Video and text of Speaker of the House Tim Jones' Opening Day Address

Friends and colleagues, family members and esteemed visitors who have made the trip to be here with us today, welcome to the Missouri State Capitol and the Opening Day of the 2014 legislative session.
Today, as we begin our vitally important work, we stand at a moment in our nation’s and state’s history that can only be described as challenging.
 
The federal government continues to spend money at an unsustainable rate, and Washington DC seems intent only on advancing policies that jeopardize the very liberties and the free market principles upon which this country was founded.

While these are challenging times, we must recall and remember that our nation has encountered historic divisions and conflicts, but has always risen to the occasion and always emerged stronger and more resolute from every battle and hardship.

President Ronald Reagan once said: “We speak with pride and admiration of that little band of Americans who overcame insuperable odds to set this nation on course 200 years ago. But our glory didn't end with them. Americans ever since have emulated their deeds.”