Today is Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack’s birthday, and during a news conference this morning at the statehouse he was asked if he had a birthday wish. Vilsack says on days like this, he thinks about his start in life as an orphan. “To be honest about this, I think about the circumstances of my birth and whether or not there’s a woman out there someplace that may be or may be not thinking about today and what took place 54 years ago today in her life,” Vilsack says. The Governor says he also thinks of all the folks who work at the orphanage, which no longer exists, as he never got a chance to thank those nameless folks who took care of him when he was a newborn. Vilsack says his wish is that every child in Iowa gets to have a happy and safe childhood. “I lost my father when he was 56, and I lost my mother when she was 57 and I lost my sister when she was in her late 40s,” Vilsack said. “I”m just happy to be healthy. I’m happy to be in a position to maybe do some good for some kids.”
