Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Mitch Tyler of Exceptional Persons, Inc. for being selected as Iowa's 2014 recipient of the Direct Support Professional of the Year Award by the American Network of Community Options and Resources.

Since its founding in 1970, the American Network of Community Options and Resources supports over 500,000 people with intellectual, developmental and other significant disabilities in the community through a national association of 700 private providers. ANCOR developed the Direct Support Professional Recognition Awards in 2007 to recognize devoted professionals who go above and beyond to positively change the lives of the people they serve. There is no doubt that these direct support professionals are critical to providing consistently excellent community support and services. Mitch's remarkable efforts are a testament to the life-changing work being done by Direct Support Professionals all across Iowa and our nation as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent community leaders like Mitch in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mr. Tyler for utilizing his talents to better both his community and the great state of Iowa. Mitch's commitment to a cause greater than himself embodies the values and work ethic our state is renowned for. I know my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating Mr. Tyler for receiving this prestigious award and thanking him for his invaluable efforts. I wish him the best of luck as he continues his award-winning career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Metro Waste Authority of Des Moines, Iowa for being named a 2014 Recycling Awards winner by the American Forest and Paper Association.

The coveted Recycling Awards from the American Forest and Paper Association recognize new and innovative programs that increase the amount of paper recovered for recycling across America. In April of 2014, Metro Waste Authority was announced as the community winner in the partnership category.

For decades, Metro Waste Authority has been the primary source of recycling education in the Des Moines Metro Area. Their curbside recycling program ``Curb It!'' was first unveiled to 20 communities in Polk County in 1994 and now services nearly 145,000 households. Since then, Metro Waste Authority has come to manage seven recycling and drop-off sites in the area and have developed a community outreach campaign to significantly increase the amount of mixed paper recovered for recycling.

Mr. Speaker, the great work done every day by the men and women of the Metro Waste Authority provides a crucial service to our communities and our environment. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Metro Waste Authority for receiving this prestigious award and thanking them for their invaluable efforts. It is an honor to represent the people who comprise this leading organization in the United States Congress, and I look forward to many more years of Metro Waste Authority's innovative and positive impact in Iowa.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Sienna Schaeffer of Grimes, Iowa, for being named a Presidential Scholar by the 2014 United States Presidential Scholars Program. Being counted among this esteemed program is one of America's highest honors for high school students.

Originally created by Executive Order in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored our nation's best and brightest high school seniors for academic distinction, artistic excellence, and civic engagement. This year, Sienna will be honored with 140 other Presidential Scholars from across the country for their exceptional efforts. Each of these future leaders were chosen from more than 3,000 applicants based on outstanding college entrance exams, school transcripts, leadership activities, and contributions to their community. These young men and women truly represent the best of the American education system and remind us all of the promise and potential held by our nation's youth.

Since 1983, each U.S. Presidential Scholar has also been asked to choose one exceptional teacher to recognize. For her selection, Ms. Schaeffer chose Dallas Center-Grimes High School Chemistry and Environmental Science teacher Josh Mangler. Both Sienna and Mr. Mangler will receive congratulatory letters from United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for their outstanding work.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent future leaders like Ms. Schaeffer from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Sienna for her dedication, and thanking her supportive family, Mr. Mangler, and all of the teachers and role models in Ms. Schaeffer's life who have played a critical role in her remarkable accomplishment. I wish Sienna the best of luck in her future education and career as she continues to utilize her gifts and Iowa-bred work ethic to positively impact our state and nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Andrea Jansa of the Iowa House Democratic Research Staff for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Andrea in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Ms. Jansa for utilizing her talents to better both her community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Andrea on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Jay Reavis of Innovative Captive Strategies in West Des Moines, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Jay in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mr. Reavis for utilizing his talents to better both his community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Jay on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize JC Risewick of Seneca Companies in Des Moines, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like JC in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mr. Risewick for utilizing his talents to better both his community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating JC on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Erin Rollenhagen of Entrepreneurial Technologies in Urbandale, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an

impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and- coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Erin in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Ms. Rollenhagen for utilizing her talents to better both her community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Erin on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Andrea Stackhouse of Neumann Monson Architects in Des Moines, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Andrea in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Ms. Stackhouse for utilizing her talents to better both her community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Andrea on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Shane Stark of

Carrier Access in West Des Moines, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Shane in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mr. Stark for utilizing his talents to better both his community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Shane on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Chrystal Tamillo of Flemings Steakhouse in West Des Moines, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Chrystal in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Ms. Tamillo for utilizing her talents to better both her community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Chrystal on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Timothy Whipple of Iowa Economic Development Authority in Des Moines, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award- winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Timothy in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mr. Whipple for utilizing his talents to better both his community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Timothy on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Jason White of Warren County Economic Development in Indianola, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Jason in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mr. White for utilizing his talents to better both his community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Jason on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Julie Vande Hoef of Clive, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 600 business leaders and growing.

Julie Vande Hoef currently serves as Policy Advisor to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds. She maintains a wide breadth of expertise on several policy issues including agriculture, natural resources, financial services, insurance, cultural affairs, and trade. Growing up on a family farm in Jackson County, Julie's family endured and survived the 1980s farm crisis. Since then, Mrs. Vande Hoef has immersed herself in government service to promote policies that benefit the people of Iowa. Before working for the Office of the Governor, Julie served Iowa Congressman Jim Leach as a Legislative Assistant, directed government affairs for Policy Works, and was a member of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's government affairs committee. Mrs. Vande Hoef has also donned a bulletproof vest in Iraq as she represented the United States and instructed women and minorities on the merits of democracy. Amidst all her impressive accomplishments and continued service to our state, Julie's top priority remains being the best wife and mother she can be to her husband Dustin and their son Tyson. In all aspects of her life, Mrs. Vande Hoef is an example of service, hard work, and Iowa values that our state can be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Julie in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mrs. Vande Hoef for utilizing her talents to better both her community

and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Julie on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Tyler De Haan of Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 600 business leaders and growing.

Originally from Storm Lake, Tyler obtained his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Northwestern University in Orange City and his master's degree in Public Administration from Drake University. As Principal Financial Group's Internal Wholesaler, Tyler has excelled at his role by implementing a new customer relationship management system while increasing the efficiency of his sales territory and sales totals as a whole.

Outside of work, Mr. De Haan is an active leader in the Iowa Republican Party serving in leadership roles with the Dallas County Republicans and the 3rd Congressional District Executive Committee. He has also been extensively involved in countless candidates' races as well as organizing the nationally influential Iowa Caucuses. As a member of the Waukee United Methodist Church, Tyler serves on the Finance Committee and as worship leader. Mr. De Haan has also volunteered his time to assist with several fundraising events for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Tyler resides in Urbandale with his wife Stacie and their daughter Isabelle. In all aspects of his life, Mr. De Haan is an example of service, hard work, and Iowa values that our state can be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent leaders like Tyler in the U.S. Congress and it is with great pride I applaud Mr. De Haan for utilizing his talents to better both his community and our great state. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Tyler on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Ashley Jared of the Iowa Finance Authority in Des Moines, Iowa, for being named a 2014 Forty Under 40 honoree by the award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.

Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and success in their chosen career field. The 2014 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of nearly 600 business leaders and growing.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Ashley in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Ms. Jared for utilizing her talents to better both her community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Ashley on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2014 Forty Under 40 class continued success.