SPEAKER, MR. PRESIDENT, DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, HONORED GUESTS, MY FELLOW NEVADANS:

We will begin by recognizing all those who have answered their call to duty, for all those that have given their last full measure of devotion, for all of our armed forces. Join me for 30 seconds of silence.

Now, as Assemblywoman Tolles said, this is your house. You are the change makers.

Franklin Roosevelt ushered in an era of hope and progress when he asserted, “This country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it. And if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” Roosevelt would have understood the necessity to address the problems we face with bold, audacious action. As Nevadans, we expect nothing less. Our new government represents the reinvigoration of this ideal. Let us harness the energy of our capabilities and potential to establish a new beginning in the history of Nevada.

John F Kennedy said it best himself, “Here on earth, we have the power to abolish all forms of human poverty, and all forms of human life”. Which path shall we take? I’ll tell you this, all other policies can wait and are able to be changed by my successor and by my successors successor. But the earth as our will to live on it cannot wait. We have a social and moral responsibility to leave this planet in a livable condition, and I encourage you to keep that in mind when deliberating.

Let’s continue to create a more just and perfect union. To that end, a slew of justice reform will be on the floor. A ban on for-profit prisons, which the name suggests places income over individual, and betrays the state it’s supposed to serve. Mandatory minimum sentences, which clog our criminal justice system, will be put up for a ban as well, because the War on Drugs continues to prove itself ineffective, and everyday places nonviolent individuals into jail for a long, long time.

Together, let’s be champions of the Nevada worker, and raise his earnings to a livable wage, so he can go back home and provide for his family, just like he has provided for us. If you’re a child living in the United States, you are 6 times more likely to live in poverty than if you lived in Denmark, another developed country. Let’s do our part in abolishing the reality of this statistic, in taking care of our children and in ensuring they have the education they need.

The fate of our great state, of our decent and hardworking people. That, gentlemen, rests largely in the hands of this legislature, and in my hands. The fate of our miners, of our teachers, of our doctors. Of our farmers, of our police officers and librarians. The course that they take is on us. That is the beauty in our representative democracy.

At the end of this session, you should be able to go back home, look at your constituents in the eyes, and tell them sincerely that you’re proud of the work you did here in Carson City. That you were directly involved in the progress of this great state. Now I have conviction in our resolve, and in your ability to be an efficient chamber. This is a composition of Nevada’s finest young men, and I know that in this room there is so much ambition, so much passion. So much dedication to your studies, and to your community back home.

Recognize this room, recognize its history and cherish this moment, the moment you sat in the chambers of the Nevada legislature. This building itself was constructed in 1971, and has since had 23 legislative sessions, and 7 new governors. Think about that, that every single one of you is a part of Nevada history. Some of you may find yourselves here in the future, continuing to do the necessary work.

Nevada’s diversity, openness, and devotion to freedom is what’s drawn so many to our land.
So let us continue to fight: to harness all of Nevada’s power, smarts, and values.

This session will prove momentous, and the work we do here transcends party lines. There is no progress without struggle, and I can tell you that the time is ripe for progress. We, today, as a state stand on the precipice of either success or failure. As we climb to the peaks of these Rocky Mountains, I call not only upon the federalists and nationalists, but call on us, as Nevadans, to extol our virtue of unity. I ask that we do not expand the chasm that so divides us, but to instead walk a mile in each other’s shoes, so that we can understand one another, and come as one. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, let us abide to our universal creed of liberty and justice, and let us give meaning to the last two words that make it all worth it — for all.