Government : Kapucian Korner: Senate hears from Gold Star Military Museum

I serve on the Senate Transportation , Capitals Infrastructure, and Budget Subcommittee. The committee appropriates funds to Iowa Guard facilities, DOT garages, scales and map printing. We also help support special projects like renovations at Camp Sunnyside for handicapped children and help with Lake Delhi restoration. We have more requests for help than we have money.

So this week it was somewhat unique, as well as refreshing, to hear from representatives from the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge, not to request funding but to thank us for past support. They also gave a presentation on the museum. The museum highlights the commitment and sacrifice of Iowans and the role they have played in our Nation’s Military Conflicts.

The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum’s mission is to honor and depict the military experience of Iowa citizens in all wars, homeland defense and Iowa service. The museum’s purpose is to collect, preserve and exhibit materials that illustrate the story of Iowa’s military past from statehood to present. The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum honors the heroic service of all Iowa veterans.

I look forward to visiting the museum myself and would encourage all of you to visit as well. We must never forget the price of freedom and those who have paid that price.

The Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees had a field trip to the Bill and Nancy Couser farm near Nevada, Iowa. The Couser’s operate a cattle feedlot and row crop production farm. The Couser’s have been involved with Iowa State University and various agriculture companies and give good insight into where we have come from and where we are today and where we may go in the future world of farming.

Their cutting edge production combined with environmental stewardship is an example of how modern production can and must coexist with the environment. Last year the Couser’s received the Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Cattleman’s Association. Bill and Nancy are great ambassadors for agriculture, and I want to give them a special thank you for their hospitality.

Next week is funnel week so a lot of subcommittee work is being done. We continue to work on ideas and proposals deciding if they are worthy of becoming law.

Thanks for stopping by to the many visitors from throughout the district who have made their way to Des Moines.

See you out and about the district.

Please feel free to contact me: tim.kapucian@legis.iowa.gov

SENATOR TIM KAPUCIAN DISTRICT 38

BENTON, IOWA & POWESHIEK COUNTIES