To the People of House District 68

By Representative Chad Ingels

      The rate at which the Iowa House was passing legislation slowed considerably during week 9, when compared to the previous two weeks.

      This week just 31 bills were passed, which is about half of the number of bills passed each of the previous weeks. So far this session, the House has passed 150 pieces of legislation. On the other side of the rotunda, the Senate has passed 57 bills this year.

      We are moving quickly toward the end of the legislative session. Next week is the second funnel deadline, which means House bills must be passed out of Senate committees and Senate bills must be passed out of House committees to stay alive.

Pastor's column

By Lori Kleppe

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

This time of the year in 2009 found me preparing to leave a call as pastor serving two rural congregations in Wisconsin to take on a new identity- Naval officer and chaplain as I had received a commission and would soon be heading to Newport, Rhode Island for about nine weeks of formation. It was an exciting time as I embraced the opportunity to serve in the military, something I had felt drawn to since the age of sixteen when, even in the late 1970s, I wanted to be a Marine.  Life takes us on an unexpected journey and arriving to Officer Development School at forty-seven had the potential to be an interesting part of my life’s story. I arrived wearing ‘business casual’ as we were instructed to do, made my way on foot from the Main Gate of the command I would call home determinedly rolling my suitcase along the bumpy roadside; it was not a short walk and one made, I imagined, as those driving by laughed knowing what I was getting myself into.

To the editor

      For nearly 40 years, March has been designated as Music In Our Schools Month by the National Association for Music Education. Music has a lasting positive impact in our lives. The positive impact on music in the lives of our students lasts a lifetime. Therefore, the education and cultivation of music in our youngest members of society, our students, is paramount.

Tribes of the Turkey River

Submitted by Terry Landsgaard

      The Treaty of 1829 added to the troubles of the Winnebago that were referred to in my previous writing. This treaty dealt directly with the cession of some 8 million acres of farm and mineral lands in Wisconsin and Illinois; changes much more consequential than the Treaty of 1825. 

To the people of House District 68

By Representative Chad Ingels

      It was a second big week of floor debate in the Iowa House. Many have said it was a week of heavy lifting as the House tackled some of the more controversial bills this session, creating several hours of debate across multiple days. In this newsletter, I always try to highlight bills that I think some might find interesting.

      During week 8, the House passed over 60 pieces of legislation and it is tough to pick which bills to summarize. If you would like to dig in and learn more about all of the bills, the Iowa House Republicans post the same bill summaries that we use to understand what is really in each bill.

Greetings from the Statehouse

By Representative Michael Bergan

      Things are getting done here at the Capitol, thanks to a productive and dedicated legislature. We have entered the second week of floor debate, and many bills are being passed on the floor, most of which with bipartisan support.

      In between caucus meetings and debates, the Capitol was host to many visitors including Representative Ashley Hinson from Iowa Congressional District 2, who was here on Monday to meet with legislators. The Capitol also welcomed dozens of community college students who were here for Community College Day on the Hill, as well as members of 4-H who were guests for a portion of the debates on Tuesday.

Pastor's Column

By Pastor Rusty Phillips

Five-year-old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn't want to go in alone. "It's dark in there and I'm scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally, she said, "It's OK--Jesus will be in there with you." Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you're in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"

Tribes of the Turkey River

Submitted by Terry Landsgaard

      At the Prairie du Chien council/treaty meeting of 1825, a number of important men were present. Among them were Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, Indian agent with the Chippewa from Sault Ste. Marie; Nicholas Boilvin with the Winnebago (Ho-Chunk), Foxes and Sac, Chippewa and Sioux, and some Potawatomi and Ottawa; Lawrence Taliaferro from Fort Snelling with Sioux and some Chippewa; Thomas Forsyth from Rock Island with Sac, Foxes and some Winnebago (Ho-Chunk). 

      William Clark and Lewis Cass were commissioners for this treaty and signed the document on behalf of the United States. For the Indians, a great many prominent chiefs signed, including Wabasha, Little Crow, Sleepy Eyes and Red Wing for the Sioux; Decorah for the Winnebago; Keokuk for the Sac.

Matthew 25

Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to the least of these, you did it not to me.’” Matthew 25:45

Doug Ottati has written a book entitled, “Living Belief: A Short Introduction to Christian Faith,” (Grand Rapids, MI: Erdmann’s, 2022). He argues along with the ancient church father Thomas Aquina, that Christin faith is more than confessing and believing what God says to worshippers. It is also practicing Jesus’ teaching s as in the sermons in Mathew 5-7, and Matthew 25. Christians are wedded to God; thus, God’s values are guide for the present life. One does not take marriage vows; then say they will not be living in fidelity to their partner until after they die and go to Heaven. Now is the time to live the basic teachings of Creeds, and Scripture. They serve as guidelines or guardrails to build both a health family life and community. It is also to resist selfish worldly temptations or destructive devilish behavior. It is to acknowledge that there is a God who does rule and whom all creatures are accountable to one day.

Letter to the editor

      Do you think all parents are competent educators? Would over $1,550 per kid encourage you to homeschool your children? Who would know if you decided that history isn't important, math is too hard, and kids could learn what they needed by working? Since there are no tests, no curriculum checks, or no home visits, what could go wrong? 

      Bill IAHF 2369 continues to divert public money away from public education. This bill pays public money to parents to homeschool their kids.