A gubernatorial statement on Warner & Johnson, but not Hartwig

Governor Culver has issued a lot of salutory statements in the first two years of his governorship. The statements usually praise some sports figure or sports team.  For example, Culver issued a statement praising the University of Iowa football team, and its place kicker, for their remarkable victory over Penn State this past fall. 

This morning Culver issued another statement about (former) Iowans who did well in sports competitions over the weekend.  Read it below.  After the statement, you'll see the Iowan Culver failed to mention.  That's the danger in these kind of statements — somebody gets left out.  But given the frequency of these type of statements, rest assured that if you're an Iowan or former Iowan who does well in some sport, you soon may be among those hailed by Governor Culver.

GOVERNOR CULVER CONGRATULATES IOWANS FOR BIG WEEKEND WINS

Johnson, Warner Shine on the Sunday Sports Stage

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver congratulates two Iowans – Zach Johnson and Kurt Warner – for major victories yesterday. Johnson earned a two-stroke win at the PGA's Sony Open in Honolulu, HI, earning $972,000 in his fifth career victory. Warner led the Arizona Cardinals to a 32-25 win over the Philadelphia Eagles to earn the NFC title and an appearance in Superbowl XLIII.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR CULVER

"These two Iowans are an inspiration, not only to people across the state but around the world, by showing that hard work and commitment can beat the odds and lead to success.

"Zach Johnson is a great player on the course and a great person off it, as well. All of us in Iowa are thankful for his hard work last summer to raise awareness and support for our communities hit hard by the floods. I am glad that the 2009 PGA Tour is off to a great start for Zach, and wish him the best as he prepares for the Masters in April.

"The story of Kurt Warner is the stuff of legend in Iowa, as a player for Northern Iowa and the Iowa Barnstormers who never lost sight of the chance to become one of the all-time great NFL quarterbacks. Kurt showed what he is made of by leading the Arizona Cardinals to their first Superbowl appearance, and I wish him the best of luck on February 1."

Culver failed to mention Justin Hartwig, a West Des Moines Valley product who played college football at Kansas.  Hartwig was an offensive lineman at Valley and Kansas — and played primarily on special teams for the Tennessee Titans before switching to center.  Hartwig now plays center for the Pittsburg Steelers who won the AFC championship yesterday and are Super Bowl bound, just like the Arizona Cardinals.