Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take an opportunity to congratulate Machinists Local Lodge 831 on their 100th anniversary. Local Lodge 831 is located in Cedar Rapids, which is in my district. Local Lodge 831 was chartered as Harmony Lodge 831 on November 18, 1913.

For over a century, the Machinists in Cedar Rapids have worked to strengthen the middle class and advance every American's right to collectively bargain. Machinists successfully implemented the 8-hour workday, helped outlaw child labor, and have worked to increase salaries for middle class Americans. In Cedar Rapids, Local Lodge 831 has provided good paying jobs to many hardworking Iowans. Since being elected to Congress, I've been proud to work alongside the members of Local Lodge 831 in strengthening the middle class.

I'm proud to call many of the members of Local Lodge 831 my friends, including President Brad Van Fossen and former President Joe lronside. I congratulate every member of Local Lodge 831 on their 100th anniversary and wish them all the best for the future.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 488, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For 24 years now, the ADA has secured for people with disabilities their most fundamental rights, and allowed them to integrate more fully in their communities. More than two decades ago, my hero, Tom Harkin spearheaded this legislation that would change the attitudes of so many in order to protect the civil rights of the 54 million Americans with disabilities. Like so many others, I thank him for his tireless advocacy in the United States Senate and his continued dedication to this important issue.

I would also like to thank all of the organizations involved in this year's Johnson County ADA Celebration for bringing together a community of all walks of life, and recognizing that all people have unique skills, talents and abilities.

Expanding access and opportunities for people with disabilities is something we must work to improve every day. There are obstacles that, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, have been all but eliminated and I look forward to seeing even more progress.

Madam Speaker, I rise to speak out against the misguided efforts to reduce or repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard. The RFS was enacted in 2005 to improve our economy, our environment, and our energy independence.

However, it is currently threatened by an EPA draft proposal that would roll it back, and as highlighted in a recent op-ed by Senators Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar, by Big Oil's attempt to protect its market share and profits at the expense of American consumers.

As they wrote, ``The Federal law has helped to displace oil imports, increase domestic energy security, create jobs in rural America, curb pollution with cleaner-burning fuel, and lower prices at the pump for consumers.''

In Iowa, biofuels have created 73,400 jobs, pumping $5 billion of wages annually into our economy, and $19.3 billion of economic activity annually. In the United States, it has created 852,000 jobs, $46.2 billion in wages, and $185 billion in economic activity.

Why would we push back and go backwards, instead of moving forward into the future?

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the provision within the Transportation Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations legislation to fund the contract tower program, which includes the tower at the Dubuque Regional Airport, and for funding of the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. While I voted against the THUD legislation, I do support these provisions. Unfortunately, the overall bill cuts important transportation and housing programs, and on balance, the bill is not a win for Iowa.

The contract tower at the Dubuque Regional Airport is extremely important to commercial air service in the Dubuque region, and helps ensure the safety of passengers flying in and out of the Dubuque airport. The tower is also an important training tool for students at the University of Dubuque's professional pilot training program. Additionally, the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program provides important services to our veterans including housing services for homeless veterans. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that these programs are fully funded, while working to improve the other transportation and housing components of the bill which need significant improvement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mary Ellen Maske on being selected as the Iowa Central Office Administrator of the Year. Mary Ellen serves as the deputy superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community Schools in my district. Mary Ellen was selected because of her leadership in establishing Professional Learning Communities and her efforts to create school-community partnerships for parents and students in the community.

Mary Ellen began her career as an elementary school teacher in Iowa City. She also previously served as an executive administrator in Cedar Rapids. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education and her master's degree in educational administration, both from the University of Iowa.

Mary Ellen was selected for this award by a committee of Iowa central office administrators. Mary Ellen has proven that she is a leader at her school and throughout the Cedar Rapids community. I'm proud to call her a constituent, and congratulate her on all of her success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chris Barnett as he walks across the great state of Iowa, raising awareness of the need for new foster parents.

As Chris takes on mother nature, battles blisters, and logs approximately 875 miles across Iowa in both directions, Chris will let folks know about the tremendous need for additional foster families throughout the state of Iowa.

Chris and his wife have been foster parents since 2003 and have been able to foster more than 30 children in that time. As a former foster child himself, Chris understands the impact foster parents have on a child's life, which has been his passion as he has worked in the human service field for over 27 years.

We can never forget the impact each home has on a small child. This impact stays with a child throughout his or her life. Safe and caring homes improve our society and our country. I applaud Chris on his continued pursuit to bring a voice to an under-discussed issue and congratulate him on this extraordinary accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, because of flight delays due to extreme weather I will not be present for tonight's rollcall vote No. 241 and 242. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 241 and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 242.

Personal Explanation

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my good friend Mike Montgomery on his retirement as an elementary school principal for the Knoxville Community School District. Mike was my best friend growing up in Brooklyn and has dedicated his life to the education of Iowa children.

Mike earned his master's degree in school administration from Drake University and his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Central College. For 26 years Mike has served as a principal in the Knoxville Community School District. At Knoxville, he has implemented many successful education programs including all day every day kindergarten, 4 year old voluntary pre-school, and a system of support and professional learning communities for teachers and students.

Mike has been a strong leader and mentor for the students and faculty in Knoxville. He interacts with students on a daily basis eating lunch with them and playing sports with them. Mike has also successfully built strong relationships with his staff and has personally hired many of the elementary school teachers in Knoxville. He has twice been nominated for Knoxville Community Educator of the Year. He has been a strong leader and champion for education throughout his career and has devoted his life to improving the lives of children.

``Mr. Montgomery'' has been a powerful positive role model in the lives of thousands of Iowa students, including my own nieces. His energy and enthusiasm inspire us to put students first and make education a lifelong experience. I'm very proud of Mike, and honored to call him my friend. I congratulate him on his retirement and I wish him, his wife Mary, and the rest of his family all of the best as he moves on to his next adventure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mt. Vernon, Iowa, as they commemorate May 23, 2014 (5-23-14) as zip code day.

Historic Mount Vernon, Iowa, is home to 4500 residents, including 1200 college students enrolled at Cornell College. Located in Eastern Iowa, the city boasts a vibrant uptown business community with numerous antique and specialty stores, restaurants, coffee houses, commercial art galleries, and three National Historic Districts.

Mt. Vernon also has a proud history of firsts in our nation's history including having one of the country's first curbside recycling programs and first community-designed and built playgrounds.

I am proud to have the opportunity to represent 52314 in Congress and applaud Mt. Vernon for achieving so much in the proud 177 years since the first settlers arrived in 1837.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Annetta Cheek on her retirement as Chair of the Center for Plain Language. Annetta has been a tireless advocate for plain language. She spent 25 years as a Federal employee witnessing firsthand the government's failure to communicate effectively.

While serving as a government employee, Dr. Cheek was the chair of PLAIN, a federal interagency plain language advocacy group. In her role as chair, Annetta administered the group's website, and taught courses on plain language to different government agencies. Annetta also spent four years as the chief plain language expert on Vice President Gore's National Partnership for Reinventing Government.

In 2003, Annetta founded the Center for Plain Language, a non-profit organization dedicated to plain language advocacy. Annetta has served as Chair of the organization since 2003. In her role as Chair, Dr. Cheek has urged both the Federal Government and the private sector to communicate in a clear and understandable way.

Dr. Cheek's biggest success was her work to pass the Plain Writing Act into law. I was honored to work with Annetta in writing this important legislation which requires government agencies to communicate in plain language. Thanks to her great work in getting the Plain Writing Act passed millions of Americans are now receiving easy-to- understand communication from the Federal Government.

I'm very proud of Annetta, and honored to call her a friend. I congratulate her on retirement, and wish her and Charles all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gary Hatfield on being selected as the Iowa Middle Level Principal of the Year. Gary serves as the principal at Taft Middle School in Cedar Rapids which is in my district. Gary was selected because of his leadership in implementing a system of learning supports for students and teachers.

Mr. Hatfield began his career as a math teacher at Wilson Middle School. In 2008, he came to Taft Middle School to serve as the principal. He received his bachelor's degree in math from Iowa State University, and master's degrees in middle school math education and educational administration from the University of Northern Iowa.

Mr. Hatfield was selected for this award by a committee of Iowa middle level principals, and he is now a candidate for National Middle School Principal of the Year. Gary has proven that he is a leader at his school and throughout the Cedar Rapids community. I'm proud to call him a constituent, and congratulate him on all of his success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ryan Davis on being selected as the Iowa Assistant Principal of the year. Ryan serves as the assistant principal at Vinton-Shellsburg High School in my district. Ryan was selected because of his commitment to student success, his vision of student learning and his work with parents and the community.

Mr. Davis began his career as a science teacher in Minnesota. In 2008, he came to Vinton as the assistant principal and at-risk coordinator. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa, his master's degree in educational leadership from Southwest State University and his certificate in education administration from Saint Mary's University.

Mr. Davis was selected for this award by a committee of Iowa assistant principals, and he is now a candidate for National Assistant Principal of the Year. Ryan has proven that he is a leader at his school and throughout the Vinton-Shellsburg community. I'm proud to call him a constituent, and congratulate him on all of his success.

Mr. Speaker, on April 28, millions of workers worldwide come together to recognize Worker's Memorial Day. Worker's Memorial Day commemorates those who have been injured or killed on the job. My own family experienced tough times when my Dad was permanently injured in a workplace fall when I was very young.

Over the past several decades in the United States we have made great progress in preventing injuries and deaths at the workplace. However, there is still work to be done as each year more than 5,000 Americans are killed due to workplace related injuries, and millions more experience occupational injuries and illnesses. Work related accidents are still too common in the United States. An average 16 Americans are killed each day due to workplace injuries. It is clear we must continue work towards ensuring that every workplace is a safe one.

While in the United States we have improved workplace safety in recent decades, the numbers across the globe are overwhelming. It is estimated that nearly 2 million workers die each year due to work related accidents or diseases worldwide. More people are killed due to workplace injury or disease than are killed in war.

As a member of Congress, I will continue to fight for workplace safety. I'm also committed to recognizing Worker's Memorial Day and the millions of workers across the world who have given their lives while on the job. That is why I'm proud to have co-introduced a resolution honoring Worker's Memorial Day with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. We must continue to honor the millions of men and women who have given their lives for the continued progress of humankind. As long as I'm in office, I will continue to work towards strengthening the middle class and advocating for workplace safety.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Aiddy Phomvisay on being selected as the Iowa Secondary Principal of the year. Aiddy serves as the principal at Marshalltown High School which is in my district. Aiddy was selected because of his work in creating a culture of high expectations for all learners.

Mr. Phomvisay began his career as a ninth and tenth-grade teacher for the Ames Community School District. In 2008 he came to Marshalltown to serve as the principal. He received his bachelor's degree, master's degrees in curriculum and instruction and educational leadership, and his superintendent certification from Iowa State University.

Mr. Phomvisay was selected for this award by a committee of Iowa secondary principals, and he is now a candidate for National High School Principal of the Year. Aiddy has proven that he is a leader at his school and throughout the Marshalltown community. I'm proud to call him a constituent, and congratulate him on all of his success.