Recently, I heard very exciting news that the North Miami WarriorTech robotics squad won the Indiana State Championship. For having the best programmer, they also brought home the Control Award. The WarriorTech squad now has three weeks to prepare before traveling to the North Super Regional Contest in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which occurs March 15-17. This is a huge honor for the school and students and an impressive accomplishment for a team just in their second year of competition. The students have also done a tremendous job gathering sponsors. Northern Indiana Community Foundation, Denver Lions Club, Miami-Cass REMC and Andy Mark, among others have helped finance this team. Once again, a small, rural school exceled in a unique competition requiring high-tech skills. I am very proud of these students and their advisors, Kirby and Tara Lane, for their accomplishments. I wish them well in future competitions.
At the Statehouse, legislators are working to adopt a state insect for Indiana. The House passed Senate Bill 236 to name the Say’s Firefly as the official state insect. Several entomologists and a class of fourth-grade students advocated on behalf of the firefly. Legislators were moved by the presentation given by young students who testified, including those who explained the benefits of selecting the firefly as the state insect.
We have a state bird, flower, soil, tree and rifle, and I think it’s about time we have an insect to represent our state. We've all enjoyed watching lightning bugs in the summer, and maybe even caught a few. While some may question the need, this is an important issue to these children, and the experience of engaging in state government is invaluable. Let us listen to them, and adopt the insect as our own. It's the right thing to do.
Senate Bill 52 passed through the House this week, and I authored its sister bill (House Bill 1214).This proposed legislation would allow for the sale of CBD oil that is properly labeled and contains 0.3 percent THC or less. Both the Senate and the House are working together toward finding a compromise between our bills to clear up any confusion associated with CBD oil and help Hoosiers in need.
It is important to be able to connect employees with potential employers, which is why the General Assembly is taking up the workforce issue. Proposed legislation would establish two employees at each WorkOne Center to inform local school officials and students of available grants and programs. WorkOne uses state resources to connect Indiana’s employers with potential employees. Under SB 50, the opportunity to opt into a database would help connect career and technical students with employers and open positions in their communities.
I recognized Jim Wildermuth with Senate Concurrent Resolution 17 after he was named the 2017 Indiana Rural Teacher of the Year. An educator from North Miami Community Middle School and High School, Jim teaches agriculture courses and serves as a local FFA advisor. Over the years, Jim’s students have won multiple national championships in FFA competitions and thrived under his direction. Jim makes it a priority to visit with every new student or incoming freshman. I’m proud of Jim’s efforts and that we have such an outstanding citizen providing opportunities for students in our community.
As always, it’s your state government, participate in it.
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State Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
A high-resolution photo of Friend can be downloaded by clicking here.
