This September 9th will mark the 160th anniversary of California becoming a State. But long before we joined the Union, this land attracted dreamers and explorers, people who strove to make real their visions of a better future.
In the Book of Proverbs we are taught that "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov. 29:18). Throughout the last 160 years our state has been a beacon of hope and opportunity because we have been blessed by men and women whose energy, passion, and imagination have kept us on the frontier and the cutting edge, of not only what is possible, but also what was thought to be inconceivable to many, until we made it so.
The full verse from Proverbs teaches "Where there is no vision, the people perish, but happy is he who keeps the law." Vision and law making should go hand in hand. A people depends on the lawgivers to be inspired by the well-being of us all and we depend on your ability to see a future that encourages possibility and opportunity.
May the Creator of us all grant us the ability to act with vision and insight. May we find inspiration from within as we work to create a just society for us all. May this be God`s will.-AMEN.