State Senator Daryl Beall

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I always enjoy reading to youngsters to help inspire them to read more. On May 5, I was invited to Cooper Elementary School in Fort Dodge to read to four age groups. My two older children attended Cooper.
Three constituents were honored recently for being among the 100 Great Iowa Nurses 2008. Besides the recognition, I presented each with an official certificate from the Iowa Senate.  Among them was Donna Sutton, a nurse at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.
Also honored as one of the 100 Great Iowa Nurses was Nadine Schlienz, nurse at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge. The nurses were recognized for “Courage, Competence and Commitment.”
Former Fort Dodger Mary Tarbox was honored as one of the top 100 nurses. She teaches nursing at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids.
Pictured here is Mary Kitterman, school nurse at Phillips Middle School in Fort Dodge. It was exciting for the top 100 nurses, their nominators, their families, and in this case, their state senator! Congratulations to all the winners.
Among those participating in the rededication ceremony for the maintenance building at the Army National Guard facility in Fort Dodge were Brigadier General Steve Bogle, director of the joint staff at Camp Dodge, and I. In his “other” job, Steve is the director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
After the bill-signing of three veterans bills at the 133rd Air National Guard Test Squadron in Fort Dodge on May 5, Commander Robin Hausch presented Governor Culver with a 133rd medallion and cap as Adjutant General Ron Dardis looked on.
I am starting in the service club speaking circuit after a production legislative session. I enjoy meeting with service clubs, in this case my own, the Kiwanis Club of Fort Dodge. Pictured are Dean McGrew and Gary Astor.
Congratulations to the Twin Lakes Council of Boy Scouts on their successful fundraising that netted $39,000. Pictured are Clark Root, council officer, and Cari Feldmann, executive director.
A tradition at the Iowa Senate is the pages decorating boxes for senators to pack away papers and letters to take home. Here, Senate page Zakary Steib from Fort Dodge, helps his senator pack.
I sponsored and floor-managed a Senate resolution honoring the Code Talkers from all tribes, including Iowa’s Meskwaki tribe. Code Talkers were valiant soldiers during both World Wars I and II. Among those on hand for the tribute were (front row) I, Diana and Rob Roberts from Montour, and Bill Kendall from Jefferson. In back row are Patrick Palmersheim, director of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, Colonel Russ Bierl from the Gold Star Museum, and Don Roepke, publisher of the Iowa Vets Magazine.
Two real gentlemen and public servants retired from the Iowa Senate, and I will really miss them. Mike Connolly has served in the Legislature for 30 years, first in the House and then in the Senate. Mike has represented Dubuque. Dave Mulder is retiring after serving one term in the Senate. Dave is from Sioux Center. The three of us are all retired school teachers and have served together on the Education Committee. Mike is a Democrat and Dave is a Republican, and we’ve worked together in a bipartisan fashion for the kids of Iowa. Thank you Mike and Dave for your leadership, vision, sense of humor and service.
On Wednesday I introduced His Excellency, the Right Honorable Gabriel Suswam, executive governor of the Nigerian state of Benue, to my senate colleagues. He was visiting Iowa through the auspices of the Iowa Resource for International Service, the agency that sent me to Nigeria three years ago. I also welcomed the Honorable Tsegba Ternga, a member of the Federal House of Representatives in Abuja, the national capital. He is also from the state of Benue. As chair of the joint house-senate International Relations Committee, I presented both gentlemen with Iowa state flags flown over the Capitol and gave them senate certificates naming them Distinguished Guests of the People of Iowa.
I met Elizabeth Anche in Kaduna, Nigeria, nearly three years ago when she interviewed me on her radio station. At the farewell party for the five Nigerian Women Leaders Elizabeth was wearing a beautiful handmade dress. She said she had a gift for me. Voila! She gave me a beautiful matching dashiki. I'll wear it with pride. During their five-week stay in Iowa, the women shadowed American professional counterparts. Elizabeth worked with Jeanine Beck, Iowa Public Radio Statehouse news correspondent, and Ames365, an on-line service.
Seldom can I wear the clothing I obtained in Nigeria, so special events like the women's farewell celebration permit me to wear my hula (hat) and kaftan (robe), pictured here with Hauwa'u Evelyn Yusuf, a sociology and human services lecturer at Kaduna State University. She serves as the gender focal person and teaches issues on educating the girl child. She interned with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board and the United Way of Story County.
Senator Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames) and I presented a Senate Certificate of Recognition to Lisa Koll from Fort Dodge, a senior at Iowa State University. The Senate recognized Lisa for multiple championships and national awards for her track performance and noted that she will graduate summa cum laude in biology. She will enter the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine this fall. Pictured at the Statehouse, from left: I, Leta Koll of Fort Dodge (Lisa's mom), ISU student Lisa Koll, Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D-Ames), who sponsored a House resolution honoring Lisa Koll, Vera Cerwick of Fort Dodge (Lisa's grandma), Jim Koll of Fort Dodge (Lisa's dad), and Senator Quirmbach.
On Tuesday, Governor Chet Culver signed Senate File 2420, which will help make up a $200-million-a-year shortfall in Iowa’s transportation budget. Estimates show that the legislation will generate about $125 million by 2012, in part by changing the way pickup fees are assessed. This is a first step to developing a stable, fair and long-term way of maintaining the safe roads and bridges that support Iowa’s growing economy. Representative David Tjepkes (R-Gowrie) and I stood directly behind the governor during the bill-signing. The governor thanked the legislators for "walking arm-in-arm" to pass the bipartisan bill. Dave and I have worked across party lines and across the houses in the Capitol for the past six years to improve highway funding in Iowa.

Pictured behind Governor Chet Culver are Senator Tom Rielly (D-Oskaloosa; Senate Transpiration Committee Chair), Representative Geri Huser (D-Altoona; House Transportation Committee Chair), I, Dave, House Transportation Committee Ranking Member, and Senator Jack Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg; President of the Senate).
I hosted Pastor Ben Ramirez of the First Christian Church of Coon Rapids in the Senate Chamber. Pastor Ramirez served as Chaplain of the Day on Tuesday, giving the morning prayer in the Legislature. Ben formerly worshipped at First Christian Church in Jefferson. His wife, Laura Lee Ramirez, works with the State Historical Society of Iowa on their Battle Flags project.
On April 18, Amtrak announced a preliminary study of passenger rail service from Chicago to Iowa City and ultimately to Des Moines. I was part of the program as a commissioner for the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission. Pictured are Jim Larew, chief counsel for Governor Chet Culver and fellow commissioner on the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, Iowa Department of Transportation Director Nancy Richardson, I, Ray Lang, senior director of government affairs for Amtrak, and Tamara Nicholson, rail policy coordinator for the Iowa DOT.
Every year I am invited to make a presentation to the Iowa School Boards Association Leadership Academy. I believe I am asked because I am one of a few legislators who are also former school board members. I served two terms on the Fort Dodge school board in the 1980s. This year I was the only legislator to participate. Leadership Academy participants learn how to be more effective board members and practice better boardsmanship skills. I spoke for nearly two hours on how board members can lobby and communicate with their legislators.

Among the Leadership Academy students was Melissa Kiliper-Ernst, the Cedar Rapids school board president. She has some Fort Dodge ties. Jerry Kiliper is her uncle; Harry Kiliper is her father. Melissa is an impressive board member, obviously committed to quality education and kids.

Longtime friend and neighbor Jim Schreier and Larry Clement brought their simulation racecar to the Capitol Tuesday. It is sponsored by Stine Seeds. Pictured are Jim, I, and David Thompson. Jim and David work for Stine Seeds.
On April 15, Governor Chet Culver signed Iowa's Smoke-free Air Act into law. This statewide ban on smoking in public places will reduce exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, which kills more than 400 Iowans annually and makes thousands ill. The initiative should also reduce the $300 million in taxpayer money that goes to treat smoking-related illnesses each year. The ban will apply to most workplaces, public places and certain outdoor areas.  The Governor gave me a pen he used to sign the bill into law. I gave that pen to friend Judy Gonzales, tobacco prevention counselor with Community and Family Resources in Fort Dodge, who was on hand for the ceremonial bill-signing. Judy had convinced me several years ago to back the smoking ban during a meeting we had with then-Governor Tom Vilsack. She said she was "persuasive." I said she "shamed" me into supporting her point of view!
I met with constituents from the East Greene School District when they visited the Statehouse on Tuesday. They were at the Capitol to talk with legislators about the Model Core Curriculum, one-cent statewide sales tax for school infrastructure, collective bargaining for public employees, and funding for Iowa’s roads and bridges. From left: Mike Harter, superintendent of East Greene School District, I, and Ron McNeill, retired principal at East Greene.
On Monday, the Iowa Senate honored the talented young men and women who make up the 2007-2008 Drake University men's and women's basketball teams. Congratulations to the athletes and coaches, Keno Davis and Amy Stephens, on an incredible season. Their efforts have elevated the Bulldogs to rank among the best teams in the nation. During the event in the Senate Chamber, I had the chance to talk with Coach Stephens and Drake President, Dr. David Maxwell. I earned my master's degree from Drake. GO BULLDOGS!

Thursday morning saw 65 7th-graders from Prairie Valley School visit the Capitol and Blank Park Zoo. I wonder sometimes think the Capitol is a zoo! I spoke with the students about the legislative process and invited the three pages from my senate district to share their experiences. We encouraged the students to consider being pages when they're high school juniors and seniors. The students were accompanied by their teachers, Bruce Strutzenburg, Allan Nicewanger and Christy Kehoe.
Among several constituents visiting their Capitol and me on "Advocating Change Day" were some from Opportunity Living in Lake City. Hundreds of Iowans with disabilities and the folks who help them came to the Capitol to be heard. Pictured here are Heather Miller, Kelly Schierholz, Tricia Nieland and Gene McVay. Heather and Tricia have between them nearly 40 years working at Opportunity Living. God bless 'em for all they do -- and are!  Senate President Jack Kibbie loaned me the Special Olympics medals from the national event held in Iowa a few years ago. Some of the individuals had participated in the Special Olympics.
I met with several consumers and employees of Iowa Central Industries on Wednesday for "Advocating Change Day" at the Capitol. Several voiced their opinions about the smoking ban and other issues. Pictured with some consumers are Keshia Meissner and Erica Sappingfield, support staff for the home and community-based service program.
I met with all of the Iowa Central Industries clients and pinned each with an Iowa senator's pin and "inducted" them as "honorary Iowa senators." I enjoyed hosting my special constituents at their Capitol.
 
 
 
Lt. Governor Patty Judge spoke at the "Advocate Change Day" activities and presented Patrick O'Brien with the Action Citizen of the Year award for his advocacy and demonstrated support for fellow Iowans with disabilities. Patrick spoke and really inspired me and others in the audience.
We had our annual pages' picnic Tuesday night at Diamond Jack's on the state fairgrounds. I have the distinction of having three pages from my senate district this year. Pictured are Cole Unger, Jefferson, Zakary Steib, Fort Dodge, and Raeann Batz, Lytton.
Iowa State University is celebrating its 150th birthday. President Lincoln signed legislation creating Land Grant Colleges. Legislators were invited to sign a facsimile of that bill. On hand for my "bill-signing" was Carole Custer, director of marking for ISU, and a constituent from Jefferson.
Every now and then I have the opportunity to host the Chaplain of the Day at the Legislature. On Wednesday, The Rev. Les Borsay, pastor at Central Church of Christ in Jefferson, lead the Senate and House in prayer. Pictured in the Senate chamber are Karen Borsay, Pastor Borsay and I.
 
"One Iowa Day" was created and proclaimed by Governor Chet Culver and celebrated at the Capitol on Tuesday. The purpose of "One Iowa Day" is to encourage the political and civic advocacy of women and ethnic minorities in Iowa. I was honored to be invited to speak to the assembled group. Pictured are Dinh Van Lo of Thai Village, Lu Spaine of Zumi, a global gift store in Des Moines, Courtney Greene, the governor's press secretary, Teama McGregor from the Correctional Institute for Women in Mitchellville, Robin Bagbey, treatment director at the Mitchellville facility, Floyd Bumpers, Rosalind Scott, Department of Corrections, and Marc Reed. I hope "One Iowa Day" becomes an annual event, but that the focus is practiced and observed daily.
Last weekend I participated in a meeting of the Education Commission of the States. I am a commissioner and member of the national steering committee. We met in Madison, Wisconsin. ECS is a nationwide, nonpartisan interstate compact devoted to education policy research and analysis, promoting networks and partnerships, and providing states with educational technical assistance. Commissioners are composed of governors, legislators, chief state school officers, higher education officials, business leaders and others. The purpose is to improve education across the 50 states and U. S. territories.
 
Pictured here are fellow commissioners Thomas Horgan, President and CEO of the New Hampshire College and University Council, and Dr. Daphne Kenyon, member of the New Hampshire Board of Education. We have something else in common besides serving on the Education Commission of the States. We were all born and raised in Iowa. Tom grew up in Sioux City and is a Morningside University graduate. Daphne grew up in Grinnell where her father was the city manager.
 
Another ECS commissioner is also a former Iowan. Dr. Robert Tad Perry is the executive director of the South Dakota Board of Regents. He was born in Iowa City.
Dr. LaVerne Terry is the Education Commissioner for the U. S. Virgin Islands. She is currently going through the confirmation process by the territorial senate.
Derrick James is the senior governmental affairs officer for Amtrak in Chicago. He visited the Iowa Capitol to discuss possible passenger rail service in Iowa with Governor Culver and some Transportation Committee legislators. This is an issue that has captured my enthusiastic support and interest. I serve as a commissioner and finance officer on the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission.
Christina Butts is my friend and "honorary" constituent from Des Moines. She served as an intern on my caucus staff a few years ago and we've worked together on various human rights issues. Chris will graduate with Master of Public Administration degree from Drake University in May -- 29 years after I did the same thing. Way to go, Chris!

Cole Unger, a senior at Jefferson-Scranton High School, is a page in the Iowa Senate this session. On Monday, I was pleased to welcome the Ungers to the Capitol. Cole is a real asset to the Senate. He visited the Capitol with the United Methodist youth group as an eighth-grader and expressed interest in becoming a page then. He's done a great job for all of us in the Senate. Here I am with Cole and his parents, Jim and Collette Unger. I encourage other high school students to consider serving as Senate pages during their junior or senior year. To learn more, go to the Legislature's Web site, www.legis.state.ia.us/Educational.html, and click on "2008 Legislative Page Application Package."
Sen. Daryl Beall of Fort Dodge met with Lee Henely of Lake City at the Statehouse on April 2.  Lee was one of 21 Iowa high school students in Des Moines for Capitol Project '08.  The program brings high school students to Des Moines to learn about state government and the legislative process. 
I met with a group of students at the Statehouse on Wednesday. They were among 21 Iowa high school students who were here for the governor's Capitol Project.  Pictured from left: Bree Morrow of South Tama, Sen. Beall, Lee Henely of Lake City, Tim Brees of West Burlington, and Austin Bird of Davenport.

On Wednesday several nursing home representatives visited me in the Senate chamber. Pictured are Dennis Coleman, administrator of the Careage Health Center in Fort Dodge, Nancy Farley, administrator of the Regency Park Nursing and Rehab of Jefferson, I, Belinda Boell, director of nursing at the Shady Oaks Care Center in Lake City, Carrie Fiferlick and Karie Kesterson from the Careage facility, and Shannon Minshall, administrator of the Shady Oaks facility. We discussed legislation in the Human Services Committee and policies of the Iowa Department of of Inspections and Appeals.

As chair of the International Relations Committee, I often find myself hosting international visitors, as was the case Tuesday and Wednesday when I welcomed a delegation of 29 Chinese trade officials. Pictured are Mike Tramontina, director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, I, and Dr. Zhang Wei who led the delegation.
On April 1, the Senate passed a resolution honoring Iowa's 9 Olympic athletes, who will head to Beijing this summer as principal competitors or as alternates in skeet shooting, wrestling, basketball, gymnastics and track & field. Sen. Daryl Beall of Fort Dodge congratulated Sara McMann of Iowa City, wrestling, Haley Dunn of Eddyville, skeet shooting, Joey Woody of Iowa City, track and field, Joe Williams of Iowa City, wrestling and Tolly Thompson of Janesville, wrestling.

I was honored recently to recognize two outstanding cadets, whose exemplary leadership skills and character traits are a tribute to the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program and serve as an example for teenagers across our state. Civil Air Patrol’s Cadet Programs are for young people from sixth grade through age 20. The program encompasses 16 achievement levels that include study in four areas: aerospace education, physical training, leadership, and moral and ethical values. Upon completion of each achievement, the cadet earns increased cadet rank, decorations, awards, eligibility for national and international special activities, and an opportunity for flight and academic scholarships. 

 

Cadet Second Lieutenant Zach Olmscheid received the General Billy Mitchell Award, named for the aviation pioneer, advocate, and staunch supporter of an independent Air Force for America. Olmscheid plans on attending the U.S. Air Force Academy after graduating high school. 

Cadet Captain Jared Brewer received the Amelia Earhart Award, named for the late aviatrix, advocate, and pioneer,. Brewer is a member of Teenpact, an organization that focuses on leadership in civics and government campaigns For more information, go to www.cap.gov/cadets.
 
As chair of the International Relations Committee, I often find myself hosting international visitors, as was the case Tuesday and Wednesday when I welcomed a delegation of 29 Chinese trade officials. Pictured are Mike Tramontina, director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, I, and Dr. Zhang Wei who led the delegation.
Richard Merrill from Fort Dodge visited HIS Capitol on Wednesday, regarding various Farm Bureau issues, including the odor study, TIME-21 transpiration bill and a state-wide sales tax for school infrastructure.

Elizabeth Anche is one five Nigerian Women in Leadership delegates to visit Iowa for four weeks. Sponsored by the Ames-based Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS), the delegates are partnering with their professional counterparts in Iowa. I met Elizabeth at the Kaduna State Radio in the Kaduna State of Nigeria. She interviewed me and my fellow legislators. It's so good to reciprocate the hospitality I received in Nigeria.

With Elizabeth were other Nigerian women leaders.  The delegation represents different regions and religions withing the country.  Pictured are Nafisat Lawal Musa, Elizabeth Anche, I, Mmaasuur Audu, Hauwa'u Evelyn Yusuf, and Saudat Abdullahi Maikano
On Tuesday, Sen. Nancy Boettger, my co-chair on the Legislature's International Relations Committee, and I welcomed Iowa's nine Olympic athletes to the Statehouse, where they were recognized for the athletic achievement that earned them a ticket to Beijing as principal competitors or as alternates.  The athletes, from left, are Sara McMann, Joey Woody, Shawn Johnson, Haley Dunn, and Tolly Thompson.
Much to my surprise and delight on Tuesday, I spotted an old friend and colleague at a reception for Iowa Olympic athletes. Mary Sherer and I taught together at Urbandale High School several years ago. I got to know her daughter, Marlys Vinton, and her granddaughter, when we lived in Indianola. Kim and my son Scott were good friends. Marlys, her husband David, and mother Mary were on hand to honor Kim's husband, Joe Williams, a former University of Iowa wrestler who is likely to represent the United States at the Beijing Olympics this summer. Pictured are David, Mary, Joe, I, and Marlys.
On Tuesday, Gov. Chet Culver signed Senate File 2347 into law, providing $4.6 million to create a statewide system of optical scan voting machines before the November elections.  This new law will give Iowans a verified paper record of the ballot they cast and will guarantee that voters with disabilities have the same opportunity to use a protected voting system.
Senator Mike Connolly will retire from the Iowa Senate after serving in the legislature for 30 years. Also retiring is his wife Martha, his law clerk. Both Mike and Martha are former teachers. They will be greatly missed in the Senate. They've been my mentors and friends since my arrival. At his farewell party, I described Mike as the "Conscience of the Caucus and Defender of Democracy."
I welcomed Judge Alexandr Sharkov from Iowa's sister state, the Stavropol Region, and six other Russian judges, to the Capitol on Thursday. The visit was sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center, a major citizen-diplomacy program, and the Library of Congress. The Iowa Council for International Understanding helped make local arrangements along with federal district court Judge Pratt.
Ji-soo Lee is an intern working with Democratic senators this session. She is a student at the University of Iowa from South Korea. She's majoring in political science with an emphasis on developing countries and a minor in international studies. Ji-soo says Korea benefitted from international aid and she wants to help other third-world countries to develop. Welcome to the senate, Ji-soo Lee!
The Rev. James Meadows from First Congressional Church/United Church of Christ in Fort Dodge was the Chaplain of the Day in the Senate and House on Thursday. I presented him with a Senate certificate of appreciation for his services.
Seven 4-H members and two leaders from the C/C (City and Country) Sidekicks 4-H Club of Webster County visited Des Moines on Wednesday. I joined them for an early morning breakfast at the State Historical Museum and then welcomed them to their Capitol. They are a delightful group of young people and they had some great questions. They observed the legislative process and got a bird's eye view, including watching a subcommittee at work, attending the Veterans Affairs Committee meeting that I chaired, and participating in a bill-signing ceremony with Governor Chet Culver, who presented each 4-Her with a pen used to sign the bill into law. Pictured left to right are (front row) Charlie Shelton; (second row) Heather Ladlie, Mica Redenius, Jacob Ladlie, Mitch Shelton, Aaron Poldrvaart and leader Deb Shelton; (back row), leader Sara Ladlie, I and Jacob Shelton.
The Veterans for Freedom bus stopped at the State Capitol on Wednesday during a nationwide tour. It featured heroes of the Iraq/Afghanistan war, including Marine Warrant Officer 2 Thomas Parks III from Kansas City. He earned a Silver Star for his heroic action and is featured in Chapter 11 of the book, "Heroes Among Us," edited by my former colleague, Senator and Major Chuck Larson, who is now Ambassador Larson. Vietnam veteran, VFW officer, friend, constituent Bill Kendall from Jefferson also participated in the event. Pictured are Bill, Tom and I.
On Wednesday, Governor Chet Culver signed what will be the biggest tax break of the 2008 session. House File 2417, which passed the Legislature earlier this session, will save Iowa taxpayers $67.5 million dollars by exempting state taxes on the federal tax rebates that are part of the economic stimulus plan approved by Congress. Here, the governor is presenting me with a pen used to sign the bill into law.
Terry Boettcher of Indianola and his wife, Connie, visited the Iowa Senate Wedesday to witness the approval of legislation that expands Iowa's Gold Star license plate bill to include veterans who “died as a result of injuries sustained,” as well as those killed in action. Boettcher’s father died as the result of injuries he suffered during World War II. While at the Statehouse, Terry talked with me and the bill’s other cosponsor, Staci Appel (D-Ackworth).
Friends from the Calhoun County Rural Electric Cooperative visited me at the Statehouse on Tuesday. They shared a recent membership attitude survey that indicated 83 percent of the respondents support the Sutherland power plant project. One-third said that global warming is a serious concern and over half have taken actions to reduce home electric use. 90 percent said ethanol and biodiesel are important to the economy of rural Iowa. Pictured are Lori Jurries, I, CEO Roxanne Carish, and Bill Courter, board chair and member of the Cornbelt Power board.
Kathy Taylor, vice president for corporate relations for Corn Belt Power Cooperative in Humboldt, shared Corn Belt's commitments to energy efficiency, renewable energy including wind power, and highly efficient coal plants. I appreciate all that Iowa's RECs contribute to Iowa's economy and well-being.
Friends and Families of Woodward visited the Capitol on Tuesday. Among them were "Amazing" Grace Amemiya from Ames and Shirlee Trent, my neighbor and friend from Fort Dodge. I met Grace last fall when we were both honored by the Iowa Asian Alliance at the CelebrAsian awards ceremony when she was recognized as Volunteer of the Year and I as the Asian Ambassador. Both have family members at the Woodward state facility.
Former student Debra Ciskey visited the Capitol, the first time in 23 years. Debra was a government intern at Urbandale High School. I created and directed the program. In 1975 Debra and nine of her classmates worked in the Capitol, two for senators, seven for representatives and one for Governor Robert Ray. We ran into an old friend, Jerry Fitzgerald from Fort Dodge. Jerry was the majority leader in the house of representatives at the time and supervised one of my interns. He is now a multi-client lobbyist. Debra lives in Normal, Illinois with her husband Mark, also a UHS graduate. We had a great time discussing the legislative process and political personalities of the 1980s.
Four mental heath advocates visited me at the Capitol on Tuesday and we discussed funding, organization, the psychiatrist shortage on other mental health issues. Pictured are Dawn Villhauer-Murley, Central Point of Coordination (CPC) director for Calhoun and Sac counties, Jim Burr, director of the Berryhill Mental Health Center in Fort Dodge, Dr. Lee Berryhill, Fort Dodge psychiatrist for whom the center is named, and Irene Blair, CPC director for Webster County.
Representative Deborah Berry (D-Waterloo) and I were among members of the legislature's International Relations Committee to welcome five Nigerian "Women in Leadership" program to the Capitol. They're in Iowa for two weeks learning about American institutions, business, government, human services, media and other topics. I had met one of the women when I visited that African country in 2005. Deb and I had the opportunity to wear garments we had purchased in Nigeria at a breakfast with Lt. Governor Patty Judge.
Michelle Hull, director of the Greene County RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) and Jeanine Nemitz, RSVP director in Fort Dodge, were my guests on Tuesday. RSVP volunteers provided over $12 million worth of services to Iowans of all ages in 2007, 60 times the state investment of $200,198. The actual cost to the State of Iowa for each hour of service provided by RSVP volunteers was less than 25 cents. What a bargain!
A friend from my South Dakota past surprised me at the Statehouse on Monday. Greg Christy and I served on the president's cabinet at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, in the 90s. He directed alumni and advanced giving and I directed university relations. Greg was named president of Northwestern College in Orange City and was the guest of my friend, Senator David Mulder (R-Sioux Center). The senate recognized Northwestern College's 150th anniversary with Senate Resolution 111. Greg also served as the chaplain of the day. Greg is a perfect match for Northwestern College.
Caitlin Copper-Leehey, a 2007 senate page from Coralville, visited the Capitol last week and talked with Senator Stacy Appel (D-Ackworth) and me. Caitlin is majoring in political science and pre-law at the University of Iowa. She has several relatives in the Fort Dodge area, including Grandpa and Grandma Copper.

Bill Horan (top right), a farmer from Calhoun County, visited me last week on behalf of the biodiesel industry. On the same mission was Bill Raney from Greene County.  We talked about the future of biofuels in Iowa.  I am a strong supporter of Iowa’s “bio” industries: they increase our energy independence, strengthen our economies, and help protect our environment.