House Journal: Page 1517: Friday, April 12, 2002
band-aid either. The Governor has already signed a portion of this package - I would
encourage him to approve the rest.
The other signature piece of this session is the livestock confinement legislation we
just completed. Again I wish Representative Teig was in the chamber as he, more than
any other legislator, spent the first portion of this session working to ensure that this
issue was addressed. Even though I believe Russ started the ball rolling,
Representative Klemme, Ralph, my friend, you picked up the ball and you ran with it.
I can’t thank you enough for the work that you have done this year. You, and David
and Gene, put untold hours into this work. Ralph, part of me feels like apologizing for
putting you through the most difficult year of your legislative tenure - but it's
something you should be proud of. Those grand kids of yours will grow up in the
better, cleaner state, because of your efforts.
I want to take a moment to thank my Republican colleagues. I want to thank you
for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Majority Leader for the last two years. I
can’t imagine a better group of people to work with. We have such a diverse caucus,
one in which members have such diverse backgrounds and expertise on such a host of
issues. I’ve been blessed to get to know each one of you. I have often tried to explain to
others, often times without success, particularly to the press that our caucus members
are always willing to do the right thing over the politically expedient thing. That
commitment to core values and a sense of doing what is right never ceases to amaze
me. You have worked tirelessly for the last few weeks, go home to your families,
recuperate and rejuvenate. Your work here is done, and done well.
To Chuck, Libby, Danny, Steve and Bill. You are a great team. I can’t thank you
enough for the guidance you’ve provided me, and the moral, and sometimes physical
support along the way.
Representative Myers. It has been a pleasure to get to know you over the last two
years. I hope that we have set a new standard for communication between the parties.
You have always been fair, honest and frank with me. You’ve helped me move the
process along, when you could, and I thank you for that. We’ve had many
opportunities the last two years for joint appearance before the public, and on TV. My
only regret is that I was unable to get you to curse out loud.
Mr. Speaker, the House staff has done an excellent job this year. They always do,
so it shouldn’t be a surprise. The people’s House works because of the people in it. But
we too often overlook the obstacles that we put in their path. Me in particular. I’ll
switch the order of bills coming up for debate without informing the ladies in the well,
and I can never seem to stump them. To the folks in the chief clerks office, to the
central staff agencies to the door keepers and the pages, I want to thank you for your
service to the people of Iowa and to us.
I want to thank our Republican caucus staff for the work you’ve done. I think we’ve
got the best staff in the building. All through session I lived with the constant fear
that I was going to lose another of you to the Bush administration or to other greener
pastures. Your always ready with an answer when we need one, you help my office
and me keep track of what's going on and where. Jeff, Kellie, Lew, Jason, Lon, Pat,
Stephanie, Brad, Bruce, and Mary, thank you for your service.
© 2002 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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