House Journal: Page 1909: Thursday, May 1, 2003
This legislative session we addressed those issues which we hope, and I know, if
adopted later on, will help turn this state around. There is a lot of people to thank
about the accomplishments this session. About the property tax, about the income tax,
about the values fund and about regulatory reform, which I know, and many of you do
as well, is going to be the difference in changing this state to make sure that we are a
growth friendly state so our young people can be citizens of Iowa the remainder of their
lives. I think we have accomplished that. Unfortunately, tonight's sine die, tonight's
going away isn't going to be that long, and we don't know how the rest of this story is
going to end. But what I do know, is that I have a deep appreciation for everybody here
and the part that you played in doing what I know needed to be done. The House did
its work. At 109 days, we didn't leave early, we finished our work and I am proud of
everybody here for that.
There are a number of people to thank, and it is everybody in this room, from the
Pages to the staff, to the people in the well. Especially to my caucus staff, who does an
excellent job and to the Democratic caucus staff who do such a great job serving your
staff and your members of the House. I truly appreciate the cooperation that you give
us and that our staff gives you. Jeff does a great job of selecting our caucus staff
members and having them work in a coordinated effort to help make us look good. In
my own office, I'm the luckiest guy that there is, because I had the wisdom to keep
somebody in my office that has been in this place for a long, long time and that is
Susan Severino. If I was able to accomplish anything this year it was because of the
cordiality of my secretary, Sarah and the knowledge and the know-all of Susan
Severino, who really runs this place. This is the last time that we are going to see the
name of Susan Severino mentioned in the House Journal because Susan Severino is
going to be back, but it won't be Susan Severino, because later on she is going to get
married, and she is going to be Susan Fenton. I am looking forward to that day and I
know Susan is as well. Susan I wish you and Scott well on your new marriage.
Minority Leader Myers, you do a great job. You do a great, great job and I think
that my job was made so much easier by how you made it easier. You could have been
tough on me. I have been here thirteen years, but at the same time, I didn't know all
the rules and the ropes. It's one thing being a legislator, it's quite another being the
majority leader, but you have made my job a lot easier and I thank you for that, I
appreciate it and I wish you well.
To my leadership team, Libby, Danny, Gene, Rod, Carmen and Ralph, it's the best
group that I have ever been associated with in my thirteen years here and I have
served in leadership for eleven of those years. Your a great group and your a great
part of the success of our caucus, the direction that we took and the accomplishments
we have made. Our caucus has been great. And all the new members, all you guys….
(Libby, you've got to do a better job of keeping these guys in line), they bring energy to
this place. And the House Democrat and Republican new members, you are great
people. You are great people and you do a great job and I appreciate all of your efforts.
And the veteran members, I look over there at Jim Hahn. Jim Hahn and I came to this
place together in 1990 in a group of eighteen, and we are the last one's remaining. I
appreciate Jim Hahn for sticking with me all these years in this place.
Now, I'm not leaving, I'm coming back, and a number of you probably wish I
wouldn't, but I'm coming back. I appreciate the help from my leadership team. That
leaves one other person left to thank. That is the Speaker of the House, Speaker
Christopher Rants. Mr. Speaker, you've grown comfortable with your position. You
© 2003 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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