2011 DMDC Trip Recap

Attendees witnessed an extensive lineup of guest speakers that addressed the group throughout the three-day trip. The activities kicked off Wednesday, May 11, 2011, with a Congressional leadership lunch featuring U.S. House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD). All seven members of the Iowa Congressional delegation — Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-3rd District), Rep. Tom Latham (R-4th District), Congressman Steve King (R-5th District), Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-2nd District), and Rep. Bruce Braley (D-1st District) — addressed the group at the Thursday breakfast. U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) addressed the group during the Congressional leadership lunch on Thursday, May 12. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Tom Vilsack during the Iowa Congressional Reception at Union Station. The Friday morning Congressional Staff Briefing and brunch featured a media panel discussion and analysis on the upcoming elections, the Iowa Caucuses, and items of political interest with Judy Woodruff of PBS’s “NewsHour”; Jeff Zeleny from the New York Times; Dan Balz with the Washington Post, and Kelly O’Donnell of NBC News.

Other DMDC Activities

Other participant activities included workshops on healthcare, K-12 education reform, economic development, innovation policy, tax and budget and arts and culture, along with a number of other small group meetings with key Administration and Congressional staffers. Visits to the Embassies of Brazil, Korea, and India to discuss the expansion of agricultural, commercial, and industrial trade also were conducted.