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Iowa’s nurses are an essential part of our health
care system. Experts say there are good reasons to be concerned
about a shortage of nurses in our rural communities.
On September 1, I visited the outstanding nursing program at
Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg to learn more about
what Iowa is doing to increase the number of nurses while
providing Iowans with good job opportunities. Along with Senator
Staci Appel of Ackworth, I talked with
nursing students and faculty about their desire to work in a
field where they really make a difference in the health of
Iowans.
At the state level, we are encouraging more Iowans to go into
nursing by improving and expanding student loan forgiveness
programs. You can learn more about state, federal and private
loan forgiveness programs for nurses at
www.iowacollegeaid.gov/commissioncentral/
loanforgiveness/nursing.html.
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Congratulations to Patrick Kelly of Monticello.
He was awarded a 2009 Governor's Lifesaving Award at the Iowa
State Fair for rescuing helping a neighbor rescue a neighbor
from her burning home.
The Governor's Lifesaving Award recognize Iowans who have
performed a courageous act in an attempt to save someone's life
or who have unselfishly assisted in an emergency situation.
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This spring I presented a Senate Certificate of
Recognition to Charles Barnes for 50 years of service as a
Volunteer Firefighter in Anamosa. Our local communities are very
fortunate to have such dedicated public servants. |
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On May 26, Senator Tom Hancock was on hand at the
Statehouse when Governor Chet Culver signed the final bills of
the 2009 legislative session. Among the items signed into law
was House File 671, which Hancock championed in the Senate. The
bill prevents volunteer fire and EMS
personnel from being fired from their jobs for responding to a
call in their role as a volunteer emergency responder. |
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Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg
(right) and Senator Tom Hancock of Epworth (left) congratulate
Ray and Patricia Hamilton of Maquoketa for donating 34 acres of
Jones County land during "Gift to Iowa's Future Day" at the
Statehouse April 6.
The Hamiltons, well-known prairie enthusiasts
and restorers of Iowa’s natural landscapes, bought this property
15 years ago to save it from development as a hog lot. The
family has meticulously cared for its prairie remnants, savanna
and woodlands to preserve their diversity. To protect this
pristine landscape beyond their lifetimes, the Hamiltons sold it
to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, donating a significant
portion of the land’s value. The Jones County Conservation Board
plans to acquire the area as public land. |
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I talked recently with former Iowa Governor Bob
Ray at the Iowa Statehouse. Ray was at the Capitol in support of
the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The organization is
celebrating its 30th anniversary as a member-supported,
nonprofit group. During that time, it has helped protect more
than 100,000 acres of Iowa's prairies, wetlands, woodlands,
greenways, trails and river corridors. |
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I met with Macki Ditch and Tessa Reynolds from
Anamosa High School when they were at the Statehouse this week
to participate in the annual Capitol Project. The Capitol
Project, co-hosted by Governor Culver and Secretary of State
Mauro, gives ninth- through twelfth-grade students the chance to
learn first-hand about their government over the course of a
week in Des Moines. |
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On Tuesday, March 24, Timothy Orr was unanimously confirmed by
the Iowa Senate as the new Adjutant General of the State of
Iowa. |
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Farm Bureau representatives from Jones and
Dubuque counties met with Senator Joe Seng, a veterinarian from
Davenport, and I in the Senate chamber on March 17. Farm Bureau
members were on hand for Agriculture Day on the Hill. |
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Wednesday was the Iowa Firemen's Association Day on the Hill. As
a former fire chief and past president of the Iowa Fireman’s
Association, I always look forward to meeting with the men and
women to come to the Capitol.
First picture: I met with the
Iowa Association of Professional Fire Chiefs in the Senate
chamber
Second picture: I also had the opportunity to meet with 2
fire fighters from Asbury, Tom Avenarius and Brad Kruse. |
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Members of the Dubuque
Community School District visited me in the Senate chamber on
March 4. Pictured from left: Larry Loeppke, Rick Colpitts, I,
Mike Brannon, T.J. Potts and Stan Rheingans. |
