Photos

	Governor Chet Culver and Senator Gene Fraise talk with the media during a tour of flooded areas on June 16.
	On April 25, the Senate passed a resolution honoring 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 Rob and Diana Roberts of Montour.
	Senator Gene Fraise of Fort Madison talks with Eryn Utterback about her Crouse Creek Quail business. She developed her business plan as part of the eSigourney Entrepreneurial Academy for Leadership program. eSEAL offers Sigourney’s junior and senior high school students the chance to learn entrepreneurial skills, write a business plan and ultimately open their own business. eSEAL students and educators were at the Statehouse April 17 to talk with legislators about how they’re learning to succeed in business and helping spur economic growth in their local community.
	On April 1, 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.
	Terry Boettcher of Indianola and his wife, Connie, visited the Iowa Senate on March 26 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, Boettcher talked with Sen. Gene Fraise of Fort Madison, a supporter of the legislation.
	Senator Gene Fraise watches debate on the Senate floor Feb. 27 when a statewide ban on smoking in public places passed on a bipartisan 29-21 vote.
	Bishops, priests and other members of the Iowa Catholic Conference were at the Statehouse on Feb. 12 to talk with legislators about issues important to the Catholic Church and society. As a part of the day's activities, Bishop Martin Amos of Davenport served as Pastor of the Day, giving the opening prayer in both the House and the Senate. Pictured in the House Chamber, from left: Sen. Gene Fraise of Fort Madison, Bishop Amos, Rep. Polly Bukta of Clinton, and Sen. Joe Seng of Davenport.
	I talked with members of the Polk County Medical Society at the Iowa Statehouse on January 30. We discussed their ideas for recruiting new physicians to Iowa, as well as ways to increase the affordability and access to high-quality health care here in Iowa. Pictured, from left: Dr. John Sweedman, I, and Dr. Brent Thurness.
	The proven benefits of doing more with less energy was a hot topic this week at the Iowa Statehouse. I talked with Bill McAnally, chair of Industrial Technology at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, and Simon Lindner, a 2007 graduate of his carpentry program. The two were in Des Moines to testify before a Senate committee about how modern building techniques result in new homes that use 65% less energy than older homes. We discussed how saving energy is creating jobs and improving the budgets of businesses and families across Iowa. To learn more, contact Bill at McAnally@iowacentral.edu. Pictured, from left: Lindner, McAnally, and I.
	State Senator Gene Fraise of Fort Madison met with Governor Chet Culver at the Iowa Statehouse on Monday to discuss the best ways to stand up for middle-class families and to continue responsible, prudent budget-making. Fraise and other legislators from across Iowa were at the Capitol to discuss priorities for the upcoming session, which convenes January 14. Last year’s budget left the state in better financial condition than the year before, and Fraise and other legislators pledged to repeat that accomplishment. Pictured, from left: Culver and Fraise. (12/3/2007)