DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Democratic Party announces that Senator Tom Harkin will keynote the 2010 Hall of Fame celebration, which will take place on Friday, June 11 in Des Moines.

This year’s event will celebrate Senator Tom Harkin’s service to Iowa, and he will give special recognition to both his current and previous supporters and staff.

“Our Hall of Fame event is always a celebration of everything Iowa Democrats have accomplished over the years. We are thrilled to have Senator Harkin on hand to help us celebrate those accomplishments as we look toward Election Day in November,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan.

This year, Iowa Democrats will honor Ruth Harkin and Dianne Liepa for their work and accomplishments throughout the years. Senator Harkin’s wife, Ruth, was one of the first women elected as county prosecutor, and will be inducted to the Iowa Democratic Party’s Hall of Fame as Outstanding Elected Official. Dianne Liepa, who recently retired after working the past 33 years for Senator Harkin, will be inducted as Outstanding Supporter. The Iowa Democratic Party will pay tribute to the many staff and supporters who have been integral in Senator Harkin’s past electoral victories, making him one of Iowa’s most successful Democrats in history.

“Two great women have stood alongside Senator Harkin for many years, and it’s a privilege for us to honor Ruth, Dianne, and Senator Harkin’s terrific group of staff and supporters for their contributions to the Democratic Party and to Iowa,” Kiernan added.

The annual Hall of Fame celebration is the second largest annual gathering of Democrats across Iowa, topped only in size by the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, held each fall. This year’s Hall of Fame celebration will take place at Drake University.

To sign-up to receive information on ticketing and further information about the Hall of Fame event, click here.

###

Ruth Harkin
2010 Outstanding Elected Official Inductee

• In 1972 Ruth was elected to the office of Story County Attorney, and was one of the first women in the United States to be elected as a prosecutor.
• Ruth has served on the Iowa Board of Regents since 2005.

Dianne Liepa
2010 Outstanding Supporter Inductee

• Dianne served Iowans for 33 years working for Senator Harkin, Liepa started as a staff assistant in 1976 and was named State Director in 1995.
• Dianne initiated the Invent Iowa program, a statewide outreach program developed to assist Iowa’s educators in promoting the invention process, in which more than a half million Iowa students have participated.