House Journal: Page 1989: Tuesday, May 8, 2001
hour waiting period, or providing "safe havens" we strove to protect those that are truly
defenseless. For those that can’t escape the abuse, we took action to hold non-parents
to the same level of responsibility as parents. In a time of budget reductions we added
50 new people in the DHS to the front lines to assess and prevent child abuse
situations. And we broadened the training programs for teachers, doctors and the like
to better report instances of suspected abuse.
No doubt, Mr. Speaker, there were issues that were not addressed. But I’m not one
to dwell on the "would haves" or "should haves". After all, that is why this legislature
meets every year. We have opportunities to revisit issues. Over the summer we can
work out the last kink in a bill. We can build a new coalition to muster the needed
votes. No doubt when we reconvene in January we will finish work on limiting the
growth of property taxes, we will address the unfairness of taxing our senior citizens;
and Representative Baudler, Representative Brauns and I have a very special coalition
we’d like you to become a part of. Let us all use our summer and fall wisely.
To my Republican colleagues, I want to thank you for your hard work, your
tenacity, and probably most important, your patience with me. It's been an honor to
work with you this year. We have many first term legislators in our caucus - and I
know this year has been nothing like we billed it when we talked with you about
running for office - but believe me you have made a difference this year, and Iowa is
better off for having you in this the people’s house.
I especially want to thank the leadership team - Steve, Libby, Danny, Donna, Russ
and Bill. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. You helped guide our
agenda, corrected mistakes along the way, and provided the moral and intellectual
support for the tough fights. Thank you.
Representative Myers. I have truly enjoyed our working relationship this year. I
think we have set a new standard for communication and planning. No one seems
surprised these days when I walk up those stairs to your office. Well, at least the
alarms don’t go off anymore when I walk through the door. I’ve enjoyed the give and
take we’ve shared, both on the floor and off. And lastly, I appreciate the vote of
confidence that we’re going to do "whatever’s right".
At the end of every year we often thank the staff for the work that they do to keep
the House running. But Mr. Speaker, we need to take a moment to appreciate the
work these folks do. When we adjourn in the evening, no matter how late, we
legislators are the first to leave the building. Margaret and Kathy, Gayle, Sue, Doreen,
Elaine, Betty, Peg; all the folks in the Journal Room, Legal counsel, Indexing, not to
mention the Service and Fiscal Bureaus - they stay. Most are here a good hour after
we leave - others are here longer. Others are here long before we arrive. I usually
arrive at 6:30 and while I may be one of the first legislators here, there is always staff
already working away. I want to say to those in the back office, to Wilbur and the door
keepers, and of course the page - thank you, we do appreciate the time and your
commitment to making this House operate.
Of course we can’t forget our own staffs. This year we had many new additions to
our caucus staff - but you’d never know by the quality of their work product. Again, I
can’t begin to guess at the hours you put in. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we’ve had one of our
staff here for 24 hours straight working on a project. Thank you Bruce. And thank you
Jeff, Kellie, Lew, Jason, Lon, Stacie, Pat, Stephanie, and of course Brad, who we all
© 2001 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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