'You bring people hope': NC Governor Josh Stein addresses Walk For Peace monks
It is heart and heartwarming to see so many folks
here who are committed to honoring peace even on the
chilliest of days
Mayor Cowell thank you for your support of this event
I want to thank the many sheriff's officers local police
Patrol for helping to provide these monks
Throughout North Carolina
Thank you to the community groups churches temples and many
public facilities that have welcomed these monks along the way
But of course our greatest thanks are to these monks
who are walking for peace
We are honored to welcome you to North Carolina State
Capitol and we are so glad to see that Iloca
is back with you
The monks gathered here today are on a 2300 mile
walk through 10 states
For the past three months they've covered approximately 1800 miles
from Texas
That's 1800 miles by foot
You all have been walking across North Carolina for more
than 1 week at this point and you have shared
a message of peace
Unity Justice equality
Compassion and love
You've had a crowd following you everywhere you've gone and
a much larger crowd following you online
That is because you are bringing people hope
You're inspiring inspiring people at a time when so many
are in need of inspiration
We live in a time of partisan rancor and political
discord
These days people of all stripes are feeling under attack
Whether it's by what they see on social media
What's going on in their personal lives or the number
at the bottom of their grocery bill
That's what makes your message more important than ever
It goes beyond faith or politics no matter our belief
system or political affiliation we each want peace and we
each have a role to play in achieving it
That is why you've had such an impact on the
nation
You have sparked something special with your march
In our heart of hearts we don't want to feel
on guard against our neighbors
We want to come together
Thank you for reminding us of that
I'm inspired not only by the monks but also by
the thousands of North Carolinians who over the past week
have turned out to honor the walk for peace and
have been moved by its purpose
Long after these monks have left North Carolina may we
all carry this spirit forward in our own lives into
caring for our neighbors and seeking mutual understanding rather than
division
To the venerable Biku Panukaru it is my honor to
stand here with you today and present you with a
proclamation marking today as Walk for Peace Day
We wish you all safety and health as you continue
on your path
And I wish those gathered here today and those watching
online
Safety and health for yourselves and your family and loved
ones over the next few days
Please stay informed about the coming winter weather
Stay at home and off the roads and stay connected
with your neighbors in need
Thank you so much
Thank you sir