Photos

	The Lamont Parade Committee chose myself, my daughter Ashley, Jodi Grover and House candidate Gene Ficken to be float judges for their Disney-themed parade on Aug. 2. Snow White, by the Buchanan County 4-H, won the youth division.
	The Lamont Parade Committee chose myself, my daughter Ashley, Jodi Grover and House candidate Gene Ficken to be float judges for their Disney-themed parade on Aug. 2. The adult division was won by Cars.
	2008 Fayette County Fair, from left: me, Sen. Bill Heckroth of Waverly, Rep. Andrew Wenthe of Hawkeye, Jens Nielsen, and Barb.
	Gilbertville parade
	U.S. Senator Harkin, State Rep. Roger Thomas and I were in Elkader to inspect flood-damaged areas on July 1.
	On June 7, I spoke at the Relay for Life event at Independence Middle School. The American Cancer Society presented me with a Certificate of Recognition for helping to pass the Smoke-free Air Act this year.
	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 Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington talked with sixth-grade students from Dunkerton when they visited the Statehouse on April 25. The students toured the Capitol and learned about the job of a senator in the Iowa Legislature.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington met with fourth, fifth, and sixth-graders from the Independence D.A.R.E program when they visited the Statehouse April 17. While at the Capitol, the students toured the historic building and performed in the Rotunda.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington talks with Sigourney students about their business initiatives. Aaron Meiners is planning for Aaron's Shave Ice business, and Austin Hammes wants to open Austin's Bike Shop. The students developed their business plans 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. Pictured, from left: Meiners, Schoenjahn and Hammes.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington hosted sixth-grade students from the East Buchanan D.A.R.E. program at the Statehouse on April 14. The students sang for Capitol visitors, toured the historic building, and visited the Senate Chamber.
	On April 1, the Senate passed a resolution honoring Iowa's 9 Olympic athletes, who will head to Beijing this summer as principal competitors or as alternates in skeet shooting, wrestling, basketball, gymnastics and track & field. Sen. Brian Schoenjahn congratulated northeast Iowa native Tolly Thompson, a wrestler, who was joined at the Statehouse by his three daughters, Payton, Bree and Kendall.
	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. On hand for the bill signing, from left: Sen. Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids and his daughter Dorothy, Culver, and Sen. Brian Schoenjahn.
	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 State Senators who supported the legislation. From left: Sen. Bill Heckroth, Sen. Becky Schmitz, Sen. Tom Rielly, Connie Boettcher, Terry Boettcher, Sen. Rich Olive, Sen. Staci Appel, Sen. Frank Wood, Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, Sen. Tom Hancock, Sen. Daryl Beall, and Bob Holliday from the Gold Star Museum.
	On March 26, Governor Chet Culver signed what will be the biggest tax break of the 2008 session. House File 2417, which passed the Legislature earlier this session, will save Iowa taxpayers $67.5 million dollars by exempting state taxes on the federal tax rebates that are part of the economic stimulus plan approved by Congress.
	The Clayton County 4-H group was at the Statehouse on March 26 for a day at the Capitol. Back, from left: Charlene Sauer, Sen, Brian Schoenjahn, Aron Adney and Andrew Adney. Front, from left: Amy Adney, Courtney Hefner, Hollie Kruse, Vicky Hefner and Zach Sauer.
	The Delaware County 4-H group included Jolene Bagge, Krystal Bagge, Marcia Hanson, Mitchel Hildebrand, Jenna Voelker and Troy Gibbs.
	Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington and Rep. Brian Quirk of New Hampton met with members of the Touchstone Energy Cooperative at the Statehouse on March 25. From left: Quirk, Schoenjahn, Kenric Scheevel, John McWilliams, Pat Boyle and Mike Walton.
	Sen. Brian Schoenjahn attended the Association of Iowa Workforce Partners (AIWP) legislative breakfast on March 11, where he visited with Fern Rissman of the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. They discussed how Iowa’s workforce programs train and educate workers for the future. The Association of Iowa Workforce Partners is a statewide network that matches Iowans with employment and educational opportunities that make them more productive and self-sufficient.
	With AFSCME workers from MHI in Independence, Clayton County Supervisors Larry Gibbs and Wayne Bockenstedt, and Buchanan County Supervisor Mike Ferreter outside the Senate chamber on March 12.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington met with Cindy Lellig, a librarian from Jesup, in the Statehouse Law Library on March 11. Lellig was at the Capitol to talk with legislators about funding for Iowa Libraries and the services they provide.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington met with representatives of the East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative of Winthrop on March 4. The group was at the Statehouse for Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association (RIITA) Day on the Hill. RIITA works to educate legislators about the strengths and needs of Iowa’s independent telephone companies and their efforts to provide the best telecommunications services available to rural communities. For more, go to www.riita.com.
	Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington talks with Iowa State Rehabilitation Council representatives Tom Magner and Terry Johnson on Feb. 28. Magner and Johnson were at the Capitol to raise awareness about ISRC's work to help people with disabilities find employment. Magner runs offices in Dubuque, Decorah, and Independence. More information about the ISRC can be found at www.ivrs.iowa.gov. From left: Schoenjahn, Magner, Johnson.
	Black Hawk County Senators Brian Schoenjahn, Jeff Danielson, and Bill Dotzler congratulated the Dunkerton Raiders girls basketball team when thy visited the State Capitol February 28 while in Des Moines for the Girls State Basketball tournament.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn and his clerk Jodi Grover follow debate on the Senate floor Feb. 27 when a statewide ban on smoking in public places passed on a bipartisan 29-21 vote.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington met with Bobbi Bendickson at the Iowa Statehouse on Feb. 26. Bendisckson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Iowa, was at the Capitol for Volunteer Awareness Day. Habitat for Humanity of Iowa works to build affordable homes for those in need.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington met with Jim Heckmann, state director of the Iowa Small Business Development Centers, at the Statehouse on Feb. 20. Heckmann's organization brings high-quality assistance to current and future businesses. Partnership programs and activities serving small business have significantly contributed to economic growth throughout the state.
	Governor Chet Culver signed a bill increasing the state's contribution to local schools by 4 percent on Feb. 12. The appropriation, which passed the Legislature last week, provides our K12 schools with an additional $222 per student. The money is used for textbooks, heating bills, technology and other necessities that help make students, teachers and schools successful.
	Stan DeHaan, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator from Orange City, was at the Statehouse Feb. 11 to help us celebrate the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth and the important achievements of his life and presidency.
	On Feb. 5, Resource Conservation & Development advocates from around Iowa visited the Statehouse to talk with legislators about their efforts to create jobs, protect the environment and improve the quality of life in rural communities. For more information, go to www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/partnerships/rcandd.html. Pictured from left: Marv Wirtjes of Monroe County, representing the Chariton Valley RC&D; Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington; Robert Smith of Freemont County, of the Golden Hills RC&D; Cy McDonald of Madison County, president of the Iowa League of RC&D; and Rep. Roger Thomas of Elkader.
	Local legislators took questions for constituents at the Fayette County Library Association’s forum at Clermont Public Library on Feb. 2. From left: Sen. Bill Heckroth of Waverly, Rep. Roger Thomas of Elkader, Rep. Andrew Wenthe of Hawkeye, and Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington.
	A bipartisan effort to clean up Iowa’s rivers and lakes was launched Feb. 4 at the Iowa Statehouse. The Surface Water Protection Act is the product of a two-year planning effort by many groups that care about our environment and quality of life here in Iowa. Cleaning up our waterways will greatly expand recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, swimming and canoeing. From left: Representative Steve Olson, R-DeWitt; Senator Bill Heckroth, D-Waverly; Senator Rich Olive, D-Story City; Senator Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington; and Senator David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan.
	Iowa EMS workers were at the Statehouse on Jan. 31 to talk with legislators about the challenges facing Iowa's emergency workers. Iowa’s professional and volunteer EMS workers provide essential services when Iowans are in dire need of help. Left to right: John Halbrook of the Iowa Bureau of EMS; Jeff Mitchell of Waukon; Lee Ridge of Sumner, a state board member of the Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association; Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington; Rep. Roger Thomas of Elkader; and Brian Helland of West Des Moines EMS.
	Community college students from around the state traveled to the Capitol on Jan. 31 to meet with legislators. Iowa’s community colleges provide the training Iowans need to move up in life and the skilled workers the state’s economy needs to grow. Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington, chair of the Senate Education Committee, told the students that he will support increased funding for community colleges in order to keep tuition affordable. Pictured with the Hawkeye Community College student senate are Schoenjahn, Sen. Tom Hancock of Epworth and Sen. Jeff Danielson of Waterloo.
	Schoenjahn also met with Northeast Iowa Community College students Care Pott, Brandee Houston, Brittany Steveson, and Chris Duggan.
	State Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington spoke Jan. 31 with someone likely to play a big role in Iowa's transportation future. Mike Blouin of Dubuque, former director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, was recently appointed by Governor Chet Culver to serve on the powerful Iowa Transportation Commission.
	The proven benefits of doing more with less energy was a hot topic this week at the Iowa Statehouse. Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington 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 on how modern building techniques result in new homes that use 65% less energy than older homes. They talked about how saving energy is creating jobs and improving the budgets of businesses and families across Iowa. If you'd like to know more, contact Bill at McAnally@iowacentral.edu. Left to right: Lindner, McAnally, and Schoenjahn.
	Senators Bill Heckroth of Waverly and Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington meet with Future Farmers of America (FFA) from Wapsie Valley Community Schools on Jan. 28. While at the Statehouse, the students got a tour of the Senate Chambers and talked with legislators about the leading role Iowa agriculture is playing in the world-wide renewable fuels boom. Pictured from left to right are: Ellen Doese, Geoffrey Stout, Jamie Leistikow, Heckroth, Hanna Wiersma, Schoenjahn, Sarah Doese, and Brent Doese.
	Senators Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington and Staci Appel of Ackworth met with members of the United Methodist Women's Leadership Group at the State Capitol on January 28. The women were on hand for advocacy training and to cultivate an understanding of the Legislature and the role of citizens in the law-making process.
	On January 24, a variety of groups dedicated to protecting and improving Iowa’s soil, air, and water braved the bitter cold and visited the Iowa Statehouse. Jean Eells from the State Soil Conservation Committee of Webster City, met with State Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington, a member of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee, and talked about environmental issues in Iowa. Left to right: Schoenjahn and Eells.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington met with Betty Gitz of Elkader on January 24 at the Statehouse. The two formerly taught together at Starmont Community Schools. Betty now works as a reading specialist for the Keystone AEA. Betty is an expert in the Reading Recovery, which involves short-term one-to-one tutoring for low-achieving first graders. Reading Recovery focuses on developing a student's vocabulary and comprehension.
	Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington and Rep. Roger Thomas of Elkader talked with representatives of Alpine Communications in Elkader at the Statehouse Jan. 23. Alpine Communications General Manager Chris Hopp and Financial Manager Margaret Corlett were at the Capitol with the Iowa Telecommunications Association. From left: Schoenjahn, Hopp, Corlett, and Thomas. (photo credit: Iowa Senate Intern Christjahn Beck)
	Governor Chet Culver met Jan. 22 with the Legislature's leaders on education issues. Culver and lawmakers are committed to keeping promises made last year to help middle-class families by improving teacher pay, expanding access to high-quality child care, and holding the line on tuition costs. Pictured, from left: Culver, Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Sen. Staci Appel of Ackworth, vice-chair of the Senate Education Committee, and Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington, chair of the Senate Education Committee.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington met with Veterans of Foreign Wars from Jessup January 16. The groups was at the Statehouse for Veterans Day on the Hill, an annual event that gives Iowa veterans a chance to discuss their legislative priorities with elected officials. Pictured with Sen. Schoenjahn are Jim Lawler, Bill Welch, Jeff Clark, Virginia Chambers, Mike Smoch, Commander Leslie Reinertson, and Commander Lee Roepke. (Credit, Hans Erickson)
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington talked January 16 with Patti Meyer, left, of the Buchanan County Veterans Affairs office, and Elizabeth Ledvina, right, of the Tama County Veterans Affairs office.
	Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington opened the 2008 legislative session January 14 at the Iowa Statehouse with his clerk, Jodi Grover. Schoenjahn said his primary goal this year is to keep making progress on commitments made last session to improve teacher pay, expand access to quality child care, limit increases on college tuition, make health care more affordable, and boost the state's economy through the Iowa Power Fund initiative.
	State Senators Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington and Bill Heckroth of Waverly met with Governor Chet Culver at the Iowa Statehouse on Dec. 3 to discuss the best ways to stand up for middle-class families and to continue responsible, prudent budget-making. Schoenjahn and Heckroth were at the Capitol to discuss priorities for the 2008 session, which convenes January 14. Last year’s budget left the state in better financial condition than the year before, and legislators pledged to repeat that accomplishment. Pictured, from left: Culver, Schoenjahn and Heckroth.
All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship helps students be all they can be, Schoenjahn says I am pleased that 179 Iowa young people now have the chance to further their education at our Regents’ Universities, community colleges, and private colleges. This is thanks to the new, state-funded All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, a needs-based scholarship created during the 2007 session of the Legislature. These young scholars have proven themselves through hard work during high school, and we want to make sure their efforts are rewarded with a top-notch college education that they might not be able to afford otherwise. I’m glad the state of Iowa is doing the right thing by helping them become all they can be, and I hope they will choose to make a life and start a family in Iowa after they graduate. To be eligible for an All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, students must show financial need and have a GPA of at least 2.5. More than 1,200 Iowa students applied for the scholarship this year; 179 were awarded scholarships. The average award is $5,275. For more details about the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, go to the Iowa College Student Aid Commission Web site, www.IowaCollegeAid.gov, or call 1-800-383-4222. Pictured: Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington, chair of the Senate Education Committee, congratulates the 179 All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship winners at the Statehouse on Nov. 19.