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House Journal: Page 1966: Wednesday, April 22, 1998

I personally think this chamber... This chamber does have a
legacy. It is the way that you've handled the fiscal affairs of
this state. Our number one job is to be good stewards of the tax
dollars. And you deserve a pat on the back because you've done 
exactly that. You've been great stewards of the taxpayers'
dollars.

I come from an urban area. As I said in my opening day speech
I've passed a lot of industries that have taken raw materials
that our farmers produce and add value to it. And although we've
done a good job in agriculture, I've always believed you're as
strong as your weakest link. And agriculture is still our base
in the state.  I'm glad that we put some focus on that. There's
a reason that Monsanto purchased Holden Seeds out of
Williamsburg, Iowa. There's a reason that DuPont is purchasing
Pioneer. There's going to be a great future in bio-technology,
and I hope that Iowa's going to be there to take advantage of
that. I think with some of the things that we've done this year
in education, we are going to be able to do that.

But enough about the accomplishments of this legislature. It is
a great job to be Speaker of the House. It is truly an honor and
privilege. I wish that you all have this experience. It is a
great job. I seriously can't think of a better job. And that
includes lieutenant governor.

This is an awesome chamber and decor, curtains and chandelier.
Just the atmosphere and the debate that we have in here. But
that's not what makes this place great. What makes this place
great is the people. And if I had one regret this last year,
these last four years, is that I needed to spend more time
getting to know some of you better. As Speaker you're spending
time trying to make sure committees are meeting and bills are
coming out of committee, and the agreements came through that
were negotiated with the Senate and all this, and you're so
focused on the legislative part you don't, it seems like I
didn't have time to get to know some of you better.
Representative Dotzler I don't know you very well, but people
say we look alike- if I would grow a mustache or you would shave
yours but we do have one thing in common. I don't have siding on
my house, either. I did have an opportunity to visit with some
of you in a personal way, and I would like you to know that
those conversations have had a big impact on me. I think when we
learn more about each other we grow to certainly respect and
appreciate. I think that helps us through our discourse here. I
learned about another member's bout with alcoholism and what
that alcoholism did to that person, his family and the kids, and
their struggle. And then I learned about how that person moved
through that crisis in their life, and learned the meaning of
the value of giving someone a second chance. I learned about
another member's bout with breast cancer and the trials and
fears associated with that life-threatening disease, and how
making it through that has made that individual stronger and
more understanding. I learned about one member, it was Christmas
time, and they were very poor. They didn't have money to buy any
Christmas presents for the  kids so that member went out and
gave blood so they could make a few bucks to buy their kids some
presents for Christmas. It's been one hundred and one days, and
I wish sometimes the paper would take every one of you and
feature you on the front page of the paper and talk about your
lives and what's made you and some of your trials and
tribulations. Some people will look at these trials and
tribulations that we all go through as negative. I think it may
even scare some people off from running for political office. 

© 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/01900/01966.html
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