a state asset to generate $335 million to strengthen Missouris colleges and universities for students. Thus far, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority has provided nearly $240 million to the state for Gov. Blunts higher education initiative for Missouri students.

The historic initiative takes an enormous stride forward for higher education in our state and provides much-needed funding for state-of-the-art learning and research centers. The new learning centers will prepare students to compete in todays global economy where higher quality learning in areas such as math and science are crucial elements for students future success.

For a complete list of projects funded by the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative and for more information, visit http://www.ded.mo.gov/lcdi.