January 8, 2007

Let me begin by thanking the people of Illinois for the trust and confidence you have placed in me.

I would like to thank Judy Baar Topinka for her years of service to the people of Illinois.

I also want to recognize the constitutional officers. We are very fortunate in the State of Illinois to
have exceptional leaders like: Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn; Atty Gen. Lisa Madigan; Secretary of State
Jesse White; Comptroller Dan Hynes and of course Governor Rod Blagojevich.

I’m honored to share the stage with them and look forward to working closely with them and
benefiting from their experience.

I stand before you today, humbled and honored and with a tremendous sense of pride, ready to
serve our great state.

I am joined onstage today by my brothers, Demetris and George, and of course my mother, Anna.
She was not only the hardest worker on the campaign trail, but the most popular as well. Mom,
your determination, your compassion, your spirit – your home-cooking – defined our campaign.

I am thrilled to share this day with my family, but I am also deeply saddened that the man who gave
me the strength, courage and commitment to make this day possible did not live to see it.

My father passed away in June, mid-way through our campaign. He was my role model, my hero and my best friend. If he were here today, he would be very proud, knowing that I have begun to achieve my dream of serving the public. He always taught me to follow my dreams, no matter how challenging the obstacles or how daunting the struggles may seem.

But I can feel him with me here today, giving me strength. It is with that strength that I will serve the people of our state.

My parents came here from a war-torn village in Greece over 40 years ago. Like so many immigrants, they struggled. My father sold pickles and worked other odd jobs while my mother sold sewing machines
at Sears and raised three boys.

My parents came to this country, because they believed in something. They believed in a promise.
A promise that led my father to start his own business, a community bank, and help thousands of other people also realize the promise of America.

The very fact that his son stands before you today, at the age of 30, as Treasurer of the greatest State, in the greatest Nation is a testament not only to what he achieved, but to the power of that promise, that in this country – hard work, dedication, hope, and opportunity make anything possible.

Those are the values that my father embraced when he came to this country in 1962. Those are the values that I will fight for as a public servant. As I always said during my campaign, “I'm not running to be something. I am running to DO something”. That is my promise.

From the start...my campaign, my promise, has been to serve as an independent and progressive leader who would use his financial background to make wise and sound investments for all Illinois residents, the “shareholders” of this state.

I will serve as a fiscal watchdog: protecting taxpayer dollars; preventing ethical abuses; and helping to put an end to wasteful government spending.

I will introduce innovative programs designed to: encourage college savings; spur economic growth; create jobs; promote financial literacy; technologically advance the office; develop alternative fuel sources, and help military personnel get a financial boost.

As the state’s banker, I will be a consumer advocate for the people of Illinois.

At this time of public cynicism and distrust of elected officials, my first act as Treasurer will be to enact the toughest ethics plan in place today. There will be no pay-to-play politics in the treasurer's office. I will serve as an independent, accountable, trustworthy, and principled leader.

As public servants, we face many challenges. But we have a responsibility to make it possible for Illinois citizens to pursue their own dreams and enable them to turn hard work into an opportunity for a better life.

In the same way my father passionately achieved his pursuit of a promise during his lifetime, and in the same manner that he always kept his promise to his family, I will keep my promise to you – the people of Illinois. My promise to you is this: I will always fight for you and I will never let you down.

Thank you and may God bless you all.