Senator Sires asks Senate to observe moment of silence for UNI student Parker Sullivan

Senator Sires, recognized by the presiding officer as the senator from Blackhawk, asked the Iowa Senate to observe a moment of silence for University of Northern Iowa student Parker Sullivan, who died after a medical emergency last week. Sires told senators that Sullivan was a first-year student at UNI and had been recruited as a member of the Panthers football team. "With great sadness, you and I announced on Saturday the passing of student Parker Sullivan following a medical emergency last week," Sires said, noting Sullivan’s athletic record at Iowa City High School and his interests in video games and movies.

Sires recounted that Sullivan competed in football, basketball and baseball at Iowa City High School and was a second-team all-state selection in football as a senior before signing with UNI. She asked members to join a moment of silence to honor Sullivan, his family and the UNI community mourning the loss.

The announcement and the moment of silence occurred during the period for announcements and introductions; no further remarks or formal actions related to the death were recorded in the transcript.

The Senate then resumed other business and proceeded to routine procedural items before adjourning.