Gov. Chet Culver, who was invited to attend President-elect Obama's event tonight in Chicago, congratulated President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on their victory in this historic election.

"Both President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden have strong ties to Iowa, and I look forward to working with them and their transition team in the days ahead to ensure the hopes, dreams, and concerns of Iowans are front and center as the new administration takes shape," Culver said in a press release. "Because Iowa's concerns truly are national concerns, I stand ready to work together with our next president and vice president to help take our country in a new direction, of opportunity for all Iowans and all Americans."

Culver said Obama's emphasis on renewable energy will help create even more 'green jobs' in Iowa so the state can be less dependent on foreign oil. Culver also congratulated U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and members of the congressional delegation.

"Ten months ago yesterday, the journey we celebrate tonight began on a cold winter night in Iowa," Culver said, referring to the Iowa caucuses in January. "All of the candidates, both Democrats and Republicans, who competed in the Iowa caucuses deserve our appreciation, as do the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who took part in the first step in the road to the White House. Today, in what appears to be a near-record voter turnout, Iowans showed that our system works and that the American dream is alive and well in our state."

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