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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.

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.

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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
On Tuesday, March 24, Timothy Orr was unanimously confirmed by the Iowa Senate as the new Adjutant General of the State of Iowa.
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.
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.

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.