Governor at Charles City bill signing: Logan’s Law is now law

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Wendy Luft remarked at a ceremony Monday morning that the last time such a group had gathered in the Comet Gym it was almost two years ago, to say goodbye to her son, Logan, after a celebration of life service.

One difference with the gathering this time was that the governor was present.

“The Luft family opened their hearts to each of us when they decided to share Logan’s story and advocate for Senate File 86, Logan’s Law,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds.

“They understood that their son’s foresight in becoming an organ donor could make a difference not only for his recipients, but also for future generations to come,” she said. “And what a remarkable way to honor Logan’s memory.”

Reynolds held a bill-signing ceremony for Logan’s Law Monday morning in the gym at the Charles City Middle School.

Also there were the Luft family and friends; the legislators who introduced the bill; Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg; Charles City police officers and Floyd County sheriff’s deputies, in support of Logan’s father, Lenny, who is a Charles City officer; the CEO of the Iowa Donor Network; students who would have been Logan’s classmates and other students; and many members of the public.

Logan Luft died in July 2017 from injuries suffered in an ATV accident. Already an accomplished athlete, hunter and angler at age 15, Logan had indicated on his driving learner’s permit that he wished to be an organ donor.

The new law, which passed both houses unanimously, requires the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to make it possible for persons getting Iowa hunting and fishing licenses to indicate their wish to be organ donors, similar to what is available on Iowa driver’s licenses. It also requires organ donor information in hunting safety courses. Anyone at least age 14 can check an organ donor box with a parent’s signature.

Reynolds said at the signing ceremony Monday, “Today, we honor Logan’s memory and we embrace his legacy of kindness. And it’s a tremendous tribute to Logan’s life to see this gym filled with so many people. And it also reaffirms that the path to healing isn’t alone, especially here in Charles City.”

Addressing Logan’s parents and brother and sister, Reynolds said, “Lenny, Wendy, Landon, Lilly, it’s my prayer that you draw strength in knowing that Logan’s spirit continues to touch us through this legislation.

“Logan’s Law is absolutely going to change lives,” she said. “And you have been instrumental in bringing hope to the nearly 600 Iowans who are waiting for new organs, not to mention others across this country.

“Logan Luft knew the serenity that came with a sunrise turkey hunt, and enjoyed the satisfaction of a great day fishing with his buddies,” Reynolds said. “By signing this law, hundreds of Iowans who share Logan’s passion for the outdoors will have the opportunity to check a box and save lives.”

In remarks at a press conference after the ceremony, Reynolds said she decided to hold the signing ceremony in Charles City because it was a way to honor Logan’s life and his gifts of organ donation, as well as the efforts by the Luft family to advocate for increased donor awareness.

“Where else would we have signed it but right here, and the gym was full with compassionate, caring community that has lifted the Lufts up through some really tough, tough times,” the governor said.

Also giving brief remarks at the ceremony Monday were Rep. Todd Prichard and Sen. Waylon Brown, the Charlies City-area lawmakers who introduced the Logan’s Law bill into both houses of the Legislature.

“Charles City has survived and really been at its best in dark times,” said Prichard, who lives in Charles City. “We think back to the tornado, to the floods, to natural disasters that have challenged this community. And when we lost Logan, it was really a challenge to this community, but like we’ve always done, we rise to the occasion.”

Prichard said his work helping pass the bill and being at the signing ceremony Monday were among the highlights of his time as a state representative.

Brown said, “North Iowa, rural Iowa is the greatest place to live, and this is the reason, this is an example as to why.

“When we are down on our luck, when we have a family go through a tragedy like the Lufts did, the community comes together. They lift us up,” Brown said.

Talking to the students present, Brown said, “I want you guys to realize that there’s nothing that you have to go through alone in life. When we fall on hard times, when we have these struggles, look around you. Look at your community. They’re here to support you and they’ll always be here for you.”

Wendy Luft talked about her son growing up, and the dreams he had and the dreams she had for him.
“When Logan was born, I would hold him in my arms, … and I would dream about what he would grow up to accomplish in life,” she said.

“I imagined a teacher, a police officer, perhaps a dentist. But as he got older, he adamantly informed us that he was going to be a professional fisherman. He would wrestle in the Olympics, and all the while support himself by being a YouTube channel person,” Luft said, to laughs from the audience.

“Although Logan didn’t accomplish the dreams he had set out for himself, he accomplished something so much greater,” Luft said. “He saved lives.

“He didn’t save just one life, he saved five. He gave the gift of life to five different people. Besides those five lives he saved, his tissue and bone donations have bettered the lives of 21 people in over seven states.

“Logan has caused a movement in the state of Iowa, increasing the awareness of organ donation. That adorable little boy has surpassed any lifelong dream that we ever had for him,” Luft said.

“The last time we stood together in this gymnasium was when we said goodbye to Logan after the celebration of life,” Luft said. “That day I looked around at all of you, and I saw the grief and the compassion that you shared with our family. This past two years you have loved, uplifted and encouraged us in our journey.

“Today is Logan Luft Day, a day we honor and celebrate a 15-year-old boy from Charles City, Iowa, who has officially changed the world.”