Lt. Gov. Gerard "Luz" James was one of a dozen Lieutenant governors to formally endorse Vice President Al Gore during the 1999 National Conference of Governors Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island Friday.
In a letter to Gore, informing him of the endorsement, the lieutenant governors praised the vice president, along with President Bill Clinton, for the "positive effect" their administration has had on their states.
"By creating the strongest economic growth in a generation, balancing the budget, moving people from welfare to work, and reducing crime, you have revived our nations ability to believe in the American Dream – something that for decades remained out of reach for too many of our residents," the letter stated.
In the letter, the Lt. Governors commended Gore for working to make government more effective and efficient. They also cited a number of Gore's accomplishments over the eight years he has been in office which included: creating a new urban policy; encouraging smart growth; protecting the environment; reforming and improving health care and setting higher standards in schools.
In addition to Virgin Islands Lt. Gov. Gerard "Luz" James, the letter was signed by Maryland's Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend; Kentucky Lt. Gov. Stephen Henry; Washington Lt. Gov. Brad Owen; Vermont Lt. Gov. Douglas Racine; Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty; Guam Lt. Gov. Madeleine Bordallo; Tennessee Lt. Gov. John Wilder; Georgia Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor; Hawaii Lt. Gov. Mazzie Hirono; Maine Lt. Gov. Mark Lawrence and California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante.
"You have listened to our needs and worked in partnership with us to make a difference in the lives of those we represent," they wrote. "We are confident that as president you will continue your work to ensure that all Americans and their families have the opportunity for a bright future."
