Washington Building and Construction Trades Council's 50th Annual Convention (As Written)

July 27, 2006

Thank you for that kind introduction. Mike and I are honored to be here with you today and celebrate your 50th convention. Congratulations on reaching this milestone and thank you for all you have done for Washington�s working families.

Over the last 50 years, the Building and Construction Trades Council has worked tirelessly to make sure that jobs in your industry are safe and workers can support their families. You have, literally, built our state into what it is today.

In the last 50 years, Washington has emerged from an economy that required us to be competitive with other states, into an economy that requires us to compete with workers around the globe.

In the next 50 years, we must think of ourselves not as a state, but as a small nation - a nation with the skilled workforce, sound infrastructure and diverse economic base to compete globally.

We need to think of ourselves as an innovative and creative state, producing the highest quality products and agriculture � that�s our niche in the world market.

To that end, I want to thank you for your support during the last two legislative sessions. Your support has made it possible for us to win passage of legislation that supports working families, invests in infrastructure and develops the skilled workforce we need to compete globally.

Last year at this convention I discussed with a small group of your members the need to develop a strong workforce to support building and construction projects all across this state.

We developed an idea that would give high school students the opportunity to explore careers in the trades and develop the skills to compete in the world�s workforce. Together, we took that idea to the Legislature, and today I�m proud to tell you Washington has created Running Start for the Trades.

We also discussed unemployment insurance. I�m proud that we reached a landmark agreement this session to advance equality in the unemployment insurance system, with a return to two quarter averaging.

As you may have heard, I believe strongly in negotiating and working collaboratively with those inside and outside the halls of government. I will work with anyone, Democrat or Republican, who is willing to be bold and courageous and do right by Washington families.

When I selected my cabinet, I looked for people who would share that approach. I want to thank you all for working with my administration, particularly Doug McDonald, to serve Washington�s working families.

I�m particularly pleased that have passed legislation to require the department of Transportation�s use apprentices on their many projects. Dave, your work on this bill was absolutely critical.

Working together, we also accomplished something many people never thought possible. We defeated Initiative 912, a measure that would have gutted the state�s transportation package and undone our commitment to keep our roads safe and keep our economy moving. What we learned � what everyone learned � was that when we speak directly and honestly to the voters, they listen.

We don�t yet know if we will face a similar initiative this year, but if we do, we will take the same approach and I am confident that the voters of this state will come to the same conclusion � that we can not afford to turn our backs on our infrastructure.

Serving as Governor keeps me pretty busy. But Mike didn�t just come here today so he could spend a few minutes with me in the car. Mike served in combat in Vietnam and he has dedicated his time as first gentleman to Veterans issues.

Washington�s Veterans know how hard it can be to return from the battlefield to civilian life. Since 9/11, more than 10,000 Washington National Guard members and Reservists have been activated as part of the nation�s war on terror. National studies indicate they are twice as likely as others in their age group to be unemployed when they complete their tour of duty.

As those service men and women return to our state, we are all obligated to do everything we can to help them transition into our workforce. I am very proud of the work Mike has been doing, working with you on Helmets to Hardhats � an innovative program bringing the public and private sectors together to help willing workers get the training they need and find a job that will support their families.

I�m glad I was elected to a four-year term, because we�ve got a lot of work left to do. I look forward to working with you in the coming months to prepare for the 2007 legislative session. I know the working families of Washington are counting on all of us.

Thank you and have a great convention.

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