Senate Journal: Page 991: Wednesday, April 7, 1999

  experience of calling a spouse or loved one to tell them we won't be home
  for dinner
  that night or have to work this weekend.
  If it weren't for their understanding many couldn't work here. So on this
  day of
  remembrances, I'd like to acknowledge your families at home who put up with
  so much
  to enable you to be here.  We overlook them too often.
  There also lots of hidden stories in this statehouse family that really
  never get told.
  Like the members who helped one another through tough financial times, or
  help a
  colleague fight an alcohol problem or console one another in time of
  trouble. Some
  great battles have been fought on this floor.  But some lifelong friendships
  have been
  formed here too and today's the day we renew those friendships and forget
  the fights.
  It's a story we don't often write because they're private matters.  But
  they're no less
  real and it's why all of us our saying our prayers for Stew and Jean Iverson
  right now.
  I have noticed over the years there are family rituals to this place and
  Pioneer
  Lawmakers is one of them.
  Every two years we get together to honor the family elders - those members
  who
  came here 20 years ago and to remember those members who have passed away.
  This year, we honor the Class of 1979 - those lawmakers who were first
  elected in
  1978.
  That was just a year after I was assigned to cover the statehouse.  It seems
  like
  yesterday I was walking into the building and thinking what a beautiful but
  intimidating place this was.
  I think most of us can recall a similar memory of our first day walking into
  this
  capitol to go to work, whatever our job. We were all newcomers to the family
  and, truth
  be told, we are all honored to come to work each day.
  I succeeded Jim Flansburg who had succeeded George Mills.  They passed on a
  lot
  of advice: Like:
  "Watch the code editor's bill.  Laverne Schroeder repealed the whole state
  housing
  code one year in that bill."
  And "it isn't really tea that Jimmy Briles has in his cup on the last night
  of the
  session."
  "Watch the IPERS bill to see if there's still someone in Boone County who
  Jack
  Nystrom hasn't got covered.
  "In 20 years, you'll figure out what really went on.  Which is why I'm
  looking
  forward today to finding out what deals really were cut in that usury debate
  of 20
  years ago.
  Or, debate will always be long-winded when it's a bill everyone understands
  and
  short when they don't understand it. So we all know we're in for a long
  afternoon when
  there's a bill about dove hunting, fences or farm pickup trucks.
  Or don't go out with Ed Jones at night if you have to be functional the next
  day.
  1978 was an important election in the country and in Iowa.  It was a
  harbinger
  election that foretold the sweeping change coming in the 1980 election.  In
  Iowa,
  Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Clark was upset by Roger Jepsen.  It was a
  stunning upset,

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments about this site or page? sjourn@legis.iowa.gov.
Please remember that the person listed above does not vote on bills. Direct all comments concerning legislation to State Legislators.

Last update: Fri Apr 9 03:40:03 CDT 1999
URL: /DOCS/GA/78GA/Session.1/SJournal/00900/00991.html
jhf