Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mark Farlinger of Cresco for achieving the rank of 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 years.

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. Mark's project was to construct a kiosk and a welcome sign to assist the visitors of Vernon Springs Park in Howard County. The work ethic Mark has shown in this 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 Mark and his family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating him in obtaining the Eagle Scout ranking, and will wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Hy-Vee Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ric Jurgens, and to express my appreciation for his years of service to his company and to the people of Iowa.

For Ric, successfully assuming the head responsibilities of one of the Midwest's largest grocery companies was no accident. He has been a dedicated employee of Hy-Vee for 42 years. His career with Hy-Vee began as a part-time employee, stocking shelves in Ames, while pursuing his degree at Iowa State University. Upon graduation, Mr. Jurgens was offered his first full-time position in the company and has been climbing the ranks ever since. Most notably, in 2001, Mr. Jurgens became Hy-Vee's third president in company history; two years later Ric would be elected as Hy-Vee's CEO and by 2006 he had been elected as Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Jurgens' successful tenure is one that will never be forgotten by the Hy-Vee family. Under Ric, Hy-Vee enjoyed record sales to the tune of a staggering 7.3 billion dollars for 2011 from 235 stores across eight states. Ric has overseen Hy-Vee's transformation from a respectable grocery store chain to an industry-leading powerhouse that still prides itself on staying true to its foundation--the employees. Above all, the employee owned Hy-Vee will always be about rewarding hard work, even providing the unique opportunity for a part-time employee to someday hold the company's highest office.

Mr. Speaker, throughout his entire professional career, Ric has never wavered in his commitment to providing excellent service and quality products to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. While Hy-Vee will surely miss Mr. Jurgen's expertise, he leaves his company, which is stronger than ever, in good hands. I ask the House to join me in congratulating Mr. Jurgens on a job well done, and I wish Ric and his wife Carol a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Paul Schlenker of Indianola for achieving the rank of 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 years.

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. Paul's service project included researching, designing and installing historical signs at each end of the Summerset Bike Trail in Warren County, which stretches from Carlisle to Indianola. Paul's signs recount the history of the railroad that formerly occupied the trail. The work ethic Paul has shown in this 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 Paul and his family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating him in obtaining the Eagle Scout ranking, and will wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of one of the preeminent voices of Iowa journalism. Mike Glover, whose byline has accompanied countless Associated Press reports from the Iowa Capitol for three decades, announced this week that he's retiring in May.

Mr. Glover's work has appeared on the front pages of newspapers across Iowa and throughout the country, offering concise and timely news and analysis on some of the biggest political stories of our time. He's covered nearly every major presidential contender to pass through Iowa before the state's first-in the-nation caucuses. And while the Iowa General Assembly is in session, his presence in the halls of the Statehouse in Des Moines seems nearly ubiquitous as he tracks down the news of the day.

Mr. Glover began his career working for newspapers in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Bloomington, Illinois, before he started at the Associated Press, where he would spend the next 32 years. He currently lives in Windsor Heights with his wife, Betty, who serves on the Windsor Heights City Council. Throughout Iowa's political and journalistic circles, he's earned a reputation for doggedly pursuing the truth and reporting the facts in a no-nonsense fashion.

To my great pleasure--and occasionally to my consternation--Mr. Glover has put me in the crosshairs of his tough-but-fair questioning on numerous occasions during my appearances on Iowa Press, a weekly news and current events program on Iowa Public Television. I know Mr. Glover to be a consummate professional and a true newsman in every sense of the word.

Mr. Speaker, in an increasingly chaotic and fractured media environment, Mr. Glover's career is a shining example of the importance of objective and factual reporting, something I know every member of this chamber respects and appreciates. Please join me in congratulating Mike Glover on his illustrious career and wishing him a happy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, as we search for solutions to ensure that the Medicare system remains solvent for seniors and future beneficiaries, I believe it is vitally important to support cost- effective benefits that allow seniors to remain healthy and independent. Many of the treatments that were once offered exclusively in a hospital or physician setting can now be safely, effectively, affordably and efficiently provided in patients' homes by skilled clinicians. Home health care offers an intermediate level of care for patients who have difficulty accessing outpatient care or who need intensive assistance with an acute or chronic health problem.

Home health services are cost effective because they prevent costly hospitalizations, and serve as an alternative to expensive skilled nursing facilities. According to an October 2010 report in the Des Moines Register, seniors utilizing skilled home care cost taxpayers an average of $607 per month, compared to an average of $3,687 for seniors in nursing homes. Not only is home care less expensive, but studies also show that the vast majority of seniors prefer to live independently and remain in their home if possible.

A case study through the Veterans' Administration (VA) highlights the benefits of home healthcare. The VA has provided comprehensive primary care services to veterans in their homes since 1972 in an effort to keep patients in their homes and reduce inpatient hospital days. The program was specifically designed to target patients with complex chronic diseases through an interdisciplinary team of health professionals. This program showed a reduction in inpatient hospital days by 62 percent, and a reduction in nursing home bed days by 88 percent. This translated into a reduction in the cost of care from $38,000 to $29,000 per patient per year for patients enrolled in the program (a 24 percent reduction).

The Medicare program continues to increase in importance in my home state of Iowa, where our senior population is increasing dramatically. The percentage of Iowans age 65 and older is expected to grow from 14.8 percent in 2009 to 22.4 percent by 2030, according to the Iowa Department on Aging. I am committed to preserving benefits for current recipients and those nearing retirement, while guaranteeing the program's solvency for future generations of Americans.

Seniors throughout Iowa depend on Medicare for their health coverage, and we have to do everything we can to safeguard those benefits. As we examine solutions to address Medicare's solvency, there is strong evidence that home care is a cost-effective benefit that should remain accessible to seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Melissa Heer of Ames for receiving a coveted Fullbright award to study and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fullbright 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 Fullbright 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 Fullbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. Melissa's host country for the 2011 2012 academic year is India.

To receive a Fullbright 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 Melissa from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the United States Congress 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 Charity Straszheim of Story City for receiving a coveted Fullbright award to study and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fullbright 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 Fullbright 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 Fullbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. Pamela's host country for the 2011 2012 academic year is the Czech Republic.

To receive a Fullbright 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 Charity from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the United States Congress 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 Dr. Jimmy Senteza of Urbandale for receiving a coveted Fullbright award to lecture and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fullbright 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 Fullbright 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 Fullbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. Jimmy's host country for the 2011 2012 academic year is Uganda where he will proudly be representing Iowa's own Drake University.

To receive a Fullbright 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 leaders like Dr. Senteza 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 and I wish him the best of luck in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Pamela Madsen of Ames for receiving a coveted Fullbright award to study and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fullbright 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 Fullbright 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 Fullbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. Pamela's host country for the 2011 2012 academic year is India.

To receive a Fullbright 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 Pamela from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the United States Congress 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 Michael Knudson of Decorah for receiving a coveted Fullbright award to study and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fullbright 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 Fullbright 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 Fullbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception.

Michael's host country for the 2011 2012 academic year is Norway.

To receive a Fullbright 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 Michael from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the United States Congress 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 the achievements of Catherine and Jennifer Compton of Ames for each receiving a coveted Fullbright award to study and conduct research abroad this academic year.

The Fullbright 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 Fullbright 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 Fullbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. Catherine's host country for the 2011 2012 academic year is Germany, while Jennifer will be hosted by Jordan.

To receive a Fullbright 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 Catherine and Jennifer from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the United States Congress will join me in congratulating them for receiving this prestigious award. I wish them the best of luck in their studies and future careers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Logan Pearce of Mason City for achieving the rank of 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 years.

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. Logan completed a two-part project by building numerous bat houses to provide a more ecological solution to insect control, in addition to the placement of six fishing line recyclers to assist both the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Department and the Lime Creek Nature Center. The work ethic Logan has shown in this project, and every other project leading up to his Eagle Scout rank, speaks volumes of his commitment to serving a cause greater than himself.

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 Logan and his family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating him in obtaining the Eagle Scout ranking, and will wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Kale Render of Indianola for achieving the rank of 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 years.

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. Kale's project included landscaping and renovating Indianola's National Balloon Classic Launch Field. The work ethic Kale has shown in this project, and every other project leading up to his Eagle Scout rank, speaks volumes of his commitment to serving a cause greater than himself.

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 Kale 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 will wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the historic career of the Iowa Hawkeye nation's legendary Defensive Coordinator, Norm Parker.

Norm came to Iowa City in 1999 with a new coaching staff faced with the daunting task of reestablishing the Iowa Hawkeyes as a powerhouse football program on the national stage. Coach Parker played a pivotal role in accomplishing this task in short order by consistently coaching the Hawkeye defense into one of the nation's best. Norm built the Hawkeye defense into one of the most consistently dominant defensive units in all of college football both statistically and physically.

Over the last 13 years, Coach Parker has coached 34 players, prior to this year's upcoming draft, that have gone on to play at the sport's highest level in the National Football League. At the University of Iowa, Norm's rushing defense finished among the nation's top ten on five separate occasions, in addition to three top-ten scoring defenses in the last four years.

Any fan of college football knows that Coach Parker held a commitment to his program that is unlike any other, and in 2010, despite his battle with serious medical issues, coached the Hawkeyes to a fifth- ranked national defense, sixth-ranked rushing defense, and seventh- ranked scoring defense before finishing the season as the Insight Bowl

Champions. In 2011, Norm announced his retirement just weeks after being awarded the nation's Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.

Throughout his 48-year football career, Norm has held himself to the highest standards of professionalism and commitment. His success as a defensive coach is only matched by his impact as a positive role model for countless young Iowans, on and off the field. Whether you are a fan of the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones, the Bulldogs or the Panthers, there is no denying the profound impact Coach Parker has had on college football and the state of Iowa in general.

Mr. Speaker, I believe Iowa sportscaster Jon Miller said it best when he proclaimed, ``Simply put, Iowa football would not be Iowa football without Norm Parker. Iowa football will have a tough time remaining Iowa football without Norm Parker.'' The impact Coach Parker has had on Hawkeye football and the state of Iowa will be evident for decades. Even as a Cyclone, it is my distinct honor to represent all college football fans across Iowa, the nation, and in the United States Congress, in thanking Coach Norm Parker for his commitment and dedication to the sport of football, his students, and the people of Iowa and wishing Norm and his wife Linda a long, happy and healthy retirement with much less stressful Saturdays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of West Des Moines Police Chief Jack O'Donnell, and to express my appreciation for his dedication and commitment in his years of service in law enforcement.

Mr. O'Donnell's entire life has been one of service. During the Vietnam War, Jack served our country in the Army before returning home in 1969 to begin his law enforcement career. For the last 43 years, Jack has contributed his time and his talents to the betterment of communities both in Iowa and neighboring Nebraska.

For the last 13 years, Mr. O'Donnell has served West Des Moines honorably as Chief of Police. Under his leadership, the West Des Moines Police Department transitioned from a reactive department to a proactive one. Jack made it a point to get to know his residents and despite a boom in population over his tenure, West Des Moines crime rates have remained low under his watch.

Throughout his illustrious and lengthy career, Jack has never wavered in his commitment to justice and security. Mr. O'Donnell is a testament to the high quality character instilled in Iowans, and the city of West Des Moines owes him a great debt of gratitude for his service. While Jack's leadership will be missed, he leaves behind a more secure community that will continue to benefit from his service for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent the people of West Des Moines in the United States Congress, and I wish Jack and his wife Marilyn a long, happy and healthy retirement. Thank you.