Iowa Congressional Delegation Pens Letter for Historic Time Capsule Submission

Iowa Congressional Delegation Pens Letter for Historic Time Capsule Submission

The capsule will remain sealed until the nation's 500th anniversary

Click HERE for audio

WASHINGTON - Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), along with Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), submitted a letter on behalf of all Iowans for inclusion in the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule, which celebrates 250 years of American independence. Grassley cosponsored the legislation creating the capsule.

The letter celebrates Iowa's culture and spirit, chronicling the state's historic milestones and contributions to the nation and the world. Around July 4th, 2026, the capsule will be sealed and buried in the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., with an informational plaque. It will remain sealed for 250 years, until July 4th, 2276.

"'Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.' Our state motto reflects the grit and resilience spanning generations of Iowans proud to call the Hawkeye State home. Situated in America's Heartland, Iowa's geography and abundant natural resources have shaped our state's heritage, culture, economy and quality of life, beckoning industrious, hardworking people to turn Iowa's fertile soil into the nation's breadbasket that feeds and fuels the world," the members wrote.

The members share how Iowa pioneered a framework for free public education that paved the way for a robust network of two-year community colleges. The letter details how Wilbur and Orville Wright received a toy helicopter from their father during their time living in Cedar Rapids, sparking their interest in aviation.

"From one generation to the next, Iowans embrace America's entrepreneurial spirit and tirelessly pursue the blessings of economic freedom to improve standards of living and opportunity for our children and grandchildren. By applying innovation, ingenuity, and investment, hardworking Iowans set new benchmarks of productivity in farming, grain milling, biofuels, manufacturing, construction, aviation communications, and aerospace innovation," the members continued.

Iowan John Froelich invented the first internal-combustion tractor, and the business he started in Waterloo was purchased by the John Deere Company in 1918. Three more Iowans - Henry A. Wallace, Norman Borlaug and Harry Stine - pioneered scientific breakthroughs in seed genetics, boosting crop yields with pest-, weed- and drought-resistant seeds that saved billions from starvation and enriched diets to feed a growing global population.

"Located in the Heartland of America, Iowans take pride in civic life that encapsulates the spirit of Iowa, often referred to as 'Iowa Nice.' It's simply the Iowa way to check in on elderly residents, coach youth sports, serve as volunteer firefighters, bring a home-cooked meal to a family in need, and harvest crops for a fallen farmer who passed away or suffered a severe accident," wrote the members.

Jessie Field Shambaugh from Shenandoah, Iowa, is celebrated as the "Mother of 4-H," an organization helping shape leadership, responsibility and hands-on agricultural education. The Iowa State Fair attracts more than a million visitors every year to celebrate the best Iowa has to offer, and the iconic butter cow celebrated a century of sculpted glory in 2011.

"Throughout our state's history, Iowans have led the way for freedom, equality, and justice, from the abolitionist movement to desegregation and women's suffrage. Carrie Chapman Catt from Charles City devoted three decades to securing the 19th Amendment. Patriotism runs deeply through our communities and a robust grassroots network of veterans service organizations support Iowans who have answered the call to serve in our Armed Forces, providing employment, housing and social services support to nearly 177,000 veterans who call Iowa home," continued the members.

President Herbert Hoover was born in West Branch, and Vice President Henry A. Wallace, who served during President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's third term from 1941 to 1945, was born near Orient in Adair County. Iowans Lou Henry Hoover, born in Waterloo, and Mamie Eisenhower, born in Boone, served as First Ladies in the White House.

"As Iowa's elected officeholders, we work to strengthen our system of self-government by holding ourselves accountable to the people who placed their trust in us at the ballot box. The dean of the Iowa delegation, Chuck Grassley, started a tradition in 1981 that others have followed to meet with Iowans in each of our 99 counties every year. Dialogue is the essence of representative government. Iowans take citizenship seriously, including our role in the quadrennial presidential nominating contest," the members concluded.

Audio of Grassley discussing the letter can be found HERE.

Text of the letter can be found HERE.

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