As I traveled with Steve across Kentucky during the campaign, I was inspired by the many wonderful people and families I met in the communities that we visited. They are what make this Commonwealth such a wonderful place in which to live and raise a family.
At the same time, I also witnessed the many challenges that we face, particularly in the area of education. As a former educator, I know that preparing our current and future generations of children to be productive adults is one of our greatest challenges and responsibilities. Having helped establish the Kentucky Literacy Commission more than twenty years ago, I am well aware that there is still much work to be done. Too many of our children are not reading and too many of our young people do not graduate from high school.
As First Lady I will help to promote Steve's initiative to provide Kentucky's children with early childhood educational opportunities and also to ensure that those children who are past the age to benefit from this program will not fall through the cracks.
I will continue to advocate for Kentucky's equine industry to increase interest and promote the economic development of this vital engine of Kentucky's economy. I look forward to working with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games as our state shines on an international stage.
I thank everyone for the wonderful support we received throughout the campaign and look forward to working with Steve to move Kentucky forward while never losing sight of where we've come from nor of the Kentucky values we hold so dear.