Iowa official register

Miller, Helen – Fort Dodge (D) 

District 49 

Term: Serving fourth term in House.  Profession: Attorney/arts 

educator.  Education: Received B.A. in business administration 

from Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Master of Science in 

Library Science from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Anto-

nio, Texas; and Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law 

Center, Washington, D.C.  Memberships and Activities: Chairs 

Ethics and International Relations Committees. Professional mem-

ber of the Iowa State Bar Association and the District of Columbia 

Bar Association, National Organization of Black Elected Legisla-

tive Women, and is the Agriculture Policy Committee Chair for the 

National Black Caucus of State Legislators. Serves on the boards 

of the State Agriculture and Rural Leaders Association and the 

National Black Caucus of State Legislators.  Birth and Residence: 

Born in 1945 in Newark, New Jersey. Resides in Fort Dodge.  

Family Members: Husband Dr. Edward Miller; one son, two 

daughters, and four grandchildren. 

 

 

Miller, Linda J. – Bettendorf (R) 

District 82 

Term: Serving second term in House.  Profession:  President, 

LJM Consulting, Bettendorf.  Education: Graduated from 

Greenfield High School and Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in 

Des Moines. Received B.S.N. from the University of Iowa.  Mem-

berships and Activities: Member of Davenport One and Betten-

dorf Chamber of Commerce, past chair of the State Legislative 

Committee. Member of Iowa Medical Alliance, past president and 

Alliance Member of the Year, 2002. Member of Scott Community 

College Foundation Board, Bettendorf Rotary, Grow Davenport 

PAC, and secretary of Scott County Medical Alliance. Past mem-

ber of Davenport Schools Foundation Board, Iowa Medical Politi-

cal Action PAC, Iowa Medical Foundation Board, and Iowa Medi-

cal Group Managers Association. Birth and Residence: Born in 

1947 in Creston. Resides in Bettendorf.  Family Members: Hus-

band Dr. Harold Miller; six children.  

 

 

Murphy, Pat – Dubuque (D) 

District 28 

Term: Serving eleventh term in House.  Profession: Adjunct 

instructor.  Education: Graduated from Wahlert High School. Re-

ceived B.A. in communications, political science, and history from 

Loras College.  Memberships and Activities: Board member of 

Mental Health Association and former board member of Dubuque 

Cable Commission.  Birth and  Residence: Born in 1959 in Du-

buque. Raised and resides in Dubuque.  Family Members: Wife 

Teri Ann; three sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren.  

 

67 

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH 

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Oldson, Jo – Des Moines (D) 

District 61 

Term: Serving fourth term in House.  Profession: Former First 

Deputy Insurance Commissioner and former advisor to Governor 

Tom Vilsack.  Education: Graduated from Eagle Grove Commu-

nity High School. Earned B.A. and J.D. from Drake University.  

Memberships and Activities: Past president of Young Women’s 

Resource Center Board of Directors. Fundraiser for United Way. 

Member of Plymouth Congregational Church.  Birth and Resi-

dence: Born in 1956 in Eagle Grove. Resides in Des Moines.  

Family Members: Husband Brice Oakley.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olson, Donovan – Boone (D) 

District 48 

Term: Serving fourth term in House.  Profession: Distance Edu-

cation Coordinator for Iowa State University and former Boone 

County supervisor.  Education:  Graduated from Boone High 

School. Received B.A. in art and design from Iowa State University 

and M.A. in community and regional planning. Memberships and 

Activities:  Serves on the Midwestern Legislative Conference’s 

Energy Committee. Member of the Genesis Development Board of 

Directors. Member of the Boone First United Methodist Church 

Staff Parish Relations Committee. Member of the Boone First 

United Methodist Church.  A Boone National Little League coach,  

T-Ball coach, and YMCA basketball coach, Boone YMCA. MCRP-

ISU.  Birth and  Residence:  Born in 1965 in Boone. Raised and 

resides in Boone.  Family Members: Wife Sue; one son and one 

daughter. 

 

 

 

 

Olson, Rick – Des Moines (D) 

District 68 

Term: Serving third term in House.  Profession: Attorney.  Edu-

cation: Attended Grand View College. Received undergraduate and 

law degrees from Drake University.  Memberships and Activities: 

Member of the Polk County Magistrate Appointing Commission, 

Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Board, 

Iowa State Bar Association, Polk County Bar Association, the Iowa 

Trial Lawyers Association, and the Des Moines Elks.  Birth and 

Residence: Born in 1951 in Des Moines. Resides in Des Moines.  

Family Members: Wife Brenda; three daughters. 

 

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IOWA OFFICIAL REGISTER 

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