2013 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Civil Rights


Rick Scott: $36 million for community-based disabled help

Our budget increases funding for persons with disabilities by $36 million to help more disabled people receive community-based services, and $2.5 million for job training. Betty Kay Clements is here today--she is an advocate for persons with disabilities in the Orlando area. I was honored to meet Betty recently and hear her story about her daughter, Laura Lynne, who has overcome many obstacles with her disability to get a job at Target.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Florida Legislature Mar 5, 2013

Pat Quinn: Marriage equality is coming to Illinois

Our Illinois is not a land of discrimination. Four years ago, nobody thought civil unions would be possible here. Today, civil unions are the law of our state. And nearly 5,200 couples across 94 counties have joined in a civil union.

Now, it's time to take that next step in achieving full equality. Marriage equality is coming to Illinois.

Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Illinois Legislature Feb 6, 2013

Pat Quinn: Make IL the leading employer of people with disabilities

Four years ago, Illinois lagged behind the nation in providing community care to people with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. We were institutionalizing more people than any other state. So we are changing that. We're committed to making sure all our citizens--regardless of the challenges they face--have the opportunity to reach their full potential. That's why we closed outdated institutions--and we invested in community care.

Because of our commitment, Illinois will soon receive significant new resources to provide supportive housing for people with disabilities. These resources will provide not only a roof over their heads, but also the skills training, counseling, and services they need to become productive members of their communities.

And we're not done yet. We want Illinois to be the nation's leading employer of people with disabilities. With your partnership, we can double the rate of employment for people with disabilities by 2015.

Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Illinois Legislature Feb 6, 2013

Robert Bentley: Ever mindful of our turbulent past 50 years ago

Fifty years ago, Alabama stood poised on center stage as a series of historical events unfolded around us. Many in this room would bear witness to events that changed history.

By year's end, Alabama would see many peaceful protestors jailed for daring to advocate equal treatment for all people. The University of Alabama would enroll its first African-American students. Four little girls killed inside their place of worship during Sunday School. The rising up of thousands who marched to this building knowing they were endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. That was 50 years ago.

Today, we are ever-mindful of our turbulent past while we eagerly look forward to a new chapter in our state's history. Alabama IS our Sweet Home. And we want it to be a place where economic opportunity abounds and there are good-paying jobs, where children can get a good education, where counties and cities can build roads to compete for businesses and industries.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to Alabama Legislature Feb 5, 2013

Brian Sandoval: Nevada gave women the right to vote in 1914, ahead of USA

As Nevada prepares to celebrate 150 years of statehood, we must consider how far we have come and prepare for what lies ahead. 2014 is not just the anniversary of Nevada's statehood. It also marks the centennial year of the approval of women's suffrage in our state.

Nevada gave women the right to vote in 1914, five years before the rest of the nation adopted the 19th Amendment in 1919. It is my hope that the celebration of women's suffrage and the commemoration of Nevada's 150th birthday will provide a joint platform for examining who we are--and who we can be.

Nevadans are rightfully proud of their history. We are also cognizant of the world around us. And we are ever mindful of those students whose faces inspire us to plan big for a bright future. Tonight, we can take pride in our progress.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to Nevada Legislature Jan 16, 2013

Jay Inslee: Marriage equality represents best of who we are as a state

And this is a very special time in history for many other families. People all across Washington stood up for fairness and family in approving marriage equality last November. We should all be proud. The vote on Referendum 74 represents the best of who we are as a state. It should be an inspiration for the progress we can make toward equality, fairness and justice across all of Washington. It has been an amazing journey over the past year and a half, as I've traveled to all corners of the state.
Source: 2013 Wash. State of the State Address Jan 16, 2013

John Hickenlooper: Let's pass civil unions!

Let's pass civil unions! Some of us tried very hard, but it didn't get done last year. This year, let's do it. Let's pass civil unions!
Source: 2013 Colorado State of the State address Jan 10, 2013

Andrew Cuomo: Women's Equality Act: Shatter the glass ceiling

Let's make history and let's pass a Women's Equality Act in the State of New York. Women's Equality Act would have a ten point agenda.
  1. Shatter the glass ceiling by passing a real equal pay law - treble damages for underpayment or discrimination.
  2. Have zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace period.
  3. Strengthen employment, lending, and credit discrimination laws.
  4. Strengthen human trafficking laws.
  5. End family status discrimination.
  6. Prevent landlords from denying housing to qualified tenants based on the source of funds, Section 8 families.
  7. Stop housing discrimination for victims of domestic violence.
  8. Stop pregnancy discrimination once and for all.
  9. Protect victims of domestic violence by strengthening the Order-of-Protection laws.
  10. Protect a woman's freedom of choice. Enact a Reproductive Health Act because it is her body, it is her choice. Because it's her body, it's her choice.
Source: 2013 State of the State Speech to NY Legislature Jan 9, 2013

  • The above quotations are from 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Andrew Cuomo on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for more quotes by Chris Christie on Civil Rights.
Candidates and political leaders on Civil Rights:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018