Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Rep. David Schweikert

Mr. Speaker, as many of you know, today is Arizona's 100th birthday. Think of this: 100 years ago there were only about 200,000 people in Arizona. Today there are about 6\1/2\ million.

One of the reasons I wanted to come behind the microphone today is, if you've been watching our Senators and some of my fellow members of our delegation, we've all gotten behind microphones and talked about the wonderful leaders, the Carl Haydens, the Morris Udalls, the Barry Goldwaters that have come from Arizona. But I actually want to say something special about the people of Arizona.

Think of this. In our hundred years, 6\1/2\ million have chosen to make it their home. And I believe it's both because of the wonderful lifestyle of Arizona, but also the people themselves. It's a unique population.

Think of this. You have a State full of people who have chosen to pick up their homes in California and the Midwest and back East and venture into a new life, and actually, that type of entrepreneurial spirit, that type of unique personality, I think, is actually what makes Arizona so special.