Day 15

0800 - 1645.

The Iowa Disaster Medical Team led the pledge today. A fellow page's father was in the Team, so that was neat to see. After the pledge, a group of traditionally-dressed Dutch people (sound familiar?) were milling around in the back - it was the Pella Tulip Days court. They introduced the court, and then asked Rep. Baudler to come down front ... they gathered in a circle around him and sang 'Happy Birthday' to him - in Dutch. Speaker Murphy remarked that he had never before seen Rep. Baudler blush. Anyways, the girls distribed Dutch letters and cookies, and Rep. Baudler had brought brownies. Later, the Iowa Finance Commission (?) passed out funnel cakes on Frisbees to reps, and served more up downstairs. No free lunch ... funnel cakes were good though. I did get a Frisbee later.

Legistlation: entirely non-cons. The House adjourned at 2:30 for committee, but we discussed a reserve police officer training bill [S.F. 110], a horse-racing regulation bill [S.F. 129], mortgage release certificates [S.F. 400], and unannounced drug/alcohol testing for employees [S.F. 284]. There was little discussion on any of these items ... Rep. Bailey rose for a Point of Personal Privilege concerning the flag amendment of the previous day, and how he felt it avoided the proper process. There was some debate on both sides of the aisle regarding this issue, which was generally considered non-partisan.