As my eight years serving as your Governor comes to an end, I thank all Alaskans for allowing me to work with you to build a better Alaska. Together, we have worked to create more jobs, protect more children, provide better schools, and bring Alaskans together.

On the pages that follow, we have detailed Alaska's progress over the past eight years. It is a record of which Lieutenant Governor Fran Ulmer and I are very proud. The numbers tell our story since 1995:

• 30,000 new jobs and 14 consecutive years of economic growth.
• Crime down 23 percent statewide.
• 6,000 Alaska families off welfare, a 40 percent reduced caseload, saving $228 million in welfare payments over the past five years.
• Nearly 26,000 children and more than 5,000 pregnant women of working families signed up for basic health care under Denali KidCare.
• $74 million more into the classroom since 1995, along with higher standards and testing.
• $1 billion in school construction and repairs, and more than 225 school projects built or funded.
• 76 percent of rural Alaska homes now equipped with running water and sewer, compared to only half the homes in 1994.
• Average household income among the highest in the country.

These accomplishments and many more are due to the hard work of Alaskans, innovative partnerships with Alaska businesses, and a responsive state government. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions on this record and ways your state government can better serve Alaskans. Look at this site over the next few weeks for additional reports.

Susan and I will always cherish our time as your First Lady and Governor and we thank all Alaskans for the opportunity to serve you.