SR 116 (LSB 6069SV (2) 86)

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 116

BY  COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION

A Resolution honoring Senator Dick L. Dearden for his years of service in the Senate.

   WHEREAS, Dick Dearden was born and raised, and resides with his wife Sharon in Des Moines; and
   WHEREAS, Dick Dearden was first elected to the Senate in 1994 and has served in the Senate for over two decades representing the northeast part of Des Moines and Pleasant Hill; and
   WHEREAS, over these many years, Senator Dearden served on a variety of legislative committees, including the Natural Resources and Environment (Chair), Business and Labor (Chair), Ethics (Vice chair), Labor and Business Relations (Vice chair), Rules and Administration, Human Resources, Local Government, Appropriations, State Government, and Transportation standing committees, and the Agriculture and Natural Resources (Vice chair), Health and Human Rights, and Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals appropriations subcommittees; and
   WHEREAS, Senator Dearden has long been a champion for the working people and families of Iowa and has been a leader in efforts to rebuild the middle class in this state as the co-sponsor of a bill to raise the minimum wage; and
   WHEREAS, Senator Dearden is an avid hunter and fisher and is a member of the Izaak Walton League, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Wild Turkey Federation; and
   WHEREAS, Senator Dearden has been a strong and consistent advocate for the development and preservation of the natural resources of the state of Iowa for over 20 years; and
   WHEREAS, Senator Dearden has worked with diverse stakeholders to establish a vision of the future for natural resources and outdoor recreation in this state; and
   WHEREAS, in retirement Senator Dearden will have more time to enjoy hunting on properties with improved public access and fishing in high-quality streams across the state, many of which he has been instrumental in developing and preserving; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate honors and thanks Senator Dick L. Dearden for his decades of service in the Senate, and wishes him and his family all the best in the years to come.