“We Must Rise To This Challenge”
"For reasons beyond our earthly comprehension, this opportunity, this mandate, has been placed on our generation. We must rise to this challenge," he said. "Our goal is a new Louisiana where success is shared by all Louisianians."
Governor Bobby Jindal, Inauguration address, January 14, 2008
Governor Bobby Jindal took office today, swearing to change business as usual in one of the most corrupt states in the union, Louisiana. Practically his first act in office is to call the legislature into special session to strengthen ethics laws. The special session will begin on February 10, 2008.
Jindal, the nation's first elected Indian-American chief executive and the state's first non-white governor since Reconstruction, thanked past governors for their service — but said it was time to rid the state of its reputation for corrupt government.
"We have the opportunity — born of tragedy but embraced still the same — to make right decades of failure in government," Jindal said.
"In our past, too many politicians looked out for themselves. Too many arms of state and local government did not get results. And the world took note," the new governor said.
Jindal's election puts a new public face on Louisiana politics, often stereotyped as a haven for backslapping good 'ol boys who hold office for decades. The 36-year-old son of Indian immigrants, Jindal is the nation's youngest sitting governor, and many of his top administrators are new to the halls of the Louisiana Capitol.
He takes over from Democrat Kathleen Blanco, who had defeated him four years earlier but whose image was battered by the state's response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She did not seek re-election.
Blanco attended the inaugural ceremonies with three other former Louisiana governors. The state's only other living ex-governor is Edwin Edwards, who could not attend because he is serving a federal prison sentence on corruption charges.
Congratulations to Governor Jindal and may the people of Louisiana be better off for your efforts. I know a fair number of folks from that state and the corruption there is legendary. I suspect Jindal will have a fairly large amount of opposition. But the overwhelming victory he won says that the people are sick of the same, old ways of politics in that state.
By martian, Wednesday, 16 January , 2008 @ 10:52 am
I saw an interview with Governor-Elect Jindal on Fox News Sunday a few weeks ago. He appears to be intelligent and articulate with a firm grasp of things that need to be done in his state. I look forward to seeing what he can accomplish.