there's something for every c-span's fan. shop now or anytime at c-spanshop.org. >> mark gordon has been an governor of wyoming since 20 19. in this year's state of the state address he talked about energy production, the pandemic, and education among other topics. from the state capital in cheyenne, this is 35 minutes. [applause] gov. gordon: it is an honor to be here with justice fox, justices kautz, boomgaarden and gray, and newly robed, justice fenn. there he is. for your information, justice fox and i have a bet going, who can be shorter? [laughter]

i am also joined by secretary of state ed buchanan, auditor christy rucinez and tresurer kurt meyer. and now, on the job in his second week, superintendent brian schrader. thank you for the opportunity to serve with you. this is an all-star cast. [applause] over the last couple of years, wyoming has phased out many challenges. together, we have emerged stronger, more engaged, and better equipped to tackle new challenges and seize fresh opportunities. i was thinking about the state of the state. i was thinking about a mornings of my youth when my family drove our cattle to the mountain. the hardest and longest days always came about midway through the drive. we were already tired from 2:00 a.m. rising for the entire week before that.

regardless of whether it was snowing or raining, that date we -- that day we rode nine miles from our barn and started our cattle up the slip. beyond the elements, there was always a challenge that came up, a bull might duck off into the canyon or -- the day was brutal for our horses and exhausting for us, especially as a little kid. that drive had to be completed before sunrise and the day became too hot. it meant most of it happened in the dark. at times it seemed like it was never going to end. here in wyoming, you have had a hard pull too. folks are wondering if the end will ever come into view. i believe we are beginning to see the first rays of the sunrise. over the past couple of years, wyoming people kept working, our students kept learning.

instead of rolling over when mandates came our way, we countered and led coalitions to test the constitutionality of vaccine mandates, leasing, and we offer to secure our borders. despite tremendous challenges, wyoming is strong and getting stronger. we are strong because of our character, resilient because of our nature and optimistic because we only people are doers. we respect folks who get things done. not naysayers or critics. part of the reason that i believe that there is an undeniable momentum in wyoming these days is that we can feel that momentum in businesses as they rebound and as we see our unemployment fall away to the lowest level since 2008. part of the reason we can feel good about ourselves is the good work of the national guard and i want to take a moment to

recognize these folks represented today by greg porter and jackie morey who are in the gallery. [applause] general porter calls our guard the sword and the shield of wyoming and they have earned it. these men and women are central to our national security and have put chips in wyoming's hospitals and long-term care for so phil -- facilities. they deliver supplies and fought fires across the west and made our lives a more secure. i am proud of our airmen and women and our soldiers and our civilians. general porter and major morey, thank you for your service.

[applause] you know, the world has become a scarier place with china and russia battling sabers. bear in mind, what is happening in the ukraine, as we speak, is as much about energy as it is about geopolitics and security. the old adage of peace through strength remains true. that is why our personal remains -- that is why our nation's nuclear arsenal remains essential. we can be proud of how wyoming will remain a critical component of our nuclear triad, the air or space, just up the street, will remain essential element of the new ground-based she there -- ground-based deterrence. there is relationship here in

cheyenne that is historic and accordingly i would like to recognize the commander of the 90th missile wing and the 90th missile wing command chief master sergeant, nicholas taylor. [applause] colonel and command chief master sergeant wyoming is a patriotic state. that is why i remind everyone that the words of article one sections two and three of our wyoming constitution stated -- speak clearly and emphatically about civil rights

and equality for, and i quote here, all members of the human race. that is why i am also -- [applause] that is why i also remind the world that in wyoming, we always stand for our national anthem. [applause] this patriotism is found in one of the most amazing museums anywhere in the world. the national museum of military vehicles. it is the brainchild of dan stark who was here today. he built this museum and boy and laid it out in an -- in dubois and laid it out in an educational way. it tells about the american involvement in the world. i saw the same vintage army ambulance that my dad drove in will for two as well as the kind

of riverboat that my business partner and former senate president served on in vietnam. i thank you for putting dubois on the list for places to visit in wyoming. you help us to remember who we are and how we got here. dan, would you stand so that we can recognize you? across the state we are stepping up our efforts to remember our veterans. in a little over a month will be -- we will be recognizing the 50th anniversary of the vietnam war. without war, perhaps more than most reminds us how important is , that our nation stands

together and behind the men and women who fought to keep us free. there is that needs to be done as we appreciate those who have fought for our freedom. far too many have suffered ptsd and other war-related injuries. suicide remains an all too frequent event, especially for our veterans. i ask you to consider using a -- the american rescue plan dollars to do more to fight against suicide. my budget also opens and staffs the new veterans still facility in buffalo. particularly poignant for me this summer was the honor of attending the dedication of the new passive honor veterans memorial in wyoming. it was long in combat but it is -- it was long in coming, but it was definitely worth the wait. i want to recognize fellow american citizens. i will tell you that --se]

-- [applause] i will tell you no other group of americans have served in greater proportion than our native americans. i have to say we have always been able to enjoy direct respectful and committed dialogue between the tribes and the state and that allows us to work through difficult issues and find a path that is beneficial to us all. i am pleased to recognize the chairman jordan dresser and wyoming liaison to the eastern shoshone. [applause] i am particularly grateful for our work with the business

councils of both tribes in raising the issue of missing and murdered indigenous persons. a chairman dresser is working on a documentary that will highlight this important issue to a much wider audience. we are proud to lead with you and chairman st. clair claire on stopping this devastating inhumanity. there are two constitutional duties need to be addressed in the coming days. preparing a balanced budget and making sure that legislative districts are properly reapportioned after the last census. last year you passed and i signed into law a strong voter id law. election integrity is essential. wyoming is proud of its citizen legislators and it is part of -- and it is proud of the way that we elect them. wyoming's constitution obliges me to propose a budget. the one you have before you is

well-planned, transparent and forward-looking. appropriately it is also a , frugal one. we all recognize the challenges we face over the past couple of years and it is encouraging we have seen an uptick in our revenues. even these have come on the highest inflation rate we have it -- we have seen in 40 years. those of us building businesses remember how devastating the high inflation was too many of our farms and ranches, it crippled our energy dependence -- energy businesses and it changed wyoming. we will keep our state government operating effectively and efficiently and ensure wyoming continues to live within her means. we have not seen the end of this assault on our core industries, perpetrated by this administration. i focus must remain on the long-term fiscal viability of

wyoming and our ability to fight back. that is why i proposed placing an additional 400 million in savings. i have also proposed other actions to deal with inflation. my top priority is market adjustment for state employees. i regard this is critical to the functioning of our state enterprise. from our troopers, snowplow drivers, social workers, and others, wyoming is struggling to staff the very agencies that provide the services that the people of wyoming need. 90% of wyoming state employees are earning less than their peers did five years ago. 30% of our workforce need a second job just to make ends meet. we cannot ignore the sobering facts. we must do better. our towns and counties can. they are hiring away our staff.

neighboring states, they are hiring away our staff. i regard this market adjustment as absolutely essential and something we cannot put off any longer. [applause] the actions of the biden administration regarding public lands and energy are deeply flawed and clearly missed the mark. instead they hit wyoming squarely in the breadbasket. stopping the exploration and production of federal oil gas, and coal means that our state bears the disproportionate burden of reduced royalties, reduced taxes and reduced economic benefit. and for what? it will not reduce global warming or benefit consumers. instead, they have caused inflation to soar. as a matter of fact, during 2021, while the biden administration was limiting oil

production in wyoming, it increased russian oil imports and called for more production from opec. so i ask you, does anyone think there is an iota of common sense in that policy? >> no. >> mr. biden, tear up your energy policy. [applause] let wyoming power our country. give us the tools and the chance to make the nation energy independent again. wyoming has it all. the best wind, solar, gas, coal, nuclear, and the ability to soar

over 50 years worth of our nation carbon emissions. innovation, not regulation is our way forward, to give our nation the energy it requires and somewhat and easily solve -- and simultaneously solve the world's climate concerns. we do not need to choose between fossil fuels or new types of energy. when you come to a fork in the road, take it. that is what we should do. we need all of the above energy strategies. one company -- [applause] one company took that advice and it maintains a strong commitment coal mining, but they have taken their -- their expertise to expand into alternatives like wind energy and even aerospace.

today we are joined by jason, he is the third-generation generation of his family to lead l&h and shows vision about where our state can go while respecting its core industries. jason, would you stand so that we might recognize you? [applause] we have a plethora of opportunities coming our way, advanced nuclear carbon capture , and sequestration, bioenergy, cc u.s. hydrogen, as well as , better and cleaner way sue -- way to use our coal and other fossil fuels. we are researching on ways to keep our legacy industries viable and take up new ones as well. we must seize these opportunities and we will by fighting ridiculous regulations promoting sensible development

and embracing new opportunities. in this budget, i have asked for the ability to access $100 millan, so that we can be ready to seize the opportunities that mass federal and private investments in large-scale energy projects. that will help us innovate and grow our mineral and energy economies and that is essential to our futures. [applause] wyoming is committed to remaining an energy exporter, however to explore energy we -- to export energy, we must have reliable and secure sources of transmission. years ago, wyoming was the leader in identifying transmission corridor's and i remain supportive and committed to ensuring that transmission lines to energy consumers, particularly to our south and west, are established. just the other day, jenny was in

fremont county at the farm and ranch symposium. you know her passion has been for food security in wyoming. when she got back she saw a friend that we have here today and she reminded me of bobby lane who works at the honor farm. bobby knows how to grow hay. when we had to cut budgets last year, bobby was given a new task. grow vegetables for the honor farm. he was so successful that someone accused him of having to green thumbs. the problem is, -- it is an occupational hazard he only has one thumb. i digress. bobby donated his access produce to jenny's grow a little bit extra program. arbery raises food, but more

importantly, he raises self-esteem. the inmates that tended to the garden have come away with an interest in farming and a chance to lead productive lives. this is just another example of what state employees do. they go above and beyond. bobby is here today, would you stand so we can recognize you? [applause] the first lady and i have not been idle in regards to agriculture. we have engaged across the sector to promote our industry and look forward to doing even more in the years to come. as renters, jenny and i know how critical water is to our lives. water in wyoming is sacred.

-- as ranchers, jenny and i know how how critical water is to our lives. water in wyoming is sacred. we need the ability to stand our ground when it comes to protecting it. the ongoing drought has raised the stakes over water rights in the colorado, the snake, and the yellowstone drainage to name a few. when drought or the federal government threatens wyoming's water users, agricultural producers, we cannot afford to be shorthanded or unprepared. that is why you will see and i have asked for additional resources for both our state engineer and attorney general. one continued bright spot is our tourism industry. my people continue to come to visit and enjoy what we love about this state. revenue from lodging is now saving the general fund money and creating opportunities for new investments in outdoor recreation. people love wyoming and we need more camping spots, boat ramps, and trails so that we can continue to provide more access to our great outdoors.

wyoming people love the outdoors . we love our wildlife and we love our open space. that is why now is the time to use one-time revenues to sell the wyoming natural resources trust. this investment brings returns for wyoming, our ranches, our businesses, and our way of life. [applause] the pandemic has revealed that the demands on the health care system and the company cost require a focused approach. that is what i established the help task force to improve accessibility and affordability. we begin by focusing on wyoming's fragile emergency medical system. we need stability in emergency medical response in wyoming. the task force is recommending funding to standardize emergency

medical dispatch. the wyoming ems system will be a top priority for me and the task force in 2022. remember, our state's health care system bill is only as effective as the people who work in it. today with us is a critical care at the cardio regional health hospital -- a critical care nurse at the cardio regional health hospital. he is here with his family. will and his colleagues have been dependably providing care for patients with covid-19 along with the other ailments that require medical attention regardless of pandemic waves. will, will you and your family stand so that we may recognize you? [applause]

we thank you. i know it has been difficult. thank you for standing. it is wonderful. one of our state's priorities must be education. wyoming schools were reported as having educated more kids in person more days during the pandemic than any other school system in the country. [applause] that is amazing stuff and when i reported this to my colleagues, they asked how i did it. to answer it has been our school , boards and school staff and students, parents, and communities that all made it happen. they deserve our gratitude. [applause] i want to take this opportunity

to recognize and -- anne oaks, an educator for over 10 years. she was elected to the campbell county board in 2010 and has served as a board chair since 2017. she is a great example of how wyoming citizens are ready to serve their community on behalf of students and families. ann, and thank you for your leadership in this truly remarkable time. would you please stand so that we can recognize you? [applause] there are a couple of other individuals i would like to recognize. the wyoming teacher of the year from 2020 one, alexis barney, and feet 2022 teacher of the

year, brittany montgomery. you two have been absolutely amazing and your students know it. alexis was unable to join us today, but she is a fourth and fifth grade teacher at evansville elementary and britney teaches first grade at harrison elementary in green river. your commitment to our children is critical to our state's future. let us give them a hand. brittany, could you stand? [applause] a quality education a system helps us to stay competitive and continues to make wyoming an attractive place to raise your family. there is more to that equation then just cost.

to that end, i relaunched the reimagining and reeducation advisory group, we call it the ride to look at the education system and make changes to elevate it. we cannot do that without understanding what those closest to education expect from their schools. that starts with parents, businesses, students and community leaders. we rightfully invest a lot in the education and development of our kids. data shows what we have known for far too long. our kids are leaving. the crux of the issue is a catch 22. our children leave because they do not see long-term opportunities and businesses are hesitant to relocate or expand because they are uncertain about their future workforce. this is changing. our focus on economic diversification has broken this

catch-22. wyoming kids have a work ethic that is second to none and already new enterprises are coming. from nuclear, to digital assets, advanced manufacturing, and i could go on. they are seeing what wyoming is doing to change the game to it -- to change the game. we are investing in new ways of looking at career and higher education and it is essential that we stay ahead of the curve. we have to keep this momentum going and that is what the wyoming innovation partnership is all about. wip was born out of communication across community colleges and the universities. it has evolved to include the business council and workforce services and she surely -- and surely it will expand to include community and economic development organizations and industry. all of these entities will be important in identifying opportunities and local needs

, building curriculum, and importantly measuring the , performance of programs. it is a way of envisioning how wyoming can use unique strengths to of tracked, build, and -- to attract, build, refine, and engage our entire capacity to advance wyoming and diversify our economy. any these times, -- in these times, if you are not at the table, you are on the menu. wyoming is bursting with opportunities. we want our education system to be part of the way we grow. this is all about more people who do and people who can. i want to thank the presidents of our community colleges and the others who have nurtured this effort with their decision -- with their vision. let me close by finishing the story of our cattle drive. when we got to the top of the

slip, we knew the drive would get easier. to be there, just as the sun came up, i could look out over the red hills of my home and see the pumpkin in the east and the big horns to the north. i could smell the pine. being there on a wyoming morning , on a good horse with a sense of accomplishment and a clear path forward, that is the feeling that i will never forget. our job would become easier. it made the struggle worth it. so it is with our state these past two years. as governor, i am often asked why are you so optimistic? it is simple. to paraphrase a wise man, what

lies behind us is a small matter compared to what lies ahead. that depends on what lies within us. members of the 67th legislature, thank you for your service to the state. thank you to your families who are here or at home supporting you. i especially want to thank speaker barlow for their leadership through this trying time and for their friendship. i know for some of you this could be your last session. others are just starting. together, we can and must do much for wyoming. let us move forward with courage, confidence, and conviction. to me, there is a lot that comes up with the term cowboy. it is not a big hat, or tough talking. i cowboy is a decent, practical, working sort of person.

there humility is infectious and ability knows no bounds. they would do anything for anybody no sources, and is not , afraid to admit his mistakes. right now, the world needs more cowboys. [applause] thank you. thank you. god bless wyoming, god bless the united states of america, thank you. [applause]

>> i can report to the nation that america is on the move again. >> live on march 1, the state of union. president biden addresses a joint session of congress and the nation reflecting on his first year in office in the laying out his agenda for the year ahead. live coverage begins at 8:00 p.m. eastern. the president speaks at 9:00. we will take your phone calls and social media reaction. the state of the union address, live, tuesday, march 1 at 8:00 p.m. eastern time. >> c-span's or unfiltered view of government. we are funded by more, including micco. ♪

we give you a front row seat to democracy. >> up next, ukrainian officials and human rights and of us -- activists talk about the conflict between russia and ukraine and the humanitarian crisis that started in 2014. this is about an hour. >> thank you for joining us. today's webinar is called fighting to survive, the human toll of the ukraine or. -- the ukraine war. we have a member of parliament and someone focused on this for many years. welcome. i also have sasha the director