Photos

	I joined Governor Chet Culver and others at the annual Veterans Day Observance at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Thank you to Jake Blitch, a Viet Nam Veteran and American Legion member from Oelwein, for inviting me to the event. Keynote speaker Brigadier General Mark Zirkelbach, Deputy Adjutant General of the Iowa Army National Guard, spoke of the many selfless Iowans who "believed in service before self, who sought to be part of something larger than their own narrow self interest." The Iowa Veteran's Home was started in 1887 as a home for Civil War Veterans. It is now home to more than 720 residents, who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War and the Afgan/Iraq fronts, as well as those who served our country in times of peace. It was exciting to see the plans for the Home's major remodeling efforts, which will provide a much more "home-like" environment for our American heroes. I would certainly encourage all Iowans to take a trip to Marshalltown to visit and tour this wonderful facility. Pictured, from left: Senator-elect Steve Sodders (State Center), Culver, I, Iowa Veteran's Home Commandant Daniel R. Steen, and Zirkelbach.
	I had a chance to talk with John Perkins, Consumer Advocate for the State of Iowa (left), at the Iowa Statehouse on November 13. Perkins testified before the Energy Efficiency Plans and Programs Study Committee, on which I serve. The committee is reviewing the energy efficiency efforts by Iowa’s three investor-owned utilities. Perkins said that progress so far is good but much more needs to be done to reduce energy costs and make Iowa more energy independent. Learn more at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Current/Interim/.
	Congratulations to the Waverly-Shell Rock School District, which recently received a $6,000 flood relief grant from the Iowa Arts Council to replace items lost in this summer's flooding. With this new money, K-6 music teacher Aaron Hansen was able to order new instruments and teaching materials to get the music program back on its feet and give our children the education they know and deserve.
	Grainger Industrial Supply and the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa recently started a $50,000 fund to help small businesses in Parkersburg and the surrounding area rebound after this summer's tornadoes. Pictured, from left: I, Grainger representatives Tim Cuvelier and Brian Bannon, Carolynn Sween of the Community Foundation, Director of Parkersburg Economic Development Virgil Goodrich and Parkersburg Mayor Robert Haylock.
	On October 15, Rep. Andrew Wenthe of Hawkeye and I visited Signode Engineered Products in West Union. We took a tour of the plant and had a great time talking with the employees. Pictured, from left: Plant Manager Larry Huinker, Wenthe and I.
	Jan and I attended a Fayette County event in Oelwein on October 6. Pictured, from left: special guest U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, State Rep. Andrew Wenthe of Hawkeye, I, and State Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington.
	I recently made a home health visit with Waverly Health Center’s Home & Community Health workers. It is so valuable to see first-hand the quality care our local citizens receive so that they can manage their health and avoidable hospitalization. Pictured, from left: nurse Kathy Magnall, home health patient Ken Johnson of Waverly, and I.
	Congratulations to West Union, which was named an Iowa Great Place in Statehouse ceremony on September 29. The Great Places program brings together state resources to help communities, regions, neighborhoods and or districts cultivate their unique and authentic qualities. The process of becoming a Great Place is intense, and West Union should truly be commended for proving to the whole state that they offer engaging experiences; rich, diverse populations and cultures; a vital, creative economy; clean and accessible natural and built environments; well-designed infrastructure; and a shared attitude of optimism that welcomes new ideas. Learn more at www.iowagreatplaces.gov.
	After another summer of community celebrations, the parade season is coming to an end. I have one more community parade in Greene and then the Wartburg College Homecoming Parade. It is always great to see the people-- especially the little kids-- enjoying the fun of a parade. I passed out free Iowa roadmaps along the parade routes-- more than 3,000 maps this summer.
	Speaking with a constituent during Waverly's Heritage Days parade in July.
	I've had lots of great help passing out 2008 State of Iowa transportation maps at this summer's parades and community celebrations.
	Greeting parade-goers at the Tripoli Fun Days parade on Aug. 2.
	2008 Fayette County Fair
	With the Sumner Municiple Utilities Manager Alan Junkers and the Municiple Utilities' Trustees, Peggy Becker, Les Teeling, President Rich Rath. I attended their July board meeting to discuss issues and ideas for energy management. It was a very informative session and a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of the issues a municipal utility like Sumner's faces on a daily basis.