House Journal: Page 8: Monday, January 11, 1999

	We have this challenge of improving education, reading scores, and class sizes. As we do, keep in mind this quote from Albert Einstein. He said "imagination is 

more important than knowledge." Learning is changing. Just as here in the House, laws are not just developed within these walls. They come from forums, town 
meetings, and coffee shops. That holds true for education as well. Not all education takes place in the classroom. We need to be imaginative and have new ideas. 
Maybe one of those ideas is a "virtual schoolhouse" out on the internet that our children and teachers can access anytime to discuss any subject. We can't be afraid of 
new ideas. Will improving education be challenging? Yes! But not overwhelming.
Problems... We can be thankful we don't have so many problems, but unfortunately, there are some. We must deal with this methamphetamine epidemic. I want 
to say to Governor Vilsack, I'm proud of your stance on putting the meth dealers that sell to minors in prison for the rest of their lives. I know you're taking some 
heat. Hang in there.
It says something about the values of a society when it is willing to protect the most vulnerable and innocent among them. What is more precious than our 
children and grandchildren? Nothing. This past September, a 14 year-old Burlington girl died from meth. Her name is Jessica Smith. She isn't going to get a second 
chance.
A society that is willing to take a stand for children and the family is a society that is working together to be successful. I believe we can beat this problem. Not so 
much because of what we are going to do, but because of the people that live in this state. How many of you saw the article last week in the Des Moines Register 
about Dale and Doreen Terrell and how they're giving a two year-old meth baby a second chance. Do you know where she works? Right here in the House of 
Representatives. She works in the legal counsel's office by day and takes care of meth babies by night. That's what makes Iowa great! It's not the government, it's all 
the unsung heroes - the people of Iowa.
I'm so proud to call Iowa home. I'm proud of the people. That's why I have hope. That's why I am an optimist. We need to do a better job of telling people how 
fortunate we are to live here. We need to let our young people know this is a great state. I'm tired of so many of our own people talking negatively. It boils down to 
this. All too soon, my four children will graduate from high school, college, and then settle down. When I go to pick up the phone to call them, I want it to be a local 
call, not a long distance call. Unfortunately, too many Iowans are making long distance calls to their kids and grandkids. You have a chance to change that this year 
if you choose to. 
I have one last story and a quote to close with...
Yesterday, I turned on the television to watch Iowa Press. My five year-old son Matthieu was working by the t.v. making a space shuttle with his K-Nex he got 
for Christmas. It was about a quarter 'till 12, so the tail end of the McLaughlin Group was on. My son - busy working, t.v. on in the background - looked up at me and 
said "Papa, those people aren't being very nice." And I said, "What do you mean?" He said, "Well, first they are all yelling, and when one person is talking, the others 
interrupt." Five years old, and he notices the lack of civility in today's political discourse. My friends, if a five year-old can figure out that it's wrong, it's time to 
change.
Which leads me to this quote from Henry Ford: "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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