[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7913-7914]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BILL ANGRICK

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, in 1972, the Iowa Legislature created 
the Office of Citizens' Aide to address instances of dissatisfaction 
with government agencies In 1978, Bill Angrick became the State 
ombudsman at age 32, according to the Des Moines Register. Just a few 
weeks ago Bill Angrick announced he would take the State's early 
retirement incentives at age 64.
  As a member of the State house in 1972, I was enthusiastic about the 
creation of the ombudsman's office. I had gone from political science 
student to state legislator and was beginning to appreciate the value 
of government oversight in the practical world. It is one thing to 
study political theory and have a concept of how things should work. It 
is another thing to represent citizens as their elected representative 
and see how things really work. The Federal constitution Framers knew 
what they were doing when they built in checks and balances among the 
three branches of government.
  The decision to create a State ombudsman wasn't unanimous. The house 
vote was 70 to 28, the Senate vote 30 to 20. Then, as now, those who 
perform government oversight might have been seen as skunks at a 
picnic, fueling fears of those who might abuse their investigative 
powers or among agencies, rein in their power. Inspectors general and 
whistleblowers at Federal agencies are regularly eyed with suspicion or 
targeted for retaliation. I run into this at the Federal level all the 
time. Sometimes the executive branch tries to stifle inspectors general 
or Federal employees who have reports of wrongdoing. Yet those people 
are very often heroes who expose waste, fraud, and abuse, and by 
putting themselves on the line, get problems fixed and strengthen 
government. They deserve honor and protection, which I work to provide. 
And I conduct oversight of Federal agencies, just as the voters oversee 
my performance as their elected representative.
  By all accounts I have heard, Bill Angrick served his oversight role 
with the honor, diligence, and integrity envisioned by those of us who 
created the State ombudsman's office.
  His retirement provides a good opportunity to reflect on his work and 
on the role of an entity that exists to listen to citizens, investigate 
concerns, and render findings in the spirit of fixing shortcomings for 
public benefit. The office exists to perform oversight of State and 
local government agencies. Sometimes it initiates investigations upon a 
citizen phone call of concern or complaint. It receives thousands of 
inquiries every year. Occasionally, my staff in Iowa adds to the 
workload, referring cases to the ombudsman that deal exclusively with 
State and local government. I appreciate the careful consideration 
given in those instances. Other times, the ombudsman's staff sees the 
need for an investigation of an agency's interaction with a citizen 
over a particular case or multiple agencies' handling of a State matter 
that is either complex or has fallen through the cracks. As a third 
party, the ombudsman's office is charged with the responsibility of 
examining the facts as impartially and thoroughly as possible and 
rendering findings and recommendations in a thoughtful, constructive 
way. The office is removed from the emotions and biases of the people 
involved and proceeds without a predisposition toward a certain 
outcome.
  The workload can involve an issue with broad implications, such as 
State and local governments' treatment of prison inmates, and response 
to child abuse cases. Mr. Angrick's office reviewed whether inmates 
were held too long in restraining chairs and whether government 
procedures were adequate to protect children in violent circumstances. 
The office has given special attention over the years to State and 
local governments' treatment of mentally ill and disabled citizens. Mr. 
Angrick recognizes that some challenges are interwoven among segments 
of society and government and merit a comprehensive response. For 
example, he has given needed understanding of and exposure to the fact 
that State prisons have become de facto housing for mentally ill 
citizens in many cases. He is right that government has to address this 
situation and give appropriate treatment to those who can't advocate 
for themselves.

[[Page 7914]]

  The ombudsman's workload also involves cases with a more narrow 
focus. A recent investigation covered a city street superintendent 
accused of using city equipment on his own property and retaliating 
against a citizen who complained while local elected officials stood 
by. The resolution of that dispute might not resonate statewide, but it 
is meaningful for the residents of a community who expect their city 
employees to function aboveboard and expect their elected officials to 
enforce city rules and regulations. The office serves as a check-and-
balance backstop on potential abuse of power.
  However, the ombudsman's office doesn't only conclude that the 
government is wrong. Sometimes it affirms that government agencies 
acted properly, as in 2004 when it concluded that the Iowa Department 
of Natural Resources' investigation of three Asian markets for unlawful 
fish sales was fair and reasonable.
  The citizens aide office is open to everyone, regardless of position 
and station in life. That equal voice for everyone is critical to its 
purpose and its success. Under Mr. Angrick's leadership, a prison 
inmate's call is taken respectfully and with care for the facts, the 
same as a mayor's call. Mr. Angrick recognizes that a prisoner should 
not be abused and is entitled to humane, compassionate treatment and 
certain rights as he pays his debt to society. This is not only the 
right way to treat our fellow human beings, but it also contributes to 
a stronger civic structure. If the prison inmate feels heard, he may 
leave his service with a greater regard for society and the rule of law 
than he did going into prison. He might not commit a crime the second 
time.
  By holding the government accountable, the ombudsman's office builds 
faith in State and local civic institutions. A well-functioning 
government in which citizens have a voice, are heard, and affect change 
is the best antidote to cynicism about government. My strong impression 
is that Bill Angrick and his staff accomplished the simple slogan of 
their office: ``Dedicated to Making Good Government Better.'' I thank 
Bill Angrick for his 32 years of service to the people of Iowa.

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