Government : In the Statehouse State Representative Dawn Pettengill

In the Statehouse

You know that feeling you get when your heart fills up? In spite of the aggravations of being a lawmaker, your days are full of heartfelt moments. You might want to hear about the aggravations, but they are mostly what you hear about all the time on the news. What I want to tell you about are some heartfelt moments and why we are so lucky in Iowa, in the United States.

Last week, we had a gentleman from Nepal who is responsible for writing their Constitution. He came to Iowa to study ours. After a civil war lasting more than 10 years, Nepal formed a Constitutional Convention and their first President was sworn in at the end of May in 2008. To pattern their new Constitution and government after ours, the man traveled across the world and spoke to our General Assembly. My heart filled up with wonder. Wonder at the struggles people go through. Wonder at the resilience of people. Wonder at the ‘One Guy’ with that responsibility and how he will change his country’s future.

Earlier this month, we held the memorial service for lawmakers who have died in the last two years. In the first year of every General Assembly, we invite their families and memorialize their service to their communities and Iowa. It was my fourth year participating. My first was in the choir. My 2nd and 3rd, I sang and read eulogies. Realizing that my singing was more than likely bringing down the performance of the choir, this year I read. When listening, their contribution to society, their work for good, their personal sacrifices, your heart fills up. When reading a eulogy to the Senate chamber full of families, the family of the lawmaker stands with pride and loss. Your heart fills up. The two I read for, one had their family there and you are able to speak directly to them. You know they have shown honor and courage coming, standing before everyone, with their pain evident for all to see. Your heart is full. The second lawmaker I read for had no family there. As I read off the accomplishments of the person who had no representative family or friends for her, my heart was full of sympathy. We all should have stood up.

The following day, the Memorial Choir, sang to the entire General Assembly in the House Chamber. As they sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic, our hearts were so full the tears were streaming out of all of our eyes. It felt momentous and we were a part of it.

Today we are honoring WWII veterans with a beautiful service and they are coming from all over the state. I’m already planning on not wearing any mascara for the day. Being willing to give up your life for the continuation of our freedoms is a personal sacrifice I don’t know if I could make. Even thinking about the magnitude of that will fill you up with awe and inspire you to keep going!

Although beautiful beyond belief, people giving of themselves for a greater good aren’t the only reason you are full of wonder and love here. Sometimes it’s the young kids coming through the Capitol looking at everything and not thinking of their futures, but we are. Sometimes it is the prayer. Sometimes it is two different ideologies picketing on opposite sides of the building and their freedom to do so . Sometimes it is getting a bill put into law and all the work and agony that goes into it. Sometimes it is just walking in the building and knowing your responsibility to those at home and into our future.

Not a day goes by that I don’t realize what an honor and privilege it is to serve you. And although I’m poor money-wise by most of your standards, the meaningful and heartfelt experiences of our lives are what make us rich. I’m full of gratitude and Midas wealthy by that standard. Thank you.