2002 Second District Convention: April 20, 2002

2002 Second District Convention: April 20, 2002.

The Temporary Chair, Alan Bohanan convened the convention at City High School in Iowa City, Iowa at 10:00 a.m.

The American Legion Post 721 of Coralville presented the colors, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States was said by the delegation.

The Chair appointed the temporary Secretary, Sharon Savage from Muscatine County, the Sergeant of Arms, Mary Mascher from Johnson County and the Timekeeper, Paul Smith from Linn County and the Parliamentarian, John Whitaker from Van Buren County.

Sandra Dockendorff from Des Moines County and Harvey Ross from Linn County, Co-Chairs of the Rules and Nomination Committee, moved the adoption of the temporary rules as noted in the convention call as the temporary rules of the convention. The motion was seconded and carried.

D.J. Arnold from Linn County, co-chair of the Credentials Committee moved that the delegates presently seated be made temporary delegates to the convention. The motion was seconded and carried.

It was determined that a quorum was present and the convention was in motion.

Chairs of all Committees were introduced:

Carol Porch from Johnson County: Co-chair of Arrangements Committee
Marlyn Schepers from Muscatine County: Chair of the Platform Committee
Harvey Ross from Linn County and Sandy Dockendorff from Des Moines County: Co-chairs of the Rules and Nominations Committee.
D.J. Arnold from Linn County: Co-chair of the Credentials Committee

J.D. Cashman, representative for Secretary of Agriculture, Patty Judge, spoke on behalf of Ms. Judge.

Maureen Donnelly introduced procedures for the Silent Auction fundraiser.

The Chair read and emphasized the following Section from the Iowa Democratic Party Constitution:

Article VIII - Delegate and Committee Selection Procedure: Section 1 - Proportional Representation: All caucuses, convention, committees, and Democratic Party Officials shall take such practical steps as may be within their legitimate power to assure that all caucuses, conventions, and committees shall include: men, women, various age groups, racial minority groups, economic groups, and representatives of identifiable geographically defined populations - all in reasonable relationship to the proportions in which the groups are found in the populations of the respective constituencies.

Introductions:
Pat Marshall from Linn County, one of the two Iowa National Democratic Committee representatives.
Dick Meyers, the Democratic State Senate leader
Jean Fraise, Senator from Lee County.
Deb Arnold, House Candidate from Henry County.
John Whitaker, Candidate for House from Van Buren County
Tom Fiegen, State Senator from Cedar County.
Mike Own, Candidate for House from Cedar County.
John Dockendorff, Candidate for House from Des Moines County.
Joe Rassmusen, House Candidate from Linn County.
John Kensch, House Candidate from Linn County
Marcella Thompson, House Candidate from Appanoose County
Senator Mark Shearer

Harvey Ross and Sandy Dockendorff of the Rules and Nominations Committee moved the adoption of the complete rules as listed in the convention call. The motion was seconded and carried.

The following speakers addressed the convention:
Senator Mark Shearer
Senator Tom Fiegen
Senator Jean Fraise
Deb Arnold, House Candidate from Henry County.
Marcella Thompson, House Candidate from Appanoose County.
Jon Whitaker, House candidate from Van Buren County.
Curt Swain, House Candidate from Appanoose County.
Mike Owen, House candidate from Cedar County.

The convention held a moment of silence in honor of the late Tim Patel from Wapello County.

D.J. Arnold (Linn County), Credentials Committee chair, reported that 214 delegates have been seated, and he moved that they be confirmed as the permanent delegates of the convention. The motion was seconded and carried, certifying the delegation.

Sandy Dockendorff (Des Moines County) and Harvey Ross (Linn County), Co-Chairs of the Rules and Nominations Committee, nominated Alan Bohanan as permanent Chair of the convention and Barb Hood (Jefferson County) as permanent Co-Chair. The motions were seconded and carried.

Alan Bohanan appointed Sharon Savage (Muscatine County) as Permanent Secretary with Assistants Brian Flaherty (Johnson County) and James Erwin (Linn County). Sandra Bell (Linn County) was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms, Paul Smith (Linn County) as Timekeeper and John Whitaker (Van Buren County) as Parliamentarian.

Barb Hood (Co-Chair) introduced Julie Thomas, Democratic Candidate for the U.S. Representative from the Second District.

Julie Thomas, 2^nd District Candidate for the US. House of Representatives, addressed the delegation.

The following nominations for The State Central Committee Positions occurred:
Phil Scott (Jefferson County) nominated Daryn Hamilton (Jefferson County).
Jeff Heland (Des Moines County) nominated Sandy Dockendorff (Des Moines County).
Betty McMahon (Muscatine County) nominated Marlyn Schepers (Muscatine County).
Paulene Taylor (Johnson County) nominated Brian Flaherty (Johnson County).
David Loebsack (Linn County) nominated Alan Bohanan (Cedar County) and Pat Marshall (Linn County).
Diane Hoffman (Linn County) nominated Norm Sterzenback (Linn County).
Sara Swisher (Johnson County) nominated Carol Porch (Johnson County).
Dale Fenton (Appanoose County) nominated Bob Thomas (Appanoose County).

A motion was made, seconded and carried that the speeches of the women be waived.

The Male State Central Committee candidates addressed the delegation.

Alan Bohanan from Cedar County nominated Faith Wilmot from Johnson County as the Second District Affirmative Action Chair. A unanimous ballot was cast for Faith Wilmot as the Second District Affirmative Action Chair.

Faith Wilmot addressed the convention.

A motion was made, seconded and carried that the Female State Central Committee Candidates be allowed to address the convention.

The following Female State Central Committee Candidates addressed the Convention:
Sandy Dockendorff (Des Moines County), Carol Porch (Johnson County), Pat Marshall (Linn County)

Dick Meyers, Democratic leader of Iowa State House of Representatives, addressed the convention.

Sharon Savage (Muscatine County), 2^nd District Temporary Secretary, addressed the convention to explain the district website and communication procedures.

Iowa Democratic Party staffers and staffers from the Harkin and Thomas campaigns were introduced to the convention.

Alan Bohanan (Cedar County) moved that the convention recess for lunch. The motion was seconded and carried. The convention recessed for lunch at 12:15 a.m.

Barb Hood (Jefferson County), Co-Chair reconvened the convention at 12:45 a.m.

Harvey Ross withdrew the Rules Committee objection to a unanimous ballot for the Women State Central Committee nominees. He made a motion to suspend the rules to allow the election of all three female nominees with one ballot. The motion was seconded and carried.

ELECTION OF FEMALE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES

FROM THE 2^ND DISTRICT:

Harvey Ross moved that the convention elect Sandy Dockendorff (Des Moines County), Carol Porch (Johnson County) and Pat Marshall (Linn County) as the State Central Committee representatives. The motion was seconded and carried.

Rose Sneitzer, Senate candidate from Cedar Rapids, addressed the convention.

PLATFORM

Marlyn Schepers (Muscatine County), Second District Platform Chair, moved that the Statement of Principles as it appears in the convention call be adopted. The motion was seconded. Twenty delegates stood to debate the Statement of Principles. The following plank was read and debated:

We value diversity. We are committed to the inclusion and full participation of diverse populations in the Democratic Party and in the democratic processes of government regardless of language, race, age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or illness. For many reasons, historically oppressed people have traditionally been under-represented both in the Party and processes of government. Therefore, the Iowa 2nd Congressional District Democratic Party as a whole and as individual members accept responsibility to take proactive steps to reach out and encourage an increase in participation of historically oppressed groups.

A motion was made to accept the plank. It was seconded and carried.

Marlyn Schepers stated that there are no minority planks.

The following planks were accepted with no objection:
National farm policy programs:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12
Food safety:
1-2-3
Environmental responsibility:
1-2-3-4-5
Land Use:
1-2-3
Government and Law:
1-(2 OBJECTION) -3-4-5-6-7-(8 OBJECTION) -9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20
-21-22-23-24-25-26 We Oppose: (1 OBJECTION) 2-3-4-(5 OBJECTION) 6-7-(8 OBJECTION)-9-10-11-12-13-14
Education:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23-(24 OBJECTION)
-25-26-27-28-29-30-31 We Oppose: 1-2-3
Healthcare:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20 We Oppose (1 OBJECTION)
Human Resources:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 (12 OBJECTION) 12-14-15-16-17 We Oppose 1
Housing/Homeless:
1-2-3-4-5
International Affairs:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16- (17 OBJECTION)
Labor, Economy and Commerce:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-(27 OBJECTION)
-28-29-30-31-32-(33 OBJECTION) 34-35-36-37 We Oppose: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7

The following new planks were adopted:
We support simple, uniform and fair voting procedures including same day voter registration.
We support a vigorous space program and sustained funding for NASA.
We support funding the Extension Service separately from the board of Regents.
We support a national program for universal, comprehensive accessible and affordable healthcare coverage for all, with accountability to agreed upon standards of quality.
We support a national program for universal, comprehensive accessible and affordable healthcare coverage for all, with accountability to agreed upon standards of quality.

The following old planks were omitted:
We support diverting Iowa road use revenue into the general fund.
We oppose mandatory vaccinations.
We support approved medical training be made available to parents of newborns while they are in the hospital.
We support making Jerusalem an independent state to stabilize the region.

A motion was made, seconded and carried to ratify the platform.

Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, Dr. Sheila McGuire Riggs , addressed the convention.
Pat Deluhery, State Senator, candidate for State Auditor, addressed the Convention.
Iowa Secretary of State, Chet Culver, addressed the convention.
Ruth Harkin, wife of Senator Tom Harkin, addressed the convention.
Tom Vilsack, Governor of the State of Iowa, addressed the convention.

ELECTION OF MALE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES

FROM THE 2^ND DISTRICT :

Al Bohanan (Cedar County), Brian Flaherty (Johnson County), and Norm Sterzenback (Linn County) were elected as the Second district representatives on the State Central Committee.

ELECTION OF STATE CONVENTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND ALTERNATES:

Marlyn Schepers (Muscatine County), Platform Committee Chair, nominated the following individuals to be members of the State Platform Committee from the 2^nd District: Inez Ackers, Jonna Boelke, Catherine Deshaies, Kenneth Gilchrist, Frank Reynolds, Marlyn Schepers, Robert Thomas, Peter Thurman, Lynnice Wedewer, David Wise, Louise Young, Joe Galbraith. The nomination was seconded and carried.

Marlyn Schepers (Muscatine County), Platform Committee Chair, nominated the following individuals to be alternate members of the State Platform Committee from the 2^nd District: Ronald Fransen, Joseph Preston, Michael Robinson, Robert Spenner, Art Staed, Thomas Stewart. The nomination was seconded and carried.

Harvey Ross (Linn County), Rules and Nominations Committee Co-Chair, nominated the following individuals to be members of the State Rules Committee from 2nd District: Sandy Dockendorff, Paul A. Smith, Harvey S. Ross, James Erwin, Lisa Thorpe, Jennifer Patel, Carolyn Zaruba, Don Paulson, Deb Owen, Maureen, Donnelly. Irvin Pfab, Bruce Whitaker. The nomination was seconded and carried

Harvey Ross (Linn County), Rules and Nominations Committee Co-Chair, nominated the following individuals to be alternate members of the State Rules Committee from 2nd District: Sue Magner, Stuart Kuperstock, Sandra Bell, Nancy Sauerman, Jo Ann Daley and Mark Clark, Charlie Major, Steven W. Newell, Mayrose Wegman, Gloria Bailey. The nomination was seconded and carried.

D.J. Arnold (Linn County), Credentials Committee Co-Chair, nominated the following individuals to be members of the State Credentials Committee from the 2^nd District: Ernest Staggs, Billie Whitmore, Richard Staler, Ken Perry, Jeanette Kline, Stuart Bohling, D.J. Arnold, Sally Peck. The nomination was seconded and carried.

Rose Kelsey (Linn County), delegate to the convention, nominated herself as the Second District Representative to the State Arrangements Committee. The nomination was seconded and carried.

A motion was made, seconded and carried to ratify all elections.

Alan Bohanan, convention Chair, announced that All Convention committees meet for the first time at 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 27, 2002:

Arrangements and Credentials AFSCME, 4320 NW 2nd Avenue, Des Moines
Platform IDP, 5661 Fleur Drive, Des Moines
Rules and Nominations Machinists Hall, 2000 Walker, Des Moines

Faith Wilmot, 2^nd District Affirmative Action Chair, announced that An Affirmative Action meeting will occur this Sunday, April 28th at 2 PM at the Iowa City Public Library on Gilbert St.

It was announced that the Silent Auction resulted in $840.50.

A motion was made to adjourn the convention. It was seconded and carried.
The convention was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Minutes taken by James Erwin (Linn County), Brian Flaherty (Johnson County) and Sharon Savage (Muscatine County).
Minutes transcribed by Sharon Savage.