Dan Coats: “earlier this week, through the eyes of the Nation watched the inauguration ceremony here in Washington. A week before…”

“earlier this week, through the eyes of the Nation watched the inauguration ceremony here in Washington. A week before that, back in Indiana, I was present for the celebration of the inauguration of Indiana's 50th Governor, former Congressman Mike Pence, who is taking over after 8 years of leadership under our former Governor, Mitch Daniels. So back-to-back weekends had two special events. Inauguration ceremonies are a time for reflection on what has happened in the past and a time for new vision on how we ought to go forward with the future. It is also a time for new opportunity. An opportunity for the kind of change necessary to address the problems and challenges we face. As I participated in the inauguration events for Governor Pence in Indianapolis just two weekends ago, I couldn't help but think of the remarkable record of achievement and the bold reforms that our former Governor, Mitch Daniels, delivered to the Hoosier State and the lessons they may offer to Washington. In 2005, Indiana faced a several-hundred-million-dollar deficit. This pales by comparison to the deficit we face here; but, nevertheless, for a State of our size it is a significant amount. Although it is constitutionally mandated in Indiana, we had not balanced our budget for 7 years. Governor Daniels and his team had a vision and the political courage to make much needed changes, and the people of Indiana supported and responded.…”