Sad weekend in Iowa politics
May 25, 2017
Iowa has lost two great public servants. Former Lt. Gov. Joy Corning and former House Speaker Don Avenson both died last week, along with Ella Vilsack, granddaughter of former U.S. Agricutlure Secretary and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and daughter of Jess Vilsack. Corning, a former died Saturday at the age of 84. She served as Iowa’s lieutenant governor from 1991 to 1999. According to her obituary, Joy was passionate about issues related to children and families, women's health & rights, equality and justice, education and the arts. Read more from KCCI.
Don Avenson, the longest serving Speaker of the House in state history, died Friday at the age of 72. Avenson served in the Legislature from 1972 to 1990 and was speaker for eight years. He was also the Democratic gubernatorial nominee against in 1990. Avenson was currently working as a lobbyist. Read more from The Gazette.
ABI’s heartfelt condolences go out to the Corning, Avenson and Vilsack families.