Pekin Seniors Visit State Capital
by Tim Hadley
March 20, 2010
On March 18th, Jefferson County Farm Bureau demonstrated their ongoing commitment to education by sponsoring a trip for Pekin seniors to visit the State Capital building and visit with local legislatures. Forty seniors made the trip with Government teacher, Tim Hadley and regional Farm Bureau manager, John Sandbothe.
Students began the day listening to lobbyist Mark Salvador who briefed students on four main issues Farm Bureau is currently working legislatures on. Several issues resonated with students as many come from rural areas and on family farms. These included education funding, electrical inspection in agriculture, federal income tax regulation, and the beginning farmer tax credit.
After helpful tips from Mr. Salvador, students were then treated to lunch at the Iowa Farm Bureau building. Once completing lunch, students loaded the bus en route to the State Capital building. Upon arriving, students met with several local legislatures. Among the legislatures were Representative Curt Hanson from Fairfield, Representative Larry Marek from Riverside, Representative Tom Palmer from Oskaloosa, and Representative Betty DeBoef from What Cheer.
The Representatives were very gracious with their time talking about issues and questions that students proposed such as education funding, flood plain regulations, agricultural concerns and the new cell phone texting bill. Students were also given a personal tour of the Representative chamber and the Capital library by the legislators. After their meetings, students were given a tour of the Capital in which they were given a short history and several interesting facts about the Capital.
To conclude the day, students sat in the gallery and listened to debates about amendments to a mental health bill. Students were particularly engaged as Representatives began to talk about the possibility of closing the nearby Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute due to a $500 million shortfall in the budget allocated for those services.
In all, the Pekin senior class was able to receive a well rounded day of fun and education while learning about the legislative process here in Iowa and the fundamental principles of our democratic system. The class expresses a big thank you to our Representatives, Capital staff and Iowa Farm Bureau for making this opportunity possible.
A video displaying photo from the trip can be found at the link below:
