Letter From the Chair
Dear Senate Colleagues:
Challenging times, conflicting priorities, and difficult decisions are par for the course for state Senate leaders. The Senate Presidents’ Forum (SPF) provides an oasis of calm and thoughtful discussion in the midst of stormy legislative seas. At the Forum, Senate colleagues, who comprehend the scale and demands of our mission, come together to share solutions to perennial issues.
SPF is highly educational, respectful and non-partisan. Senate leaders learn in a setting that rejuvenates and recommits us to our goals. We tackle knotty problems in our States with input from world class experts. We hear diverse ideas from other leaders, both those that were successful and those that failed, and consider evidence-based strategies to solve problems.
The Senate Presidents’ Forum is an essential commitment on my legislative calendar. I urge you to join us and add your voice and experience to the Forum discussions. Welcome to the SPF family.
BOARD CHAIR
Senator Rodric D. Bray
Senate President Pro Tempore
Indiana
J. Stuart Adams
President of the Senate
Utah
Rodric D. Bray
Senate President Pro Tempore
Indiana
Bill Ferguson
President of the Senate
Maryland
Bart Hester
Senate President Pro Tempore
Arkansas
Ronald D. Kouchi
CHAIR, Senate Presidents' Forum
President of the Senate
Hawaii
Karen Spilka
President of the Senate
Massachusetts
Robert Stivers
President of the Senate
Kentucky
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors guides the operations of the Senate Presidents’ Forum and approves the content and speakers for conferences to ensure that strictly non-partisan and balanced discussions occur that will serve the needs of the State Senate leaders. The Chair serves for two years and that role rotates among the members of the Board.
Dear Senate Colleagues:
Rose Swan founded the Senate Presidents’ Forum in 1994. For 31 years, Rose led the program with kindness and grace, maintaining an educational and non-partisan focus while fostering deep and lasting friendships. A hallmark of the Forum is its friendly, open and engaging atmosphere where people with diverse views find common ground.
In keeping with her vision, the Senate Presidents’ Forum provides state senate leaders with opportunities to discuss public policy issues in an open way, to hear from experts with no political agendas and to learn from one another’s experiences. Most importantly, under Rose’s leadership the Forum has been a safe environment where senate leaders can get to know each other, where the challenges they face are recognized and the commitment they show is honored. The ultimate goal of Rose’s work has been to support state senate leaders in developing fair and wise decisions for the good of all. As Rose retires, the Forum honors her for three decades of outstanding leadership. She will be deeply missed.
It’s been said that the greatest investment one can make is in people. Rose has made that investment in all of us, and we’re better for it. We’re better to have journeyed along this trail with Rose, and for her to have been a part of our lives and our work. For that, I am eternally grateful.
– THOMAS C. ALEXANDER, President of the Senate, South Carolina
Knowing how this organization evolved from 7 senators and 10 sponsors to where we are today, I have no qualms about saying Rose created the preeminent conference in the nation for state elected officials. It’s been an incredible journey.
– RONALD D. KOUCHI, President of the Hawai’i Senate, Hawai’i
Winston Churchill said that you can measure your living by what you get but you measure your life by what you give. Rose Swan measures up in life. She gives to each and every one of us.
– DAVID SOKOLA, Senate President Pro Tempore, Delaware
I've learned so much from Rose over the years, but only recently did I learn that she is an accomplished potter. When you think about throwing clay and pottery, all molds are created a little differently — and they really broke the mold when they made her. Rose has led this group with the wit, wisdom and humor of someone who we've all come to deeply admire.
– GERARD DEHRMANN, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Walmart
FOUNDER
Senate Presidents’ Forum
Rose Swan
