Calling the San Joaquin Valley an important part of California's future, Gov. Schwarzenegger praised the work of a 26-member organization working to improve the economic and overall quality of life in the region.

Schwarzenegger was in Fresno on Thursday speaking before the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley.

He urged the audience to support a record $37billion bond package to pay for new roads, schools, levees and housing.

Schwarzenegger said the bonds were critical to rebuilding the state and boosting the Valley's economy.

Included in the series of bonds is $1 billion for the 400-mile Highway 99 — the region's aging transportation corridor.

"The bottom line is that the San Joaquin Valley did not get the attention in the past and was not treated equally as the other areas of the state," Schwarzenegger said.

The governor remembered the promise he made to Fresno Mayor Alan Autry. In exchange for the mayor's support, he would do what he could to address the Valley's needs.

Part of that pledge was the creation of the partnership, a diverse group of public, private and government officials that has been meeting throughout the eight-county region over the last year, collecting comments from business leaders, community members and elected officials.

During their final meeting Thursday on the California State University, Fresno, campus, the organizers adopted a "strategic action proposal" that identifies strategies for achieving several major goals, including the creation of a model K-12 educational system, attainment of clean air standards and growth of a diversified and globally competitive economy.

Several speakers encouraged the partnership members to consider reaching out to private investment to fund some of the initiatives.

Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, said there is no reason the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley couldn't be the state's top lettuce processor, a position now held by Monterey County.

"That shouldn't be, just because we lack the capital," Florez said.

Others spoke about increasing economic empowerment by teaching people the basic skills of saving money and budgeting.

"There is a very fundamental need for financial education," said Martha Lucey, executive vice president of ByDesign Financial Solutions in Fresno. "Understanding how to budget is an important part of building wealth."

Sunne Wright McPeak, secretary of the Business, Transportation & Housing Agency, said passage of Proposition 1B, the transportation bond, could jump-start the partnership's efforts to improve Highway 99.

"This down payment will make a huge difference," McPeak said.

A much larger plan, developed by the state Department of Transportation, will require $6billion for Highway 99 improvements over the next 10 years.

McPeak said that while the partnership is obligated to deliver its final recommendations to the governor by Oct. 31, the members will be asking the Legislature to continue the organization for the next 10 years.