Illinois Governor George H. Ryan, a 1961 FSU Pharmacy graduate, was sworn into office on Jan. 11, 1999. Governor Ryan was elected on a platform that included improving education and expanding services to women and children.
In keeping with that platform, he appointed Dr. Hazel Loucks as the first woman deputy governor of education. Ryan's lieutenant governor, Corinne Wood, is the first woman to hold the position in the history of the state.
Before taking office, Ryan served as Illinois secretary of state for eight years, and he launched a crusade to prevent violence within families, schools and communities. Because of his program against drunk driving, Mothers Against Drunk Driving rated Illinois as the top state nationwide in efforts toward ending alcohol-related traffic deaths.
He will be no less proactive as governor.
"One of my first actions as governor was to re-institute and expand the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois," said Ryan. "This commission is challenged with destroying any barriers to equality for women in Illinois and focusing on improving economic opportunities for women.
Ryan and his wife, Lura Lynn, like Michigan Governor John Engler and first lady Michelle, count a set of triplet girls among their children.
"By helping women achieve true equity in the workplace, we are helping families prosper."
"By helping women achieve true equity in the workplace, we are helping families prosper," he added.
Families also will benefit from Governor Ryan's plans for improved education and child care.
"I am creating a Child Care Task Force to conduct a sweeping review of child care in Illinois. The responsibility of the task force will be to recommend new strategies for providing high-quality care that meets the needs of working parents and their children.
"To oversee my commitment to children, I will soon unveil a new Families and Children Leadership Cabinet led by a new high-profile statewide officer the Governor's Child Advocate. The Leadership Cabinet will report to me on progress made in the agenda for child care, elder care, prevention efforts, child welfare, education, child support enforcement, welfare to work, and all areas regarding the delivery of services to families and children."
Other items of import fill his agenda, but Ryan clearly has a strong affinity for family.
"Between my wife and five daughters, I think it's safe to say that I have a full appreciation of the abilities of women," said Ryan.
Add his three sons to the mix, and it's easy to see how he knows, "The most important asset that we have is our children."
Editor's Note:
Governor Ryan granted an interview to Crimson & Gold only a few weeks into his term. Nick Palazzolo, from the Governor's Press Office noted, "There have been so many requests for interviews, we've been unable to honor them all. However, the Governor felt this one was important."
