Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Felix Gallagher for being named a 2013 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 2013 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.

Felix Gallagher is the principal owner of his own company, PharmServ Solutions, which works to staff pharmacists in temporary and full-time positions in urban and rural communities. He arrived in the Des Moines area by way of a scholarship to play football at Drake University, where he captured three-time All-Conference and All-America honors and developed a strong desire to give back to his community for the help received along the way. In addition to owning his small business, Felix donates his time to mentoring high school youth from ethnically diverse backgrounds and passes on his skills and talents as a coach in a youth football league. He is also a past board member for the Alianzia Business Association and is a current member of the League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa. In every facet of his life, Felix is an example of service and Iowa work ethic that our State can be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Felix in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mr. Gallagher 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 Felix on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Angela Dethlefs-Trettin for being named a 2013 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 2013 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.

Angela Dethlefs-Trettin has been an active member of the philanthropic community in Iowa and across the country for nearly her entire life. Originally from Waterloo, she first served on the foundation board Teen Trust as a high school student. She went on to work at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa and helped to establish community foundations in many of the rural communities in that part of the state, working with local citizens to capture charitable dollars that will positively impact important community projects for generations to come. Her passion led her to the Iowa Council of Foundations, where she worked with grantmakers across our great state, and ultimately to her new role as Director of Community Investment and Initiatives at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. Angela continues to volunteer her time for various philanthropic initiatives throughout her community and was recently named to the National Standards Board for U.S. Community Foundations. Outside of her personal and professional philanthropy efforts, Angela's focus is on her husband, Matt, and her son, Henry. In every facet of her life, Angela is an example of service and Iowa work ethic that our state can be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Angela in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mrs. Dethlefs-Trettin 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 Angela on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Lori Gelhaar for being named a 2013 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 2013 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.

Lori Gelhaar serves as Kaplan University's Director of Career Services and Corporate Relations, where she manages all aspects of the Career Services department after redeveloping the entire department from scratch. Under her tenure, Kaplan University has seen career placement for graduates spike to an average of 94% as she coordinates and markets all employer relations events. Her work at Kaplan University has earned herself, her college, and her department numerous awards at the state and national levels. Outside of work, Lori is the chair of the Employers' Council of Iowa, on the board of directors for the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, and founded Keeping Educated Youth in Des Moines. Lori has been married to her husband Gerry since 2003, and together they have three children: Tyler, Devin, and Madison. In every facet of her life, Lori is an example of service and Iowa work ethic that our state can be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Lori in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mrs. Gelhaar 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 Lori on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Nikki Syverson for being named a 2013 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 2013 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.

Nikki Syverson is the Event Director at the Des Moines Wine Festival Foundation where she has helped grow the event from three days to eight days and add monthly wine tastings. The extended festival format was such a success in the previous year that event organizers are doubling down on their efforts this year. Nikki volunteers her exemplary event planning skills by planning ChildServe's Bubble Ball Gala and the Des Moines Community Playhouse's Hollywood Halloween

fundraising event. Mrs. Syverson is a Drake University alumnus where she met her husband, Jay, with whom she is expecting her second child. In every facet of her life, Nikki is an example of service and Iowa work ethic that our state can be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Nikki in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mrs. Syverson 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 Nikki on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Hannah Inman for being named a 2013 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 2013 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.

Hannah Inman serves as the Director of Communications for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and is also the co-owner of two businesses--Maverly Lands, an agribusiness, and KDC Built, a home- building operation she owns with her husband of ten years, Mike. KDC Built was launched amid the fiscal crisis and has not only survived, but thrived as the business donates the proceeds from one house to charity. When Hannah is not juggling the responsibilities of her two businesses or the communications efforts for the largest conservation bond issue in Iowa, she also serves as a member of the Broadlawns Advocate Circle marketing committee, an executive committee member of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute class of 2011, and is a mother to her and Mike's two young children, six-year-old Maverick and Everly, who will turn two later this year. In every facet of her life, Hannah is an example of service and Iowa work ethic that our state can be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Hannah in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mrs. Inman 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 Hannah on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Aimee Staudt for being named a 2013 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 2013 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.

Aimee Staudt is the Director of Development for Knapp Properties, Inc. where she

oversees all of the company's real estate development and construction activities. Mrs. Staudt's portfolio includes more than 5,000 acres of development ground that involves more than $11 million in infrastructure, $20 million in new construction, and $16 million in tenant improvements. Aimee is also heavily involved in her community, where she has been on the Ankeny Plan and Zoning Commission, a previous president and vice president of the Home Builder's Association of Greater Des Moines' developers' council, a current board member and youth mentor of the ACE Mentor Program, and a court-appointed special advocate for children in need of assistance. Aimee resides in Ankeny with her husband Ryan and their three children. In every facet of her life, Aimee is an example of service and Iowa work ethic that our state can be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Aimee in the United States Congress and it with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mrs. Staudt 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 Aimee on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Anna DeVries of Des Moines for receiving a coveted Fulbright award to study and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. This program is known as America's flagship international exchange program. First established by Congress in 1946, the Fulbright Program has served the purpose of building mutual understanding between American citizens and the rest of the world. Appropriations from the United States Congress, participating foreign governments, and private sector contributions fund the Fulbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. Anna's host country for the 2012-2013 academic year is Indonesia.

To receive a Fulbright award is truly a great honor. Recipients of this award must demonstrate significant leadership potential in their chosen field and are selected on the basis of their academic or professional achievement. The experiences provided by this program ensure that tomorrow's leaders are both knowledgeable about the world and well-rounded.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent future leaders like Anna from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating her for receiving this prestigious award. I wish her the best of luck in her studies and future career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Katherine Albrecht of Johnston for receiving a coveted Fulbright award to study and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. This program is known as America's flagship international exchange program. First established by Congress in 1946, the Fulbright Program has served the purpose of building mutual understanding between American citizens and the rest of the world. Appropriations from the United States Congress, participating foreign governments, and private sector contributions fund the Fulbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. Katherine's host country for the 2012-2013 academic year is Poland.

To receive a Fulbright award is truly a great honor. Recipients of this award must demonstrate significant leadership potential in their chosen field and are selected on the basis of their academic or professional achievement. The experiences provided by this program ensure that tomorrow's leaders are both knowledgeable about the world and well-rounded.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent future leaders like Katherine from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating her for receiving this prestigious award. I wish her the best of luck in her studies and future career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Christopher Neubert of Des Moines for receiving a coveted Fulbright award to study and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. This program is known as America's flagship international exchange program. First established by Congress in 1946, the Fulbright Program has served the purpose of building mutual understanding between American citizens and the rest of the world. Appropriations from the United States Congress, participating foreign governments, and private sector contributions fund the Fulbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. Christopher's host country for the 2012-2013 academic year is China.

To receive a Fulbright award is truly a great honor. Recipients of this award must demonstrate significant leadership potential in their chosen field and are selected on the basis of their academic or professional achievement. The experiences provided by this program ensure that tomorrow's leaders are both knowledgeable about the world and well-rounded.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent future leaders like Christopher from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating him for receiving this prestigious award. I wish him the best of luck in his studies and future career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Grayson T. Harvey of Crescent, IA for achieving the rank of an Eagle Scout.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement rank in scouting. Only about five percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout Award. The award is a performance-based

achievement with high standards that have been well-maintained over the past century.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout is obligated to pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges, as well as completing an Eagle Project to benefit the community. For his project, Grayson constructed an outdoor classroom for Crescent Elementary School. The work ethic Grayson has shown in his Eagle Project and every other project leading up to his Eagle Scout rank speaks volumes of his commitment to serving a cause greater than himself and assisting his community.

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young man and his supportive family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication and perseverance. I am honored to represent Grayson and his family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating him on obtaining the Eagle Scout ranking, and I wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Danielle Haindfield for being named a 2013 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 2013 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.

Danielle Haindfield is a shareholder attorney with Ahlers and Cooney, P.C. in Des Moines practicing primarily in education and construction law. Danielle is a proud Drake University alumnus where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with her B.A. and ultimately received her Juris Doctor degree with high honors. Through Ahlers and Cooney, Danielle participates in community outreach programs for Children and Families of Iowa, United Way of Central Iowa, Youth Emergency Services and Shelter, and staffing of Iowa Legal Aid intake program. Outside of work, Mrs. Haindfield is active in the Jordan Creek Elementary Parent Faculty Club and was selected to serve on the National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys. Mrs. Haindfield is married to her husband Matthew, and together they have two daughters, Taylor and Brooke. In all facets of her life, Danielle is an example of hard work and service that our state can be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Danielle in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mrs. Haindfield 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 Danielle on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Shane Greenleaf for being named a 2013 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 2013 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.

Shane Greenleaf is an Iowa native who grew up in Sioux City and is a University of Northern Iowa alumnus. At UNI, Shane met his wife Jennifer, and together they have two children, Maya and Braxten. Today, Shane is the Vice President of Commercial Banking at First American Bank where he manages a $50 million loan portfolio. Shane's efforts in the last year have earned him and his organization numerous top lending awards. Outside of work, Shane is actively involved in leadership roles with Candeo and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. In both facets of his life, Mr. Greenleaf is an example of hard work and service that our state can be proud of.

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. Greenleaf 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 2013 Forty Under 40 class continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Manning Ding of Johnston for receiving a coveted Fulbright award to study and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. This program is known as America's flagship international exchange program. First established by Congress in 1946, the Fulbright Program has served the purpose of building mutual understanding between American citizens and the rest of the world. Appropriations from the United States Congress, participating foreign governments, and private sector contributions fund the Fulbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. Manning's host country for the 2012-2013 academic year is China.

To receive a Fulbright award is truly a great honor. Recipients of this award must demonstrate significant leadership potential in their chosen field and are selected on the basis of their academic or professional achievement. The experiences provided by this program ensure that tomorrow's leaders are both knowledgeable about the world and well-rounded.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent future leaders like Manning from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating her for receiving this prestigious award. I wish her the best of luck in her studies and future career.

I thank the chairman of the full committee for the opportunity to address this.

I've been sitting here listening and heard the minority leader come to the floor and talk about children, about old people, about teachers--all these things--that she voted to cut the spending for to fund.

How can you support a bill, support the sequester insisted on by the President of the United States? It was his idea that he brought forth to try and resolve the differences at that time and something that he supports and he insisted on. The minority leader voted for these cuts that she now bemoans. It's fascinating when you look at the reality of the situation. There are some of us who actually did not support this because of the way the sequester would take place.

Now, you can say, well, it was never going to happen and all these things, but the fact of the matter is it is here today and it is law because people like the minority leader insisted on it. So to come to the floor and talk about those cuts today, something that she supported, is really quite fascinating to anyone listening or watching this debate today.

Mr. Speaker, I will tell you, it is very frustrating. As someone who went through the entire process last year with my ranking member, Mr. Olver from Massachusetts, who is now retired, we went through subcommittee and full committee. We had 3 days on the floor of the House, an open rule with amendments. We passed our bill, the Transportation and HUD appropriation bill, with the largest bipartisan majority of any bill passed last year, yet the Senate does nothing. That's why we're here today.

The House of Representatives, under the chairman's leadership, has moved bills, has done our work. The frustration we have is that we don't have a counterpart on the other side of this great building to actually do their job so that we can finally get resolution of these very difficult spending problems.

Mr. Speaker, it is very important today that we move this bill. This is the best alternative. It will give us certainty for the rest of the year so that we can address the big issues that are before us and this Nation about spending--$16.5 trillion of national debt and about $1 trillion of annual deficit has got to be addressed. By doing this, it will give us the opportunity to maybe forge a large compromise, to forge a big deal that will actually set a course for this country.

I think the reason most all of us are here is because we have children. I have five grandchildren. The reason I do this is because I believe that we've got to change direction, and this is a necessary step to do that.

With that, I ask everyone to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Matthew Connolly for being named a 2013 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 2013 class of Forty Under 40 honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.

Matthew Connolly is the president of his own green builder company, Generation Green Builders Company, and resides in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines with his wife Jodi and their two children, Malaya Rose and Lane Matthew. Mr. Connolly's path to being a successful businessman and family man was anything but easy and required overcoming a serious mental illness, schizophrenia. Matt credits his ability to maintain his recovery since 2004 on five pillars of recovery--medication, therapy, social worker support, family and friends, and support groups. Today, Mr. Connolly is running his own company and serving as an advocate for mental illness awareness. Matt's ability to not only survive, but thrive, amidst his mental illness is a testament to his unwavering work ethic and commitment to bettering himself and those around him.

Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Matthew in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize and applaud Mr. Connolly 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 Matthew on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Forty Under 40 class continued success.