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House Journal: Page 1961: Wednesday, April 22, 1998

And fellow colleagues of my party, the minority Democrats, this
is a tough road in the minority. The Speaker knows that. I've
spent six years now as has Ron.  We've both spent an equal
number of years in the majority and in the minority. There's no
question where either of us wants to be. But we have one hundred
percent fought the good fight where fighting is appropriate. And
there were good ideas offered by Republicans. We did our best to
help you with those good ideas. And when we had good ideas we
did our best to get them on the table as well. I really take my
hat off to my colleagues in the Democratic party because when
you are 46 in a chamber of 100, it's harder than it is when
you're 54 in a chamber of 100. And those folks have realized
that from day one, but never let it slow them down. They've done
their work. And for all of you I appreciate that.

For my Republican colleagues I share the same respect and
friendship. Yearly it is one of my jobs to be a recruiter for
those folks that will join us next time. And I'm often asked who
are you voting for out there? I think that the people who need
to serve here are people that have passions. I've found that the
people who serve here do have passion. Sometimes we care about
different things and care about them differently. Sometimes we
feel very passionately about some things and perhaps that
passion runs a little too high. Usually it's mine that's too
high. But that means we care. I enjoy working with somebody who
has strong feelings. They're just working hard to do their best
to accomplish what they feel is right. They do that. And I
appreciate that.

I'd like to recognize my staff. I think my staff is the best
here. I believe they've done everything for me that they could
possibly do. Mark Brandsgard and Carolyn Gaukel in my office
have done a super job for me and for our caucus. Paulee Lipsman,
our caucus staff director. Dave Epley, Jenifer Parsons, Tom
Patterson, Mary Brown, Anna Hyatt, Ed Conlow, and Joe Romano
have done a super job of research in all the things a caucus
staff does. Working a lot of late nights putting in extra
effort. I really appreciate those folks and I know my colleagues
do as well. My Page this year, Michelle Bauer, has been a super
help and has just done a great job. My wife has really done a
great job. Many years that I stood here, my wife wasn't with me.
She's done a variety of things. In the interim she works in my
office. She works for Steve Warnstadt here as his legislative
assistant. It's really fun. You can imagine those years that I
worked here and my wife didn't. You couldn't go home after a day
like some of the days we have and explain that to somebody who
hasn't been here. It can't be done. Having her here has really
made this an experience that we both enjoy.

I'd also like to say thank you again to my colleagues in here
that are retiring. I really enjoyed those retirement speeches.
You folks have done great things for our state and have really
given of yourselves. I'd like to single out my Democratic
retirees. Deo at first I didn't have any idea you could sing. It
was great. It was really beautiful. I don't know if Russell
Eddie is here listening. I don't know, I expect we'll see you at
those animal rights meetings one of these times. And Mike
Moreland, I knew when he decided he would retire, I was sort of
ready for that and called one weekend during the session and
talked to your wife and she said you were out swimming with your
son. I think I knew then you would be leaving. But I can
guarantee you that the political doors have been left wide open
for you. And Bill Bernau, I don't know what you can say about a
man that is standing here on the last day of session making
enticing pleas to resist a racetrack. He stands over there and
raises a checkered flag while you're trying to make your points.
I don't know what you can say about a guy like that. But I'll
say it here right to him I wish you the best where ever you
land. And I mean that. Good luck to you.

© 1998 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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Last update: Tue Apr 28 03:40:02 CDT 1998
URL: /DOCS/GA/77GA/Session.2/HJournal/01900/01961.html
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