It was our family’s privilege to meet and know Admiral Michael Franken when he ran for the Senate representing Iowa. It is with sadness and continued reluctance that I removed the bumper sticker from one of our vehicles this past week.
This writer thought the many of you who met and assisted with his campaign would enjoy knowing his activities at this time.
He is currently serving on the DEFENSE SCIENCE BOARD for Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense. Having served as the Deputy Director of the United States Military operations of the African Command his experiences have now led him to serve on this committee as the operational person. The group has been tasked to explore the results of climate change on our planet. This means review of the food supply, migration, natural resources, the intensity of the storms, etc.
Climate change will change not only impact the United States markets, and general life, but greatly impact international components as well. For example, this group will study the impact of where naval bases should be located, and recommendations of where U.S. governmental and international civilian investments should be made.
When recently interviewed on Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck this writer very much appreciated Admiral Franken’s quote, “International Affairs doesn’t impact people until it does.”
In that interview he discussed Iowa’s farmland production. 26,000 acres in corn and soybeans, which are not a family food source (unless we include the Sweet Corn window) and how Iowa may become the food nation for the world. The natural resources of water, soil, researchers from our universities, and Carbon Dioxide being released from processing plants, has the potential to move Iowa away from row crops to feeding the people of Planet Earth.
Michael continues to reside in Sioux City, with Jordan, his bride. He has frequent trips to Washington D.C. He does not envision running for an elected position again but will be supportive to other candidates and the Iowa Democratic and National Democratic Party.
When questioned about how Iowa women can make a difference, he emphatically states BECOME INVOLVED. Women in Iowa are very capable, as well as energetic. They need to work at their local level, school board, city council, gain knowledge and move on to County Commissions, County Board of Supervisors and on to our Iowa Legislature.
The Iowa Women s Democratic Constituency Caucus wishes to express a hearty and sincere thanks for his military years of service, and to he and his family for their sacrifice in making an election for the U.S. Senate seat.