I was honored to host Dean Charles Edwards, Professor Deb Bishop, Professor Tom Root, faculty and students from the Makerere University Business School, and students from Drake University College of Business at the Capitol today.  Highlights included a visit with Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds, introduction in the Iowa House Chamber, and a tour of the Capitol.

The Privilege and Honor to Serve

In January of 1998 I was encouraged by a group of Urbandale citizens to consider running for a soon to be vacated seat in the Iowa House of Representatives.  I was initially reluctant due to our young family (our children were 4 and 2 at the time) coupled with my role as the Executive Director of a new non-profit organization – Character Counts In Iowa (CCII).  However, both my wife, Martha, and the Chairman of the Board at CCII, former Governor Robert D. Ray, encouraged me to consider the opportunity.

It was with that encouragement, and the following support of my extended family, board of directors and administrative team at CCII, that a great group of friends came together to help our family launch our first successful campaign to serve the citizens of Iowa.

I remember at the time our pastor telling us that “You can decide if you want to run and how hard you want to work, but it will be the good Lord and the people who will decide if you have the opportunity to serve.”

I have been blessed with that opportunity to serve for fourteen years and 7 terms in the Iowa House of Representatives – and words are not adequate to describe the incredible honor and privilege it is to serve the citizens of Urbandale and Iowa as your representative.

With the same support I received in 1998 with my decision to run for office, my family, board, administrative team, and close friends are equally supportive of my recent decision to not seek re-election this year.

There is much work to be done for the remainder of my term both through the current legislative session, where I will continue to serve as the Appropriations Chair in the House, and serving constituent needs through the end of the year.

When 2013 dawns I will move from my current position as citizen legislator to the most important role in politics and public service – informed and active citizen.  My professional efforts and passions will continue to be focused on the opportunity to positively impact the lives of Iowans through our growing efforts at Character Counts In Iowa.

Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me over the years - I am forever grateful - and hope that my commitment to work hard and do my best to serve you well has been a good return on your investment of trust.

State of the State Address is a Call to Action

Governor Terry Branstad delivered his State of the State Address with the following call to action.  To read the Governor's remarks click here.

"These are not empty aspirations; rather, they are all part of a grand vision for restoring a healthy Iowa.

As the Lt. Governor and I traveled to all 99 counties last year, one thing was made absolutely clear to us--Iowa must strive to be the best.

Where in other parts of our nation uncertainty has become the new reality, it is imperative we make Iowa the center of stability and innovation.

As we work together towards these goals, we must all remember that Iowans are holding us accountable.

We have an obligation to exceed their expectations, and begin building on our foundation for growth. 

I believe our aspirations for a better tomorrow can and will ignite our capacity to innovate.

So, let‘s innovate today.

Let’s provide the permanent tools that our small businesses and hard-working taxpayers so critically need.

Let’s commit to new job and career opportunities for all Iowans.

Let’s give our children the best education in the world.

Let us,

·        Republicans and Democrats,
·        rural and urban,
·        all Iowans,

become a bright beacon of hope to the rest of the nation and show them how a motivated people,

·        working together,
·        with the best interests of our children in our hearts,
·        and a set of new tools in our hands,

can solve our common problems and bring to Iowa unprecedented economic expansion and unequalled educational opportunities.

This is our challenge.  This is our mission.  This is our obligation.

Thank you.  

God bless you and God Bless the great state of Iowa."