Speeches

Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
Whitefish Community Foundation
Whitefish, Montana
August 2, 2001

I want to thank you for inviting me to join you this morning in celebrating the many actions of unselfish giving that occur each day in Montana.

It is always good to be in Whitefish. One of the greatest gifts of my job is getting to travel to every corner of this great state, and I can tell you candidly, you live and work in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Seriously, it is truly an honor and a privilege for me to be here with those of you who have worked so hard to make life better for our neighbors.

I especially am pleased today to visit with you about philanthropy. In my mind, philanthropy really means serving and helping others, whenever and wherever possible.

Growing up in Butte, memories of neighbors helping neighbors are very much a part of me -- that was part of our family and part of our community. If miners became trapped underground, it became a community effort to try and resolve the crisis -- it wasn't just someone else's problem.

Philanthropy for many people starts with their family, their friends and perhaps their neighbors. Now I know that in today's world we have become busy people, but you know, the great thing about Montana is that we have never forgotten that our greatest trait as a people is that we put others ahead of ourselves.

That is why the Montana Tax Credit for Endowed Philanthropy, originally passed in the 1997 Legislature - and extended during the last legislative session - is a critical component of our efforts to encourage people to make planned contributions to worthy causes.

There are really five key things that can be accomplished by this important legislation.

First, it makes it easier to build charitable endowments. Building endowments ensures the future of Montana charities and helps them to meet their ongoing community needs.

Second, it lessens the burden on taxpayers who fund government programs. I have long believed that people and communities and organizations are far more capable than government of implementing social, educational, health care, resource issues, and cultural programs in the state.

Third, it keeps federal capital gains taxes in Montana -- as planned gifts avoid the federal capital gains tax, which can cost Montana taxpayers up to 20% of the gain on the sale of appreciated assets.

Fourth, while the estate tax is hopefully on the way to its grave, our law allows planned gifts to avoid federal estate tax dollars, which can cost Montana taxpayers up to 55% of assets otherwise used to fund the "planned gift."

Finally, our law saves Montanans federal income tax dollars by inducing Montanans to be generous to Montana charities. Such giving generates meaningful income tax savings at the federal level as well.

I am pleased that as a result of this law, Montanans are today donating in record numbers to worthy causes that help people.

My Director of Revenue Kurt Alme reports that in the year 2000 over $12.2 million dollars was given by individuals and businesses to foundations that provide a better tomorrow for Montanans. Those dollars are monitored through the tax credit that encourages even more giving in Montana. I can tell you plainly that I believe that 2001 will be an even better year.

Of course, free people cannot be "ordered" to serve others -- they must choose to serve. In order to make that choice, they must have the opportunity to fully understand the real difference that service can make in peoples lives.

I have to tell you a story about a woman from Butte named Faith who I once was privileged to assist on a problem she was having… (anecdote)

Providing service to others promotes core values - - hard work, self-discipline, civic duty, the responsibility to help those who may not be able to help themselves.

Libraries, shelters, computers, clothes -- name any item and you will find a giving person who was willing to provide assistance where they felt it was needed, many times in complete anonymity.

By serving in the way you do, you not only provide tremendous benefits to those you help directly, but you also provide a great example to others.

It reminds me of a poem that is one of the most meaningful I've ever read. Some of you may have heard me share it before, but I'd like to share it with you this morning.

Winning is giving. (recite poem)

So, I want to tell you here this morning that I want to thank you on behalf of all Montanans for your hard work. We are not just thanking you for the great things you've done for the folks you serve directly. We are also thanking you for what you do for all of us as citizens.

God bless all of you.

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