The rookie senator known as “Chicken Man” on RAGBRAI dressed in a kilt today to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The Iowa Senate, as you may know, has a dress code which requires men to wear suitcoats and ties. I’m not sure if it specifies pants are to be paired with the coats and ties, although the code does forbid the wearing of jeans. Senate President Jack Kibbie, a Democrat from Emmetsburg, gaveled the Senate to order this morning, and singled out Senator Mark Chelgren’s kilt for special mention.
“We’re on the edge of some of our Senate rules this morning,” Kibbie joked.
Two senators performed “Oh Danny Boy” as the first order of senate business. Senator Merlin Bartz sang it; Senator Joe Seng accompanied on his accordion. Listen to their rendition here.
The House opened its day with “Oh Danny Boy” too — sung by former State Representative Dan Boddicker, who used to sing it when he was a member of the House. He was invited back for today’s return engagement.
There was a variety food available in both the House and Senate today to celebrate the holiday. Kibbie — the Senate president — and his wife, Kay, bought over 12 dozen green apples to contribute to the buffet.
“They were delivered by an Irishman from Hy-Vee,” Kibbie quipped.
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
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