House Journal: Page 1909: Thursday, April 29, 1999

But if you're willing to do that, it shows conviction. Strength, leadership, and 

conviction. If you do that, I think you'll continue to extend your life cycle.
Representative Rants I wish you the best of luck. You bring a lot of vitality and 
vision, and a little vinegar. Don't forget to sprinkle a little Voltaire in there every once 
in awhile. Obviously, as representatives we can't do without the support of everyone 
around here - all those in the third House, the press corps, Diane Bolender and her 
staff, Denny Prouty and his staff. I guess if I've got one regret it's that the last thirteen 
years I've never been able to turn Prouty into a supply sider but I guess some things 
just can't get done. Warren and our caucus staff and the Democratic staff, Liz and 
everybody in the well, keeping the trains on time, all the folks behind these chambers 
up in the nooks and crannies of this place, the Pages, the Doormen, even the Senate 
plays an important part of this process, too.
I'd like to tell you something about Susan. She kind of wears her heart on her 
sleeve. This was a few years back when there was this conflict over in Bosnia. And it 
was on TV quite a bit. She was so touched and moved by it that she sponsored a 
Bosnian family. They're living here in Des Moines. She changed that family's life. That 
family has then brought some of their family here to Des Moines and changed their 
lives. So there are times when I'm feeling down and think that one person can't make a 
difference, Susan, I think of you. And I'm reminded that yes indeed one person can 
make a difference. You have not only just touched the lives of the Bosnian family here 
in Des Moines, but you've touched mine, and I thank you for it.
To my staff, to Dan and Jeff, you guys are great. You're where you're at today 
because of you. Not because of anything that I've done for you. You're smart, you're 
talented, and you're hard workers. And if you continue to do what you've done in the 
past you'll go where ever you want to go. To Susan, my secretary, she started with me 
twelve years ago out here on the floor. She's been around this place for a long time. 
Susan, thank you for everything over the last twelve years keeping me together. 
There's this movie, obviously you've all heard of the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy is getting 
ready to go home to Kansas and as she's saying good bye to everybody she is saying 
good bye to the scarecrow. As she says good bye to the scarecrow she whispers in the 
scarecrow's ear, "I think I'll miss you the most." Susan, I think I'll miss you the most.
Well that's about it Mr. Speaker. Except for you. You have been a friend and a 
brother. And I've been racking my brain for about three months about what to say to 
you and pay tribute to you. And I can't think of anything. But about two weeks ago it 
came to me. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. One of the things 
that you're noted for around here is you always quote a recording artist. And so I 
thought to myself that's what I'll do. I'll do that. The first thing that came to mind was 
the group Tony Orlando and Dawn. There's a song called "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round 
the Old Oak Tree." In one of the lines it says I'm coming home I've done my time. But I 
thought to myself if I did that, after I was done, Mitchell would walk up to me and say 
Corbett, that was so lame quoting Tony Orlando and Dawn. And he would be right. So, 
how about the Beatles? Oblidee oblidah, life goes on, la la how the life goes one. Mr. 
Speaker your life goes on with a new title. It's a great position. You'll never regret 
serving there. But remember you have two other titles - husband and father. Don't 
forget that because God knows the last several years I have, on too many occasions. 
And so that's why my life needs to go on.

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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