ISEA-PAC purchased five tables in which I distributed to Team ISEA members that have long made a difference in their communities in electing pro-public education officials. The Iowa Democratic Party then gave ISEA-PAC two seats at a VIP table. My good pal from home, Margaret Clapper, a BD teacher at our school-Carter Lake Elementary got to sit with me at this Very Important Persons table!
As the dinner was about to begin, Vets Auditorium was brimming with excitement and filled to capacity with enthusiastic supporters from the various candidate campaigns. One of the first "stars" to be spotted was Tim Russert of NBC's "Meet the Press". Mr. Russert is pictured with Margaret (Cookie) Clapper (on the left); on the right (from left to right) Carol Hammill, Maquoketa EA; Cindy Weise, Maquoketa EA; and Cindy Fitzgerald, Boyden-Hull EA; and there I am in the bottom photo.
Not far from our table, I spotted U.S. Senator Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden. When I approached their table, Dr. Biden threw her arms around me and thanked Team ISEA for the opportunity to speak at our Community College Faculty Conference. I reported to Senator Biden how proud he would have been to hear his wife speak from her heart about the passion she has for her work as a Community College instructor.
Joining in for a photo with the Bidens is an Extra Special Person, Team ISEA ESP member and President of the Sioux City Support Staff, Leslie Dake. This was Leslie's first time to attend a JJ Dinner!
Prior to the start of the dinner, I had a chance to visit with both Congressman David Loebsack of Iowa's 2nd Congressional District (on the left) and Governor Chet Culver (on the right). On behalf of Team ISEA I was able to thank Congressman Loebsack for helping to slow down the process of the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. Cong. Loebsack has heard from countless Team ISEA members to not rush, but to get it right this time!In addition I was able to thank Governor Culver for his leadership in signing into law SF 277, the Iowa Teacher Quality law. Margaret Clapper personally thanked Governor Culver for the $4,200 raise she is seeing this year. Governor Culver gave her a "high five" and said, "You deser
ve it".
Team ISEA members that joined us were (on the left) Paul Swenson, recently retired from Sumner EA and Jean Swenson, New Hampton EA. Pictured with me (on the right, left to right) are Chris Bern, ISEA Vice President and Knoxville EA; Margaret Clapper, Vice President of SWUU and Council Bluffs EA; Kim Muta, SWUU Executive Board and Lewis Central EA; and Leslie Dake, Siouxland UniServ board and President of Sioux City Support Staff.
Team ISEA members attending an event for U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton prior to the start of the JJ Dinner had the chance to have their photo taken with tennis sensation Billie Jean King! Those pictured (from left to right) are Cindy Weise, Ms. King, Cindy Fitzgerald, Kathy Williams (NEA Director and Davenport EA) and Carol Hammill. Both Carol and Cindy W. are tennis coaches and it was a thrill for them to meet someone they have admired over the years. What fun!Now back to our VIP table....we were seated with the Governor of Kansas, Governor Kathleen Sebilius (pictured on the left), Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (picture on the right, she's on the left) and First Lady of Iowa Mari Culver (on the right).
Okay, if that weren't special enough.....I was seated next to our governor, Governor Chet Culver! It was truly a memorable ocassion! It was a very long evening (dinner starting at 7:00 p.m. and the last speaker completed around 11:20 p.m.), but ever so much fun!
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