Martinsville-- Henry County Chamber Of Commerce

GOU.’S PRESS OFFICE TEL: 804-371-6433 fipr 16,91 20=58 No. 088 P.01/07 EXCERPTS OF REMARKS MADE TO THE MARTINSVILLE-HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 7:00 P.M. APRIL 16, 1991 THE DUTCH INN COLLINSVILLE, VIRGINIA BY GOVERNOR L. DOUGLAS WILDER Thank you. I'm pleased to have this opportunity to be with you this evening. Although having breakfast with the Speaker ranks among my fondest memories, this evening's dinner is no less enjoyable in its own right. This evening, I'd like to take some time to address some of the issues of importance to the future of this region and of this state - specifically the areas of transportation and education. .. .both of which are part and parcel of dynamic economic development for this region. During my 20 years in state government, I have had many invaluable opportunities to learn a great deal about the people and the communities of this and other parts of rural Virginia. In fact - as I'm sure all of you know - when I first ran for state-wide office in 1985, I travelled to every independent city and county in the Commonwealth. But I began that journey in rural Virginia. Driving deep into the heart of the state, I went to places where state-wide candidates had never previously set foot. And I can tell you: it was an exhilarating and rewarding experience. .. .and not only because rural Virginia helped make the difference on Election Day. Rather, I found the perspective and knowledge that I acquired during that tour to be invaluable - so much so, that I repeated the tour again in the summer and fall of 1989. As I travelled and met with thousands of Virginians, I tried to do much more than shake hands and distribute campaign materials. I visited country stores and shopping malls; farmlands and factories; county fairs and worship services - I talked... and I listened. We talked about their concerns. We talked about their hopes. We talked about Virginia's future. -> Й4 fl4