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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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| Name | Ray Zirkelbach |
| Address |
Monticello, Iowa , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | http://www.ray4ia.com/ |
| Born |
Unknown
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| Contributor | Wishful Thinking |
| Last Modifed | ev
Jan 11, 2016 09:46pm |
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| Info | Born and raised in Scotch Grove, Iowa, Ray graduated from Monticello High School in 1997, and University of Wyoming in 2002 with a degree in Administration of Justice. Ray served his country in Operation Enduring Freedom in the Sinai Peninsula and Operation Iraqi Freedom, while concurrently serving as the Representative of the 31st District in the Iowa House, in a war he had publicly opposed. The unit was deployed two years and holds the record for most consecutive days in combat in the Iraq war.
Receiving the Purple Heart on August 8, 2006, Zirkelbach returned from combat, and was credited for his later overhaul of the financial, emotional and physical support systems for veterans and floor-management dozens of bills that eventually became law. His ability to step across the aisle to discuss progressive agricultural approaches led to the passage of one of the most revered pieces of clean water legislation of the 21stcentury in Iowa. One of his largest projects in the Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa River Valleys in eastern Iowa helped prevent soil erosion, while expanding green space for local recreational enjoyment.
During his last term in the Iowa House, he was Chair and progressive leader of the Veterans Affairs Committee and a member of the Appropriations, Commerce and Agricultural committees, and was selected to serve on the Justice Systems Appropriations Committee. Recognized for his outstanding service at the 2008 National Conference of State Legislators in Boston, MA, receiving Meritorious Service Award, Ray was also awarded 2010 Dubuque County Mental Health Legislature of the Year Award for his legislative activism for autism spectrum disorders and veterans mental health funding and increased accessibility to resources.
After the Republican surge in 2010, Ray returned his focus on the strengthening of eastern Iowa, continuing his public service as a correctional counselor at the Anamosa State Penitentiary and program director of Advancement Services of Jones County. He has focused his efforts in community restoration projects and has since purchased and actively renovates properties in the area.
Ray is one of 3 lifetime members of AFSCME Iowa, which include Tom Vilsack and Dick Myers. Ray currently lives in Monticello, and enjoys spending his weekends going on adventures with his two children, Claire, 9, and Owen, 7.
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