Aug 11, Organic Pest Control and Natural Pesticides for Getting rid of Garden Pests and Insects

Organic pest control methods are simple solutions to getting rid of garden pests. Homemade insecticides and pesticides are cheap, eays to make and environmentally friendly.

View the original article here

History of Beer

Beer is regarded as the first alcoholic beverage ever produced, dating back to as early as the sixth millennium B.C. The discovery of beer is considered to be a major event in the development of agriculture through the centuries. Closely related to the discovery of bread, beer is made from the fermentation of sugar or ...

View the original article here

Home Brewing Beer

Home Beer Brewing – Hobby Or Lifestyle? Most beer drinkers have entertained the thought of getting involved with home beer brewing especially when they think of the cost of beer these days. There is something about the idea of having friends visit on a hot day, getting the BBQ fired up and bringing out ...

View the original article here

Home Brewing Lager: Practice Makes Perfect

When you want to make your own beer, wine or liquor, you often have to make several batches before you get it right. That really goes with anything but it especially goes for making your own beer. Lager, especially, takes a special touch and lots of practice to get right. A lager is a dark ...

View the original article here

Making Beer with Home Brewing Equipment

Making beer at home requires three things. The first is the right kit or equipment. The second is the right recipe or process to follow. The final thing required is the commitment to succeed. This is actually in the normal order of importance. You cannot brew good beer at home without ...

View the original article here

Governor Schwarzenegger discusses the budget with the San Jose Silicon Valley trade

The formatter threw an exception while trying to deserialize the message: Error in deserializing body of request message for operation 'Translate'. The maximum string content length quota (30720) has been exceeded while reading XML data. This quota may be increased by changing the MaxStringContentLength property on the XmlDictionaryReaderQuotas object used when creating the XML reader. Line 2, position 44471.
The formatter threw an exception while trying to deserialize the message: Error in deserializing body of request message for operation 'Translate'. The maximum string content length quota (30720) has been exceeded while reading XML data. This quota may be increased by changing the MaxStringContentLength property on the XmlDictionaryReaderQuotas object used when creating the XML reader. Line 1, position 44670.

Tuesday, 08/10/2010   Print Version |

Good morning. Governor, before we get started, let me fist of all say how pleased we are that you saw fit to come to San Jose and to the Chamber of Commerce. You've been a regular visitor to this chamber and we really appreciate it. Before you today you have some of our board members, our trustees, which is our Political Action Committee members, as well as some of our ambassadors that are kind of our front door to our community and to the business organizations here in San Jose. We also have a few of our candidates that are here. They did very well in the primary and we're hoping that we're going to get them elected in November and have some good people working to get up to Sacramento.But let me also just say how important it is that we have a governor like this governor, that is always in tune with what the business community is interested in, what the business community needs. He has always done that since he's been elected and we so much appreciate it. He's got quite a task, working with some of the legislators and trying to come to commonality on what's good for this state -- what's good for this state when it comes to business, to healthcare, to education, to transportation -- but he's in there and he monitors it continuously.What he's going to talk about with us today is something, Governor, that we're all very interested in, because we in the city of San Jose and in the county struggle with trying to pass our budgets every year. Part of the reason that we struggle is because of pensions and how they have ballooned so much in the last few years and, quite frankly, we just can't -- it's not sustainable, we cannot continue to pay those. So we have two ballot initiatives that will be on the ballot in November dealing with, one, binding arbitration limitations and the other pensions.So we are speaking the same language. I think you're going to be talking with us a little bit about some of the challenges that you're having with the California budget and, hopefully, some of the areas that the business community might be able to be helpful. So with that, would you like to say a few words before we get into some questions?Well, thank you very much, Pat, for the extraordinary job you're doing for the chamber here and also the great job you have done for my administration when you worked over in Sacramento. And thank you for inviting me to come here today and thank you all for being here today. I know you all are busy doing your own work but it's always nice to reach out and to talk to people directly.I have been traveling up and down the state talking about the budget, talk about why is the budget late and that's, of course, an easy one to explain. The legislators just haven't done it yet. (Laughter) It's one of those things that happens. Out of the last 20 years there only were three times where they did the budget on time.I, as governor, I have my Budget Proposal on January 10th every year; I've never missed that deadline. And on May 14th we have the May Revise; I've never passed or was late with that deadline either.But the legislators, like I said, they are always late and I think it is just because they don't start negotiating until the new fiscal year starts. So this year, for instance, again on May 14th I presented my budget and then you didn't hear anything. And then they do the various different hearings and then, when they were finished with the hearings in the end of June, they went on vacation. So they never really negotiated a budget.Then, all of a sudden, you know, they started coming down to our office and they start talking a little bit and getting together with the Republicans. And that's what's going on right now. They're back in session now, a month later, after vacation. And now we are getting together regularly, so I think that there's a good shot that we will have a budget within the next two or three weeks.But it's a very difficult time, you know, to come to an agreement. When there are a lot of revenues it's easy to come to an agreement. And like Pat said, that right now, because of the economic decline over the last three years -- worldwide, not just in San Jose or in California -- it's worldwide. Countries are scrambling and struggling all over the world, if it is Ireland, if it is England, if it is Germany, if it is Greece, if it is Spain or Portugal. Everywhere you look they are having difficult times because the whole world, basically, has reduced in value by at least 20 percent. So they are all of a sudden now -- you know, the business activities are not there, the revenues are not there.But the good thing about that is -- and I always look at problems as an opportunity, as a way of seeing new opportunities. And I think, because every state and every city and county is going through this stress test where all of a sudden you have less revenues and then you realize, wait a minute, I think that we are not distributing our money the right way, or we are doing something wrong and that's why we don't have enough revenues right now.And that's exactly what's happening also with the state. We now recognize that we need a rainy day fund so when we get hit by an economic slowdown we have a little bit of money left aside. So therefore one of the things that I'm proposing is to have budget reform so that we save money into a rainy day fund and use that money then when our economy goes down and when there are less revenues, so we have enough money for the vulnerable citizens, for education, higher education, kindergarten through 12th and so on and so forth.The other thing that we have to recognize is that by having less money there are certain other areas where we are spending too much money and that's why we don't have enough money for the most vulnerable citizens or for education and so on. And that is, like Pat said, pensions. So that's another thing we recognize. And I think it's very important that we use this opportunity and look at it closely and carefully and say to ourselves, wait a minute, there has been a huge spike in pension costs for the state and also locally.And that spike is not just like where you say OK, our revenues came in at an increase of 26 percent and our pensions went up by 30 percent or so. No, it's not that. That would be doable. But the pensions went up by 2,500 percent in the last 10 years. So what once was in the budget in general funds a $150 billion expenditure now is this huge amount of money. Now we're talking about going from $150 million to $3.9 billion -- correct me if I'm wrong, David, because David is the expert -- $3.9 billion just in CalPERS alone. This is not talking about the others, now. Altogether it's $6.5 billion that we are spending every year.So think about that increase in 10 years. Revenues go up by 26 percent and this goes up by 2,500 percent. So that is where the problem lies. Now you're crowding out other programs. If we would not have this kind of an increase, if we would have had an increase of 26 percent, like our revenues go up, we would be paying $200 million a year for the pensions rather than, you know, $4 billion just from the general funds, the general account and then the rest of it in other special funds. So that is really where the problem is.Then we also have to look at how we are spending our money in education. We know that we need more money in the classroom but we are consistently -- there was a just a report that came out today that talked about that the education spending went up but the funding into the classroom went down. So that means that the kids are not getting the money. It's adults that are fighting in the education community to get that money, that education money, because the state and the federal government and the locals are giving education a certain amount of money and then they make the decision how to spend the money. But it's not going into the classroom, so there's another thing that we have to look at. And it's a good opportunity now to look at how are we funding education and is the money really going to the children. I'm sure you read just recently in the L.A. Times that the Robert F. Kennedy Community School was supposed to cost, in 2007 when they started building it, $300 million. And all of a sudden it ended up costing in 2010 -- it's opening now -- $600 million. Now, how did it go from $300 million to $600 when construction costs went down by 25 to 40 percent? It doesn't make any sense. But that's what happens because there are so many people, grownups, that are fighting for education money rather than giving it to the kids and putting it into the classroom.So when you have this stress test you're looking at all of the things where you may be making mistakes. You know, it doesn't make sense to point fingers at anybody or to look back. It's always easy to be smart in hindsight; we all know that. But I think we can make certain corrections and that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to do pension reform. We'll try to do budget reform this year.And we'll try also to do tax reform. And why tax reform? Because we recognize when there's a dip in the economy that, all of a sudden, even though there's maybe a decline of 2.8 percent in the economic activities, we have a dip in revenues of 30 to 40 percent. Why? Because we are relying so heavily on income tax. And of course, out of that income tax, it's all the rich people in California that are paying most of the income tax. But they are investing their money on Wall Street, so when Wall Street goes from 14,000 to 6,500 you have a major problem because all of a sudden everyone has a loss, no gain, therefore they're not paying income tax. So you have this tremendous loss just in that category, a 60 percent drop in revenues.So those are the problems, so we should correct that and make our system less volatile. Very complicated. The only way you can get all of those things done is if you start early, if you start working through the process and negotiate and bring both of the parties together. Now they are scrambling because they realize, darn it, why didn't we go on May 15th, the day after the May Revise was handed in, why didn't we just sit down and start going through those issues?I already made it clear that I'm not going to sign a budget if we don't have those pension reforms and straighten out that mess and roll it back to pre-SB 400, which was done in 1999, where they decided to increase all those pensions and make them so outlandish, the way they are.Or, for instance, I will not sign a budget if we don't have the budget reform where we go and say let's put a rainy day fund aside. Let's go and save money and put it into a rainy day fund. It wouldn't make any sense to not use this opportunity. That's why I say crises can be great opportunities. I look at every crisis as great opportunities. The pessimist always will look at and see a crisis in every opportunity but I see opportunities in every crisis, so that's the difference.So I think that this would be a wasted opportunity there. We have to have those reforms. The legislators, Democrats and Republicans, are working on this. They also know that I'm very adamant about becoming more efficient, the way we spend our money, because this is old. I'm a big believer that we are not short on revenues, we are more short on the way we distribute the money. There's plenty of money there under the circumstances -- I'm talking about, the economic circumstances -- but we've just got to distribute that money the right way.It's like with water. You know, people always talk about we need more water. We just have to distribute the water the right way and then we have plenty of water. And that's why our water bonds -- and I'm very happy that yesterday they decided to put the water bonds to 2012. So the legislature did a great job and the legislative leaders did a great job yesterday, so I'm very proud of them, of working together, Republicans and Democrats on this issue.So with that, I want to open it up to you and just say, you know, this is a great opportunity for us to do some good work here in California.Thank you, Governor. I’m going to have Mr. Rodriguez come up and take his seat -- he is tardy -- before we get started here. (Laughter)Governor, thank you. Thank you very much for that overview of the budget and some of the negotiations that are going on. If I could -- and just to let you know, we sent out an email to all of our folks and they have sent us in questions, so if we have time when we get to the end maybe we'll go the general but I've got a stack here.So one of the first questions was and you talked about this a little bit:  "How does the pension reform really fit in budget negotiations?" And I guess this is leaning to why have you connected the two.Well, because pensions -- out of the general fund we almost spent $4 billion, $3.9 billion now. It used to be $3.3 and now they just asked to bump it up another $600 million. That makes it $3.9 billion. This is out of our budget.So if I would have, as I said earlier, if we would only have an increase of 26 percent, then we would be spending now $200 million rather than almost $4 billion. I would have $3.7 billion more for other programs. I would give some money for in-home supportive services, I would have more money for higher education, I would have some more money for community colleges, I would have some more money for kindergarten through 12th, I would have some more money for childcare and the list goes on and on and on. Now I have to make cuts because the pension is crowding it out.There is, for instance -- David, if you have the charts here? I think it's very important to look at this here. Oh, you have it right over here. Let's look at the pensions here just briefly, the increase in pensions. Here it just shows to you, the yellow line here is the increase in revenues, 26 -- 28 percent. OK, I was wrong by 2 percent -- 28 percent increase in the last 10 years.But look at this, pensions. So that's why this is directly related to budget, because we are giving, we are putting too much money into those pensions because, in 1999, some geniuses have thought (Laughter) that it will be easy, affordable for the state to make those increases in pensions because they promised the legislature that our stock market at this point, in 2009-2010, will be at 24,000. Now, think about that. In the meantime, we are struggling with between 10,000 and 11,000, going back and forth right now. But they said in 2009 it will be at 24,000. And they also thought that our budget will be at $130 billion and on and on and on, while we are actually at $90. So they projected all kinds of crazy things and the legislators went along then and voted for that.Here it just shows to you, if we continue -- if you think this increase is tragic, the 2,500, look at this increase here. Look at this increase. So it will continue spiking. The $4 billion that we almost spend now will go, within a few years, to $10 billion a year -- thank you, David -- to $10 billion, just to give you an idea.So we are distributing our money -- we have the money but we are distributing it the wrong way. And so to me, what I am saying is, let's pull back on that, let's change it. We shouldn’t take anything away from anyone that was promised that money. What I'm saying is for new hires, people that are starting to work in January, let's go and go back to pre-SB 400 and give them those benefits. You know, change -- instead of making it the last year of your salary, where the spiking goes on, let's average it out over the last three years. This will bring down the cost. Let's go and say, instead of retiring at 50, for law enforcement and emergency people, to retire at 55 again, the way it was. And instead of 55 for state employees, to retire at 60, just the way it was before SB 400. They went insane. Everyone talks about let's go and retire later, because we don’t have the money for all this.So those are the kind of reforms that we want to do and also that state employees contribute 5 percent more to their state pension. So those are a few of the changes and to roll it back and I think that will help us tremendously in the future. And those are just some of the things and that's how it's connected to the budget.Well, that's exactly what we're seeing in San Jose. As a matter of fact, the chamber's initiative that will be on the ballot in November says the same thing; we need a two-tier benefit for pension benefits. We just can't keep paying what we are now as we continue to close parks and libraries and community centers and lay off police officers and firefighters.So how is that negotiation going? What's the prognosis?Well, the negotiations -- you know, the thing is, I mean, I like the people that I negotiate with. Pérez is a nice man and Steinberg and my Republican colleagues are really great guys. We all sit down and talk. It's just a philosophic difference. The philosophic difference is that Democrats want to -- they have just done their budget presentation and they want to increase taxes and they want to borrow more money. But those are the kind of things that got us into trouble in the first place.Last year I told them I would do it because we had a $60 billion deficit and you can't cut $60 billion. So I said one time every 20 years we can go there. I said Ronald Reagan went there, then Pete Wilson went there, Deukmejian and now myself. I understand when there's an emergency.But this year it's not the same thing. We have now increased the taxes last year by $12.5 billion, which we are benefitting from right now. Why would I go and increase it again, when really what we should do is live within our means, make the necessary cuts? I'm not talking about the whole $20 billion deficit, making cuts. Half of it at least making cuts and the other half we can do with fund shifts and federal money we draw down and so on. So we are working on that.So there's a fundamental difference. They want to increase taxes, they want to do more borrowing. I say let's live within our means. Let's go and be fiscally responsible.Number two, I'm asking them to go and stimulate the economy, because what brings us extra revenues, if they want extra revenues, is when we stimulate the economy. When you look at business today, no matter where you go, they give you incentives -- 30 percent off, 50 percent off.I just came from Sun Valley, Idaho. There they have a hotel. It normally costs $280. Now they give it to you for $128 and they give you the ice-skating for free and they give you the buffet breakfast for free and all of those kind of things to just attract people. And it was packed because they gave incentives.You go in Beverly Hills today, they give you incentives, big signs out there, discount this and that. You go to any store, they give you all this because you incentivize people to spend money.Well, the same is when you run a state. The problem is that we really don't have a business plan to run the state because legislators don't come from a business background, so they have difficulty with that idea of making a business plan. So what you have to do is, you have to go and say let's incentivize. Let's give incentives to businesses, tax incentives, new hire tax incentives so that you inspire businesses to hire more people.Then you go and you go into tort reform to make it easier, so you don't always keep suing businesses and hold them up so they can't move forward. You do the kind of things that we have proposed in our State of the State Address.Or like, for instance, very successful, the homebuyer's tax credit that we had, hugely successful because we gave them an incentive. Or the green manufacturing -- green technology manufacturing equipment, we gave an incentive. Hugely successful. Now they took over the NUMMI plant and they're starting to bring more and more companies in. The Chinese just relocated their headquarters here with building the electric car and all this because we gave incentives. It's a no-brainer.They want to take away from business the incentives. They call it "loopholes" and they want to take incentives away from businesses. So it's an ideological difference, a philosophic difference that we have there. And we're going to work through that and come out with some kind of a compromise.So Governor, you mentioned at the beginning of your conversation that our budgets aren't met very routinely on time. And this question is:  "Constitutional deadlines for budget passages seem to be routinely missed with little consequence from court rulings. What's the purpose of having these deadlines if there seem to be no consequences? And how could we possible put consequences so there would be, again, more incentive for legislators to pass on time?"Well, as you know, that I have said this many times, that if we don’t have incentives there will be no -- or consequences, there will be no reasons why they should meet that deadline in the first place. So they can go casually -- right now they go over that deadline and there is really no franticness in the Capitol about this because there's no consequence.The only consequence is for you, because we are right now using $52.5 million a day more than we are taking in on tax revenues because we have to make those cuts or, since we don’t have a budget, I cannot make the cuts that are necessary. So that is the big problem. So there is a consequence to the taxpayers. We are losing money that will be money that we will have less for education, less for healthcare, less for the children, less for the vulnerable citizens.So there are consequences to those people out there but not to the legislature. The legislature doesn't get paid so they go out and get a loan and then, as soon as we have a budget, they get paid all the money back that they didn’t get paid and then they can pay back their loan.But if they never get that money back for every month they don't come in, they don't get that salary and it will never come back, all of a sudden things change. Now there would be a scramble. Now they would feel a little bit like what the general public out there in the private sector feels, that all of a sudden don't make money, or they lose jobs or they lose their homes or they lose business. All of those things go on in the private sector but not in the public sector. No consequences in the public sector, so this is the problem. Those kind of things would inspire them to work much faster.And as I said, the key thing is -- and I've talked to Willie Brown and to other Democrats and Republican leaders -- the key thing is to start in January. These are very complicated issues. As soon as they see in January the Budget Presentation -- because there are no secrets, there are no unusual things that happen from January to May. And if there is some May Revise or some "May Surprise" where all of a sudden there's $5 billion more, great. Great, put it in a rainy day fund, then. But the key thing is to start negotiating in January and to work through this and to create the tax reforms and to create the budget reforms and to do all of the things that need to be done.Governor, to change the subject just a bit -- on water and you did touch on that earlier. But we have -- this is from Rick Callender, who is with us today:  "We receive 50 percent of our water supply from the Delta. What do you believe the likelihood is of delaying the bond and what is the likely prospect of passage in 2012?"There's another question: "Has the water bond completely failed? What does that mean?"Well, first of all, I think that it was a remarkable accomplishment by the legislature to, after all these decades of fighting, to bring everyone together, all the stakeholders. I mean, remember, for decades Democrats were fighting Republicans, environmentalists were fighting business leaders, the farmers were fighting, everyone. The federal government was fighting with the state. Everyone was fighting, Southern California with Northern California, with the Central Valley -- everyone.And we eventually brought everyone together at the table and we worked out a water bond deal, an $11 billion deal that will be extraordinary for the future of California, to have more dams, to build the canal, to fix the Delta, to measure the groundwater, to clean the groundwater, all of those things. And there's something for every community all over the state of California.The only thing is that we now see that there are forces out there that wanted to use that in the negotiations. They say, "If you want us to cut more in those programs or if you want to really insist on not creating extra revenues, then we're going to go and attack the water bonds when it's on the ballot in November."So I asked the legislature, let's take it off the table and let's push it to 2012, because we have worked so hard on the water bonds to get an agreement that it would be a tremendous waste if we go and make it vulnerable this November. So that's why I proposed it, to postpone it to 2012 and to make sure that we win, that the people approve those water bonds.And so that's exactly what we have done. And just like I said, last night at 9:00 o'clock at night, I think that the leaders got together and got them to pass this through and to postpone the water bonds so it will be successful.It will be successful in 2012?It will be successful because we need water. It's one of the things that I've promised when I became governor. I said that I'm going to fight for more infrastructure because the state of California does not have the infrastructure. The whole United States doesn't have the infrastructure. We are living off things that were built 50 years ago. It's absolute insanity that we can't get our act together.But in California we did get our act together because in 2006 the people have approved $42 billion of infrastructure. Then, after that, we did the infrastructure for prisons, to build 53,000 new beds. And then after that we did the high-speed rail where the people approved almost $10 billion for the high-speed rail, where we will be the first state to start building high-speed rail.And now we did the water infrastructure also, which was the last piece of the puzzle and we moved it to 2012. When that passes, then we have the whole package for the next 10 years to really rebuild California, our roads, our levees, schools, university buildings, affordable housing, water and all of those things.Well, this county certainly had very strong support for high-speed rail and many of the other issues that you've talked about. And part of the reason is not just to rebuild the infrastructure, ease of travel for business and recreation but to create jobs.And this next question deals primarily with jobs that drive the economy and this person said that:  "Jobs drive the economy more than anything else and they provide real people with the best solutions to financial problems. Yet it becomes more difficult each year for entrepreneurs to start businesses and to invest in future jobs because of so much uncertainty within the state. So how can we get the legislators to focus on creating a more favorable environment for jobs? California, wrongly or rightly, has a perception of being a very tough place to do business."Well, first of all, it is. If you compare California with other states we have tougher labor laws and it is more expensive to do business here. And this is why I said earlier, we've got to educate the legislature to concentrate, in these budget negotiations, also on job creation.And that's why in my State of the State and also in my Budget Presentation I made it clear that we've got to go and create jobs in order to get more revenues, rather than do tax increases or borrowing more money. It is, like I said earlier, if you give incentives to businesses and if you create an image for California again that this is a business-friendly state, then people will come here from around the world, more so than they will already and create business, hire people and so on.And we have seen it in green technology. We have seen that, because of the tax incentives, more and more green technology is being developed here. As a matter of fact, the Wall Street Journal calls it "The New Gold Rush for California," because we see companies that are developing batteries and solar and doing installation of solar, solar plants that they're building, if it is the electric car -- all of this really helps our economy. We have like literally two-thirds of all the venture capital is coming to California when it comes to green technology. So those are the kind of things we need to do.And this is why it's very important and I want to mention it because I just came from a meeting with leaders from Silicon Valley about AB 32 -- there are oil companies from Texas and coal companies -- not from California, all from outside of California -- that are spending a fortune to go and to suspend or to wipe out AB 32, which is a huge accomplishment where we really made a commitment to roll back our greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental laws like 33 percent of renewables and so on. They want to wipe that out under the auspices of job creation.The fact of the matter is it's the green technology that has created 10 times more jobs in the last 10 years than any other sector in California. So this is why we have to fight for this job creation and push back and spend as much money as it takes to push back those oil companies and coal companies that are spending a fortune here because they are greedy and they want to make more money and they don’t care how many respirators people need and inhalers they need, the children in the Central Valley, or how many people are dying because of respiratory problems, all of this. They don’t care about that. They only care about one thing and that is profits.And so we Californians have to go and stick together and say let's push back on those guys and let's go and protect AB 32 and all of our environmental laws. It's very important because it's for jobs, to create more jobs and also to have a better, healthier state, because we always think about way into the future.You know, I just want to say also that very often there are some that think that it's a partisan issue on liking clean air and clean water. We should make sure that all parties appreciate clean air and clean water and there shouldn’t be this separation of -- Republicans don't want clean air and clean water? That's absurd. You know, we all want that. And so how do we get the Republicans and the Democrats and the Independents to work together on solving some of these issues?And this question kind of leads into it. It says:  "The partisan division and extremism prevents any meaningful reforms. So it seems like the safe super-districts magnify that power of partisan extremists. Do you think that Proposition 11 will make a difference in these districts? And do you think Proposition 20 can pass?"Well, you know, the thing is that, first of all, I think that the political reforms that we have created now with the redistricting reform and open primaries will solve some of the problems. Not all of the problems; it will solve some of the problems. But remember that if we get 20 percent more legislators that are more thinking in the center rather than extreme right and extreme left, you will make huge progress in Sacramento. So that's number one.Number two, I think it is important that we find something that is good for both parties, like with water. It was always like the Democrats always said, "We are with the environmentalists and we want to fix the Delta but we don't want to build any dams and no canal, because we don't believe in growth."You know, some environmental -- there are some factions within the environmental community that don’t believe in growth. Others do. But the fact is that they just didn't want to build any canals and no dams or anything, because they said then more people move to California and this will be crazy and it will be terrible and it will create more pollution and so on.And the Republicans had very little interest in fixing the Delta and doing water conservation and all of those things. And so they were stuck, like I said, for decades.So then we started exploring the idea, well, why don't we do all of those things? I mean, it would be crazy to do water infrastructure but not talk about conservation. We are wasting a lot of water. Why would we not look at technology and ways of saving water? And measuring our groundwater. How much do we really have? How much do we get from Colorado? Let's measure all of this stuff. And then, just like you do with money, let's distribute it the right way.So let's do that. Let's think about the environment, let's fix the Delta. I think we have to fix the Delta. We can't push all this water through it because the judge, federal judges, will turn off the water to protect the smelt and the salmon and all this stuff. So it doesn't make any sense. Let's go around the Delta, like Pat Brown has already planned and had on his plans in the '60s. It was always to get around the Delta. But then they stopped building the canal because they ran out of money, there were economic difficulties and so all of those things. And Reagan then wanted the federal government to pay for it and it went on and on and on, the whole thing.But now we are back and we say OK, let's do all of those things. Let's do water conservation. Let's fix the Delta. Let's measure the groundwater and let's build the canal and let's build the dams. OK, then the bonds will be, instead of $7 billion $11 billion but we get everything done. And all of those things are necessary for the state.So the Democrats had great ideas, the environmentalists had great ideas and the Republicans had great ideas. I said, "These are all great ideas. Let's come together." And that's what happened in the end. They all came together.And so that's what we have to do in all of those issues. If it is issues in healthcare we have to listen to the Republicans, because they have good ideas when it comes to saving and protecting the taxpayer. But the Democrats have good ideas also, when it comes to providing healthcare for everybody. So how do we do it cost effectively, like the Republicans are talking about and how do we go and create healthcare for everybody, for every child, for every vulnerable citizen, for everyone? How do we do that?So let's get both of the parties together. And that's where a lot of times they make the mistake, it's one party or the other. I try always to bring them together and that's why I was for campaign finance -- for political reform, I should say, because when we have redistricting and when we have the open primaries then we have a much better shot of getting politicians that are thinking much more in a collaborate way and thinking much more about not being party servants but being public servants.You know, Governor, you talked about the need again to come together with the parties to get something done. And I have to say, you have been a real start when it comes to trying to work with everyone to get accomplishments.Well, Pat, you know I sleep with a Democrat every night. (Laughter) So I've been well trained in how you can work together.All right. Well, we'll make sure the First Lady knows that she's getting some compliments in this gathering today. But you have really been great at working with everyone to try and accomplish things.And actually, I think one of -- you've had many good ideas, don’t get me wrong. But one which I thought was a really good idea for reform and a direction that you were seeking is that it should be just very simple, that legislators can't spend more than the revenue they take in. And that on a regular basis there should be feedback to you and the legislators, to let you know, are you overspending your budget. That just seems common sense to me. And I have a feeling most of the folks in this room don’t know that now that really doesn't happen. I mean, the legislature passes a budget, you go on spending for the year and you don't really know where you are until you start the process all over again.It's in California and it's in all 49 other states and it is in countries around the world. The basic problem is that the legislature signs the check on the back. Think about that. If they would sign the check on the front it would be immediately solved, the problem. But if you spend someone else's money you don’t think of it in the same way as if you spent your own money.These very same legislators are very, very organized with the financial stuff when it comes to their own personal life. They watch every penny. I know, because I go out sometimes with them for lunch, I know how much tip they give. (Laughter)Of how fiscally responsible they are.And so you know that they have it in them. But as soon as it comes to the budget and as soon as it comes to spending, it's someone else's money, it's the taxpayers' money, so all of a sudden millions of dollars doesn't mean as much. And so this is why you always need this kind of check and balance. You need someone that is on top of it and you need the two-party system so they can check each other and all of this. So the system, you know, is good. It's just in general, all over the world, that legislators just never really get that feeling of oh, my God, this is my money and let's really be frugal and let's really live within our means.And they always also talk about we're going to somehow create extra revenues. And everyone is still -- or a lot of people, I should say, in the Capitol, are still living in this fantasy that there will be some surprise revenues coming in these next few months. I said, "Guys, three years ago Warren Buffet said that this economy is not going to bounce back the same way as we're used to. This ball is deflated. It has no air in it. So it will bounce but very slow. Very slow. It could take years."He said that then already and he said it two years ago at the Women's Conference that we had. He said the same thing again. He kept warning everyone. Everyone is always looking for some magic increase of revenues. We haven't seen it. One year there is $500 million more coming in than expected. The next year, the next month, there's $1 billion less coming in than expected. Then it's 500 more. So it continues like this.The same is when you look at the news out there today. There is good news, economic good news but there is also kind of where people are hesitant to even give any news, because they don’t know. There are uncertainties. Or the stock market goes up and then it goes down again. Then they talk about job creation and they say oh, this was all government jobs really. It's not really real. Then they talk about oh, my God, there is some good news here economically. Well, it was while we had the auto funding. And then all of a sudden that went away, or is going away and all of a sudden things are going down again. So there's all of this.So it's not really coming back yet -- even though in the end it will come back, there are no two ways about it. And as you know, California will be one of the first places where it comes back because we are the most diversified economy. We have so many different business and wonderful small business, very innovative people in this state. I mean, just this valley here alone, if you think about it, is unlike anything else in the world. So this is the great thing. We are not just some other state, we are a very special state where we are number on in many, many things. We have the best university system.And just remember, when Medvedev, the Russian president, was here. Where did he come first before he ever stopped in Washington? He stopped here in the Silicon Valley. He stopped here because he wanted to go and talk and see firsthand of the great stuff that's being done with biofuels that are being created from algae and he wanted to see the way the batteries are being developed and what's going on with the high-tech and computers and communication and the cell phones and all of those things, the latest of the latest.And now we are doing a trade mission to Russia in October where we'll go over there to bring Silicon Valley leaders to Moscow -- as soon as the smoke goes away, that is. (Laughter)But to take them over there and to form partnerships with them and to help them and at the same time create great revenues and jobs again for California.So there are all kinds -- so we are on top of the world, there are no two ways about it. We've just got to get our finances together and make sure that Democrats and Republicans work together so we can get out of this and create the economic stimulus that we need to create the jobs.Governor, you know I could chat with you all morning but I know that you might have a few other things on your plate today. So we are drawing near -- this is our last question:  "With all of your vast experience and knowledge that you've gathered, especially during your time as governor, if there were --" This question is from John Tang. "If there were three things that you could say we as Californians should do to move California forward, what would those three things be?"Well, I think first of all, get our fiscal house in order.Number two, to be a more business-friendly state; I think that's very important.Number three, to really go and look at education in a much more serious way than we do and to pass laws and to concentrate on that the money goes into the classroom. We have a lot of money for education, we are spending a lot of money.But it really saddens me when I see that a school that cost, that was estimated to cost $300 million, that all of a sudden costs $600 million. That $300 million, that's gone for building another three or four schools that we could build with that money and that will not enable us then to reduce the class sizes, if we don't have the extra schools.And it also saddens me when we pay more attention to that it has to be civil servants that are working in the schools, that no job in the school can be done by anyone but a civil servant. Rather than you being able to contract out as a school principal and just get the cheapest bid to mow your lawn or to fix your plumbing or to fix your roof or something, that all of this has to be done by civil servants. We spend $500 million a year more by doing that than if we would just contract out. That is money that should go into the classroom, to the children.The classroom is all about the teacher and about the child. This is where the action is, not on administrative costs, not on getting the expenses -- you know, what it costs to build schools. It's all money that goes into the wrong direction and all of those things.So we've got to go and pay attention to those things so we continue building universities, university buildings, we continue with education and fund education fully and get the money to the right place, get it into the classroom.And keep reforming education. That is the most important thing; reforming education. And I think that's why a lot of people were upset about Obama now just giving -- you know, pushing and Congress pushing for and voting for getting extra money to education without attaching some reforms, getting rid of the seniority and those kind of things. And I think that's what we are fighting for here, is getting rid of seniority, to make sure that the best teachers stay in the classroom and when we have a layoff of teachers it's not always the youngest teachers and the good teachers but also there's a good mixture of teachers that are affected, not just the youngest and the brightest.Right, yeah. Well, you know, Governor, I think certainly all of your comments have been well received today with this audience. I will say that your three priorities, I don’t think there's a person in this room that would disagree with that. We are all for getting fiscal reform, gaining control of our spending and keep it in sync with revenue. Also, our state has to become more business friendly. It just has to become more business friendly.Any questions out there that you have before I leave? I want to make sure -- yes, please.QUESTION:  (Inaudible) you're doing all of these things in education. I don’t think the politicians and the people like you are not making an emphasis on (Inaudible) that is much important for the children, you know? You can spend all the money on education and find the best teachers but when they go home -- are they doing the homework? Are they following up where they live? And I think that's where we are failing them. (Inaudible) as a part of the education.GOVERNOR:  I think that's a very good point. You're absolutely right. I have said many times, actually, that the reason why I got involved in after-school programs, for instance and why we passed Proposition 49 that gives $5 million more for after-school programs, is because when I was growing up in Austria, I had someone there 24 hours a day. I had my mother there. As soon as I came home from school my mother was doing homework with me and with the ruler in her hand. (Laughter)MS. DANDO:  At the kitchen table.GOVERNOR:  So there was no -- there was no deviating, or look, I've got to go now and play with my friends. First was the homework, then was the reading and the math and all of those things. And then my father would wait there at 5 o'clock in the evening when he was finished -- he was a police officer -- when he was finished with his work he would then coach us in soccer. And this is how it went. And the next day the school and the school principal and I had the mentors, the athletes, the coaches, the teachers. Everyone was there 24 hours a day.Today a lot of that is missing and that's why I created a lot of the after-school programs in 15 different cities in the United States. That's why I'm pushing after-school programs, to at least give the kids a break when both of the parents are working, that they don’t get locked out of the school and then they drift around on the streets and they commit juvenile crime -- as you know, it's very high -- teenage pregnancy, drugs, gangs, violence, all of those things.So you're absolutely right. This is all a lack of parenting. If the parents would do, like I did, the homework with the kids and work with the kids and read with the kids and do those things with their kids, it would be a whole different ballgame. We can't just overload the schools with all of the responsibility.So I'm glad that you brought that up. It's absolutely correct. That's why I wanted to take a question from one of you. (Laughter)MS. DANDO:  So Governor, we have time for one more question but then I think you're going to have to head out. Michael?QUESTION:  Michael (Inaudible). I'm involved in two local projects here in San Jose. One is to bring the A's to downtown San Jose, the other is to expand our convention center. Both bring about $600 million in private investment. The public side, however, is a redevelopment agency budget item and, with the ongoing takes by the legislature of our redevelopment funds, we're going to have a problem getting over the goal line on both of these projects. What do you see in this next budget round for government takes of redevelopment agency funds, both here in San Jose and across the state?GOVERNOR:  Well, I think that, you know, we have, as you can expect from a state when you're low on funds, you go after those kind of funds. And I think that as soon as the economy comes back I think you will get those funds. But I mean, it has really been a problem because we've had more local leaders coming to us and complaining about that. They even have an initiative on the ballot that will cure that problem. And as you know, that since I have been in office, by helping locals with Proposition 1A and with various different initiatives, to tighten that noose is always good.But we have at the same time an Office of Economic Development. If there's any way we can help you with your business ventures and with what you're trying to do, we would be more than happy to work with you on that.I have just recently walked into a restaurant that wasn't open yet in Beverly Hills and I asked the restaurant owner, I said, "When are you opening up? You've been futzing around here now for the last eight months."And he said, "Well, not because of me." He said, "I can't get the permits. I can't get the permits."So I said, "What do you mean, you can't get the permits?"He said, "You have no idea what I go through here in California." He said, "I'm from Texas. I want to open up 20 places in California." Salad Bowl they call it, the Salad Bowl. So they serve salads, you pick the salads and all the ingredients you want to put in there. It's a great idea. I ate there after they opened up.But what happened was, I got in touch with the Economic Development Office, with Ayala, who is in charge of it and I said to him, I said, "Let's see if this agency is really working." We created it a few months ago. It was all about helping businesses, to have a one-stop shop and you get all the permits -- and that you fight out with all the agencies around the state and do the rest. That was on Wednesday last week. On Friday, I went by there in the afternoon and it was open. It was open.So that's the kind of effect our Office of Economic Development has, because we go all out because we really believe in a one-stop shop and to help people comb through those problems. Because people are doing unnecessary things. They are abusing their power, people that are doing the permits, giving you the permits.That guy had one guy from the city come in and say, "We want you to have your window in front of the salad be between 25 and 30 inches high." So he made it 28, in the middle.The next inspector came in and he measured it and he said, "I want it 30 inches high."And he said, "I thought it was between 25 and 30."He said, "I want it 30 inches. Do you get it?"So the attitude alone -- "You get it?" -- rubbed me the wrong way. So that guy is already not really helpful. The inspector has to be helpful. Yes, he has to go and comply and there are laws there. But let's be helpful.Let's go and have all the inspectors get together at the same time. He had in there someone from Beverly Hills measure, then from Los Angeles, from the county and from the state and they never met each other. None of the inspectors met each other. So why wouldn't I try to get all the inspectors together?And that's what our Office of Economic Development did. They got all those inspectors together, talked to each one of them and they all said, "Oh, we didn't know. Gee, this is terrible." But he always, each time they corrected him, he had to wait another two, three weeks. So now he has been hanging there for eight months and he has hired the people, 16 people. Unnecessary burden. He had to pay for them and they did not work and serve any salad until last Friday.Now he says he has so much faith in California and he's convinced again that California wants him to stay here, that he now is opening the rest of the 20 places in California, which will be hundreds of new jobs. So this is what we need to do, is help them.And so the same is with you. I know that we created a big problem with the economic development money but that doesn't mean that we cannot help in another way to help you through with all the challenges.MS. DANDO:  So Governor, I have a great idea. You could talk --GOVERNOR:  Hmm, I bet. (Laughter)MS. DANDO:  I've had a few. You don't usually listen to them but this is a really good one.GOVERNOR:  Oh, man. I listen to your good ideas.MS. DANDO:  Yeah. Well, this -- just what do you think if you were to go to the Mr. Salad Bowl guy and, when he's looking to build 20 restaurants, he brings one to downtown San Jose?GOVERNOR:  I will connect him today.MS. DANDO:  OK, good. Great. Governor, we very much appreciate your coming.

GOVERNOR:  Thank you. Thank you very much.

Get Information on How to Make Wine

Are you wondering how to make wine? Tired of referring to lengthy books and the high end sophisticated materials they refer to you for preparing wine? Then the worry time has gone as we have brought you the simplest way of making wine at your home.

View the original article here

Lalvin EC-1118 Yeast newly tagged "beermaking"

Lalvin EC-1118 Yeast
By Lallemand Inc

Buy new: $1.00
3 used and new from $0.97
Customer Rating:

First tagged "beermaking" by W.D. Mclain
Customer tags: homebrewing(4), home brewing(2), wine, brewing, beermaking, yeast, beer

View the original article here

Governor Schwarzenegger Introduces Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee Tani presented in "Cantil"-Sakauye

Translate Request has too much data Parameter name: request Translate Request has too much data Parameter name: request

Thursday, 07/22/2010   Print Version |

(Applause) Please sit down, everybody and relax. First of all, I want to say good morning, everybody. And Chief Justice George, thank you for being here. I don't know if this applause was about you retiring or of her being nominated. (Laughter) I don't want to get into that.But anyway, also it's wonderful to have here Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. And also Senator Steinberg is here, I see in the front. Thank you very much for being here. Members of the California Supreme Court -- there are various different justices here -- then my Cabinet secretaries, the legislators and honorable members of the bench and so many very important guests, so thank you very much for being here today.Perhaps the greatest and most momentous responsibility afforded to the California governor is that of nominating a Supreme Court justice. Nearly every important issue that shapes California and its future, whether it is property rights, civil rights, economic policy, criminal law, environmental laws and so on, are ultimately decided by our Supreme Court.Throughout California's history, 27 individuals have accepted the task of leading the court as its chief justice. Few, if any, have done the job with such skill and professionalism and integrity as Ronald George. (Applause)For the last 14 years, Ronald George has served honorably as chief justice of the largest judicial system in the nation. He has proven himself time and again to be a fair and independent arbiter of the law. I can also testify that he's a fierce and persistent advocate Retirement and Nursing Homes for the courts, continuously pushing for more money and more resources, even when we have a budget crunch. (Applause) Even when we have a budget crunch he comes in there and says, "I need that money," and most of the time he gets it. (Laughter) I was also very proud that he swore me in twice as governor, in 2003 and in 2006.Chief Justice George has my deepest respect and appreciation. Now, I have to tell you also that he is not only doing such an extraordinary job and being the best of what he does but he's also a fantastic and wonderful human being. Let's give him a big hand for the great work that he has done. (Applause)Now, when I heard him announce his intentions to step down in January I was, of course, saddened; we will miss him. But the state of California's loss is certainly his family's gain. I know that Ronald will thoroughly enjoy relaxing and spending more time with his wife Barbara, who is sitting right in front, who has been a terrific partner of his. Let's give her a big hand. (Applause) And also with his children and grandchildren.So on behalf of all Californians I want to say thank you to Chief Justice George for the extraordinary work and for his service and we wish him well in retirement. So let's give him a big hand again. (Applause)Whatever that means, when we talk about 'retirement,' because I can guarantee you, he's not the kind of a guy that's going to go in a rocking chair and lean back and retire. (Laughter) He's going to read hundreds of books and do all kinds of different things, so we know that.That's right, absolutely. (Laughter) Absolutely. Make you into an action hero. Why not? (Laughter)Now, the departure of Chief Justice George leaves momentous shoes to be filled. The people of California deserve someone who shares his respect for the Constitution and his unwavering commitment to justice. They deserve someone with strong experience and unimpeachable integrity.My administration looked closely at several outstanding candidates. In the end, one stood above the rest. In fact, five years ago I was so impressed by that person's experience and background that I appointed her to the Court of Appeals, where she has served with distinction, she has done an outstanding job and that is the woman that is standing right beside me here, Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. (Applause)Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye has a long and distinguished history of public service. She began her career in the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office prosecuting and putting away violent criminals. In the 1990s, because she did such a great job there, Governor Deukmejian appointed her to the Sacramento Municipal Court. There again she did such a great job that seven years later Governor Wilson elevated her to the Superior Court and there she created and presided over the first court in Sacramento dedicated solely to domestic violence. And as I mentioned earlier, since 2005 she has served honorably on the Court of Appeals Third Appellate District.Every time that I meet Justice Cantil-Sakauye, I'm impressed by her incredible passion, her incredible passion for the law. She reveres the law and she knows that the role of the judiciary is not to create law but to independently and to fairly interpret and administer the law.But Justice Cantil-Sakauye is much more than just a fine and widely admired jurist. She is also the living, breathing example of the American Dream. She came from humble beginnings, the daughter of parents who instilled in her the values of hard work and perseverance and the belief that in America, with that hard work and perseverance, you can achieve about anything. She even waited on tables to help put herself through college and then later on through law school. What an inspiring example to all our young people in America and especially to young Filipino boys and girls. Let's give her a big hand for the great, great work. (Applause)In fact, when confirmed by the voters in November, Justice Cantil-Sakauye will become California's first Filipino Chief Justice, (Applause) adding to our high court's already rich diversity.So I want to congratulate Justice Cantil-Sakauye and her entire family here today. We have here her family -- her husband, of course, right over here, Mark and her children Hana and Clare are right over here also in the front. Let's give them also a big, big hand. (Applause)And of course there are many other relatives here -- you can imagine. (Laughter) I don't want to go through that whole list so I hope you understand but welcome, all, to the Capitol.And now it is my great pleasure to introduce a fine public servant, an outstanding Californian, a spectacular American, the next chief justice of the California Supreme Court, Tani Cantil-Sakauye. Thank you very much. (Applause)Oh, thank you. Thank you. Please, please. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you, Governor Schwarzenegger, for those very kind remarks. Good morning and thank you all for coming.I want to thank you, Governor, for nominating me to be the next chief justice of the California Supreme Court. I am humbled by the experience, I am grateful for the opportunity and I am mindful of the public trust.You have bestowed a great honor upon me and my family and the honor for me and my family is especially poignant. I'd like to spend a few moments to talk a little bit about history. Governor, today you have changed my family's history. Now, from our daughters' perspective, they have a set of grandparents who worked in the fields, they have a set of grandparents who were interned for four years. They have grand-uncles, they have uncles, they have cousins, who are war veterans. And their mother? Well, a man of tremendous vision appointed her, or nominated her, to lead the highest court in California. Is history remarkable or what? (Applause)Chief Justice Ronald George, I want to thank you for making the judicial branch a model of excellence. In addition to you and the associate justices making the California Supreme Court the most influential and keenly observed court at the national level, your administrative efforts have brought the judicial branch to its rightful position as a co-equal third branch of government. Your efforts, Chief, your unrelenting and heartfelt commitment to the statewide administration of access, fairness and justice in the courts, sir, will go down in history. (Applause)As the nominee I am exhilarated to serve the public in this capacity. When I was a young girl I used to attend many, many Filipino functions -- I see many of you here. I remember only a few but I remember one when my mother took me to see what we had never seen before -- the first Filipina woman lawyer, Gloria Ochoa. My mother took me to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall -- un-air conditioned, metal seats -- and my mother threw me the elbow jab and said, "You could do that too." I didn't know what "that" was but I knew the elbow jab and I knew that whatever Gloria was doing and had done was important, good work for the public. And now my passion for the public has led me to my passion to the court and the efficient administration of justice. And the postscript is, Gloria and I are fast friends.But when I think about the courts I really think how important and critical the courts are in the lives of the public. And what often reminds me of that is in my chambers I have the statue of Themis, Lady Justice. Lady Justice, as you know, stands before you in a robe. She's blindfolded, she holds a set of scales and she wields a knife, or sword, much like the one in your Cabinet Room. (Laughter) Under her foot is a serpent; at her feet is a book. And I am reminded that what justice means to the public is that courts right the wrongs, vanquish the indignities and provide a forum for everyone to be heard and a role of the Chief Justice of this great state is to ensure that the courts continue that vital role.Chief Justice Ron George has set up that administration for us, the public and the public can count on me to look and learn from the past and to address the immediate needs and priorities of the present and to plan and prepare for the future.I thank you all and I am deeply honored. Thank you very much. (Applause)We cannot have a retiring chief justice just stand here and not say a few words, so I insist that you come out here also to address us and say a few words. Please welcome Chief Justice Ron George. (Applause)Well, I'm shy but not shy and retiring. Or maybe the opposite. But it's a great honor and privilege to be asked by the Governor to participate in this wonderful event. It's truly an historic occasion and I think that this will go down as one of the most exceptional legacies in the administration of Governor Schwarzenegger.This nomination of Justice Cantil-Sakauye as Chief Justice of California and Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court is truly historic in many ways. Tani is, in my view, the ideal person to lead our largest -- largest anywhere, really and perhaps, in my view, the finest judiciary anywhere. It is a judiciary with more than 1,700 judges, several hundred subordinate judicial officers, 21,000 court employees and a budget of $4 billion, approximately. I will say that I hesitated to mention these figures. I don't want to give any cause for anyone to have second thoughts, Tani, (Laughter) about accepting this nomination.But I know that you are eminently qualified and fully prepared to accept the responsibilities of the office. Assuming confirmation of the Governor's nomination by the Commission on Judicial Appointments and the electorate at the November election, the duties will be assumed by the new Justice on January 3rd, actually. And Tani comes to this position with 20 years experience on the bench as of later this year. She will have 20 years, six of which have been served on the Third District Court of Appeal -- and I see many of her colleagues, including presiding Justice Scotland and other justices here -- and I know I have heard for years glowing reports of her tenure there.This judicial experience is not all that she has. She has served, as the Governor noted, as a prosecutor and after that she served in the Governor's Office and worked with the executive branch and also as deputy legislative secretary with the legislature. So here is a remarkable person at any age, let alone at this particular point in your life, to have substantial qualifying experience in all three branches of government for the particular duties that are involved in serving as chief justice of California.All this and a compelling life story, which the Governor has related to you, a terrific work ethic and an exceptionally collegial personality which will serve her well presiding over the court in which I sit and she will sit, in dealing with the judiciary around the state.What, in my view, qualifies her most among the many wonderful qualities she has for this particular difficult task is her experience in the statewide administration of justice and her diplomatic skills. You've heard about her prior experience. Well, she has been a true star on the Judicial Council, to which I appointed her. This is the constitutional body responsible for the statewide administration of justice. She's been on numerous committees and taskforces dealing with the administration of justice, and I recently appointed her to chair a key committee on financial accountability and efficiency of the judicial branch.Tani is a strong woman who strongly commits herself to the statewide administration of justice. I feel confident that she will build upon the achievements of the chief justices who have preceded her.I conclude my 38 years as a judge with extreme gratitude to the four governors -- Governor Reagan, Brown, Deukmejian and Wilson,--whose appointments to all four levels of court in California made me capable, gave me the opportunity to serve at all levels of California's court system and ultimately to lead the branch.And I also express extreme gratitude to the three governors, including Governor Schwarzenegger, with whom I was privileged to work in leading the judicial branch through policy and budget decisions, as well as to members of this and former legislatures. And I'm very pleased to see Senate pro Tem Darrell Steinberg here, who has been a key factor, along with the Speaker, in resolving the difficult situation of the judicial branch. Without that progress that we've made this year I would not have felt, in good conscience, I could leave my post.I want to indicate as well that there are many, many expressions of appreciation that I could make in terms of those who have enabled the judiciary to carry out is appointed tasks. But I want to express special appreciation to my colleagues on the Supreme Court, four of whom are here today -- Justice Marvin Baxter, Justice Kathryn Werdegar, Justice Ming Chin and Justice Carol Corrigan. I'd like to give them a hand for their exceptional service. (Applause) Justices Kennard and Moreno unfortunately had commitments elsewhere and could not be here on short notice but they send their very best and their congratulations to you.Also I would note that, really, working with my colleagues has been the highlight of my career. I look forward every week to our weekly conference, to working with them in crafting opinions, upholding the rule of law, working with the superb staff we have at the California Supreme Court and also with the superbly talented Administrative Director of the Court Bill Vickrey, who gives countless efforts every day, every hour of every day. Bill, thank you so much. (Applause) He and his staff have truly made the judicial branch in our efforts a co-equal independent branch of government not just in theory, not just in name but in practice and in reality.Finally, whatever I have been able to accomplish in 45 years of public service -- seven as a deputy attorney general, 38 years as a judge -- would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife Barbara, wife of 44 years. Barbara, thank you so much. (Applause)And now I will just conclude by indicating my great appreciation to you, Governor, because this is an exceptionally wise and far-reaching decision that you have made and truly will be one of your finest legacies of the many that you leave to the state of California. This nomination and ultimately the taking of office will be something that is truly viewed as historic.I announced my decision last Wednesday, Wednesday of last week, to my colleagues and then informed the Governor of the decision. And I stressed how important somebody with administrative and political and diplomatic skills would be to lead the judiciary. And the Governor said right away, in these words, "I get it. I know that."And I am thrilled that he moved so quickly in selecting an eminently qualified successor. And in the process I believe, Governor, you have exceeded the record of all of your predecessors in the percentage of women whom you have appointed to the bench and I'm sure there are many happy about that. (Applause)

So with that, I conclude my remarks with great congratulations, with appreciation to you, Governor, with the best of wishes to you, Tani, for your assumption of duties. And I know that you are exceptionally and eminently qualified to undertake these responsibilities and I wish you all the very, very best and the best to your family as well. (Applause)

Governor Schwarzenegger provides remarks at the graduation Ceremony for cogeneration

Before you take your seats we would like to take a moment to honor the memories of our most recently fallen CHP officers. In the time that CTC 1 of 2010 has been in academy training our department has suffered the loss of five of its brothers in the line of duty.• Officer Daniel Benavides, ID 15193, Border Division Air Operations,• Officer Thomas Coleman, ID 17338, San Bernardino area,• Officer Philip Ortiz, ID 10428, West Los Angeles area,• Officer Justin McGrory, ID 18606, Barstow area and• Officer Brett Oswald, ID 13146, Templeton Area.Please join me in a moment of silence as we remember these officers' dedication to the department and to those they served. Thank you. Please be seated.Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, members of the graduating class, families and friends, the Academy training staff and I are pleased and honored to be taking part in this ceremony today. The graduates have worked extremely hard to get to this point in their careers and I am sure that they appreciate the fact that each of you are here to share this moment with them.Each member of the class has demonstrated the ability to perform all tasks of a California Highway Patrol officer. Therefore we are proud to announce that all are qualified for graduation and promotion to the rank of officer.At this time I would like to introduce some of the special guests we have with us this morning. Each has taken time from a busy schedule to join us in honoring members of this graduating class. Please hold your applause until the introductions are completed.Beginning on my far right, the manager of the Academy's Instructional Services Program, Lieutenant DeWayne Lewis. Next to him, the manager of the Academy's Tactical Training Program, Lt. Mike Cardoza. Next to him is Assistant Commissioner, Field, Ramona Prieto. Next to her is Assistant Commissioner, Staff, Warren Stanley. Next to him is Deputy Commissioner Max Santiago.It now gives me great pleasure to introduce the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, Joe Farrow, who will introduce this morning's distinguished guests. Commissioner Farrow. (Applause)Thank you very much, Captain Newman. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the California Highway Patrol Academy. It's certainly an honor and a privilege for all of you to be here today to join in the celebration today for these 106 men and women who have passed the ultimate test to become members of the California Highway Patrol, which we believe is one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country.I would like to start by acknowledging a few, a few special guests that we have invited here today that are seated on the floor today. And I wanted to start with the men and women from the local law enforcement agencies, the brothers and sisters of the California Highway Patrol, all the men and women who serve proudly within state agencies, the county agencies and local police departments. Many are in uniform, some are not but a special tribute. Thank you very much for being here, you honor us. It's great to serve with you out on the front lines and we wish all of you well, all the men and women in law enforcement that are here today. (Applause)Also a special recognition and an appreciation for our men and women in uniform who protect the borders of our fine country. There is conflict in the world right now; there are many men and women who serve our armed forces proudly here on a day-to-day basis. There are several here today in the audience, some in the overflow rooms. But those fine men and women who protect our borders day in and day out so we can secure the confines of California and the United States, thank you very much for being here, thank you very much for what you do. (Applause)And a special, a special welcome to a good friend of the California Highway Patrol -- we are actually in her Assembly District right now -- she is a great friend for the Patrol, a great supporter for law enforcement in the communities in which we serve. This is actually part of her district. She has come over here today to honor the men and women of the California Academy and it's very, very nice to have here today Assemblymember Mariko Yamada. (Applause)And before I introduce my boss, the Secretary of the Business, Transportation & Housing -- I've had an opportunity to meet with the cadets, we had a long time to talk just the other day. You know how I feel about you, you know the mission you're about to go on. I want to be one of the first to congratulate you on a job well done.I want to be able to tell you that when you first came here you came to us. You selected the Highway Patrol as your career, you wanted to be a member of this department. As a good friend used to talk to the cadets when he would come up here, he'd say "That's what you did, you chose a career with the Highway Patrol, that we didn't choose you, you chose us."And when you were asked to come up here you were asked to display your talents to some very strict physical standards, a lot of emotional standards and some very high academic standards and you were able to fulfill those requirements.And now today, we select you. We bring you onboard to one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country. You have done it all, you have distinguished yourself and you've met every challenge that we could offer you. And you have done exceedingly well, so I am one of the first to congratulate you on becoming a member of the California Highway Patrol. (Applause) And I'll have another personal message for you a little bit later on in the proceedings.But it does give me great pleasure to be able to introduce my immediate boss. For those of you that do not know the governmental structure of the state of California, the Highway Patrol is one agency, one department in the Business, Transportation & Housing. It's an agency that oversees some 44,000 state employees and some 12 different disciplines, disciplines such as Caltrans, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Office of Traffic Safety and the Highway Patrol just being one of those departments. We always like to think that we're the favorite of those departments but it's just one of the 12 that he oversees.He's been a good friend of the Patrol, a strong supporter of myself, a strong supporter of the organization. He's been to every single graduation that we've had, he's been to every line of duty memorial service that we've had. He's been with me through the very difficult times and he's been with me through all the good and he's a good friend of mine, he's a good friend of the Patrol. I'd like to introduce my boss, the Honorable Dale E. Bonner. (Applause)Good morning. Thank you. Thank you very much, Commissioner Farrow, not only for the always warm and generous introduction but in particular for the very strong and stable leadership that you've brought to the department. We appreciate your service to the state of California.Thank you also to all of the families and friends and loved ones who are with us here, not only in the room here but those who are watching from afar. Thank you for encouraging all the cadets and supporting them, helping them get to this point in their careers. We appreciate you being here with us this morning.Captain Newman, thank you and the Academy staff for the phenomenal job that you do in preparing these cadets for the service that they are about to enter. And, of course, to all the cadets, thank you all very much for stepping up and choosing to devote your career to law enforcement.As secretary, nothing brings me more pride and satisfaction and humility than to be here on a day like today to share this moment with you as you make this transition to this next stage in your career. Today you are joining -- I think the Commissioner said, "The finest law enforcement agency in the country." I like to think of it as the finest law enforcement agency on the planet. You're joining an elite team of highly trained professional women and men who devote their days to sacrifice in order to provide a high level of public safety to those who not only live in California but come here to visit and do business and so we appreciate that a great deal.So it's a great honor for me to be here this morning, not only to say congratulations but more importantly to say thank you for a job well done here at the Academy and for the job that we know you're going to be doing as you go forward.Today I have the added privilege of introducing someone who is not only a visionary leader but a strong supporter and friend of the California Highway Patrol. Throughout his term as governor he has led by example and exemplified all of the core values that have supported the department throughout its history -- character, integrity, judgment, loyalty, courtesy, honor and knowledge. And like you, he understands the importance and the meaning of hard work and sacrifice. And also like the women and men of the Highway Patrol, he doesn't believe in cowering in the face of adversity but instead he inspires me and all of us here in Sacramento to always continue to move forward even in the most difficult of times.And so we're very pleased that he's been able to take some time out of his extraordinarily busy schedule just to spend the morning to offer us a few words of appreciation and encouragement. We're truly honored to have him with us this morning. And so without further ado, please join me in welcoming my boss, your chief advocate, our Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Applause)Thank you. Thank you very much. As a matter of fact, I'm very happy to be here today. As a matter of fact, I can see also out there in the faces of everyone that you also are very happy -- very, very happy. As a matter of fact, I think that you are as happy as LeBron James is, leaving Cleveland. (Laughter) Talking about LeBron James, are we covering that on ESPN today? I hope so.But anyway, it is really wonderful to be here today and I'm very proud to be here because I'm very proud of each one of you. Today you join the state's premiere police force and you've committed yourself to the safety and protection of the people of the great state of California. Few are called to do what you are about to do and walk the path that you about to walk and on behalf of the state's 38 million residents I thank you for accepting this call to serve. You all are warriors. (Applause)You all are warriors, pledging today to champion the innocent and to safeguard the lives of our good citizens. Can we turn that down a little bit? Thank you. The CHP has been created in 1929 so that California's laws could be uniformly enforced all across the state of California. The idea was very simple; no more local police setting up speed traps to drive up their revenues.But the job that you are about to do has grown since then, has expanded. Now you are going into all kinds of different challenges; calming down riots, responding to disasters, fighting gangs and saving lives at accident scenes and the list goes on and on. Now, I have played an action hero many times in my movies, as you know but you are true action heroes. Let's give a big hand to the great, great action that you're creating. (Applause)Now, you will put your life on the line on our behalf and I admire your selflessness and your sacrifice and your strength. You have just conquered 27 grueling weeks in an intense program that has made you among the most highly-trained cadets in the world. After thousands of hours of push-ups, thousands of chin-ups, the crunches -- you have developed muscles that I can see through the uniform. (Laughter) All the deltoids and the abs and the pecs popping out, I can see it all. And you have crawled and you have jumped and you have climbed and, of course, run, run, run.And it isn't just the physical training that amazes me so much that you have accomplished but also you became expert marksmen and you have all become professional drivers capable of speeds and driving feats that would make any Hollywood stuntman jealous. (Laughter) You have learned conversational Spanish. Maybe I should come here and learn English. But anyway, that's beside -- (Laughter) that's beside the point. And SWAT duties, investigative techniques, how to testify in court and how to command a scene in chaos. I mean, I just get exhausted talking about all the training that you have done.But there's one thing that you can't train for and that is character, that is passion. That comes from within; you were born with that. It will come naturally to you to take risks in your new career and the dangers that you will face will be all too real. Those who are ready to sacrifice themselves in the service of our community are my personal heroes. You are my heroes.Now, I know a little bit about law enforcement simply because my father was a police officer. And I would watch him put on his uniform every day. I remember it very well. As a matter of fact, he made me always shine his belt buckle and polish his shoes every morning. That part I hated, I have to admit it. But I loved watching him put on his uniform. As a matter of fact, he always let me put on his jacket first before he put it on. Then, I remember, I was so little the jacket went all the way down to the floor. He always wanted me to be a police officer just like him. And I watched him put his shield on his chest and walk proudly out of the door.That gave me a deep respect for our law enforcement officers and also for their families. Also for their families, because I understand what it is like to say goodbye to your loved one each and every day and wonder if this is the day that they do not come home. Is this the day where there will be a knock on my door and our family will change forever? Is this the last pat on the head or the last hug or the last kiss? Your families will live with that question every day. This is why I want to mention the families, because you will sacrifice and they will serve too. So let's give a big hand to the families out there for their great partnership. (Applause)Now, unfortunately, several families of our CHP officers are in tremendous pain right now. As you all know, this has been a devastating time for California's law enforcement family. Since May we have lost five CHP officers in the line of duty. Their deaths leave a void that can never be filled. There simply are no words adequate enough to take away the pain that their loved ones will carry with them each day forward. Their wives, their children, their parents, their brothers, their sisters, their friends, their fellow officers and the list goes on and on.Over the last week I've traveled to these officers' funerals and I've handed their wives flags that have flown over the state's Capitol in memory of each of these officers. And I've prayed with their families, held their children and thanked their parents for raising heroes at their kitchen tables. I hope that there is some small comfort in the undying gratitude that comes from me and from my wife Maria and the people of the great state of California when those officers died serving.As a matter of fact, I would just like to tell you a little bit about each of these fallen heroes, if you don't mind, because they're true heroes:• There was Officer Justin McGrory of Victorville. Justin was 28 years old and I know he loved his job. His dad, Bob, was a CHP lieutenant, so you can imagine the conversations that they had, talking about law enforcement and about catching the bad guys and rescuing drivers in trouble. Well, on Tuesday I met Justin's three children and gave them each a teddy bear. And I also gave one to his wife Kelly, who is eight months pregnant with their fourth child, a girl named Casey.• Officer Brett Oswald of Atascadero. Brett's buddies called him the most well read guy that they've ever met, an interesting, fascinating guy. He would talk just about anything. He was so well read that he could talk about the stock market and about travel, about cigars -- which is, of course, one of my favorite conversations -- or salsa dancing and philosophy and the list goes on and on.• And he also saw beauty in everything, especially in animals. His friends were telling at the funeral stories about them coming over to the house and there they would be greeted all of a sudden in the kitchen by a pig. And then they go the living room and they would be greeted by a dog and then by a deer. All kinds of animals were roaming around inside the house, relaxing in the house with Brett and with his wife Marlene.• And then there's Officer Thomas Coleman of Fontana. Tom was a proud marine, then an embassy guard in Italy. And then he really made a big move up and became a CHP officer. (Laughter) He loved motorcycles and he became a CHP motor officer. But Tom's greatest dream was to be a father and he made that dream come true with his wife Jamie.• And then Officer Dan Benavides of Indio. Danny was a CHP pilot. He was extremely proud of taking criminals off the streets. He was serious about his job but he also loved making people laugh and was a big practical joker. If you knew him then you were his friend and a target of his jokes. People say they never saw Danny without a smile. And he was very devoted to his wife Megan, who is here with us today and his daughter Madeline. Let's give them a big hand. They're here today with us. (Applause)• Then there's Officer Phil Ortiz of Valencia. Phil joined the CHP in 1982 and he was an incredibly dedicated man, incredibly dedicated to the people of his community. As a matter of fact, he was so dedicated that one time he drove on his motorcycle and he was stung by a bee right on his face. But he didn’t stop, he didn't pull over. He just pulled the stinger out and continued on with his swollen face, kept on working the rest of his shift. That's how dedicated he was. Phil leaves behind his wife Jessica and a large, close extended family.You see, each of those heroes truly lived the words of the oath, the oath each of you are about to take. They laid down their lives rather than swerve from the path of duty. That integrity and sense of duty, of course, is in the heart of every CHP officer.And I can tell you that your commissioner, Joe Farrow, models those characteristics every day and especially in the recent weeks. I've watched him rush to comfort the families of these fallen officers, speak at their funerals with great passion and keep our CHP force strong all through these tragedies. I am so proud that we in California have such a great commissioner. He is fighting for you and he's fighting for your safety. Let's give him a big, big hand. (Applause)And I want you to know that when you leave here today to go out there on the front lines that you have every resource that I could give you, because I love the CHP. When I became governor one of the first things that I did was to begin building up the Highway Patrol. I increased the CHP Road Patrol and funded new positions to create the largest staffing increase in four decades. I know that more and more miles are being traveled on our California roads and there are more vehicles that are registered. As a matter of fact, there are 33 million vehicles registered in California and, of course, our state has more licensed drivers than any other state. So you have my support. And since your law enforcement family protects my family, that makes us all family. That makes us all family.I honor each of you, your commitment. I honor your courage; I honor your conviction. So thank you and the people of California thank you. So congratulations on your graduation day. Be safe and welcome to the California Highway Patrol.Thank you very much and God bless all of you. Thank you. (Applause)Thank you, Governor Schwarzenegger. Cadets, give him one.That's for you, sir. (Laughter)We now move on to the portion of this morning's ceremony in which we give recognition to a few cadets who distinguished themselves during their time here at the Academy. This class, like those before it, has developed a bond which will remain throughout their careers. That bond is exemplified by the selection of the class president and company commanders.At this time I'd like to call upon Lieutenant DeWayne Lewis to introduce the president of Cadet Training Class 1 of 2010. Lt. Lewis.Thank you, Captain Newman. The class president was elected by the cadets to represent the class during their time here at the Academy. In their selection the cadets looked for an individual who they believed exhibited outstanding leadership. They found such a person in Cadet Michael Caldwell.Through Michael Caldwell's strong organizational skills and effective communications, he was able to prove himself as a leader and ultimately was successful in promoting an overall sense of camaraderie within the class. Cadet Caldwell comes to the Academy from Paso Robles, California and he is 35 years old. On behalf of the Academy staff and CTC 1 of 2010, I would like to present Cadet Caldwell with an award which recognizes his leadership abilities as class president. (Applause)Thank you. Governor Schwarzenegger, Commissioner Farrow, Secretary Bonner, Captain Newman, Academy staff, distinguished guests, families and friends. On behalf of CTC 1-10 it is my honor and privilege to welcome you here today. I would also like to make a special welcome to Ms. Megan Benavides, the wife of fallen officer Daniel Benavides.On January 4th, 2010, 179 cadets embarked on a new journey that few have started and even fewer have finished. Today, 27 weeks later, 106 cadets come to the end of that journey only to begin a new adventure as an officer in the California Highway Patrol. We started as individuals from a wide cross-section of society but quickly realized that the key to success to unity, which is indicative of our class motto, "Strength Through Esprit de Corps."Together we have conquered and overcome countless training evolutions, some of which we thought would never end, like the five-second taser ride. We celebrated with each other over surviving high speed, qualifying at the range, certifying in PMA and passing Scenarios. We had to dig deep to find the mental fortitude which has brought each one of us to this momentous occasion.With that being said, we didn’t walk this path alone. The prayers, encouragement, sacrifices and support of our family and friends has been fundamental in our success. Without you we would not be here today. You made sure that things at home were running smooth, enabling us to focus our energy and our attention on our training, allowing us to make it here to graduation.CTC I-10 would also like to extend a thanks to the Staff Office, the Physical Training staff, Emergency Vehicle Operations staff, the Range staff, Enforcement Tactics staff and all the academic departments that have watched over us as instructors and mentors. We are grateful that you have chosen to dedicate yourselves, giving 100 percent of your time and energy. You ensured that we were prepared and qualified to wear the badge of the California Highway Patrol.To my classmates, it has been a great honor to serve beside you during our training. We have shared sweat, blood, tears, sore muscles and laughter as we became a family. In a few moments, when we are sworn in as officers, we will be privileged in becoming part of the CHP family. As we go forward from this stage it is my deep desire that we will each lead by example in our families, our communities and as officers.We also must not forget the 220 officers who have gone before us, five of which we personally heard the bell toll for during our time here at the Academy. Each of these officers gave the ultimate sacrifice to provide the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.As a class we would like to pay special tribute to one of these officers. On May 7th, 2010, Officer Daniel Benavides, ID 15193 of Border Division Air Operations, lost his life in the line of duty. His years of service and dedication will be forever an inspiration to us and to future officers. CTC 1-10 would like to dedicate this ceremony in his honor and present a plaque to Mrs. Benavides with a promise that we will continue to honor Daniel by fulfilling our new responsibilities as CHP officers, with dedication, integrity and CHP pride, just as he did. Mrs. Benavides? (Applause)Personally, I would like to give thanks and praise to Jesus Christ, my Lord and savior, for giving me the strength to finish the training here at the Academy. I want to thank my wife, Joanna and my six kids, Madison, Malory, Micah, Mason, Montana and Malachi. They all gave me their unconditional love and support. (Applause)In conclusion, I would like to give special thanks to our commander, Captain Newman, who has assembled the finest law enforcement training staff in the world. Captain Newman, on behalf of CTC I-10, the newest members of the California Highway Patrol, I'm honored to present you with our class plaque. (Applause)Thank you, Cadet Caldwell. Following a long-standing Academy tradition the class plaque will be permanently displayed in the Recreation Room where you will be able to observe it after the ceremony. I want to thank the class for paying tribute to Officer Benavides and his family. Officers Coleman, Ortiz, McGrory and Oswald will be honored by the members of CTC 2 of '10 at their graduation ceremony in October.Now I would like to call upon Lieutenant Mike Cardoza to introduce the company commanders of Cadet Training Class 1 of 2010. Lt. Cardoza. (Applause)Thanks, Captain Newman. The Academy selects individuals to serve as company commander based upon leadership ability and maturity. These positions carry with them a great deal of responsibility. Company commanders are expected to set the example for other cadets to follow and act as a liaison between the cadets and Academy staff. As demonstrated by the outstanding body of cadets before us this morning, it is apparent that the company commanders of Cadet Training Class I of 2010 performed their duties in an exemplary manner and in doing so gained the respect both of their peers and the Academy staff.Therefore it is my pleasure this morning to present the company commanders with a special award acknowledging their leadership and dedication to duty.A Company Commander Cadet Vincenzo Alvarez is 38 years old and comes from Lake Elsinore, California. (Applause)B Company Commander Cadet Justin Maier is 29 years old and comes from Atwater, California. Would you please step up and accept your award as B Company Commander. (Applause)C Company Commander Cadet Yevgeny Zubku is 26 years old and comes from Elk Grove, California. Would you please accept your award as C Company Commander? (Applause)Thank you, Lt. Cardoza. Throughout each of our lives leadership, achievement and competition play important roles. Life at the Academy is no different. Here our cadet program is divided into several categories. Individual evaluations are made and awards are given to cadets that have distinguished themselves by consistently delivering outstanding performance. The award categories are Valedictorian, Outstanding Athlete, Outstanding Marksman, Most Inspirational Cadet and Outstanding Cadet.The recipients of these awards receive a personal plaque in honor of his or her outstanding achievement. We are very proud of our awards program and are especially proud of the commitment, dedication and effort that these cadets exhibited to receive these well-deserved honors.Our first award will be presented to the Class Valedictorian. Presenting this award will be Assistant Commissioner Ramona Prieto. Commissioner Prieto?Thank you, Captain Newman and good morning. Cadets who complete Academy curriculum spend 1,280 classroom hours studying over 70 subjects. Success in each course is signified by passing a comprehensive exam. Grades from these examinations are averaged into a final score and the cadet who achieves the top overall academic score receives the award for Class Valedictorian.The Academic class average for CTC 1-2010 was 92.98 percent. The Valedictorian of the class attained a final score of 97.75 percent. Cadet Jeffrey Clements, 24 years old, comes from Simi Valley, California. Cadet Clements, would you please accept your award for your outstanding academic achievement? (Applause)Governor Schwarzenegger, Secretary Bonner, Commissioner Farrow, honored guests, family and friends, on behalf of Cadet Training Class I of 2010, we welcome you and thank you for being here today.On January 4th, 2010, 179 men and women entered the gates of the finest law enforcement training academy in the world to begin their grueling 27-week journey to become officers of the California Highway Patrol. Today that journey culminates with the 106 cadets that are sitting before you.Many of us left the comforts of home, family, friends and, in some cases, successful careers, because we heard a higher calling. We realized that our moral clarity would not allow us to sit back and let others provide this great state with the safety, service and security that so many take for granted.Over the course of our training we received approximately 1,300 hours of instruction, roughly the equivalent of two years of college, packed into 27 weeks. While this was a daunting task, CTC I-10 proved they were up to the challenge by achieving an academic class average of 92.98, a testament to the quality of the individuals seated before you today.Our success can best be described through our class motto, "Strength Through Esprit de Corps." It was our esprit de corps that gave us the strength to continue through the blood, sweat and tears that were shed on this very gym floor during the early morning PT sessions. It's what gave us the motivation to continue on during the long and cold perimeter runs in the pouring rain of the pre-dawn hours. It was our esprit de corps that gave us the strength and perseverance to push on as we mourned the loss of five California Highway Patrol Officers during our stay at the Academy. For many of us, these tragic losses only steadied our resolve to finish our training as we realized that these men and women died building upon the proud tradition that we are bound to uphold. It was our esprit de corps that got us here to graduation day today.Our class only grew stronger as we lost fellow cadets who could not meet the high requirements to continue on in this academy. While we were saddened to see our fellow cadets and friends leave, we could only momentarily pause to grieve as we had to press on in our training.It is our esprit de corps that will give us the strength to carry on if we one day find ourselves fighting for our life on the side of the highway.While this may sound like a frightening scenario to the loved ones here today, be assured that Captain Newman and his Academy staff have prepared us for what awaits. Many of the staff themselves have patrolled the meanest streets of the state and they have put into action what they have taught us. They have moved under fire and closed with the enemy. They have comforted crash victims, experiencing the worst days of their life and they know that this endeavor is deadly serious. This is why the training demanded us to be pushed to what we thought was our absolute limits, only to be pushed further.To my fellow cadets, soon to be officers, I ask that you remember that the California Highway Patrol is the number one law enforcement agency in the nation and arguably the number one in the world. Being number one in the world requires that we pay a very high price. This Academy laid the foundation of our law enforcement knowledge and skills that will be used for our entire CHP career. Mastering these skills should be our priority, as our lives, the lives of our fellow officers and the public, depend on it. Stay focused, train hard and be the professionals that we've been trained to be.Remember to thank your families and friends for supporting you along this journey. They will continue to be your strength in the days ahead as you face the challenges of break in and probation.It has been an absolute honor training beside you these last 27 weeks and I thank you for the memories and the lifelong friendships. God bless and good luck. (Applause)Thank you, Cadet Clements. The next awards are for Outstanding Athlete and Outstanding Marksmanship. Making the presentations this morning is Assistant Commissioner, Staff, Warren Stanley. Commissioner Stanley?Thank you, Captain Newman. Physical demands are placed on California Highway Patrol Officers throughout their careers. To prepare for these demands cadets participate in strenuous physical conditioning program which develops both cardiovascular and anaerobic strength. The 87 hours they spend in physical training brought these cadets to levels of achievement they thought never possible.Every cadet is required to successfully complete a battery of challenging physical tests before graduation. Cadets are also tested on push-ups, sit-ups, body fat levels and a timed mile and a half run. The top athlete for a Cadet Training Class I of 2010 is 28 years old and comes from Chowchilla, California. Cadet Jonathon Pope, please accept your award for the Top Athlete. (Applause)Cadets receive over 93 hours of firearms training. This includes intensive instruction in firearm safety and in the practical applications of all departmental weapons. Each cadet must pass what is known as "A task oriented qualification course," with a pistol, shotgun and rifle. To graduate, each cadet must maintain 100 percent shooting accuracy within stringent time limits. In addition to this qualification course cadets must successfully complete a realistic combat-oriented course using both the pistol and the shotgun. Those cadets who demonstrate the highest level of proficiency are then invited to participate in yet one more level of competition. In this intense challenge the cadet who demonstrates the highest level of shooting accuracy along with the fastest completion time earns a special honor as Top Gun.This morning we have a cadet who has earned such a distinction. He is 26 years old and comes from Elk Grove, California. Cadet Yevgeny Zubku, congratulations on your award for Outstanding Marksman. (Applause)Thank you, Commissioner Stanley. Our next award is for Most Inspirational Cadet. Presenting this award is Deputy Commissioner Max Santiago. Commissioner Santiago?Thank you, Captain Newman. Our next award recognizes an individual with the ability to motivate others to unusual levels of achievement. This ability is usually described as inspirational. An inspirational leader encourages, assists, counsels and befriends everyone. Nowhere is that description more appropriate than at the California Highway Patrol Academy, where at least one cadet in every class demonstrates a capacity to genuinely inspire others. The cadets of Training Class I of 2010 to asked to select by secret ballot the individual who they felt most personified the word "inspirational."This cadet is 31 years old and comes from Lakewood, California. Cadet Marcus Guirguis, will you please step forward to accept this tribute from your classmates as the Most Inspirational member of your class? (Applause)Thank you, Commissioner Santiago. Our final award is for Outstanding Cadet. Making the presentation this morning will be our Commissioner Joe Farrow. Commissioner Farrow?The award for Outstanding Cadet is based upon a rating by the Academy staff. The qualities considered for this award are leadership ability, professional bearing, appearance and demeanor. In addition, the grades for academics, weapons, EVOC -- that's the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course -- and physical training are added for a composite score. The net result is the selection of a cadet who is indeed exceptional.It is my pleasure and privilege to present the Outstanding Cadet Award for Cadet Training Class I of 2010. This cadet is 34 years old and comes from Red Bluff, California. Cadet Jason Wakeman, will you please step forward to accept this high honor? (Applause)Governor Schwarzenegger, would you please join me in the award? (Applause)Thank you, Commissioner Farrow. Let's give them all a well-deserved hand. (Applause)We'll now move on to the portion of the ceremony that the cadets have been most waiting for. They will now prepare to receive their badges, graduation certificates and geographical assignments.Meanwhile, please enjoy this short video the class has put together for you highlighting some of the challenges they have faced during this 27-week journey that has earned them the right to be standing before you today. For those seated in the gymnasium, we invite you to stand.

Officer Paulson, please prepare the class for the presentations.