From the Des Moines Register a heart warming story on Senator Joe Seng who, while battling cancer, played a polka on his accordion and sang on the Iowa Senate floor on April 29, 2015.
“Each year as the Iowa Legislature nears the end of its annual session, the Davenport Democrat serenades his colleagues with music in the chamber. On Wednesday, before lawmakers were officially gaveled to business, he played “In Heaven There is No Beer” and the “Beer Barrel Polka.”
Seng, 68, who is a veterinarian outside of politics, was diagnosed in August with a brain tumor in his left parietal lobe, but he immediately vowed to undergo treatment and continue his legislative career. He underwent surgery in September to remove the tumor and he completed a battery of radiation in November.
He receives chemotherapy five days a month,. But he won re-election without opposition last fall to a four-year term and he was back in his seat at the Iowa Capitol when the Legislature convened in January.
He still plays both the piano and the accordion and he plans to resume his veterinary work on a limited basis after the legislative session ends. Seng has served in the Senate since 2003, and earlier served in the Iowa House and as a Davenport alderman. He is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and vice chairman of the Senate Labor and Business Relations Committee.”
Dr. Joe Seng was elected in 2010 to his third term in the Iowa Senate. He represents Davenport and the southern portion of Scott County along the Mississippi River on the eastern border of Iowa. Prior to serving in the Senate, he served one term in the Iowa House of Representatives. Previous to State Office, he served as Mayor ProTem and Alderman at large for the City of Davenport.
Senator Seng is chair of the Agriculture Committee and vice-chair of the Ways & Means Committee. He also serves on the Commerce, Ethics, and Natural Resources & Environment committees, as well as the Economic Development Budget, Labor and Business Subcommittee.
Joe is active in the Davenport community as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Midwest National Rail Compact, NAACP, and as president and CEO at Marquette Academy.
Joe has received national recognition from the American Humane Society for his efforts to prevent animal cruelty. He has also been honored by many Iowa organizations, including the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and was named Legislator of the Year by the Izaak Walton League. Joe has also served as President for the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the President of the Iowa Health Council.
As we all know, music is a wonderful source of positive energy and spirit and is beneficial to all, both performers and listeners. AWW wishes Senator Seng a speedy recovery.
