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Senate unanimously adopts resolution honoring Sen. Ken Rosenboom; Rosenboom offers farewell speech
Summary
The Iowa Senate adopted Senate Resolution 117 honoring Sen. Ken Rosenboom for 14 years of service. Colleagues from both parties praised his work on agriculture, water quality and institutional leadership; Rosenboom closed with remarks on faith, family, freedom and farming.
The Iowa Senate on the floor adopted Senate Resolution 117 on a voice vote Thursday honoring Sen. Ken Rosenboom upon his retirement, and Rosenboom delivered a farewell address reflecting on 14 years in the chamber.
Sen. Zumbaugh, the sponsor, opened the session on the resolution and read the formal text honoring Rosenboom’s tenure, committee service and community involvement. The resolution notes Rosenboom was first elected in November 2012, listed his leadership roles on committees including Appropriations and Natural Resources, and cited his receipt of a public service award from the Hoover Presidential Foundation.
Colleagues across the aisle echoed those points in brief tributes. Sen. Shipley said Rosenboom “operates every day on the level of integrity,” while Sen. Schultz called him a “silent granite pillar” whose words carried weight when he spoke. Sen. Kelker said Rosenboom brought “steady, thoughtful process” to his work, and Sen. Dotzler praised his research and committee expertise. The remarks combined personal anecdotes and policy references, with multiple senators crediting Rosenboom’s leadership on agriculture and water-quality initiatives.
Sen. Zumbaugh moved adoption of the resolution and referenced Rosenboom’s work on water-quality legislation, including Senate File 512, which she described as a significant effort he led. The chamber approved the measure by voice vote; the presiding officer announced the resolution adopted after senators responded, “Aye.”
Rosenboom took the floor to thank his wife, Becky, and his clerk, Sarah, and to reflect on his guiding principles. “I hold to a biblical worldview,” he said, and summarized four themes he wanted colleagues to remember: “faith, family, freedom, and farming.” He urged civility and bipartisan cooperation, saying that members should “shut up and listen” as a way to find common ground.
Rosenboom also cited policy milestones from his time in office, noting the state’s tax rate changes during his tenure and underscoring his long-standing focus on water quality. He closed with personal reflections on friendships formed in the chamber and gratitude to legislative staff.
The Senate recessed after the remarks for party caucuses. No floor actions altering policy were taken in connection with the resolution; SR 117 is a formal recognition of Rosenboom’s service.
