The number of children without health insurance has dropped from 21 percent to less than eight percent. We have dramatically reduced the number of Oregonians on welfare. And we have launched an historic endeavor to restore watersheds across the state based on the commitment of thousands of Oregonians who have volunteered to work on their local streams and rivers. All of these accomplishments point to a future for Oregon's children that we can feel good about. But as remarkable as they are, they are only part of the picture.
Many challenges remain.
The challenge of helping our students achieve the high academic standards we have set for them. The challenge of reducing juvenile crime. The challenge of managing growth in a way that preserves our exceptional quality of life. The challenge of continuing to restore streams and watersheds throughout the state, including the Willamette River. And the fact is, we know what works.