MORE ABOUT MIKE

Mike Gronstal, from Council Bluffs, has been the Senate Democratic Leader since 1997. First elected to office in 1982, Gronstal served one term in the Iowa House (1983-85), and is currently in his seventh term in the Senate. He is the State Democratic Leader in the Iowa Senate and has been a lifelong advocate for public education and smart politics.

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We are fortunate to have Mike Gronstal represent us, our students, our schools and our profession. In the current political climate it is vital that you understand that we need YOU. Your time, your talent, and--eventually--your treasure will be needed to make sure that we reverse the trend of legislators who are willing to sell out our children for corporate tax cuts.

Sen. Mike Gronstal to be honored for commitment to education

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has been named the 2008 Friend of Education by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). He will be honored on Friday morning, April 4, before a group of nearly 500 educators attending the ISEA's annual meeting at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

Gronstal has been a champion for public education and has led efforts to increase funding and expand learning opportunities throughout his more than 30 years of service in the Legislature. He was elected Senate Majority Leader by his fellow Democratic Senators after spearheading their efforts to capture 30 seats in the Iowa Senate in 2006.

One of his first actions as Majority Leader was to pass legislation that made a commitment to increase Iowa teacher pay from 42nd to 25th in the nation. More important, he backed up that commitment with the necessary funding during the 2007 session, and he has guaranteed that additional funding will be appropriated during the 2008 session.

"Mike has worked tirelessly on behalf of Iowa's students and their educators, and we are proud to give him this award," ISEA President Linda Nelson said. "He has demonstrated time and again his commitment to public education and education professionals and his support will help ensure that Iowa can continue to attract and keep top-quality educators at all levels."
Gronstal has been in the Iowa Senate for more than 30 years after serving two years in the Iowa House. He represents Senate District 50, which covers Council Bluffs and Carter Lake. He is a graduate of Council Bluffs' St. Albert High School and Antioch College in Ohio. He also attended Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.

Sen. Gronstal was nominated for the ISEA Friend of Education Award by the Council Bluffs Education Association in January.

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