Topeka ? Calling for “a new politics of true empowerment,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius began her second term Monday by telling Kansans they can’t be complacent about the future.

“We’re not a complacent people,” she said during her inaugural address from the south steps of the Statehouse. “We are restless to explore, to create, to find a brighter future for ourselves, for our children and for Kansans yet to come.”

About 1,000 people watched Sebelius, the state’s 44th governor and the 10th Democrat to hold the office, take her oath of office under sunny skies. Before the ceremony, about 200 people attended an ecumenical prayer service inside.

Following her seven-minute address, Sebelius received a 19-gun salute from a National Guard battery of four 75 mm howitzers. A KC-135 tanker flew over the Statehouse, and a choir sang the state song, “Home on the Range.”

“But we must remember that the future is never a place we’re simply going to; it is a place we must create,” the 58-year-old governor said.

Sebelius began her address by mentioning a Mulvane couple, Christie and Tom Lovell, whose twins, Kimberlin and Samuel, were born early Monday, saying the newborns “embody all the hope and promise of what will be.”

“We all recognize, in our hearts, that we are only as strong as the most vulnerable among us,” she said. “It’s not enough to allow a few to reach the stars while others live a life of limited horizons.

“Therefore, we must embrace a new politics of true empowerment, understanding that diversity of thought, of belief, of opinion creates a vibrant, prosperous state,” she said.

Asked about the statement afterward, Sebelius told reporters it means “getting people in the race from the beginning.”

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius shows off her ruby red shoes during the first dance with her husband Gary at Monday's inaugural ball in Topeka.

“We keep moving toward the notion that people need to have opportunities,” she said. “It’s about education and health care and job opportunities, and that really is individual empowerment, as far as I’m concerned.”

In winning re-election in November with 58 percent of the vote, Sebelius said making sure all Kansans have health insurance coverage remained a top priority. She also has promised initiatives to stimulate economic development and address a backlog of repairs at state universities.

The crowd included state and federal officials and Canadian and Taiwanese diplomats for the swearing-in of Sebelius, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, Attorney General Paul Morrison, Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, two Supreme Court justices, eight Court of Appeals judges and five State Board of Education members.

It also included Kansans who had never been to an inauguration before, such as Tim Sankey, of Salina.

“She did well in the first round, and I hope she does well in the second round,” Sankey said. “She certainly has appealed to the masses, which is to be respected.”

The inauguration came several hours before the Legislature convened its 2007 session, with Republicans holding majorities of 30-10 in the Senate and 78-47 in the House.

The House has 23 new members and a new speaker, Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, who replaces retiring Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka. No Senate seats were on the ballot last year, and the chamber has only one new member, Julia Lynn, R-Olathe, replacing Kay O’Connor, who resigned after an unsuccessful bid for secretary of state.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius gives her inaugural address on the steps of the Capitol during ceremonies Monday in Topeka.

“The legislation we pass may have a profound impact on tens of thousands of Kansans,” Neufeld said in a speech after being sworn in as speaker. “Folks, it’s time that we work together to make this great state of Kansas a better place for all of our constituents.”

Sebelius also was the biggest guest of honor for Monday night’s inaugural ball at a downtown Topeka hotel. The organizing committee abandoned the traditional sit-down dinner in favor of food stations to allow more guests and more mingling, but still planned a grand march of state officials and dancing.

Republicans have long outnumbered Democrats in Kansas, but Sebelius has been able to woo GOP moderates throughout her career. She served in the Kansas House in 1987-94, then won two terms as insurance commissioner before her successful run for governor in 2002.

Her father, John Gilligan, also a Democrat, served as Ohio governor in 1971-75, making the two the only father-daughter gubernatorial team in the nation. Gilligan failed to win a second term in 1974.

State address difficult to find on TV

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ State of the State address won’t be easy to find on television.

In fact, if you want to watch the address live at 7 p.m. Wednesday, you’re out of luck unless you live in Wichita.

KTWU (Sunflower Broadband Channel 11) out of Topeka will broadcast the address at the conclusion of the Fort Hays State-Washburn basketball game Wednesday, as will SHPTV in western Kansas. The stations expect to begin the broadcast about 9:30 p.m.

KCPT (Channel 7) in Kansas City, Mo., is not planning to broadcast the speech.

Audio coverage of the speech will be easier to find. Kansas Public Radio will broadcast the speech live on 91.5 FM in the Lawrence area.

The governor’s office also is planning its own Webcast.