Senator Betty Castor's address to the Democratic Club of Sarasota at the October 2003 luncheon wherein she shared her background and views with the Club.

JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, I BEGAN A JOURNEY, A JOURNEY FOR THE SEAT IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE NOW HELD BY BOB GRAHAM. WHILE THE SENATOR IS NO LONGER RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, HE HAS ENCOURAGED ME AND OTHERS TO KEEP RUNNING. SENATOR GRAHAM IS A FRIEND OF MINE. WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS ON EDUCATION ISSUES HERE IN FLORIDA. WE SHARED THE VISION THAT FLORIDA MUST HAVE A WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. SHOULD HE DECIDE TO STAY IN THE SENATE, HE KNOWS THAT I WILL STAND ASIDE AND SUPPORT HIM. HE ALSO KNOWS THAT I SEEK THIS OFFICE BECAUSE OF MY PASSION TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THIS STATE AND THIS COUNTRY. I AM HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO BE YOUR NEXT SENATOR.

MY INTEREST IN PUBLIC SERIVCE BEGAN AS A TEACHER IN EAST AFRICA. I BELIEVED DEEPLY IN THE MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY, WHO IMPLORED YOUNG PEOPLE TO CARRY THE MESSAGE OF DEMOCRACY TO THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES. AT THE TIME AMERICA WAS A BEACON FOR THE WORLD AND AMERICANS WERE RESPECTED AND ADMIRED. I AGREED WITH PRESIDENT KENNEDY THAT WE MUST SHARE OUR VISION OF DEMOCRACY FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD. AT THE AGE OF 23, I TRAVELLED TO UGANDA AND TAUGHT SCHOOL FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I LED A GROUP OF YOUNG WOMEN TO THE SUMMIT OF MT. KILAMANJARO. I URGED THEM TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS – I TOLD THEM THAT THEY COULD AND SHOULD LEAD OTHERS.

MY FIRST JOB BACK IN THE STATES WAS AS A TEACHER IN MIAMI. MY ROOTS IN FLORIDA ARE DEEP. I SERVED ON THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMISSION, AS A MEMBER OF THE CABINET AND COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA. I ALSO SERVED IN THE STATE SENATE AND WAS THE FIRST WOMAN EVER TO BE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE.

I KNOW FLORIDA. I HAVE WORKED WITH ALL 67 COUNTIES AND I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION THAT HAS RUN – AND WON- TWO STATEWIDE ELECTIONS. AS YOU KNOW, I WORKED TO EXPAND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA TO SARASOTA. I WORKED TO MAKE THE NEW COLLEGE THE PREMIER LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE IN THE COUNTRY. I HELPED TO BUILD A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE COLLEGE OF NURSING AND THE SARASOTA HOSPITAL. IN FACT MY FIRST TRIP TO SARASOTA WAS TO VISIT MY GRANDPARENTS FOR THEIR 40TH WEDDING ANNIVERSITY.

I HAVE WATCHED THIS PAST SESSION IN TALLAHASSEE WITH GREAT SADNESS. I LONG FOR THE FLORIDA OF LEROY COLLINS, RUEBEN ASKEW, LAWTON CHILES AND BOB GRAHAM. I LONG FOR THE FLORIDA WHERE ELECTED OFFICIALS HAD A VISION AND A MISSION TO RETAIN OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, ENSURE FISCAL INTEGRITY, INVEST IN AND PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND PROVIDE A REASONABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR OUR SENIORS.

I LONG FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS COMMITTED TO CIVILITY, WHO PUT PEOPLE ABOVE IDEOLOGY. I LONG FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO CARE ABOUT WORKING FAMILIES. BUT WHAT NOW PASSES FOR GOVERNANCE ARE SOUND BITES, PERSONAL AGENDAS AND BUDGETS CREATED WITH SLEIGHT OF HAND.


WASHINGTON IS CERTAINLY NO BETTER! EVERY PROBLEM HAS THE SAME SOLUTION – LARGE TAX BREAKS FOR THE VERY WEALTHY AND SERVICE CUTS FOR WORKING FAMILIES. NEARLY FIVE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS ADDED TO THIS YEAR’S DEFICIT. ANOTHER COUPLE OF TRILLION (FIGURES LARGER THAN WE CAN IMAGINE) ADDED TO THE NATIONAL DEBT IN THE COMING DECADE. WE HAVE SQUANDERED A RECORD SURPLUS AND THE RESULT IS GROWING NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT, DEVASTATING LOSSES TO OUR RETIREMENT FUNDS AND GREATER BURDENS ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROPOSED CUTS IN VETERANS BENEFITS. INSTEAD OF CUTTING SERVICES WE NEED TO EXPAND OUR SERVICES IN THIS PART OF FLORIDA AND END THE LONG WAITING LIST OUR VETERANS ARE SUBJECTED TO. FOR INSTANCE BAY PINES VA HOSPITAL IN ST PETERSBURG AND NATIONAL THERE IS A SIX-MONTH WAITING PERIOD. WE MUST HONOR OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR VETERANS.

I WORRY ABOUT FLORIDA’S YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO CONTINUE IN HARM’S WAY IN IRAQ. THE PRESIDENT’S ADVISORS WERE SO COMMITTED TO GOING TO WAR. THE $87 BILLION DOLLAR REQUEST IS BUT THE BEGINNING OF POTENTIALLY HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS WE WILL HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE WE HAVE FAILED TO GET THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS. WHAT IS THE PLAN? THE TOURS OF DUTY OF OUR SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TWICE – HOW LONG WILL THEY BE THERE? WHERE IS THE REVENUE FROM IRAQI OIL THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SAID WOULD PAY FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION? YOU CAN COUNT ON ME TO ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS AS YOUR SENATOR.

FLORIDIANS MAKE UP 10% OF THE FIGHTING FORCE IN IRAQ. OVER 2000 FLORIDA RESERVISTS ARE AWAY FROM THEIR JOBS AND THEIR FAMILIES. I WORRY ABOUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

FOR ALL THE UNCERTAINTY ON THE WORLD-FRONT, DOMESTICALLY, THIS ADMINISTRATION IS DOING NO BETTER. WE SQUANDERED THE SURPLUS AND ARE RUNNING UP RECORD DEFICITS. REMEMBER THE SOCIAL SECURITY LOCK BOX? WELL, THERE IS NO LOCK, NO BOX AND NO FUNDS! YOU CAN BE SURE I WILL MAKE SOCIAL SECURITY ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES. AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT FOR SENIORS? BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS ARE SHAMS – THEY WON’T WORK AND THEY WON’T HELP. I PLEDGE TO WORK WITH BILL NELSON UNTIL THERE IS A REAL DRUG BENEFIT THROUGH MEDICARE FOR SENIORS!

THE GROWING DEFICIT AND THE OPEN-ENDED COST OF THE IRAQI WAR MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVIDE FOCUS AND RESOURCES ON OUR LOCAL NEEDS. WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AND MORE FUNDS FOR FLORIDA’S TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.

WHILE MOST AMERICANS ARE WATCHING THE WAR FRONT OR WORRYING ABOUT THE ECONOMY, THIS ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING A FRONTAL ASSAULT ON WORKING MEN AND WOMEN. FORTUNATELY THE CONGRESS HAS – FOR THE MOMENT – PUT THE BRAKES ON THE PRESIDENT’S EFFORT TO END OVERTIME PAY FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WORKING MEN AND WOMEN. WE NEED A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN THE SENATE TO PROTECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS. WE NEED A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN THE SENATE THAT WILL RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE AND WE NEED A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY THAT WILL FOCUS ON THE 40 MILLION UNINSURED RESIDENTS IN THIS COUNTRY. WE NEED TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE – NOW. AND WE NEED ECONOMIC POLICIES THAT CREATE JOBS. AS YOUR SENATOR I WILL FIGHT EVERY EFFORT TO UNDERMINE WORKPLACE RULES AND WILL WORK TO MOVE FORWARD – NOT BACKWARD.

YOU KNOW ME. YOU KNOW THAT I WILL MAKE QUALITY EDUCATION – AT ALL LEVELS- MY FIRST PRIORITY. YOU KNOW HOW HARD I FOUGHT TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF EDUCATION IN FLORIDA. BUT THIS LEGISLATURE HAS TAKEN A STEP BACKWARD. THIS LEGISLATURE HAS MADE THE 12TH GRADE VOLUNTARY! JEB BUSH’S IDEA OF EDUCATION REFORM IS TO PUT EVERY CHILD’S FUTURE AT THE MERCY OF ONE HIGH STAKES TEST. EACH YEAR THE LEADERS IN TALLAHASSEE HAVE CHANGED THE RATING SYSTEM FOR SCHOOLS – ONE YEAR A “C”, THE NEXT AN “A”.

I KNOW HOW FRUSTRATED PARENTS ARE. YOU THINK YOU ARE SENDING YOUR CHILD TO AN “A” SCHOOL. THEN THE FEDERAL REPORT CARDS COME OUT AND THAT VERY SAME SCHOOL SCORES AN “F.” ONLY 22% OF SCHOOLS IN FLORIDA ARE HIGHER THAN AN “F.” FRIENDS, THIS IS NOT LEADERSHIP. THIS IS NOT EDUCATION REFORM. THIS IS SOME KIND OF GAME – AND EVERY CHILD IN FLORIDA IS A VICTIM.

I WILL MAKE A PROMISE TO YOU TODAY. THE VERY FIRST BILL I WILL FILE AS YOUR SENATOR WILL BE TO MAKE 12TH GRADE MANDATORY. AND I WILL WORK EVERY DAY TO EXPOSE WASHINGTON’S EMPTY COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE UNINSURED FOR YEARS. MEANWHILE, THE COST OF HEATHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS CONTINUE TO GO UP AND UP. THERE ARE SOME SOLUTIONS. WHEN I WAS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, WE PROVIDED BI-PARTISAN HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN. TODAY THE HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAM IS IN EVERY COUNTY IN FLORIDA AND SERVED AS A MODEL FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON’S INITIATIVE. LET’S STOP TALKING! WE NEED TO GET AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE TO EVERYONE!


I AM NOT SOMEONE WHO LOOKS TO POLLS TO KNOW WHERE I STAND. I AM NOT SOMEONE DRIVEN BY IDEOLOGY. WE NEED A STRONG, THOUGHTFUL, MODERATE DEMOCRAT TO JOIN BILL NELSON IN WASHINGTON. I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO BE THE NEXT UNITED STATE SENATOR FROM FLORIDA.

IF YOU HELP ELECT ME TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME TO BE A VOICE OF REASON – YOUR ADVOCATE, YOUR VOICE. FLORIDA HAS A LOT AT STAKE IN THIS ELECTION – CONTINUING THE BAN ON OFF-SHORE OIL DRILLING; MAXIMIZING FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR THE EVERGALDES; PROVIDING SERIOUS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR OUR UNIQUE “HOMELAND SECUITY” NEEDS; AND ENSURING SECURITY AND FAIRNESS FOR OUR LARGE SENIOR POPULATION.

I THINK OFTEN ABOUT MY EARLY EXPERIENCE IN EAST AFRICA AND THAT CLIMB UP KILAMANJARO. THIS CAMPAIGN IS ANOTHER JOURNEY – ANOTHER MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB.

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE THAN TALK ABOUT HEALTHCARE. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE JOBS OUR PRIORITY. TOGETHER WE CAN END FLORIDA’S “VOLUNTARY” 12TH GRADE. TOGETHER WE CAN MOVE THE COUNTRY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AGAIN!