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Uncommon Words: Nominations open for great legislators
by Jerry Fleagle, Hoover Presidential Found · Op-Ed · February 09, 2017


Well, 2016 is behind us and a new year and new challenges lie ahead.
I’d like to start by thanking everyone who contributed to our Hoover Annual Fund last month for “Standing with Hoover” and supporting the Foundation’s programs with your generous gifts. I’ve always said”we’re better together,” and together, we can accomplish great things!

So what does 2017 have in store for us on the Hoover Campus? In late January, a new temporary exhibit opened: “America’s Road: The Journey of Route 66.” If you haven’t seen it yet, put it on your list! It’s open through March 26th. One of my favorite elements in the exhibit is the all-original 1965 Ford Mustang.

We’ve also launched a new web site last week. Events, news and grant information is easy to navigate and mobile friendly. The biggest difference for us is the back-end admin tool which makes it much easier for us to program and update! We hope you’ll like it, too!

The Foundation is currently in the middle of three campaigns that could use your help. We’re seeking nominations for outstanding Iowa state legislators from both the House and the Senate. Nominating one is easy! Just use our one-page form from the web site and send it in by March 1st. Winners will be recognized at the state capitol in April and during our annual Celebration Banquet in the fall. Do you know one who lives up to Herbert Hoover’s ideals?

We are also accepting applications from high school juniors for the Uncommon Student Awards. Students propose and complete a community or entrepreneurial project of their own design and if chosen as one of our 15 finalists, will earn a $1,000 cash award. Three of the 15 will earn an additional $5,000 scholarship for the school of their choice! This is the 20th year for this program and it’s always amazing to see what these uncommon students come up with! Encourage your high school junior to apply by the March 15 deadline!

The third program we’re currently undertaking is ‘Every Cedar County Student Meets Hoover.’ Last year we were awarded a grant from the Cedar County Community Foundation which allows us to pay for school bus transportation for any Cedar County school to visit the Hoover Campus. We still have funds available and little time to award them. If your school is interested, contact our offices by the end of the month to learn how you can offset your transportation costs for a field trip your students won’t soon forget!

In April, don’t miss the Hoover Presidential Library-Museum’s Kites Over Hoover Park event on the 22nd. This annual event is as much fun to take in as it is for the kids and their families to participate!

The summer exhibit at the Library-Museum is C-SPANS’s American Presidents: Life Portraits, opening May 13. Much like the past First Lady’s exhibit, this one will include a personal item from each of our 45 U.S. Presidents.

Youth Hoover-Ball will be back bigger and better than last year! We’ve formed a third division, including 4th and 5th graders, 6th and 7th graders, and 8th and 9th. A one-day camp will return for the 4th and 5th graders to introduce them to the game and build their skills. A free tournament will run during Hoover’s Hometown Days™ for each division.

And there’s a lot more going on besides these items I’ve just detailed! Stay in touch with us at HooverPresidential-Foundation.org or search for our Facebook and Twitter pages and join in the conversation!

We’re always accepting new members and volunteers, so feel free to give us a call! Membership, donations, and event information is at your fingertips when you visit www.HooverPresidential-Foundation.org on the web.



Jerry Fleagle is the executive director of the Hoover Presidential Foundation. You may reach him at 319-643-5327 or JFleagle@hooverpf.org.