Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 210, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, May 25th, 2008, a devastating tornado ripped through northeastern Iowa. This was the strongest to hit Iowa in 32 years and the most powerful tornado in the United States that year, leaving a path of devastation throughout Iowa's First District. Five communities--Dunkerton, Hazelton, New Hartford, Lamont, and Parkersburg, Iowa--suffered massive damage. Eight people lost their lives, 50 businesses were destroyed, and thousands of homes were severely damaged.

Five years later, the memory of the tornado is still fresh in the minds of many Iowans. But tremendous progress has been made since then. Parkersburg is a model for recovery after a natural disaster. Through community service the town has rebuilt and come together to improve the lives of its citizens and its community.

I also want to acknowledge the tragic events in Oklahoma. The people of Iowa stand in solidarity with those affected by the devastation caused by the tornado. Our hearts and prayers go out to them. We take solace in knowing that if communities like Parkersburg can rebuild after such tragedy, then there is hope for the people of Oklahoma.

These communities have shown incredible strength and resolve in the face of such a terrible catastrophe. As we look to the future, we must never forget the service and sacrifice made by those who have rebuilt and revitalized Parkersburg.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend Joe Ironside on his retirement as Directing Business Agent for District 6 of the Machinists union, which includes Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska. Joe has been an influential and important leader for the Iowa labor community.

Joe began his career in 1972 at the old Iowa Steel and Iron Works factory in Cedar Rapids. Joe was initiated into the Machinists union in March of that year, and wore the badge for 41 years. In 1978, Joe went to Rockwell Goss where he was chief steward, committee person and committee chairperson. He was later elected Business Representative before assuming his current responsibilities. He also served as Vice President of the Iowa Federation of Labor.

Joe's leadership in the labor movement has been felt around the state of Iowa and across the country. He has been awarded numerous awards over the years including the Gary Ketchum Union Citizen of the Year Award. Anyone who knows Joe will tell you that he is a force to be reckoned with, and that he will be missed.

I'm proud to call Joe my constituent and my friend. I congratulate him on his successful career and more importantly for the work he has done to strengthen the labor movement and expand Iowa's middle class. I wish Joe and his wife Debbie all the best in their future plans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Marshalltown Public Library for receiving the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. It is an honor to have this great community resource in my district.

This award is the nation's highest honor for museums and libraries for service to their community. Home to one of the earliest Children's Rooms in the country, the Marshalltown Public Library has served its community with its commitment to early literacy programs.

The Marshalltown Public Library also offers services to the growing immigrant population in their region. Through their annual Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros festival, they introduce Spanish-speaking families to the services the library provides, as well as all children in the area to celebrate Hispanic culture. They also partner with youth mentoring programs to introduce youth from all cultures to library services.

Today, I congratulate the Marshalltown Public Library on receiving the National Medal

from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. I look forward to the future of this institution as it strives to provide for the needs of education, recreation, and cultural awareness of the vibrant and diverse population that it serves.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 141 had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Thomas Barnes on receiving the Champions of Courage recognition from the White House. This program recognizes individuals who do extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. Thomas has empowered many of Iowa's needy children through his service.

Thomas has chaired the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club's ``Shoes for Kids'' program since 2003. This program started in two local school districts, but was quickly expanded as the need grew. Through this program, Thomas and his fellow Rotarians have raised over $50,000 to provide over 3,500 Iowa children with shoes.

Thomas has also used this program to support children affected by natural disasters. In May 2008, an E-5 tornado devastated the town of Parkersburg, Iowa. Weeks later, Cedar Rapids was inundated by floodwaters. Thomas made an appeal to Rotarians nationwide to assist these children that had lost everything. Recently, Thomas sent eighty pairs of shoes with a fellow Rotarian participating in a polio immunization campaign in Nigeria to donate to a local orphanage.

Thomas Barnes has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children and I'm honored to represent him in Congress. I congratulate him receiving this special acknowledgment from the White House. I wish Thomas and the rest of the Rotary Club well in the future of their Shoes for Kids program.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am here to honor and celebrate the life of an American patriot, Private First Class Phillis M. Kulaszewski.

Phillis was born on December 22nd, 1919 in Cherokee, Iowa, was raised there, graduating from Immaculate Conception High School in 1937. She joined the Women's Army Air Corp in 1944, serving for 14 months as a Clerk General, tracking the movement of fighter and bomber aircraft until they reached their point of embarkation. For her service, Phillis was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

In 1945, while serving at Wright Field, she met and married her husband, Arthur J. Kulaszewski, who served his country until his retirement in 1967. That year, Phillis, Arthur and their two adopted children, DuWayne and Karen Ann, moved back to Cherokee. She was a proud Iowan.

Phillis dedicated herself to supporting veterans and working on veteran projects. In 2003, the AMVETS Benton County Post 218 was chartered with 13 members. Phillis was the first woman veteran and life member of the post. Now thriving with over 65 members and 5 women veterans, AM VETS honors her passion and dedication by bestowing her name on the Post. It will now and forever be known as the ``Marion B. Gaultier-Phillis M. Kulaszewski AMVET Post 218 Benton County, Iowa.''

Mr. Speaker, today, I am here to honor and celebrate the life of an American patriot, 2nd Lieutenant Marion B. Gaultier.

Marion was born in May of 1923, in Fremont, Nebraska, but was raised in Vinton, Iowa, graduating from Vinton High School. She graduated from the School of Nursing at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines in 1944 at which point she was commissioned as an officer into the U.S. Army.

Marion was discharged from service in 1946, then went on to work for the VA hospital in Menlo Park, California. She met her husband, fellow veteran John Gaultier at the hospital she was employed at. They married in 1970 and moved to Vinton that same year.

Marion dedicated her life to helping others. She hosted blind children in her home. She was the Chair of the annual Easter Seals fundraiser at the American Legion, and cared for her ailing parents in their later years. AMVETS recognizes her passion for helping others by bestowing her name on the Post. It will now and forever be known as the ``Marion B. Gaultier-Phillis M. Kulaszewski AMVET Post 218 Benton County, Iowa.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids on its 20th birthday celebration. It is an honor to have this great institution in my district.

The idea of establishing the African American Museum of Iowa came about in 1993 when a small group from Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids began the project in celebration of Black History Month. Twenty years later, this facility has become an Iowa landmark that celebrates the rich African American history in my district and in the state of Iowa.

In June of 2008, the African American Museum was devastated by nearly six feet of floodwater, resulting in the loss of the Museum's flagship exhibit. Through the perseverance of Executive Director Thomas Moore, their Board of Directors, their staff, and the support of their community, the African American Museum pulled through and reopened only seven months after it was closed. The success that this museum has had since it reopened in January of 2009 is a true testament to the hard work of the Museum's staff and volunteers from across Iowa.

Today, I congratulate the African American Museum of Iowa on a successful 20 years. I look forward to the future of this institution as it strives to preserve, exhibit, and teach the African American heritage of Iowa.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today against H.R. 933. This bill includes reckless, across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester, which have a disproportionate impact on critical programs that serve those in our Nation's most vulnerable communities. Although the Senate amendment to the bill strengthens certain programs, they are still subject to sequester level cuts. Because Congress is unwilling to act responsibly, drastic cuts are set to go into effect with this bill, and hundreds of Iowa kids will bear the burden of lawmakers' inaction by no longer having access to Head Start services. Investments for children's education will be cut. Additionally, the bill could impact other everyday services such as the closure of hundreds of air traffic control towers throughout the country, including three in Iowa. Along with the harmful cuts that the sequester brings, the Defense Appropriations portion of the bill continues to fund $87 billion towards the war in Afghanistan. We need to bring our brave men and women serving in uniform home rather than continue to fund a war that has lasted longer than a decade.

Although I oppose the bill in its current form, there are many provisions in the bill that I do support. I applaud the 1.7% pay increase for military personnel. I support the continuation of a pay freeze for Members of Congress. I support the increased funding for Head Start and the FEMA disaster relief fund over the House bill, though it's still not enough. I also support the increased funding for embassy security following the needs identified after the Benghazi attacks. I am also pleased to know that the bill provides for substantial foreign aid to our ally Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Wayne Sawtelle on his retirement from the Marshalltown Fire Department. Wayne has served his community honorably for almost two decades as a Lieutenant with the Fire Department.

Lieutenant Sawtelle has dedicated his life to the protection and safety of his fellow community members. His first day on the job in 1994 found him putting out a fire at the Sutherland Coal Plant. After 19 years, he has become a friend and mentor to his colleagues at the Fire Department. His experience and wisdom will surely be missed by his fellow firefighters.

Wayne has also been a leader and active member of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and the Iowa Federation of Labor (IFL). Wayne served as Vice President at Large for the IFL as well as President of the IAFF Local 16. He has been a strong advocate for better safety and working conditions for his fellow firefighters.

Lieutenant Wayne Sawtelle has put his life at risk to protect members of his community and I'm honored to represent him in Congress. I congratulate him on his retirement. I wish him and his wife Ann all the best in their future plans and endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today against H.R. 933. This bill includes reckless, across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester, which have a disproportionate impact on critical programs that serve those in our nation's most vulnerable communities. Because Congress is unwilling to act responsibly, drastic cuts are set to go into effect with this bill, and hundreds of Iowa kids will bear the burden of lawmakers' inaction by no longer having access to Head Start services. Investments for children's education will be cut. Additionally, the bill could impact other everyday services such as the closure of hundreds of air traffic control towers throughout the country, including three in Iowa. Along with the harmful cuts that the sequester brings, the Defense Appropriations portion of the bill continues to fund $87 billion dollars towards the war in Afghanistan. We need to bring our brave men and women serving in uniform home rather than continue to fund a war that has lasted longer than a decade.

Although I oppose the bill in its current form, there are many provisions in the bill that I do support. I applaud the 1.7 percent pay increase for military personnel. I support the continuation of a pay freeze for Members of Congress. I also support the increased funding for embassy security following the needs identified after the Benghazi attacks. I am also pleased to know that the bill provides for substantial foreign aid to our ally Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend Ben Allen on his retirement as the President of the University of Northern Iowa. On May 31st, President Allen will be retiring after six and a half years of service to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI).

Ben Allen was named the ninth President of UNI on April 28, 2006. Prior to serving at UNI,

President Allen served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Iowa State University. President Allen has been a hardworking leader for UNI and the Cedar Valley community. Under President Allen's leadership, UNI has established priorities for increasing student achievement in undergraduate performance, and providing statewide leadership in Pre-K through 12 education.

Ben Allen led UNI through exciting and challenging times. I have always respected Ben's love for the University and his contributions to higher education at both UNI and Iowa State. I'm proud to call Ben my friend and I wish Ben and his wife Pat all the best in their future plans and endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am here to honor and celebrate the life of a brave American patriot, United States Army Specialist Travis Ryan Vaughn. Travis left us on February 18, 2007, when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was in, lost power and crashed while conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in southeastern Afghanistan.

Travis, a proud Iowan, was born on September 1, 1980 in Waterloo, and grew up in Cedar Falls, graduating from Cedar Falls High School in 1999. He joined the Army in 2003 and went on to earn various medals and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

Travis' memory lives on through his family, who every year collects food and household items from residents of Northeastern Iowa which are donated to Iowa veterans. Travis has also been honored with a memorial marker at Cedar Falls High School which was donated by Flags for Freedom Outreach.

As we come upon the 6th year of Travis' passing, we are reminded of the sacrifice our young American men and women make in service to their country. His family's efforts and the generosity of Northeastern Iowans ensure that Travis is `never forgotten.'

Mr. Speaker, for the past 34 years, Rev. Gregory Nelson Davis has been a familiar figure in Johnston, Iowa. This month marks a bittersweet occasion: it is Rev. Davis' last month of work for the St. James Lutheran Church before he steps down as its pastor.

Joining the ministry was not Davis' first goal in life, but he attributes his career to the love he has for his congregation. After studying philosophy as an undergraduate, Davis decided to continue his education by getting a Master's Degree in Philosophy. He then decided to attend seminary, because he wanted to make a difference in people's lives every day.

For the past 28 years, Davis has been the pastor at St. James Lutheran Church, and has doubled its congregation since he started preaching there.

It is fitting that he now wants to focus on his own family after giving so much of his life to others. Once he steps down from the pulpit he is excited at the prospect of spending more time as a husband and as a grandfather to his two grandchildren.

Rev. Davis will give his last sermon on February 17th. I thank him for his years of hard work guiding people in the right direction and wish him the best in his retirement.