housed at the library of congress. >> one of the missions of the library of congress is to document the creativity and intelligence of the american people and preserve it for future yen rags. >> i think it's a mark of a free society that we can gather opinions with which we don't agree and collect them and preserve them for future generations. there are a lot of countries in the world where nobody will dare do that. and here we are steps from the u.s. capital and we have a variety of opinions and cartoonists and mr. block is a great example of one of the artists we have collected. >> watch american artifacts, sunday at 6:00 p.m. eastern on "american history tv" on c-span 3. new hampshire governor chris

sununu delivered his state address at the state house in concord new hampshire. promoting s.t.e.m. education, school safety and education savings accounts. this is about 40 minutes. good morning. >> good morning. >> mr. speaker, mr. senate president. honable members of the house and senate, the council and members of the supreme court. and my fellow citizens welcome. i want to give a special thanks to a few people. without whom i would probably still loading lists at the ski mountain. first off, two people who instilled what public service is all about, my mom and dad who joined us here today. [ applause ]

>> i love that my wife is taking pictures of my mom and dad. [ laughter ] >> and a big thank you to my family. i think leo is running around the halls here somewhere. you have seen him. and obviously, the woman who sacrificed everything for me and all in the name of making the state a better place. my wife valerie. [ applause ] >> and i want to take a moment as we get under way here, thank another guest we have here today. someone who over the past year, we've gotten toen spend a lot of

great time with. a lot of you know her incredibly well. somebody who brought a lot of proud to the state of new hampshire and handled her job with dignity. chief justice, linda delanis. [ applause ] >> thank you. and finally, look, i would be remiss. we all would if we don't take a pause to thank god for his grace and compassion and instilling the obligation of public service that we take seriously here in new hampshire. you just can't thank him enough, frankly. what a year it has been. quite a year 2017, and we want to talk about where we've come and set the tone of where we need to go. we know there's always work to

be done ahead of us. i ran for governor because i knew with good management, new hampshire could be the gold standard for civic engagement, community service, entrepreneurial spirit and opportunity. today in new hampshire, businesses have lowered taxes and have fewer regulations. we have a stronger workforce and aloug the businesses to reinvest in their communities. [ applause ] >> and today in new hampshire a family education opportunities continue to grow. whether it is access to full day-to-day care or a family is seeking alternative education for their kids. a family zip code no longer defines their opportunity to succeed. [ applause ] >> today in new hampshire, the rights of victims of crime are stronger than ever brchlt whether you are driving to work

or on the way to ski in the white mountains, you don't have to worry about toll increases. [ applause ] >> you're welcome. simply put, life is better in new hampshire than it was a year ago. it is no accident. it comes with hard work. as we look back, we recognize the milestones and the achievements. we can't lose site of new hampshire's future. we have to make sure we are planning for the long-term and appreciate the steps that got us here. whether republican or democrat, we all share a passion for our communities to make them better and to make them stronger. we have a commitment making sure that new hampshire remains the best place to live, work and raise a family. let us remember that supporting and embracing policies that put people first is why our citizens sent us to concord and despite washington's dysfunction, here in new hampshire, we are focused

on the individual not just the system. and we're putting people above politics. [ applause ] >> and i think it is worth noting that we here in new hampshire, wednesday th underst how we work together and treat each other are important as the results we achieve. we worked hard from day one to manage government, and provide better results for every person in the grant state. we must be positive, constructive ask we don't ask anyone to waiver from the philosophical principal ps, i ask to find areas of agreement to result in better outcomes for our citizens. when i address this chamber a year ago, i laid out the critical priorities we needed to address together. last year's budget was a true new hampshire budget. one without gimmicks or empty

promises. one that delivered for the people of new hampshire without a single increase or a tax or a fee. we grew the rainy day fund to $100 million. we reinvested our surplus funds not to bigger government and bigger unsustainable programs, but into property tax relief for our citizens. years we heard how at the state level we could not control local properties. we used it to give flexibility to target key areas of need. and every town from pittsburgh to port smith received a check from the state of new hampshire for critical infrastructure improvements and that's something we can all be proud of. [ applause ]

>> as a parent of three young children, and given yesterday's senseless tragedy we witnessed in florida, i know and i believe, and i think you share that police chief, if we can't put our kids on a school bus and believe they are going to be safe, nothing else matters. now investing $20 million in state funds directly to communities and making long overdue infrastructure upgrades and security upgrades. we provided funding directly to the burlington public schools to secure the main entrance of the medical school and pre-k. -- of their building and a new surveillance system to allow monitoring obviously all points of entry and the playground

area. close to 700 schools across the state will receive security funding grants. [ applause ] >> our goal is simple. our goal is very simple. sometimes we complicate things in concord. but we simply want to make our schools the safest in the nation. our commitment to ensure the well being of the chin, it goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. last year i proposed the governor scholarship fund. not designed to help 10 or 20 or 100 students but up to 1,000 students a year. opening workforce gateways like never before. never before has an opportunity has an opportunity like this been available to the students of new hampshire. we didn't stop there. after i took office i sat down

with first robotics founder dean camen. where is he? there he is. i knew he was here somewhere. god bless you buddy. [ applause ] >> just look for the guy in the jeans. i love it. i told him if he showed up in a suit i would be disappointed [ laughter ] >> i sat down with dean and talked about what we had to do and to promote s.t.e.m. programs throughout the state. right here in new hampshire support never has been provided at the state level. so we change it had and put nearly $1 million in a fund, a transformative initiative, the robotics education fund so that every public school in the state of new hampshire would have the

opportunity, a keyword we talk about, the opportunity to inspire the next generation of engineers. and to quote dean, the kid don't build the robots, the robots build the kids. and first robotics is a example today to create the workforce of tomorrow. and part of this -- [ applause ] >> it does deserve a cheer. i was -- i'm going to do it here i looked to my right and saw my dad. i'm reminded that we're talking about a few weeks ago, you know, we're engineers in my family and my father takes great pride, in the early '70s he was a founder of the clean air race. the first national competition of engineers across the country. i know this because i saw the natural gas powered cars in the

garage and the students tingering on them at the time i wasn't sure what it was all about. the idea that that initiative spared at the college level would blossom into something here in new hampshire that affects tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of students across the world. it is amazing to see how far we have come in engaging these students and creating opportunities for them to decide what their pathways are going to be. [ applause ] >> so today, you never want to rest on laurels. we're going to build on momentum. building on that, i'm proud to announce a new initiative coming forth this year. we're calling it the governors cup. i didn't come up with the name. it is a collaborative partnership with the university,

college and first robotics. a competitive annual robotics competition open across the state of new hampshire, each student receiving college credit for working within the program and the winning seniors receive a free tuition of semester at any community college or the university system within the public university system. these are the little steps we can take to make huge differences. [ applause ] >> we need to signal to the budding engineers, to the scientists and the kids who want to explore math and technology. that their passion is a priority that we share and programs like these build upon what we know right now is a world-class public education system in the state of new hampshire. surprisingly -- [ applause ]

[ laughter ] [ applause ] >> my old teachers at wood berry high would be proud that we cheered about that. i'm the first governor in 25 years to come up through public schools in new hampshire. they work and get results for us, for our students and our kids. [ applause ] >> and i believe in the teachers. i believe in the students. however, i think we can agree that a one size fits all system doesn't always work for each student. [ applause ]

>> which is why our education system has to explore every opportunity to give parents choice and flexibility. education savings accounts will be our most significant step yet giving parents and children the ability to choose their education path best-suited for them. [ applause ] >> you know, i talk a lot about stories. as governor, you get to go out and talk to people a lot. it is important, a very important part of the job. we don't have the answers in the four walls of this building. we can go out and find the answerings and we can open and accessible. and sitting with individuals and

their individual stories. that's the trick of government. how to make them and their stories drive better policy to get better outcomes and results. joining us in the gallery today -- like many families, started in the public school and had a individualized education plan but it wasn't for him. they we they were frustrated. with a help of an education scholarship grant, angle was given the opportunity to try a different school. today, angel is at the top of his class exploring college opportunities and aspires to the navel forces. thank you for being here today. proof positive that choice works. [ applause ]

>> so we talk about the stories and over the course of the year as i said, i have been able to travel a lot and listen to a lot of people. you hear amazing stories. stories of courage. stories that can be tragic. stories that can inspire. one family that moved us all is no stranger to many of you. bob and melissa. they have been on the forefront of advocating of crime victims by sharing their story and doing leadership and advocacy. bob has fundamentally improved the rights of crime victims in the state of new hampshire. last year through incredible work of the family and others who testified before our legislature, we passed, and

enacted four bipartisan bills and put them into the law that protected the rights of victims of crime. we are united in this fight across party lines and we'll work together to make sure every grant or state in crisis has the help and protection they need. bob and melissa, thank you for being here today. and thank you for your courage. [ applause ] >> and we're not done. we are not done. when the victims of crime find strength to come forward to engage in the criminal justice process, we must ensure they have the basic rights and protections in place. victims of crime deserve equal constitutional rights, the same rights as defendants. no more and noless.

that's why marcy's law is so important. working together -- [ applause ] >> working together, marcy's law will pass through these chambers and go before you, the voters of this state. it is a rare and critical constitutional amendment that the people of the state will see on the boallot in november and e need your support. we the citizens of new hampshire must stand up and do ours. come this november, we will get the job done. [ applause ] >> in times of economic prosperity, we can't forget that there are still those struggling. we have a mental health crisis and as i have often said, the

unspoken crisis of new hampshire. working together with the legislature and the departments of health and human services,s we have taken strides in addressing the mental health system. throughout this, there's one individual that would like to publicly thank and to who i would like to express my deep gratitude on behalf of the state of new hampshire, kenmo morton. where is ken? there he is. [ applause ] >> for those who don't know, ken is the head of the national alliance of mental illness here in new hampshire. he met with the administration when taking office. to identify the crisis and dig into the details to understand

it not just in terms of the lawsuit that hit the state but the practical implementation of what had to be done next to moveous forward. not to meet the bare level minimum of the lawsuit. but to push the system forward and make it the best it can be. one year ago, it might have looked like an omption, i disagree. we tasked health and human services to develop a ten year plan for the mental health system. we provided funding to establish 60 new bets in community based transitional housing and to revert hospitalization for mental health issues t. is unacceptable for citizens to be waiting for treatment for weeks on end. again, we have to get this job done. [ applause ]

>> one of the four most responsibilities of government is to stand up and help protect those who can't speak for themselves. and the most vulnerable among us deserve dignity and respect by the systems set in place to help them. when it comes to advocating on behalf of our most vulnerable children, we must strive to do better. last year we increased funding by $4.4 million to protect new hampshire's children. we had a 20 new caseworkers across the state and created an office of the child advocate to provide oversight and transparency. the office is lead by mora o'neal who will work to improve new hampshire's commitment for the safety and well being for

our children. mora, thank you for being here today. and thank you for making new hampshire better for our kids. [ applause ] >> there's always more to do. that's why this year we need to pass sb-592. it adds 16 child protective workers, increases foster care rates by over $1 million. and moving forward, we will have a plan for medicaids. we are working through ideas with the federal government to ensure that our plan has a viable work requirement o while maximizing flexibilities and options. the people in new hampshire sent us to concord to get things done. the opioid crisis remains as a serious challenge, it demands

great attention and proactive leadership. our mission to reverse the effects it rests our ability to -- innovation, compassion when we craft the solutions to meet the needs of our families and neighbors. we made strides forward doubling the alcohol fund. this july, we'll be opening the only youth addiction treatment center in the state. this crisis touches every corner of our communities. we see the impact of addiction at our schools, churches and work. it is my belief that we need to expand recovery programs specifically in the workforce. we must engage employers as allies in the battle of the opioid epidemic. on march first, we will launch from the state of new hampshire, a statewide effort in our recovery friendly workplaces. this initiative will help businesses gain greater safety,

productivity, profit ability by addressing addiction head on in the workplace. it is an opportunity for new hampshire to help change the culture around addiction by engaging employers and being a proactive part of the conversation and providing tools and resources and opening up access to treatment like never before. it can and should and guarantee the freedom of opportunity. the opportunity to live and work and raise a family and find meaningful employment on a pathway to recovery. as we continue to explore -- [ applause ] >> thank you, russle. [ applause ] >> as we continue to explore and advance ways to help increase our state's prosperity, it's important to reflect on successes to understand the next steps we embark on.

we have the fastest growing economy in new england. the number one state in the nation to raise a family. second lowest unemployment rate in the country it is a true testament. and we understand the workforce is as strong as the people. we are blessed with workers with lifetime of experiences. the population contributes immensely to the economy. a fact that goes far too unrecognized. they volunteer hours and donate thousands and train the workforce for tomorrow. we created a one stop shop for the business needs and formed the department of business and economic affairs. driving the economy and making business development a top priority in new hampshire once again. there's a saying, that those of us who are born in new hampshire are lucky and those who moved here are smart. [ laughter ] >> we have no income tax. we have no sales and tax and we

have lowered business tax and fewer regulations, so let's keep it that way. [ applause ] >> joining with us today are a few folks who recognized what that new hampshire advantage was about. they chose to relocate and expand their business here. carlene and danny, she moved her business across the country from arizona to the new hampshire seacoast and created partnerships are other businesses. integrated with the university system. i remember sitting with her in my office and she was out in arizona at the time. she flew out to sit with us because she heard how serious we were taking business opportunities. i did my 100 businesses in 100 days. we talked to companies in several different countries. the word got out.

she came out to the see me and sat on my couch in my office and we talked about the new hampshire advantage and the opportunity that she would have. it's blooming right now and it is not doing it in arizona, it is doing it right here in the great state of new hampshire. thank you guys so much. [ applause ] >> and we know there's hundreds of more opportunities out there like derm spectra. reducing taxes and returning money to citizens promotes economic growth. eliminating burden some regulations. when i took office last year, we were one of the most over regulated in the country. therefore, i initiated a

three-phase approach to regulatory form and deregulation. last summer part of phase one we took 1,600 rules and regulations and wiped them off the books to an executive order. [ applause ] >> and that set the tone and the spirit of where we're going. i then created a regulatory reform steering committee that reviewed the states current regulatory structure and streamline government and reduced on our businesses. releasing a report on fades two that proposed comprehensive regulatory this state ever seen. 1104 when it is complete and signed into law -- [ laughter ] >> right? it will streamline the process

and modern nice corporate and reduce confusion in the local regulations. stimulate workforce by making it easier for professionals to move and work in our great state. the build o game changer and i call on the legislature to pass it. [ applause ] >> now you didn't think i would get through speech without quoting ronald raegon. he once said there are those that say we are in a time where no heros. they don't nowhere to look. our veterans are our heros. [ applause ]

>> we can never truly repay them for their selfless service, but we can and will do all we should to ensure they have the support that they've earned especially when it comes to access and choice in healthcare. last summer in response to the crisis at the manchester v.a. i was proud to sign an order making new hampshire the first state in the country to allow the ability to lift licensing restrictions and allow v.a. doctors to practice in private hospitals. [ applause ] >> this allowed the v.a. to partner with private hospitals around the state to simply deliver top quality care for our

veterans. a new model replicated around the country. a new model of healthcare choice for those who have given so much. [ applause ] >> going forward, when a person signs those enlist meant papers they are a soilier for life. that means -- soldier. as civilians, we carry the obligation that well be there for them as they stood for us. a system of care with clear and direct accountability, something not currently available in new hampshire. to create a single entity in new hampshire that can give veterans a stronger voice and better

access to services. while the bill fell short, i have confidence that the legislature will return next session to find a better solution. in the meantime, i don't believe our veterans can simply wait and hope. therefore, this afternoon, i will sign an executive order that will continue to expand the four new hampshire concepts. bring them under one roof in new hampshire while putting resources together to streamline services for one goal, better outcomes for our veterans. >> this is a team effort with the jet ran's council and the office and commissioners and the veteran groups across the state. to our veterans, i would now ask you to please stand so we can thank you for your service, you're counting on us and we won't let you down. thank you, guys. [ applause ]

>> a statistic often sited and worthy of our appreciation. we have the lowest poverty rate in the nation. by any measure this is a sign of the state's prosperity to be sure. we have to understand there are many living in the shadows. when we talk about the issues of drug misuse, homelessness, abused children, i think we can all agree that one is too many and the fight is never done. this winter's bruising weather highlighted a need for frank and honest conversations about the challenges of homelessness. i was inspired by the work that

local and state officials came together in rochester, it severed as an incredible example on how to get things done. working with the nonprofit community, state officials, local officials, everybody came together to set up a temporary shelter not in weeks or days, but a full service shelter in a matter of hours. it was inspiring. and that is the foresight. that's the get it done attitude we need to bring to this issue across the state. [ applause ] >> i don't make a lot of promises. but last year i did make one special promise to a good friend. somebody who i just met.

even more rare. someone who i believe i can tell you has become a great friend. a great guider for us when dealing with the homelessness issue. bora alvarez who is the president of child and family services. i promised i would join the efforts and participate in the 2018 sleepout that raises money and awareness for the homeless and youth. so on friday, march 23rd i will be spending the night outside participating in the 2018 family and child services sleep out. and like any good governor -- [ applause ] >> where is he? there he is. thank you, sir. [ applause ] >> wait, it gets better. [ laughter ]

>> like any good governor, i think when there's opportunity to bring awareness and shine a light that needs a light shined on it, you shouldn't do it alone and i know it is hard to say no to the governor, especially when you're a commissioner. and i see our commissioners out there. so i will be asking all of the commissioners and their teams to join me as well. [ applause ] >> bundle up. bring your sleeping bags. let's raise awareness and get these kids the help they deserve. thank you guys so much. i saw him jump out of his seat right there. we're not sharing a sleeping bag, george. [ laughter ] >> if you are truly going to be

the live free or die state. i say it a lot, more than four words on a license plate. it's how we need to live our lives in the community and and in the state house. if we're going to be the live free or die state, we have to make sure every person regardless of their background has an equal and fuel opportunity to pursue their dreams and make a better life for themselves and families. this past december, i was proud to join with attorney general to establish a civil rights unit within the new hampshire department of justice, the first of its kind in the history of the state ask it is long overdue. [ applause ]

>> we are a nation of laws. but we have to enforce those laws fairly and sensibly. our immigration laws are no exception and joining us today from dover, are elvis and esther pong. [ applause ] >> elvis and esther, apart of the indonee sha community. they have come forward to work with authorities and they should not be on the front lines of deportation. their children, who are american citizens should not be forced to live in a country they never knew and conform to a society that will not allow them or their parents the freedom to

practice their faith as they choose. [ applause ] >> families like elvis and esther are a intergral part of our community. while i believe that action must be taken to curb illeg-- to elvd esther, thank you for your courage and your pursuit for the american dream. [ applause ] >> as we look back on ott commitments we made to the

people of new hampshire over the last year, i think we can all be very proud of the results we have achieved. it's these successes that set the tone for tomorrows next steps. left no stone unturned and we parted the turkey [ laughter ] >> and we are working to ensure that the horrendous treatment of the great danes in wolfboro never happen again bypassing sb-569. this is a critical piece of legislation and you need to get to my desk. [ applause ] >> we're at a critical point at our state's future. where we build on the foundations we have laid or let politics impede our progress. we've made great strides. we can't let that negativety of washington's politic define who

we are. we can not let up on our momentum. we oh it to the people of new hampshire. let's keep working together and let's get the job done. thank you all so much. god bless america and god bless this live free or die state. >> a look at "american history tv" programming coming up this weekend. on saturday, kevin mccarthy hosts a ceremony honoring frederick douglas birth and a douglas descendant gives remarks. you can see it at the hall beginning at 7:05 p.m. eastern. and sunday night at 8:00, reevaluates the presidency. mr. calhoun explains why president grant was unsuccessful

by 20th century historians despite the domestic and foreign policy achievements. he rg argues he was influential dogged by enemies and scandal. >> sunday, at 6:00 p.m. eastern on "american history tv's" american artifacts. political cartoonist herbert block, his career spanned 72 years covering presidents from herbert hoover to george w. bush. see the largest collection housed at the library of congress. >> one of the missions of the library of congress is to document the creativity and intelligence of the american people and preserve it for future generations. >> i think it is a mark of a free society that we can gather opinions with which we do not agree and collect them and preserve them for future generations.

there are a lot of countries in the world where nobody would dare do that. and here we are steps from the u.s. capital and we have a variety of opinions and a variety of cartoonists mr. bloc just a great example of one of the artists that we have collected. >> watch american artifacts, sunday at 6:00 p.m. eastern on american history tv on c-span3. >> >> monday on c-span's landmark cases we will explore the case of a san francisco ordinance that discriminated against a chinese laundromat owner. justice stanley matthews found in favor of the laundry owner saying that the 14th amendment statute applies to immigrant. and examine