GUEST COLUMN, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator
Since this is my third Saturday newsletter in a row, does that qualify as a “Three-peat?” Wow, no better way to start off than with an incredible Chiefs victory to send them to New Orleans for yet another Super Bowl Championship. How quickly things can change, however, as that joy and celebration turned instantly to shock and despair with the news of the oh-so-close-to-home Kansas Day flight from Wichita to Washington that never made it, conjuring up memories of the ill-fated Wichita State University football team crash from back in 1970. Our Senate Chaplain probably said it best when he offered in his Invocation, “Lord, this tragedy reminds us of the uncertainty of life and causes us to reflect on our own mortality. Make us mindful of the certainty we can have in You and the peace and comfort that only You can give to us and the families of the victims, as the lengthy process of closure begins.”
The old expression “life goes on” certainly had some irony in the fact that not even eight hours earlier pro-life Legislators had been recognized at a rally on the Capitol steps held in conjunction with the 52nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, which, of course, was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court 2 1/2 years ago. It was also manifested by the reality that despite the mood affectations, we had to press on with our business, with all the daytime meetings and evening receptions – including at the Governor’s mansion -- going on as scheduled. The one departure from “the usual” was in the far-from-ordinary treatment accorded the so-called “Help Not Harm Act,” which was moved from the hearing stage to committee approval to final passage by both houses in a matter of four days.
That bill, SB 63, is very familiar to many of you because I have received more than 150 emails and phone calls passionately urging its enactment. What it would do is ban sex-change drugs and surgeries by medical providers for children under the age of 18, even with parental consent. With all the informational studies we have about the certain irreversible infertility of such actions, along with side effects of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, sleep apnea, hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, and mental health issues, one would expect this to be a “no brainer,” yet it only passed 32-8 in the Senate and 83-35 in the House. Besides the myths about dysphoria and suicide rates, crazy, isn’t it, that kids cannot get tattoos or buy cough syrup over the counter, but can currently get puberty blockers?
Something we can all agree on is the importance to our state of grain production, as we heard in our Ag Committee this week from farmer-representatives of the Sorghum, Wheat, Corn, and Soybean industries. We were informed that Kansas ranks first among 28 states in the production of sorghum, which is gaining greatly in popularity for its inherent drought tolerance. Particularly interesting about the Wheat Commission report was the observation that 2024 marked the 150th year since introduction of the hardy and historically significant Turkey Red Winter variety to Kansas. Impressive to me also was the recent focus on Corn education in our K-12 schools, reaching 104,000 students last year. Besides learning that only 10% of soybeans are irrigated, I was curious to be reminded they are used for everything from candles to tires to road sealant!
I didn’t ask how many of them were other than grain farmers, but the absolute highlight of my week was hosting a fine young group of 14 seventh and eighth grade students from the Montezuma Mennonite School. Visiting the Capitol in conjunction with their study of Kansas History and Government, I was truly uplifted and inspired by their respect, politeness, clean-cut presence and attire, and their engagement and attentiveness. Led by their advisor, Bryan Koehn, and accompanied by their teacher, Todd Schmidt, and 22 other parents and mentors, I could not have been more proud to introduce to my fellow Senators on the Floor Dillon Nichols; Blake Nichols; Dema Yost; Landon Koehn; Russell Koehn; Parker Koehn; Morgan Koehn; Keela Koehn; Brooklyn Hibbs; Holly Koehn; Rilla Koehn; Tynan Koehn; Jarett Salsbury; and Tate Koehn. Any of you want to come back as a Page?
While addressing the subject of distinguished student-achievers, allow me to share with you the announcement of six Washburn University attendees from our area who were named to the President’s List for this fall semester. So honored for their 4.0 averages were Rocelyn Miller; Elizabeth Cox; Paris Rivas; and Ashlyn Armstrong, all from Dodge City, and Matthew Rice, Liberal. Since the only 4-point I ever made was my stance as a football lineman (!), my congratulations go out to them. None that I know came to my Dodge Town Hall Meeting attended by so many nice folks this morning, but I’ll assume that’s because they were back in Topeka studying! Still, I am privileged to represent both them and you as a “voice” in our State Capitol, dedicated to making things better for all SW Kansans.
