(Radio Iowa) – Members of the Iowa Senate spent two hours this (Monday) afternoon honoring Jack Whitver, the Senate’s former G-O-P leader who’s being treated for a brain tumor and is not seeking reelection. Whitver says he ran for the senate the first time in early 2011 because he wanted to be in a position to shape the future of the state.
“As I step away to focus on my health, I wish this entire chamber nothing but the best,” Whitver said. “This is a special place, much give and take and we usually — usually — end up in the right spot.” Whitver closed his remarks with emotional thank yous to his parents, his children and his wife.
“Allergies! Allergies are really kicking up! Geez,” Whitver joked as he paused to wipe the tears from his eyes and his fellow senators laughed. ” Many of Whitver’s fellow senators cited Whitver’s background as a college athlete — he played wide receiver for the Iowa State Cyclones — and his team-centered approach to leadership. Senator
Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton who is president of the Senate, says Whitver gave his colleagues the confidence to do big things. “It was about doing the right thing, rather than being someone,” Sinclair said. Whitver, who is 45, stepped down as majority leader last fall.
Many of the Republicans shared stories about first meeting Whitver when he was recruiting them to run for the Senate. And three senators who identified themselves as Hawkeye fans joked the first time they heard Whitver’s name was when he caught eight passes the day the Iowa State Cyclones beat the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2002.
