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House Journal: Page 1962: Wednesday, April 22, 1998

So, it's been a great year for me. But I want to recognize a
couple of other people and say something that I've said a few
times in my life but not very many times. And that's to you
Leaders. To Brent and Ron. To each of you and both of you. If we
ever chose up sides again, I'd like to be on your team. You guys
have done a great job. And I appreciate that. We've been
adversaries, that's the way this process works. And truly, if we
ever chose sides again, I'd like to be on your team. That's not
likely given the situation we're in. I think I'd rather we just
switch sides of the field. Thank you for the way you've run this
chamber. You have respect for the process, this institution, and
the people. We all appreciate that. Thank you.

I talked with my Dad Sunday morning, and he found five mushrooms
under an apple tree. So I was really hoping we could get out of
here. I made a phone call this morning and found out that the
motor in my race car was ready, and I could go pick it up. I
told the gentleman that I'd be there at 4:00 this afternoon to
get it. I'll be there in the morning. I hope all of you go home
to a summer and interim that gives you great pleasure because
you have worked hard here and you deserve it.

Thank you.

REMARKS BY MAJORITY LEADER SIEGRIST

Siegrist of Pottawattamie offered the following remarks:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the House:
The tie is on and it's time to go home.  It has been a good, but
difficult year.  Between constitutional amendments, education,
and the Governor, race tracks, gambling, and the fact that I've
been taking a graduate course this session, it's been a tough
year.  To paraphrase a song by Garth Brooks, "I'm much too young
to feel this darn old."
On opening day, I laid out four goals for the Majority Party and
this legislative body.  First, reduce taxes - did it.  Secondly,
help promote value-added agriculture in Iowa - the Agrifutures
bill accomplished that.  Third, improve recreational
opportunities and quality-of-life issues for our families.  The
infrastructure bill included an additional $5 million for
lake-dredging, bluffland protection, and recreational grants for
local communities.  Lastly, education.  Lord knows that has been
the subject of considerable debate this session.  I think the
educational bills that passed this legislative body do a lot to
begin the long-term process for the fundamental changes we need
to undertake for our educational system.
Now, I understand that the Governor has some problems with our
education package.  To be truthful, I haven't been able to
exactly determine what good reason he has to veto that bill.  I
thought that perhaps it had something to do with his legacy. 
But, I don't think so.  Perhaps he's just stubborn - naw. 
Perhaps he's finally getting even with me for my endorsement of
Fred Grandy in 1994.  But, I don't think so.  Finally last
night, I figured it out - why he's acting so strange - El Nino! 
Governor Branstad, it's a good bill - please sign it.
There were other high points.  The HAWK-I plan, sexual predator
language, education IRAs and action on methamphetamine.  Every
legislative session doesn't get everything done.  This session
is no different.  Some will talk about something that didn't get
done.  I will prefer to talk about everything that did get
accomplished.  This is a legislative session that we can all be
proud of.

© 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/01900/01962.html
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