The Change Event honored the Forum's founding members and promoted involvement and activism by the club's current members. The Forum's Twenty-First Century Leader recognition was inaugurated and given to Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver at the event.
The Forum's Twenty-First Century Leader recognition was presented to State Representative Janet Petersen. Governor and Christie Vilsack were in attendance, and the governor addressed the members.
On the first day of the trip, the group met with Senator Tom Daschle (SD), Senator Mark Pryor (AR), Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Senator Harry Reid (NV), Senator Hillary Clinton (NY), Senator Jon Corzine (NJ), Senator Christopher Dodd (CT), and Senator Jim Jeffords (VT). It also happened to be the day that Prime Minister Tony Blair was addressing a joint session of Congress, and they got to attend his speech. The next day was lunch with Congressman Boswell and Congressman Patrick Kennedy (RI). The second day continued with attending a taping of Crossfire and meeting host Paul Begala. The day ended with taking the train to Baltimore for an Orioles baseball game.
During the trip in 2005, the group met with Senator Barbara Boxer (CA), Senator Barack Obama (IL) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL). They had dinner with Senator Harkin and Ruth Harkin, and the senator spent a lot of time asking each person questions about themselves. On the second day of the trip, the group visited with Congressman Boswell's staff. They also attended a Nationals baseball game.
During the 2007 trip, the group met with Senator Charles Schumer (NY), Senator Barack Obama (IL), Senator Claire McCaskill (MO), Senator Christopher Dodd (CT and Senator Hillary Clinton (NY), Representative Leonard Boswell. They had dinner with Senator Harkin, Ruth Harkin, Representative Bruce Braley and Representative Dave Loebsack. They also attended a Nationals baseball game.
1998 was a remarkable year for Iowa Democrats. For the first time in decades, a Democrat was elected governor of the state. Looking forward to the next four years with Tom Vilsack living at Terrace Hill, the 1999 Gubernatorial Inaugural Ball was attended by several Forum members.
Prior to the Gubernatorial Inaugural Ball in 2003, the Forum held a reception for presidential candidate John Kerry.
In 2006, Chet Culver was elected as governor after Tom Vilsack opted not to run again. The Inaugural Ball was Friday, January 12th.
In 2003, the dinner was hosted by Senator Hillary Clinton (NY); in 2004, the dinner was hosted by Al Franken; in 2005 the dinner was headlined by Tom Daschle; and in 2006, the dinner was headlined by President Bill Clinton.
Harkin Steak Fry, years 2003 (special guest Bill Clinton), 2004 (special guests Tom Arnold, Sheryl Crow and Elizabeth Edwards), 2005 (special guest John Edwards), and 2006 (special guest Barack Obama).
