On this day, in
1994, the City of Pensacola
and Escambia County
joined forces in an ambitious capital improvement program.
The public-private partnership is now widely regarded as a model of
successful public-private
partnership.
But not everyone agreed back then.
Those who
did not approve of the plan felt,
as one speaker said at the hearing,
"like we're being pushed into an old age home."
These naysayers are in good company,
as many Americans feel that way today.
Now we need to take their perspectives into consideration,
and find common ground
while working together to solve our most pressing
problems.
If we can successfully pull this off, the end result could help
shape
a stronger Florida for generations to come.
Because the best way to strengthen a community is to
get people working together.
And the best way to get people working together
is to get them listening
to each other.
I've seen that.
And I believe it's the same idea our framers
had in mind.
So, my friends, let us talk more often and listen better.
The next great idea
can only be found in
the great conversations
of our people.
Thank you.
My fellow citizens,
I ask you to recognize the extraordinary
people in this room.
I'd like you to picture
the future of
Florida.
I'd like you to imagine a world
where we can work together
to create the jobs and
the opportunities
of which we can each dream.
I'd like you to imagine that future,
and then dream bigger,
because together we can achieve
even more.
Today, we're going to focus on
public
private partnerships.
The strength of our economy lies
in our ability to innovate.
We need the knowledge, expertise and innovation of
our private sector.
We need the risk-taking of our entrepreneurs,
and we need the dedication of our workforce.
Our public and private sectors
have a significant role to play
in making Florida great again.
Let's begin with transportation,
where our innovative entrepreneurs can leverage
local resources and build
economic opportunities for
all Florida
through job creation.
Let's consider this.
Florida's transportation agency has a plan
to improve
the safety of
our roads
and highways,
that are in need of repair.
If we're going to have an
engine of growth,
this is the time to act.
Let's improve Florida's infrastructure,
to make our state a hub for
economic opportunity.
As we make our transportation system
smarter, stronger and safer,
we will provide Florida's workers with
the mobility
and freedom to move to job-creating areas.
Let's keep our
economy moving forward, while strengthening
and safeguarding our safety.
I am pleased to announce that state
senator Tom Lee and Congressman Neal Dunn are joining us
in a partnership
to build consensus around road safety,
and the future of our transportation system.
I also want to make sure all of our
communities and residents are involved in making Florida great again.
Let's work together
to create the vibrant, competitive
economies
we want to see.
I am a firm believer that economic
development and job creation are not an
either/or situation.
If we want to strengthen our economy,
we need to improve both infrastructure and public safety.
This is what Florida wants,
and this is what we have to give.
Now I'd like to hear your thoughts and ideas.
What do we need to do to make Florida great again?
It's important to remember that public-private partnerships are a form of public policy.
So, it's up to us
to make sure that policy is good
for the people of Florida.
And I know many of you are ready to
roll up your sleeves.
Let's listen to each other.
Our vision is shared by many.
Let's help bring
our community together, and make Florida
as great as it can be.
Thank you,
God bless the
United States of America,
and God bless the great state of Florida.
And now, let's get to work.
Thank you.
Thank you.
We have come a long way together,
and when we get through
this together,
we will have never, ever forgotten
what you have done
for our country.
We will not forget, and now
I am going to turn it over to our friends from the
Corporation of
The City of New York.
[APPLAUSE]
>> [APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE]
>> Thank you.
My fellow citizens,
and distinguished guests,
New Yorkers will be glad to know
there are many others who think of us today
as we celebrate
Emancipation Day in New York.
This great city was born from two great minds.
It was born from a single idea:
let us make this earth
a better place.
And I am deeply honored to stand in the presence of our forefathers today,
and in the presence of our fellow
citizens, our leaders, our heroes, and
those that sacrifice so selflessly to keep us all safe.
Over the last several years, we have weathered a few storms that have tested our national character.
Whether it's our response to the worst natural disaster in our country's history,
which devastated our state.
Or those trying times
when we're called upon to make a decision that,
while it was hard and painful, was absolutely right.
I was humbled to work with the President on his visit to New York City,
while 9/11 is still as vivid as it was that day in 2001.
For every American,
this nation and New York is a source of pride,
of national memory,
of patriotism.
New Yorkers and Americans have been tested.
We continue to go forward to make sure that this nation is strong,
that America's core values will be the guiding principles of our society.
In New York, that's the core value of freedom.
That's the core value of liberty.
Those are the core values of the founding fathers
who started this great nation,
the core values that have been reinforced by the blood of our veterans,
the sacrifice of our
