By Deb Nicklay, Mason City Globe Gazette

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Almost a year ago, 7-year-old Kadyn Halverson of rural Kensett was killed as she tried to board a school bus in rural Northwood.

Since May 5, 2011, Kadyn’s death triggered a new state law that strengthens penalties for those who do not obey school bus arm laws.

Now, U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, wants all children afforded the same protection in bus safety. He has authored a federal bill, currently in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the U.S. Congress.

In front of Northwood-Kensett schoolchildren on Tuesday, Braley spoke of people who worked to pass Kadyn’s Law, and how that work now needed to jump to the national stage.

Braley said it has been almost a year since Kadyn died — but her legacy is “that family has taken a tragedy and turned it into a triumph.”

Kadyn’s Law mandates a first offender fine of at least $250 and possibility of jail time of up to 30 days.

A second offense for passing a bus illegally within five years of the first offense could bring fines between $315 and $1,875 and up to a year in jail.

The federal law would require states to strengthen their laws to at least the minimum outlined in Iowa law or face losing 10 percent of federal transportation funding.

Braley counted only four other states that have laws similar to Kadyn’s Law, signed into effect in March by Gov. Terry Branstad.

On hand were Kadyn’s mother, Kari Halverson of Kensett, who with her family helped pass the state law; and Kim Koenigs of Osage, an advocate who worked with the Halverson family on the bill.

Also present was the family of the late Justin Bradfield, who died in a bus accident on Oct. 31, in rural Janesville.

“We wanted to show our support for Kadyn’s Law,” said Kim Bradfield, Justin’s mother. She said taking it nationally “is wonderful. I agree; we don’t want to just support children in four or five states; we want to protect all children.”

“This rocks,” said Koenigs. “How many congressmen come out like this?”

Kari Halverson agreed.

“As I said before, we expected to take this state to state — and now, it’s moving so fast, from the first day Bruce Braley called us. It’s amazing.”

She said she was touched with the appearance of the Bradfield family.

“It’s not about your child, or my child. We just want this thing changed to help all children,” Halverson said.

Braley told the children that Kadyn continues to “inspire people to keep kids safe.”

Braley stood by a flowering crab tree, planted last year by school children in memory of their classmate.

It stood small, but strong, against the windy May day.

“The reason why this is so wonderful is like you, this tree will grow and get bigger every year — a reminder of the little girl and why she meant so much to so many people,” said Braley.