Gov. Sebelius Speaks To Kansans For Faithful Citizenship Conference

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D(["mb","Thank you for the invitation to visit with you and for the generousnreception. I'd also like to thank all those individuals who wereninvolved in organizing this important dialogue. The theme of this gathering isntimely and it's an honor to be here.

We’re here today to talk about leadership and the common good andnI’d like to share with you my vision for the kind of moral leadership wenneed if we are going to continue to move Kansasnforward.

Here in Kansas,nour future is inexorably linked to and guided by our past. The moral compassnof our state was set by the first pioneers to settle here. And they reallynwere pioneers in more than one way.

They were the first people of European descent to come to this area,nbut more importantly they were pioneers in equality, determined to found anstate west of the Mississippinfree from the stain of slavery.

They were driven to travel west in order to create a state where allncould live free and where all would be judged equally.

It took a Civil War to guarantee freedom in the law and another centurynto realize it in practice, but today as we strive to fulfill their dream we arenreminded of those roots that make Kansasnsuch a special place.”,1Thank you for the invitation to visit with you and for the generous
reception. I’d also like to thank all those individuals who were
involved in organizing this important dialogue. The theme of this gathering is
timely and it’s an honor to be here.

We’re here today to talk about leadership and the common good and
I’d like to share with you my vision for the kind of moral leadership we
need if we are going to continue to move Kansas
forward.

Here in Kansas,
our future is inexorably linked to and guided by our past. The moral compass
of our state was set by the first pioneers to settle here. And they really
were pioneers in more than one way.

They were the first people of European descent to come to this area,
but more importantly they were pioneers in equality, determined to found a
state west of the Mississippi
free from the stain of slavery.

They were driven to travel west in order to create a state where all
could live free and where all would be judged equally.

It took a Civil War to guarantee freedom in the law and another century
to realize it in practice, but today as we strive to fulfill their dream we are
reminded of those roots that make Kansas
such a special place.

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In addition to knowing our nation could never be great until all werenfree, these settlers knew survival depended on people coming together to meetnthe challenges and hardships of frontier life, relying on the public good.

A family could not make the long journey alone, nor could one man raisena barn, so our forbearers came together. They brought in crops for neighborsnin times of illness and taught each others’ children so they would havennew opportunities.

They knew our communities are strongest when we are united and thatnwhen we’re willing to put aside our differences we’re able tonaccomplish great things. They realized, as we do, that we really are all innthis together.

That’s a message that comes to us from our heritage as Kansans,nand it is also one that is a fundamental message in religious teachings.

Now, public officials who talk about their faith in public walk andelicate line.

On one hand, faith is intensely personal. Faith probes the deepestnreaches of our souls and every aspect of our inner selves. It sustains us innour family lives and gives us strength to do the right thing, even when it isnhard or unpopular. “,1]
);
//–>

Governor Kathleen Sebelius addressed the Kansans for Faithful Citizenship conference on September 23 in Overland Park, KS.

In addition to knowing our nation could never be great until all were
free, these settlers knew survival depended on people coming together to meet
the challenges and hardships of frontier life, relying on the public good.

A family could not make the long journey alone, nor could one man raise
a barn, so our forbearers came together. They brought in crops for neighbors
in times of illness and taught each others' children so they would have
new opportunities.

They knew our communities are strongest when we are united and that
when we're willing to put aside our differences we're able to
accomplish great things. They realized, as we do, that we really are all in
this together.

That's a message that comes to us from our heritage as Kansans,
and it is also one that is a fundamental message in religious teachings.

Now, public officials who talk about their faith in public walk a
delicate line.

On one hand, faith is intensely personal. Faith probes the deepest
reaches of our souls and every aspect of our inner selves. It sustains us in
our family lives and gives us strength to do the right thing, even when it is
hard or unpopular.

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D(["mb","

I grew up with the faith tradition that people had a private, personalnrelationship with God. Mass was celebrated in a foreign language and the priestnhad his back to the congregation. Pope John XXIII changed all that, and changednthe interactions of Catholics with our church, but the private-public tensionnof the discussion of faith still exists with many of us who went through thatntransition.

What is increasingly clear to me, and others, is that it is importantnto have a public discussion of faith, and the role faith plays in our lives. nFaith calls us to community and to a vision of our shared life on earth. Itncalls us to think and care about something greater than ourselves and to havenconcern for the least and the last among us. It is through our faith that wenpass our values, learned from our parents on to our children.

For too long, some have used religion to intimidate and divide us fromnone another. This approach does not bear fruit. People of faith are notnconcerned about "left" verses "right;" people of faithnare concerned about "right" verses "wrong."

To that end, actions speak louder than words. Ignoring our schools,nvoting against health care and generally putting the interests of the few aboventhe interests of us all is not morally virtuous. “,1]
);
//–>

I grew up with the faith tradition that people had a private, personal
relationship with God. Mass was celebrated in a foreign language and the priest
had his back to the congregation. Pope John XXIII changed all that, and changed
the interactions of Catholics with our church, but the private-public tension
of the discussion of faith still exists with many of us who went through that
transition.

What is increasingly clear to me, and others, is that it is important
to have a public discussion of faith, and the role faith plays in our lives.
Faith calls us to community and to a vision of our shared life on earth. It
calls us to think and care about something greater than ourselves and to have
concern for the least and the last among us. It is through our faith that we
pass our values, learned from our parents on to our children.

For too long, some have used religion to intimidate and divide us from
one another. This approach does not bear fruit. People of faith are not
concerned about "left" verses "right;" people of faith
are concerned about "right" verses "wrong."

To that end, actions speak louder than words. Ignoring our schools,
voting against health care and generally putting the interests of the few above
the interests of us all is not morally virtuous.

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D(["mb","

Today, I’m going to talk about faith in a different way. Inbelieve in a moral vision that unites Kansans, and brings us together to worknout our differences in meeting the needs of our citizens. This vision is atnthe heart of the common good.

Moral leadership involves choices about distributing our resources andnsupporting for our institutions that benefit all: our public school system,naccess to affordable health care, careful stewardship of our natural resourcesnand a government that is responsive to the needs of our people.

This moral vision of our shared commitment to one another is a visionnthat the people of Kansasnsupport and one that I have tried to pursue as a public servant.

Working for the common good is a not a new concept, but a core tenantnof the teachings of my faith.

In the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ latest voternguide entitled Faithful Citizenship: AnCatholic Call to Political Responsibility, the bishops state:

“,1]
);
//–>

Today, I'm going to talk about faith in a different way. I
believe in a moral vision that unites Kansans, and brings us together to work
out our differences in meeting the needs of our citizens. This vision is at
the heart of the common good.

Moral leadership involves choices about distributing our resources and
supporting for our institutions that benefit all: our public school system,
access to affordable health care, careful stewardship of our natural resources
and a government that is responsive to the needs of our people.

This moral vision of our shared commitment to one another is a vision
that the people of Kansas
support and one that I have tried to pursue as a public servant.

Working for the common good is a not a new concept, but a core tenant
of the teachings of my faith.

In the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' latest voter
guide entitled Faithful Citizenship: A
Catholic Call to Political Responsibility, the bishops state:

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"Politics in this election year and beyond should be about an oldnidea with new power – the common good. The central question should not be,n’Are you better off today than you were four years ago?’ Thencentral question should be, ‘How can we – all of us, especially the weaknand vulnerable – be better off in the years ahead?’"

This is the question that I’d like to discuss with you today.

The common good is that cherished and sacred idea central to all faithsnand embodied for Christians in the Golden Rule. This ideal maintains thatnindividuals and communities are at their greatest when they reach beyondnthemselves, recognizing the personal responsibility inherent in the belief thatnwe should treat others as we wish to be treated; that we should love ournneighbors as we love ourselves.

The common good is more than concern for the least among us, but anconcern for all through recognition of our mutual benefit. This belief holdsnthat all people have inherent dignity and equality. It recognizes that each ofnus is made "in the likeness of God" and that we reach our fullnpotential through community and interdependence with each other. That we arenall called to sacrifice and to service, and only by serving one another do wentruly serve the lord. This principal is fundamental to my understanding of mynfaith and it’s been one of the guiding principles of my life.

nn”,1]
);
//–>

"Politics in this election year and beyond should be about an old
idea with new power – the common good. The central question should not be,
'Are you better off today than you were four years ago?' The
central question should be, 'How can we – all of us, especially the weak
and vulnerable – be better off in the years ahead?'"

This is the question that I'd like to discuss with you today.

The common good is that cherished and sacred idea central to all faiths
and embodied for Christians in the Golden Rule. This ideal maintains that
individuals and communities are at their greatest when they reach beyond
themselves, recognizing the personal responsibility inherent in the belief that
we should treat others as we wish to be treated; that we should love our
neighbors as we love ourselves.

The common good is more than concern for the least among us, but a
concern for all through recognition of our mutual benefit. This belief holds
that all people have inherent dignity and equality. It recognizes that each of
us is made "in the likeness of God" and that we reach our full
potential through community and interdependence with each other. That we are
all called to sacrifice and to service, and only by serving one another do we
truly serve the lord. This principal is fundamental to my understanding of my
faith and it's been one of the guiding principles of my life.

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D(["mb","

My personal moral compass and introduction to the common good was setnby my parents and my family. Not only did they talk about right and wrong,nabout sacrifice and service, but they lived their lives each and every day bynthose rules. My parents were active in our community: as teachers, civicnvolunteers, parishioners and public servants.

One of my earliest memories of my father’s civic involvement wasnin the 1950s, when he worked with an ecumenical organization on civil rightsnissues in Cincinnati.nOften he was challenging the status quo, and making life uncomfortable for thenestablishment, but it was the right thing to do.

My parents also believed strongly that responsibility came with thengifts of health, intelligence and comfort that God had given us â thatn"to whom much is given, much is expected."

The fundamental barometer of the common good was reinforced by thennuns who were my teachers from preschool through college. They helped shape menacademically and spiritually.

In addition to showing me that women can be strong leaders, the SchoolnSisters of Notre Dame took a childhood faith and transformed it into an activenfaith devoted to serving others. “,1]
);
//–>

My personal moral compass and introduction to the common good was set
by my parents and my family. Not only did they talk about right and wrong,
about sacrifice and service, but they lived their lives each and every day by
those rules. My parents were active in our community: as teachers, civic
volunteers, parishioners and public servants.

One of my earliest memories of my father's civic involvement was
in the 1950s, when he worked with an ecumenical organization on civil rights
issues in Cincinnati.
Often he was challenging the status quo, and making life uncomfortable for the
establishment, but it was the right thing to do.

My parents also believed strongly that responsibility came with the
gifts of health, intelligence and comfort that God had given us – that
"to whom much is given, much is expected."

The fundamental barometer of the common good was reinforced by the
nuns who were my teachers from preschool through college. They helped shape me
academically and spiritually.

In addition to showing me that women can be strong leaders, the School
Sisters of Notre Dame took a childhood faith and transformed it into an active
faith devoted to serving others.

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D(["mb","

They taught me we are each at our greatest when we reach beyondnourselves to love our neighbors. They taught me the importance of the twongreat commandments: to love the Lord, God with all your heart, mind, and soul,nand to treat our neighbors as we wish to be treated.

We were often reminded, in school and in Church, of the lessons ofnMatthew 25, which described judgment day, and the test for getting into heavenninvolving feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick andnvisiting the imprisoned. The nuns and my parents showed me the beauty of thenGood Samaritan, and through their deeds, they embodied the belief that faithnhad little meaning without action.

Those are the moral lessons I learned as a child, and that guide meneach and every day.

As a wife and mother, a community volunteer, state representative,ninsurance commissioner and now Governor, the lessons from my family and from mynfaith have guided my personal and professional priorities.

Acting on behalf of the common good, expanding opportunities for allnKansans, and pursuing policies that encourage the development of the fullnpotential of every human being are my basic principles.”,1]
);
//–>

They taught me we are each at our greatest when we reach beyond
ourselves to love our neighbors. They taught me the importance of the two
great commandments: to love the Lord, God with all your heart, mind, and soul,
and to treat our neighbors as we wish to be treated.

We were often reminded, in school and in Church, of the lessons of
Matthew 25, which described judgment day, and the test for getting into heaven
involving feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick and
visiting the imprisoned. The nuns and my parents showed me the beauty of the
Good Samaritan, and through their deeds, they embodied the belief that faith
had little meaning without action.

Those are the moral lessons I learned as a child, and that guide me
each and every day.

As a wife and mother, a community volunteer, state representative,
insurance commissioner and now Governor, the lessons from my family and from my
faith have guided my personal and professional priorities.

Acting on behalf of the common good, expanding opportunities for all
Kansans, and pursuing policies that encourage the development of the full
potential of every human being are my basic principles.

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D(["mb","

Making decisions about resources, for the good of all, is a challengenin my current role. I am proud that over two-thirds of our assets are focusednon educating our children, helping those in our society who are mostnvulnerable, and providing essential health care services for Kansans.

There is no question that the common good is advanced by advancingnopportunities for all of our children, not just those who have the good fortunenof having loving and supportive parents. These children need the opportunity tongrow up healthy and well-educated so they are able to achieve their full humannpotential, and that’s why my top priority as a public servant has been tonadvance the interests of our children.

By uniting people around the common goal of improving the welfare of Kansas kids, I’mnproud to say our state has made a historic commitment to our schools. It is ancommitment which will benefit all children in Kansas, giving them education needed to makenthe most of their own lives and to, in turn, give back to our communities.

Additionally, a moral society must ensure every child born into ourncommunity has an opportunity to reach his or her full potential. That’snwhy I’ve sought to increase the number of children who have access tonaffordable health care, first among them the very youngest children. We needntheir parents to get the health care they need, as well as making sure thatnseniors and our most vulnerable Kansans are not left on their own.”,1]
);
//–>

Making decisions about resources, for the good of all, is a challenge
in my current role. I am proud that over two-thirds of our assets are focused
on educating our children, helping those in our society who are most
vulnerable, and providing essential health care services for Kansans.

There is no question that the common good is advanced by advancing
opportunities for all of our children, not just those who have the good fortune
of having loving and supportive parents. These children need the opportunity to
grow up healthy and well-educated so they are able to achieve their full human
potential, and that's why my top priority as a public servant has been to
advance the interests of our children.

By uniting people around the common goal of improving the welfare of Kansas kids, I'm
proud to say our state has made a historic commitment to our schools. It is a
commitment which will benefit all children in Kansas, giving them education needed to make
the most of their own lives and to, in turn, give back to our communities.

Additionally, a moral society must ensure every child born into our
community has an opportunity to reach his or her full potential. That's
why I've sought to increase the number of children who have access to
affordable health care, first among them the very youngest children. We need
their parents to get the health care they need, as well as making sure that
seniors and our most vulnerable Kansans are not left on their own.

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Of course, no discussion of life and dignity of the human person can bencomplete without discussing the important issue of abortion.

My Catholic faith teaches me that all life is sacred, and personally Inbelieve abortion is wrong. However, I disagree with the suggestion thatncriminalizing women and their doctors is an effective means of achieving thengoal of reducing the number of abortions in our nation.

There is another way. By working in support of the common good we cannbetter protect human life and the dignity of all people.

If we work hard and match our rhetoric with our actions, we can createna culture that is more welcoming of mothers and treasuring of our children. Wenmust redouble our efforts on prevention and personal responsibility. We mustnstand with women who feel so alone that abortion seems like their only choice. nThese women need people to walk withnthem, not cast stones at them.

A recent study found the abortion rate in Kansas declines as employment opportunities,naccess to health care and support networks for women and children increase. Bynsupporting our children with quality schools, increasing access to affordablenhealth care for expectant mothers and their babies, creating jobs that pay fairnwages and creating additional incentives for adoption, we are moving in thenright direction. “,1]
);
//–>

Of course, no discussion of life and dignity of the human person can be
complete without discussing the important issue of abortion.

My Catholic faith teaches me that all life is sacred, and personally I
believe abortion is wrong. However, I disagree with the suggestion that
criminalizing women and their doctors is an effective means of achieving the
goal of reducing the number of abortions in our nation.

There is another way. By working in support of the common good we can
better protect human life and the dignity of all people.

If we work hard and match our rhetoric with our actions, we can create
a culture that is more welcoming of mothers and treasuring of our children. We
must redouble our efforts on prevention and personal responsibility. We must
stand with women who feel so alone that abortion seems like their only choice.
These women need people to walk with
them, not cast stones at them.

A recent study found the abortion rate in Kansas declines as employment opportunities,
access to health care and support networks for women and children increase. By
supporting our children with quality schools, increasing access to affordable
health care for expectant mothers and their babies, creating jobs that pay fair
wages and creating additional incentives for adoption, we are moving in the
right direction.

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D(["mb","

I’m proud that the abortion rate has declined 11% in Kansas during the lastnthree and half years. Of course, more needs to be done.

If we truly wish to reduce the number of abortions further, we need tonwork together to truly promote a culture of life, by helping women and familiesnget the support they need when facing unexpected pregnancies and to continue tonreduce the number of abortions. Health care, child care, job opportunities,naffordable housing â they are all the building blocks of a culture ofnlife and we can use them to build a future where abortion is extremely rare.

Concern for the future of our state and nation should drive everynpublic servant. Critical to that is stewardship of our shared resources, bothnpublic and natural.

Government belongs to the people and we have a moral obligation to benhonest, fair, and responsive. I have worked hard to maintain the integrity ofnpublic office while guaranteeing that state government is effective andnefficient with our limited resources, eliminating wasteful spending andnincreasing accountability.

Additionally, stewardship requires a commitment to our shared naturalnresources. We are called upon to take care of the natural wonders that God hasncreated, that means protecting our water, land and air. It means giving ournchildren the opportunity to walk through the undisturbed Tallgrass Prairie, andnit means sacrificing some luxury and comfort to protect our globe. “,1]
);
//–>

I'm proud that the abortion rate has declined 11% in Kansas during the last
three and half years. Of course, more needs to be done.

If we truly wish to reduce the number of abortions further, we need to
work together to truly promote a culture of life, by helping women and families
get the support they need when facing unexpected pregnancies and to continue to
reduce the number of abortions. Health care, child care, job opportunities,
affordable housing – they are all the building blocks of a culture of
life and we can use them to build a future where abortion is extremely rare.

Concern for the future of our state and nation should drive every
public servant. Critical to that is stewardship of our shared resources, both
public and natural.

Government belongs to the people and we have a moral obligation to be
honest, fair, and responsive. I have worked hard to maintain the integrity of
public office while guaranteeing that state government is effective and
efficient with our limited resources, eliminating wasteful spending and
increasing accountability.

Additionally, stewardship requires a commitment to our shared natural
resources. We are called upon to take care of the natural wonders that God has
created, that means protecting our water, land and air. It means giving our
children the opportunity to walk through the undisturbed Tallgrass Prairie, and
it means sacrificing some luxury and comfort to protect our globe.

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D(["mb","

Put simply, moral stewardship calls on us to leave our children andngrandchildren with a livable world, as rich with God’s bounty as when wenfound it.

Each of these concerns: support for children, a respect for life andnstewardship of our shared resources, are important moral priorities for ournstate and for each of us. They are the guideposts I have used to makendecisions and to focus resources and attention.

And I believe it is on each of these that we’ll ultimately benjudged, first by our fellow citizens and later by God.

Did we feed the hungry? Clothe the naked? Care for the sick?

Did we act out of selflessness,nnot selfishness?

Did we truly love our neighbors as people of every faith are callednupon to do?

“,1]
);
//–>

Put simply, moral stewardship calls on us to leave our children and
grandchildren with a livable world, as rich with God's bounty as when we
found it.

Each of these concerns: support for children, a respect for life and
stewardship of our shared resources, are important moral priorities for our
state and for each of us. They are the guideposts I have used to make
decisions and to focus resources and attention.

And I believe it is on each of these that we'll ultimately be
judged, first by our fellow citizens and later by God.

Did we feed the hungry? Clothe the naked? Care for the sick?

Did we act out of selflessness,
not selfishness?

Did we truly love our neighbors as people of every faith are called
upon to do?

<!–
D(["mb","These are the questions I strive every day to answer in a way thatnupholds what I learned from my family and my faith, and builds a society whichnrespects and reflects our common hopes, dreams and aspirations.

Leadership for the common good embodies a moral vision that honors thendignity and potential of all members of society. And it’s this sort ofnleadership we must seek out when we choose our leaders.

And so we must again ask, as the bishops have, "How can we – allnof us, especially the weak and vulnerable – be better off in the yearsnahead?"

I believe we are better off today, but I also believe we still havenwork to do to ensure all our citizens will be better off in the years ahead.

It is that belief in the power of action for the common good that Inwill carry forward, and I know you will as well.

Thank you for your commitment to building on the values that have madenour state great, for your dedication to improving Kansas for all of us, and fornyour determination to ensure our political leaders advance the common good notnjust in their words, but in their actions as well.“,1]
);
//–>These are the questions I strive every day to answer in a way that
upholds what I learned from my family and my faith, and builds a society which
respects and reflects our common hopes, dreams and aspirations.

Leadership for the common good embodies a moral vision that honors the
dignity and potential of all members of society. And it's this sort of
leadership we must seek out when we choose our leaders.

And so we must again ask, as the bishops have, "How can we – all
of us, especially the weak and vulnerable – be better off in the years
ahead?"

I believe we are better off today, but I also believe we still have
work to do to ensure all our citizens will be better off in the years ahead.

It is that belief in the power of action for the common good that I
will carry forward, and I know you will as well.

Thank you for your commitment to building on the values that have made
our state great, for your dedication to improving Kansas for all of us, and for
your determination to ensure our political leaders advance the common good not
just in their words, but in their actions as well.

Gov. Sebelius Speaks to Kansans for Faithful Citizenship Conference