January 20, 2025, was a momentous day for America. The theme of the 60th Presidential Inauguration was “Our Enduring Democracy.” And this Inauguration was a reminder that because of our American Constitution, our nation will surely endure.
For the last five years, I have had the great privilege of serving my local health system as Medical Director for Home Hospice. Every week I sit in a meeting with the multidisciplinary caretakers on this team – the nurses who provide the great majority of the hands-on care, social worker, pharmacist, dietician, and pastor. We discuss all the patients currently under our care and discuss how we can improve each patient’s suffering and maximize their quality of life.
Right now, at this very moment I am trying to tell myself it isn’t too cold to go out and start my car. The problem is my “practical” self knows I’m not telling the truth.
Lately I’ve been reminded of a blockbuster movie from my youth. It contains a scene that even those who never saw the film are likely to recognize. A sleeping family is jolted awake, and from the foot of the bed the young daughter sings “they’re here!”
The Legislature is nearing the end of the period for new bill introductions. Committee hearings will be held in the afternoons, beginning on Wednesday, January 22nd and continuing through the end of March. Debate on proposed changes to the rules governing the legislative process, is expected to begin next week with consideration of legislation advancing from Committee to occur during the morning sessions.
Recently I was working with my son’s scout troop to help them achieve the personal fitness merit badge. This merit badge has many requirements including discussions about healthy habits, diet, and exercise. The scouts keep track of their exercise over a 12 week period and log everything they eat over a few days as well. One of the discussions covers the seven warning signs of cancer.
On November 5, 2024, the American people cast their votes in a pivotal presidential election. A sitting vice president and a former president faced one another in a hotly contested race. Through the early hours of the morning of November 6, our votes were counted. And that morning, the voice of the American people was heard. Donald Trump was projected the winner of the 2024 presidential election.
The first session of the 109th Legislature kicked off on Wednesday, January 8th. The initial day of the long, 90-day session involved the election of the Speaker of the Legislature and Standing Committee Chairs. I had the honor of walking onto the floor of the Norris Chamber, to be sworn in as State Senator for Legislative District 1. On Friday, I learned that I will be serving on the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance and Judiciary Committees. Despite having been engaged with the legislative process for 40+ years, it is an immense responsibility to represent your interests on the “other side of the glass”.