Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the excellence in education in Iowa, and to specifically congratulate Decorah High School in Decorah, Iowa. The United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced today that Decorah High School has made the list of the Nation's 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. In the words of Secretary Duncan, ``National Blue Ribbon Schools are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their success is an example for others to follow.''

Decorah High School is among the state's highest performing schools. Decorah High School students scored in the top ten percent in Iowa with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds improving their performance on state assessments or nationally normed tests. Additionally, the students at Decorah High School averaged a full three points higher on their ACT scores than the national average.

Decorah High School's principal Kim Sheppard and one additional teacher will be invited to Washington, DC for the awards ceremony, to take place on November 14th and 15th. At this ceremony, Decorah High School will receive a Blue Ribbon Schools plaque and a flag to signify its elite educational status.

I consider it a great honor to represent Decorah High School Principal Kim Sheppard, the teachers, students, school board members and administrators of the Decorah Community School District in the United States Congress. I wish Decorah High School continued academic excellence as they provide a positive impact on future leaders of our state and country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Charity Campbell, a Norwalk physical education teacher known for her leadership and high expectations, in receiving the 2012 Iowa Teacher of the Year Award from Governor Terry Branstad.

Along with teaching sixth and seventh grade physical education at Norwalk Middle School, Ms. Campbell is the Norwalk Middle School girls' track coach and girls' varsity track coach at Norwalk High School. It's her outstanding leadership qualities in addition to skills in physical education that make her special to the Norwalk community.

For example, Ms. Campbell helped her craft and create a mentoring program for first-year teachers at Norwalk schools. She instructs teachers how to use activities that will increase the student's hands- on learning directed at helping them focus and succeed in the classroom.

In 2010, Ms. Campbell's physical education program was named as a top observation program through PE4Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improve children's health and wellness in their everyday lives.

I am honored to represent Ms. Campbell in the United States Congress, and I wish her the best in her continuing service to the Norwalk community. I know my colleagues in the U.S. Congress will join me in congratulating and honoring Ms. Charity Campbell and her 15 years of teaching young Iowans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Stanley Friesen of Ogden, IA, who passed away on August 22.

Stan was born on June 17, 1942 in Hood River, OR, and educated in South Dakota. After earning his Master's Degree in 1967, Stan would teach for 3 years in South Dakota before making Iowa his home. After 3 years as the Floyd Valley High School Principal in Alton, IA, Stan moved to Ogden to begin his tenure as the Ogden High School principal. Mr. Friesen would make a lasting positive impact on scores of young Iowans for the next

34 years before retiring in 2004. Fortunately, Stan didn't allow his retirement to impede his passion for the students and citizens of Ogden. Instead, he would go on to serve as the president of the Ogden School Board to continue enriching the community that he loved.

Stan was never one to sit on the sidelines. In addition to his academic contributions to Ogden, Mr. Friesen also volunteered with Habitat of Boone and Greene Counties Board, the Lions Club, Ogden Scholarship Foundation Board, Boone County Hospice of Central Iowa Board, Ogden Community United Methodist Church, in addition to coordinating unforgettable Ogden senior trips to such destinations as Gettysburg, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and New York City. Stan also served on the Youth and Shelter Services of Boone County Community Advisory Board for more than 5 years and was awarded its 2010 Volunteer Leadership and Service award this past December.

While his contributions to his city and state have resulted in awards for his distinguished service, Stan would be the first to tell you that his family is his greatest achievement. Stan is survived by his wife, two brothers, two children, three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, Stan Friesen lived his life like a true Iowan by placing service and family above all else. It was truly an honor to represent such an exemplary Iowan in the United States Congress. His contributions to the Ogden community and our state as a whole will be deeply missed. I offer his family my sincerest sympathies and best wishes in this difficult time. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50-year anniversary of local radio station KDLS 1310 AM in Perry, Iowa.

The result of a joint venture between local newspaper publishers G.E. Whitehead and Willard Archie, KDLS was first launched on May 10, 1961. Since then, the radio station has become the voice of Perry while covering birthdays, anniversaries, local news and sports, weather, obituaries, interviews with the local community members and many other topics.

To many, the local radio station provides a sense of pride and identity that many rural communities around Iowa and the United States seem to be losing at an increasing rate. If you talk to any of the staff at KDLS, they will attribute their success to keeping everything as local as they can. In an era of media conglomerates and corporations, it is important to remember that local content is responsible for the 50-year success of KDLS.

KDLS has demonstrated that locally owned radio stations can really bring out the personality of the community and can be the driving force behind helping businesses and other organizations reconnect with their local citizens. KDLS is characteristic of what Iowa is all about--local citizens motivated and dedicated to improving their communities and maintaining what they see as an important part of their daily lives.

I consider it an honor to represent this radio station and all members of the Perry community in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues in the House of Representatives will join me in congratulating KDLS for its 50 years of success and wish them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Iowa's Class A Baseball State Champions and current holder of the national-record winning streak, the Martensdale-St. Mary's Blue Devils.

Ladies and gentlemen of the House, what this team has accomplished is nothing short of amazing. Last week, the Blue Devils sealed their second consecutive state championship by rallying from behind three separate times throughout the state tournament baseball game. And while the Blue Devils' second state championship in as many years is an incredible feat in and of itself, their most recent win has also placed their consecutive games won at an astonishing 87, giving them the best record in the Nation.

This special team consists of a large roster of players that have each contributed a unique quality to the team's record-breaking success. The Blue Devils consist of seniors Dillon Coates and Ethan Westphal, juniors David Walker, Zeb Noel, Josh Defenbaugh, Robert Walker, J.D. Nielsen, Jake Anctil, T.J. Foster,

Jake Swihart, Brad Nauman, Jamie Swihart, and Dakota Wenzel; sophomores Garret Gehringer, Trent Verwers, Chris Darr, and Gage Gavin; and freshmen Eddy Kraber, Luke Anctil, and Travis Seymour. These young players have been expertly coached by Justin Dehmer, Sean Smith and Steve Westphal and have undoubtedly made them very proud.

Mr. Speaker, the pride and excitement that this team has brought to their community and to the state of Iowa cannot be overstated. Their unrelenting commitment to their coaches and teammates speaks volumes of the Iowa work ethic and the rewards of working together. It is truly an honor to represent the players, coaches and families of this team in the United States Congress. I invite my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating these state champions and wish them continued success on and off the field in the future.

Offered By: Mr. Latham

Amendment No. 16: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Joseph Marc Gallet De Saint Aurin's formal induction into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Joseph's induction on June 30th begins his 47-month journey at the United States Naval Academy as he strives towards a career as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. The United States Naval Academy was established in 1845 with a mission to help midshipmen develop morally, mentally and physically. Obtaining an appointment to this academy is a highly competitive process and based on evidence of character, scholarship, leadership ability, physical aptitude, goals and motivation.

Joseph has embodied these traits over the course of his life. In high school Joseph managed to maintain a 4.0 cumulative grade point average while balancing his roles as a student athlete, school council member, part-time employee, and volunteer by serving more than 100 hours at his church, local hospital, and various service programs. Joseph was also a member of the National Honor Society and received numerous awards as both a swimmer and as a student, including being named a three-time All-American, three-time State Champion, in addition to graduating with honors as an AP Scholar. Before his appointment Joseph also attended Iowa State University for a year and continued his path of excellence by maintaining high academics as a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the United States Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps. Joseph has consistently strove to be the best he could be and I am confident that he will continue to demonstrate these qualities at the United States Naval Academy.

Mr. Speaker, Joseph's commitment to a cause greater than himself speaks volumes of this young man and the potential that he holds. I commend his parents, Andre and Lisa, for their outstanding work as parents, and for their shared sacrifice as Joseph leaves their home. It is truly an honor to represent such an exceptional family. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Joseph and his family, and I wish him the best of luck in his studies and future career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Adam Hagensick's formal induction into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Adam's induction on June 30th begins his 47-month journey at the United States Naval Academy as he strives towards a career as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. The United States Naval Academy was established in 1845 with a mission to help midshipmen develop morally, mentally and physically. Obtaining an appointment to this academy is a highly competitive process and based on evidence of character, scholarship, leadership ability, physical aptitude, goals and motivation.

Adam has embodied these traits over the course of his life. In high school Adam managed to stay in the top 15 percent of his class while balancing his roles as a student athlete, Sunday School teacher, member of St. John's Lutheran Youth Group, and as a volunteer swim coach for the Waukon Swim Club. Adam was also a member of the National Honor Society and received numerous awards as a swimmer including a decade as a state qualifier as well as a national qualifier in 2009. Last year, Adam proudly accepted the Jack McDonald Award for Outstanding Male Swimmer which is awarded for team leadership and dedication to one's team and sport. I am confident that Adam will carry the lessons of his student leadership to his new classmates at the United States Naval Academy.

Mr. Speaker, Adam's commitment to a cause greater than himself speaks volumes of this young man and the potential that he holds. I commend his parents, Gregory and Ann, for their great work as parents and for their shared sacrifice as Adam leaves their home. It is truly an honor to represent such an outstanding family. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Adam and his family, and I wish him the best of luck in his schooling and future career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Aaron Daniel Sprengeler 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 whose standards have been rigorously 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. Aaron's project was to oversee and construct stairs and a bridge at the McHose Park Disc Golf Course in Boone, Iowa. This project allowed Aaron to demonstrate both his organizational and leadership skills as he directed the trail's construction and design. Aaron's efforts not only improved the overall accessibility of the course, but also provided much needed safety improvements that disc golfers can now enjoy for years to come.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Marie Watermiller of Hampton, Iowa on the recent celebration of her 100th birthday on June 24, 2011.

Marie was brought into this world on June 24, 1911 and more than 100 years later continues to live a vibrant life. Aside from her daily regimen of sewing, crocheting, and reading, Marie also stays busy by entertaining and quilting blankets for her 15 grandchildren, 42 great- grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren as she expects three more great-great-grandchildren within the year. Marie also spends her time assisting those that are ill by making lap robes to support the Church of the Living Word's most recent project.

There have been many changes that have occurred during the past 100 years. Since Marie's birth we have revolutionized air travel and walked on the moon. We have invented the television and the Internet. We have fought in wars overseas, seen the rise and fall of Soviet communism and the birth of new democracies. Marie has lived through 18 United States Presidents and 22 Governors of Iowa. In her lifetime the population of the United States has more than tripled.

I congratulate Ms. Watermiller for reaching this milestone of a birthday. I am extremely honored to represent Marie and her family in the United States Congress and I wish her happiness and health in her future years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Kacia Cain, who teaches anatomy, physiology and biotechnology and was named outstanding biology teacher of the year for the state of Iowa by the National Association of Biology Teachers.

Ms. Cain previously taught biology at Des Moines East High School for 19 years before transferring this school year to Des Moines Central Campus High School. She is a native of Indianola, Iowa, and will be recognized in October at the National Association of Biology Teachers convention in Anaheim, California.

Having a hands-on teaching style has allowed Ms. Cain to be very successful with her students. Using resources from nearby colleges ensures that students are making as many connections with real world research experiences as possible.

I am honored to represent Kacia Cain in the United States Congress, and I wish her the best of luck in Anaheim, California. I also wish Ms. Cain the very best as she continues to serve as a mentor and role model to the students at Des Moines Central Campus High School. I know my colleagues in the U.S. Congress will join me in congratulating Kacia Cain.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Mrs. Norma Duffield ``Duffy'' Stong Lyon. Most Iowans would know her as Iowa's beloved ``Butter Cow Lady.''

For nearly a half-century, Mrs. Lyon shared her artistic skills with travelers from all over the world at the Iowa State Fair by creating a life-size sculpture of a dairy cow made from hundreds of pounds of butter. In fact, after crafting her first cow in 1960, she subsequently crafted 46 of the butter cow sculptures the Iowa State Fair has displayed over the past 100 years.

As many other community members know, Mrs. Lyon used her notoriety to raise funds for charitable projects in Toledo, Iowa for the betterment of the community.

Mrs. Lyon's family, including her husband Joe, nine children, twenty- three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, along with hundreds of members of the community gathered

to pay their respects to the ``Butter Cow Lady'' on Friday July 1, 2011.

It is an honor to have personally seen and enjoyed the butter cow sculptures at the Iowa State Fair for years, and I know my colleagues will join me in celebrating the life of the Mrs. Norma Duffield ``Duffy'' Stong Lyon.

I thank Mr. Frelinghuysen for the time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill and simply to make a point about the emergency funds and the offset that's provided to the Army Corps of Engineers.

I think everyone is aware, but I want to emphasize the dire situation we have today on the Mississippi River and, certainly, the very dire situation we have on the Missouri River that is costing lives, costing livelihoods, businesses, and the futures for so many families.

We also, Mr. Chairman, have a dire situation with our deficit today, and we've got to address that. In order to fund the immediate repairs for the lifesaving levees, the committee proposed an offset from the high-speed rail. And that's really a program that they're talking about that in 10 years still won't be beyond the planning phases.

As the chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee on Appropriations, I understand that a portion of this money would have gone to very important projects in the Northeast corridor. Some of these projects have great merit, and Chairman Frelinghuysen has been the strongest advocate for funding for these programs that do have merit. He understands it; I understand it. We will do everything that we can to fund those projects because they are needed up there.

But I will also say that today we have an emergency beyond anything that I have ever seen before in my years. It would be a week ago Wednesday that I was standing on a levee by the Missouri River by the town of Percival, Iowa. Farmers were there on the other side of the levee trying to fix boils that were coming through underneath the levee, trying to save their farms, their communities. Some of those farmers, they were fifth- and sixth-generation farms, and they were fighting desperately to save their livelihood and their family's heritage. That was 3 in the afternoon on Wednesday. At 4 the next morning, Thursday morning, that levee blew out. And those livelihoods, those thousands of acres of farmland, the town of Percival itself is now underwater.

That is why these funds are desperately needed today, as soon as possible, to make sure that we can fund the type of emergency that we have going on today.

The Army Corps of Engineers needs that money today so they can repair those levees so we can save lives and livelihoods and the heritage for generations to come.

Mr. Chairman, today is not a question of what we want. We all want to see improvements in the Northeast corridor, and we are going to do everything we can to make that happen. But it is about what is needed today, what is an emergency today, what funds have to go to dire problems that we face and the dire consequences we will face if, in fact, we do not do the work that we need to do today.

I commend the chairman for his great work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Max Metcalf-Putnam 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 whose standards 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. Max's project was to design and construct a series of wooden ``trees'' for the feline residents of the Fort Dodge Humane Society to facilitate more exercise and recreation while the cats await adoption. In his immediate future, Max will be attending Iowa State University this fall to major in physics and has already been accepted as a First-Year Honor Student.

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 Max and his family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues will join me in congratulating him on achieving an Eagle Scout ranking and will wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Juliana Osgood for being named a state winner of the Library of Congress's Letters about Literature program.

Letters about Literature is a national reading and writing program that is sponsored by the Library of Congress. The program asks students to write to the past or present author of a book that affected their life. Nearly 70,000 young readers from across the country submitted letters last year to compete for the state-level awards for 2011.

A panel of judges that can include published authors, editors, publishers, librarians, teachers, and even state officials chose Juliana's letter as a state winner. Juliana wrote a letter to author Patricia MacLachlan to explain how MacLaclan's book, Edward's Eyes, affected her life. Edward's Eyes is a story of a family's love and loss that chronicles the difficulty of dealing with the painful moments in life. MacLachlan's acclaimed novel spoke to Juliana, and now Juliana's letter to Machachlan has earned her recognition in her community as well as here in Washington.

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young woman demonstrates the rewards of harnessing one's talents and sharing them with the world. Juliana's efforts embody the Iowa sprit and I am honored to represent her and her family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives will join me in congratulating her for her achievement and will wish her continued success in her future education and career.