Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Sen. Tom Harkin

Mr. President, former Iowa State Senator Minnette Doderer, who passed away last month, was one of the true giants of Iowa politics. Born into very humble circumstances in Holland, IA in 1923, she served 12 terms in the Iowa House and two terms in the Iowa Senate, where she was the first woman to serve as President pro tempore.

Martin Luther King once said that ``Life's most urgent and persistent question is: What are you doing for others?'' During a long, feisty, and distinguished career in Iowa politics, Senator Doderer answered that question in spectacular fashion. She was a mentor and role model for women all across our State, a passionate champion of the Equal Rights Amendment, and an indomitable advocate for the poor, the neglected, and the voiceless in our State.

Some people run for public office to be somebody. Senator Doderer ran in order to get things done. She saw injustice, discrimination, and sexism, and she fought it with tremendous skill and courage. Above all, she made a practical difference, especially for women. She championed and passed legislation on equal rights, rape law reform, child care, and juvenile justice laws that made a concrete, tangible difference in the lives of Iowans.

Minnette Doderer was passionate about her family and her friends. She was a tough, tenacious fighter for what she believed in. She cared deeply about justice and fairness for ordinary people. Most of all, she was a good, decent, humane person--the kind of person that makes Iowa such a special place.

I valued Minnette's friendship and counsel. Though I regret she is no longer with us, I celebrate the living legacy she left behind: a better, fairer, more just and equal Iowa, especially for our daughters. May she rest in peace.