Senate Journal: Page 2: Monday, January 14, 2002
Welcome also to family and friends who are here today. It means so much to all of
us to be reminded of our most precious values and our most precious relationships at
the beginning of our time together.
Martin Luther King said, "The measure of a man is not where he stands in
moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy."
As we all know, challenge and controversy await us. It is up to us how we will be
measured.
Today we are blessed with the presence of children, of those who have experienced
great loss as a result of the attacks of September 11, and of those who serve and protect
our country all of us. I would like to recognize Jean Cleere, from Newton, and her
mother, who are present in the gallery.
Students from the Capitol View Elementary School fourth and fifth
grade chorus performed patriotic music.
The following Capitol View Elementary School students recited
their essays entitled “What Freedom Means to Me”: Melinda Ivie,
Luke Manley, Pa Vang, and Socorro Avila.
The presence of our children here today serves as a very poignant reminder of the
importance of what we do here for the future.
So thank you to Sandy O'Brien, Principal of the Capitol View Elementary School
here in Des Moines. Thank you to teachers Christy Turllinger, Kara Brand, and the
members of the fourth and fifth grade chorus, who touched us with their music, and to
all the students of Capitol View who touch us with their inspirational thoughts.
Thank you Colonel King and Sergeant Major Wolfgram along with the Iowa
National Guard members who so proudly presented our flags this morning.
In all, thirty Iowa families were directly affected by the events of September 11
through loss of family members. Our thoughts and prayers and love are with them
today and into the future.
Since September 11, five Iowa National Guard units have been mobilized. They
are: Iowa Army National Guard, Company D of Boone; Iowa Air National Guard 133rd
Air Control Squadron of Fort Dodge, the 132nd Security Force Squadron of Des Moines,
and the 185th Security Force Squadron of Sioux City; and United State Army Reserve
4249th Port Security Company of Fort Dodge.
Many other reservists have been called to active duty to protect us and our nation—
indeed our world. Iowa Air and Army National Guard members are on duty at eight
Iowa airports. Other guardsmen are performing security missions at National Guard
facilities statewide, and guardsmen are providing security at the state hygienic
laboratory.
© 2002 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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