An example of this? One of the world's largest corporations, Proctor and Gamble, chose Box Elder County to build its first domestic manufacturing plant in more than 30 years. Amer Sports, the world's leading winter sports equipment company, moved its headquarters to Ogden, bolstering our competitive outdoor products industry. And now, one of America's fastest growing software companies is our very own, Orem-based, Omniture.

Thanks to the entrepreneurs, innovators and hard-workers of our State, our economy is just beginning to fill the measure of its destiny—as well a State should whose motto is industry.

So, what does all of this mean? Personal income, perhaps the most significant measure of economic performance, rose nearly ten percent last year, outperforming every state in the nation.

Our historically high tax burden is now below the national average. And we have the lowest tax rate since the implementation of the State income tax. Thank you members of the Legislature; you passed tax reform unanimously last session, and this month, it is a reality!

Our transportation progress is on the move. This year we will celebrate the opening of two major transportation corridors: commuter rail from Salt Lake to Pleasant View; and after years of Interstate-15 gridlock, Legacy Parkway will finally be a reality. Next stop: Utah County!

Utah is increasingly becoming a film destination spot, and (according to my daughters) we are really excited that soon Disney will begin filming High School Musical Three in our State. This is just one of dozens of movies being shot here.

At the other end of the spectrum, we have worked like never before, at every level of government, to "End Meth Now" and stop the scourge of methamphetamine impacting our families and communities. We have more resources committed than at any other time to help fight this dangerous, destructive drug. I want my friends at the House of Hope, most of whom are young single mothers recovering from their addictions, to know the full meaning of that word: Hope.

But most important, the great people of our State continue to allow us to reach higher. People like two heroes who are with us tonight. During World War II, while under fire on Iwo Jima, he displayed a level of courage which is still legendary today. Ladies and gentleman, please join me in saluting our State's only surviving Congressional Medal of Honor recipient: United States Marine George Wahlen.

Some have said that George's generation is America's greatest. Well, I'm here to tell you a great generation is standing right before us. I've witnessed their bravery, in both Iraq and Afghanistan, where thousands of Utahns have served.

Another hero with us tonight completed 59 combat missions in Iraq, during which he was hit six times, leaving him legally blind and deaf. Please join me in recognizing Utah Army National Guardsman, Sgt. Gordon Ewell.