"In the Footsteps of History" to highlight Harkin's partnership with Iowa communities through the years
DES MOINES - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that his office is launching a summer tour of all Iowa counties aimed at highlighting his partnership with Iowa communities through the years, which include efforts to keep Iowa communities healthy and safe, keep communities thriving through targeted education, research, and economic development projects and promote local agriculture and conservation, while mitigating disasters. The tour begins May 1 in Shelby County and will run through July.
"One of Iowa's many strengths is its communities, which are strengthened by investments that create jobs, foster economic development, and improve the health and wellbeing of its residents," said Harkin. "Local economies are stronger with these investments. I am proud of every project I have worked on that has invested in Iowa communities and I look forward to revisiting the progress that has been made over the years."
The kickoff event for the "In the Footsteps of History" tour will be at the Danish windmill in Shelby County, where Harkin's State Director, Rob Barron, will return exactly 38 years to the day that Harkin as a new Congressman helped in the reconstruction of the windmill. Harkin was invited to help in the project after he successfully got the windmill released from New York, where it was being held due to import levies. Then-Congressman Harkin not only got the windmill released, but worked to see that the community received a refund for the levy. The windmill stood on Danish soil for 127 years before it was purchased by the Elk Horn community in 1976. (Click here for a photo of Harkin working inside the windmill and here talking to Iowans after its reconstruction.)
Each summer, Senator Harkin's staff visits each Iowa county to talk to Iowans about the issues impacting them and their families. Staff will then post information on their visits on Senator Harkin's web site (http://harkin.senate.gov/)
A full list of events for this year's tour is still coming together, but all events will be advised to media by county.
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