Senate Resolution 110 - Introduced SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 110 BY COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION A Resolution honoring Senator Joe Bolkcom for his 1 service in the Iowa Senate. 2 WHEREAS, Senator Joseph L. Bolkcom was born in 3 Bloomington, Minnesota, engendering in him a lifelong 4 allegiance to the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and grew 5 up in Moline, Illinois, part of a large Irish-Catholic 6 family nurtured by his parents, Lloyd and Nancy, who 7 instilled in their nine children a love for reading and 8 learning, the virtues of hard work and perseverance, an 9 appreciation for one’s own good fortune and the plight 10 of those less fortunate, the importance of social 11 justice and activism, a passion for politics rooted in 12 compassion, and a love of their Irish heritage; and 13 WHEREAS, Senator Bolkcom received his A.A. degree in 14 political science from Black Hawk College, a B.A. in 15 sociology from St. Ambrose University, and an M.A. in 16 public affairs from the University of Iowa, and helped 17 found and direct two senior advocacy organizations, 18 worked for the Johnson County Health Department, and 19 served on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors; and 20 WHEREAS, Senator Bolkcom was first elected to 21 the Iowa Senate in 1998, and during his six terms 22 has continued the proud tradition of progressive 23 public servants from Johnson County, serving on 24 numerous boards and committees; as a member of the 25 Appropriations, Commerce, Environment and Energy 26 Independence, Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor 27 and Business Relations, Natural Resources, Natural 28 -1- LSB 6255SV (8) 89 pf/rn 1/ 3

S.R. 110 Resources and Environment, Rules and Administration, 1 State Government, and Ways and Means standing 2 committees and the Health and Human Services 3 Appropriations Subcommittee; as Ranking Member of the 4 Appropriations, Ethics, Local Government, and Ways and 5 Means standing committees and the Health and Human 6 Rights Appropriations Subcommittee; as Vice Chairperson 7 of the Health and Human Services Appropriations 8 Subcommittee; as Chairperson of the Ways and Means 9 standing committee; and as Assistant Majority Leader, 10 Assistant Democratic Leader, and Majority Whip; and 11 WHEREAS, Senator Bolkcom’s accomplishments include 12 helping to expand Iowa’s earned income tax credit; 13 increase the price of tobacco products and end smoking 14 in public places and workplaces; deter car title loan 15 sharks; extend overdue civil rights protections to 16 LGBTQ Iowans; strengthen voting rights; bring health 17 care and mental health services to Iowa families; 18 address environmental challenges; create solar tax 19 credit incentives; and establish and expand the 20 Iowa medical cannabis program as well as work to 21 decriminalize recreational marijuana; and 22 WHEREAS, Senator Bolkcom has also addressed these 23 fundamental issues as the Outreach and Community 24 Education Director for the University of Iowa Center 25 for Global and Regional Environmental Research and 26 the Iowa Flood Center and through his involvement in 27 organizations such as the Iowa Civil Liberties Union; 28 the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club; the American 29 Federation of Teachers, Local 716; the Iowa Bicycle 30 -2- LSB 6255SV (8) 89 pf/rn 2/ 3

S.R. 110 Coalition; and the Progressive States Network; and 1 WHEREAS, while Senator Bolkcom describes himself as 2 a vegetarian, runner, cyclist, gardener, cook, vintage 3 tie collector, and pro-science and his legislative 4 philosophy as doing extensive research and listening 5 to all sides, the signature debating style of this 6 relentless champion for the environment, human and 7 civil rights, public education, those living in 8 poverty, Iowa’s working families, and those who have no 9 voice, may best be described, by those on the receiving 10 end, as resembling a finishing move, a concept familiar 11 to this pro wrestling aficionado from the time he 12 shuttled World Wide Wrestling Federation superstar 13 Andre “The Giant” Roussimoff around in his father’s 14 Cadillac; and 15 WHEREAS, while Senator Bolkcom has expressed 16 heartfelt gratitude for the trust, guidance, and strong 17 support he has received from the people of Iowa City 18 and Johnson County and has called his legislative seat 19 one of the best political jobs in the country, his 20 colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, acknowledge 21 that as he retires from the Senate, Senator Bolkcom 22 leaves big shoes to fill and that his experience, hard 23 work, and commitment to the people of Iowa will be 24 missed beyond measure; NOW THEREFORE, 25 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate honors 26 Senator Joe Bolkcom for his years of service in the 27 Iowa Senate, and wishes him, his spouse Kris Bell, and 28 their family more quality time on the trails and all 29 the best in the years to come. 30 -3- LSB 6255SV (8) 89 pf/rn 3/ 3