Senator with brain cancer marks end of grueling session

DES MOINES - 'I made it.”

That's what Joe Seng said to his friend and fellow Iowa senator, Bill Dotzler, on Friday at the end of a legislative session that was a strenuous physical and mental test for the 68-year-old Seng, who has brain cancer.

During a meeting Friday, the final day of the 2015 legislative session, Senate Democrats thanked Seng, a Democrat from Davenport, and his clerk, Mary Kresser, for their work this year.

Through the five-month session, Seng endured many challenges. In October, he had surgery to remove a highly malignant brain tumor, and the disease made some tasks difficult.

Despite the health issues, Seng remained a regular in the Senate, where Democrats hold the slimmest of majorities, 26-24.

'It was quite a gallant effort on his part,” said Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo. 'I know he was here with severe headaches and (other) issues surrounding the brain cancer. …

'It was a hard thing to watch, but his courage is unmatched. And it really set an example for the rest of us about dedication to our jobs.”

Dotzler said senators also honored Kresser, calling her their honorary 51st senator for her work helping Seng throughout the session.

'They were a good team,” Dotzler said.

Dotzler said despite his health concerns, Seng remained sharp on legislative issues.

'He was very aware of everything that went on, and the issues that he had back home that affected him. He knew what his area wanted,” Dotzler said.

Dotzler said Friday morning's celebration was emotional.

'It was kind of a tearful and joyful thing. Everybody celebrated,” Dotzler said. 'At the end he turned and looked at me and said, ‘I made it.' And that just broke everybody up that heard it.”