Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent Adalissa Ortiz, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and congratulate her on her acceptance to the People to People World Leadership Forum held in Washington, D.C. from the 21st through the 26th of June 2010.

Chosen for her academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential, this forum will provide Adalissa with daily leadership oriented curriculum, as well as allow her to visit the historic sights of Washington, D.C. and its surrounding areas.

The People to People Ambassador Programs, founded by President Eisenhower in 1956 to promote cross cultural and political understanding, currently operates on all seven continents, has over 400,000 alumni and provides students with the opportunity to learn and establish the necessary tools to become an effective leader.

Madam Speaker, I commend Adalissa Ortiz for her commitment to academic and personal development. She is a future leader of this country of whom Iowa is very proud. I am honored to represent Adalissa and her family in the United States Congress and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent Ryan Guerra, of Perry, Iowa, and congratulate him on his acceptance to the People to People World Leadership Forum held in Washington, D.C. from the 21st through the 26th of June 2010.

Chosen for his academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential, this forum will provide Ryan with daily leadership oriented curriculum, as well as allow him to visit the historic sights of Washington, D.C. and its surrounding areas.

The People to People Ambassador Programs, founded by President Eisenhower in 1956 to promote cross cultural and political understanding, currently operates on all seven continents, has over 400,000 alumni and provides students with the opportunity to learn and establish the necessary tools to become an effective leader.

Madam Speaker, I commend Ryan Guerra for his commitment to academic and personal development. He is a future leader of this country of whom Iowa is very proud. I am honored to represent Ryan and his family in the United States Congress and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent Morgan Smith, of Nevada, Iowa, and congratulate her on her acceptance to the People to People World Leadership Forum held in Washington, D.C. from the 21st through the 26th of June 2010.

Chosen for her academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential, this forum will provide Morgan with daily leadership oriented curriculum, as well as allow her to visit the historic sights of Washington, D.C. and its surrounding areas.

The People to People Ambassador Programs, founded by President Eisenhower in 1956 to promote cross cultural and political understanding, currently operates on all seven continents, has over 400,000 alumni and provides students with the opportunity to learn and establish the necessary tools to become an effective leader.

Madam Speaker, I commend Morgan Smith for her commitment to academic and personal development. She is a future leader of this country of whom Iowa is very proud. I am honored to represent Morgan and her family in the United States Congress and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate students at Ballard Junior and Senior High School in Ballard, Iowa, for their efforts in raising money for St. Damien Hospital, the only free pediatric hospital in Haiti.

St. Damien Hospital is facing many struggles with the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti. Jeriann McLaughlin, the service/ mentoring/tutoring coordinator at Ballard Junior and Senior High, learned of the struggles from Annie Kautza, who is a native of Iowa and the regional medical coordinator for NPH International, who runs St. Damien. Annie explained the severe structural damage the hospital sustained during the earthquake and the need for financial assistance to get back to business as usual and serve the additional children in need of care.

Jeriann initiated a fun and competitive fundraising project called ``Penny War'' which took place for one week in February. This school- wide contest was implemented to see which advisor group could collect the most pennies. Containers for each advisor group were filled with pennies, and students could add other coins and dollar bills to their opposing advisor groups' to reduce that group's overall penny count in the Penny War competition. The advisor group with the highest penny credit and the group raising the most money earned a pizza party. In total, the Penny War raised over $2000.00, and the National Honor Society raised an additional $121.00.

This collective effort at Ballard Junior and Senior High School is characteristic of what Iowa is all about--citizens motivated and dedicated to improving the daily life of people in need. I commend all the students, their families, and especially Jeriann McLaughlin who generated this heartwarming effort. I consider it an honor to represent Jeriann and all of those involved in the Penny War in the United States Congress and again I congratulate them for their great act of kindness and charity.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the students at Collins-Maxwell High School and Middle School in Central Iowa for their efforts in raising money to help those devastated by the earthquake in Haiti.

Lanie Crouse, president of the high school student council, and student council members Josh Benton and Jameson Hudson implemented a plan to raise money for the Story County Chapter of the American Red Cross for relief in Haiti by selling T-shirts. The more than 240 T- shirts sold have a Haitian-style design with their school Raider logo. In addition, the middle school students organized a coin drive which raised $242. Local community

members also chipped in with monetary contributions. This entire fundraising relief effort raised a grand total of over $1,700.

This collective effort at Collins-Maxwell High School and Middle School is characteristic of what Iowa is all about--citizens motivated and dedicated to improving the daily life of people in need, and in this case those who have lost everything. I commend Lanie Crouse, Josh Benton, Jameson Hudson, and all the students and community members who participated in this fundraiser, as well as Jessica Allen, the school counselor, who facilitated this heartwarming effort. I consider it an honor to represent all of those at Collins-Maxwell Schools involved in this great act of kindness and charity on behalf of Haiti in the United States Congress and again I congratulate them on their successful efforts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the students at Page and Lincoln elementary schools in Boone, Iowa, for their efforts in raising money to help those devastated by the earthquake in Haiti.

The devastation in Haiti hit close to home for Page Elementary kindergarten teacher Heidi McPartland. In 2009 she traveled to Haiti for a mission trip to assist in painting and completing work on a medical facility. Heidi put her heart and compassion into motion by initiating a ``Hearts for Haiti'' fundraising project to help the American Red Cross's relief efforts. During the entire month of February, students at Page and Lincoln elementary schools raised money for this humanitarian cause. Not only did it raise money for people in need, but it taught the children the importance of caring for others and how their efforts can really benefit those who are less fortunate.

This collective effort at Lincoln and Page elementary schools is a characteristic of what Iowa is all about--citizens motivated and dedicated to improving the daily life of people in need, and in this case those who have lost everything. I commend all the students, their families and especially Heidi McPartland, who generated this heartwarming effort. I consider it an honor to represent Heidi and all of those involved in this mission for Haiti in the United States Congress and again I congratulate them for their great act of kindness and charity.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Russ Wiesley for his commitment to improving the educational system in Iowa and for recently being elected as president to the Iowa Association of School Boards' board of directors. The IASB, encompassing 361 school districts, 10 area education agencies and 15 community colleges, is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a major advocate for Iowa's school system.

Born and raised in Cedar Falls, Mr. Wiesley attended the University of Northern Iowa as well as Drake University, earning a degree in pharmacy. Upon graduation, he went on to work in various pharmacies, eventually opening his own.

With 13 years of experience on the Waukee school board and six for the IASB, Mr. Wiesley has risen to be a key figure for supporting the development and training of Iowa's students and school administrators. A former Marine and Vietnam War veteran, the leadership role is nothing new to Mr. Wiesley, who has held prominent positions during his time as a member of the Iowa Pharmacists Association, the Dallas County Empowerment Board of Directors, the Urbandale Jaycees, the YMCA, the American Legion, the Waukee Veterans of Foreign Wars, the First Marine Corps Division and 2/1 Associations, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Waukee United Methodist Church.

Madam Speaker, individuals such as Russ Wiesley should be recognized for their sincere dedication to educating our nation and for their devotion to creating a better community. I sincerely appreciate the work that Mr. Wiesley has done and wish him further success in his educational endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Boone County Fair for receiving the 2009 ``Blue Ribbon Fair'' Award.

This award, presented by the Association of Iowa Fairs' (AIF) Board of Directors at their 2009 Conference and Annual Meeting in Des Moines, recognizes the Boone County Fair for displaying sincere commitment to educational programs, such as 4-H and FFA, in their community, as well as exhibiting genuine dedication to providing services in both fair and non fair locations.

Representing the Association of Iowa Fairs' North Central District, the Boone County Fair is one of six fairs in Iowa to receive this award in 2009. The AIF, a key advocate for Iowa's fair industry, is a non- profit corporation composed of 106 county and district fairs, the Iowa State Fair, and over 130 associate members, including carnivals, entertainment agencies, festivals, chambers, concessionaires, special attractions and suppliers of the industry.

Madam Speaker, the Boone County Fair truly captures the American spirit and demonstrates unwavering devotion to enhancing the lives of their community members. I commend the Boone County Fair for being recognized as a ``Blue Ribbon Fair'' and I am honored to represent the people of this county in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Brandon Pettit, of Prole, Iowa, who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in his community. The 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recently named Brandon as one of the top youth volunteers in Iowa for his part in the 2009 Warren County Fair's recycling effort.

Brandon, upon noticing significant potential to cut down on waste at public events, created and successfully implemented a plastic bottle and aluminum can recycling initiative for the 2009 Warren County Fair. His plan recruited fellow 4-H members to monitor and empty 10 recycling bins strategically placed throughout the fairgrounds. Brandon would then, with the help of his family, proceed to sort, bag, and deliver the used bottles and cans to redemption and recycling centers.

Created in 1995, by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards annually honors the most impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia. This organization strives to impress upon all youth volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly valued, while inspiring other young individuals to follow their example. Over the past 15 years, the program has become the nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, and has honored nearly 100,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

Madam Speaker, individuals such as Brandon Pettit must be recognized and applauded for their sincere dedication to maintaining a healthy community and for their positive impact on the lives of others. Brandon's actions show that young Americans can--and do--play important roles in our nation, and I am proud to represent him, his family and his fellow volunteers in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this flawed health care bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Boone, Iowa Police Department's Assistant Chief, Mr. Don Anderson, who, with over three decades of law enforcement service to his community, will officially retire on March 1, 2010.

Assistant Chief Anderson graduated from Boone High School in 1973 and shortly thereafter joined the United States Army. Following six years of service as a military policeman with the Army, he returned to Boone and joined the police force in July of 1979. After serving six years as a desk officer and taking criminal justice classes at the Des Moines Area Community College Boone Campus, Mr. Anderson became a patrolman. In 1993 he was promoted to captain, and by 2002 Mr. Anderson had ascended to Assistant Chief of the Boone Police Department.

In addition to keeping the streets of Boone well protected, Assistant Chief Anderson has been a key figure in various local outreach projects, including the ``Shop with a Cop'' and ``Safety Pup Officer'' programs, which have helped educate the community about law and safety related issues.

With his retirement from the Police Department, Assistant Chief Anderson plans on spending more time with his wife, Maria, as well as his children and grandchildren. In true devotion to his community, even in retirement, Assistant Chief Anderson plans to work part-time for the Boone County Attorney's Office.

Madam Speaker, it is individuals like Don Anderson who exemplify the dedication and willingness to serve that keep our nation running safe and strong. I sincerely appreciate the work Assistant Chief Anderson has done and I am proud to serve him, his family and his fellow law enforcement colleagues in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information.

Bill Number: H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Aircraft Evaluation Readiness Initiative (AERI)

Provided: $2,400,000

Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Air Force

Recipient: Iowa State University

Recipient's Street Address: 1750 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2035

Description: This project would continue a program to address a range of aircraft inspection needs to help extend the life of the aging Air Force fleet, as part of a partnership between the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation at Iowa State University and the Air Force Materials Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Bill Number: H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Galfenol Energy Harvesting

Amount Provided: $2,800,000

Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army

Recipient: ETREMA Products, Inc.

Recipient's Street Address: 2500 North Loop Drive, Ames, Iowa 50010

Description: The US Navy has a goal of reducing crew sizes, moving toward all-electric designs and increasing survivability of its vessels. A key strategy is the use of remote sensors to monitor areas and functions of a ship normally covered directly by personnel. The objective of the project is to develop this technology. Magnetostrictive materials like Galfenol offer a unique capability to harvest stray energy from routine ship vibrations and other sources which can power these sensors and the wireless radios used to transmit the data. Remote sensors would communicate information to a central processing station using a wireless network and thereby avoid adding the weight and complexity of additional wiring. An important benefit is the increased survivability of such a vessel in the event of an emergency or attack. By decentralizing command and control functions of a vessel through virtual control centers, damage to any one section of a vessel can be circumvented.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the service of Intelligence Specialist First Class Petty Officer James Kenneth Brown, and to express my appreciation for his dedication and commitment to his country.

For the past 20 years, Petty Officer Brown has served faithfully and honorably around the globe. He first enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1989 through the delayed entry program and proceeded to Recruit Training Command in June of 1990 in Great Lakes,

Ill. In 1990, he participated in Desert Storm and Desert Shield earning the Combat Action ribbon. Petty Officer Brown then became the first Seaman onboard USS Nassau to earn the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Pin in 1993. Later in the same year, he joined the Navy Marine Intelligence Training Command to become an Intelligence Specialist. In 1994, he participated in Operation Southern Watch and operations in Kosovo.

Petty Officer Brown reported to the USS Carl Vinson as the Leading Petty Officer of Multi-Sensor Interpretation Branch in December 1999. Two years later, the USS Carl Vinson launched the first attack of the Global War on Terrorism into Afghanistan in response to 9/11. His second deployment on the USS Carl Vinson was off the Korean Peninsula and included the FOAL EAGLE and TANDUM THRUST exercises.

In 2004, Petty Officer Brown took orders to the Chief of Naval Operations--Intelligence Plot and worked in National Military Joint Intelligence Center in the Pentagon. Three years later he reported to the USS Cole for a tour as the Assistant Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Two Intelligence Officer. In 2008, Petty Officer Brown transferred to Joint Forces Transformational Command, where he worked as an Intelligence Analyst rewriting and providing critical insight for limited distributed intelligence products. In December 2008, he reported to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo as his last duty station in the United States Navy. He is currently serving as the Leading Petty Officer and the Special Security Officer for the Naval Station and Tenant Commands.

During his service, Petty Officer Brown also furthered his education and earned numerous recognitions and awards for his dedicated service. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Intelligence Studies from the Joint Military Intelligence College in 2004 and earned Post Graduate Certificate in Intelligence in 2007 from the National Defense Intelligence College. He also earned the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award), Combat Action ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (sixth award), NATO Medal for Yugoslavia, Joint Staff Identification Badge along with several unit and campaign awards.

I congratulate Petty Officer Brown for his many years of loyalty and service to our great nation. It is an immense honor to represent First Class Petty Officer Brown in the United States Congress, and I wish him and his wife Nichole a happy retirement from the United States Navy and all the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Sergeant Rick Lampe on the occasion of his retirement from the Iowa State Patrol.

For the last 35 years, Sgt. Lampe has served Iowa faithfully and honorably. He first served four years with the sheriff's office in Waverly, Iowa before serving 31 years with the Iowa State Patrol. In 1979, he began his career with the Iowa State Patrol in Ogden, Iowa, where he plans to enjoy his retirement. Six and a half years ago, Sgt. Lampe was promoted to sergeant. Since 1993, he has provided security for Senator Chuck Grassley's biannual Ambassador's Tour across Iowa. Sgt. Lampe and his wife, Julie, have raised two sons, Nate and Nick and are blessed with three grandchildren.

Times have certainly changed during Sgt. Lampe's time in the Iowa State Patrol, even in the past ten years. In 1999, Sgt. Lampe's six county district had 47 officers working the area. Today there are only 26 officers working the same area. When he began, patrol officers did not spend significant time in training, but now nearly half of a patrol officer's time is training. There also have been many technological advances such as in-car computers that have helped simplify parts of the job throughout the years.

Sgt. Lampe's bravery and dedication in the Iowa State Patrol goes above and beyond what we are asked of as citizens of this country and has earned him the respect of his peers. I commend Sgt. Rick Lampe for his many years of loyalty and outstanding service in protecting Iowans and serving his community. It has been an immense honor to represent Sgt. Lampe in Congress, and I know that my colleagues in the United Stated Congress join me in wishing him all the best as he embarks on this new journey.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to remember a woman from Iowa who personified the courage and spirit of a working mother and Member of the United States Military. TereseAnn Lynch was killed on November 11, 2009, due to an act of domestic violence. TereseAnn, 30, was a mother of an 8-month-old son. As a member of the Iowa Air National Guard for more than a decade, she served tours of duty in Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia working as a weapons specialist. Most recently, TereseAnn served her country with honor providing aid in the Iraq War as a technical sergeant. She was also an active and committed employee at the Department of Human Services in Iowa where she provided help to young children and mothers trying to recover lost child support payments.

On behalf of my family, and the United States Congress, I would like to extend my condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones. TereseAnn embodied the character and values of a servicewoman and loving mother.

A tragedy like this is a painful reminder of the frequency of domestic violence cases. Domestic violence is a willful act of abuse that results in many reactions such as fear, anger, depression, and even death. In the U.S., an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. In Iowa over the past decade, domestic violence has affected nearly 6,000 women annually and 1,200 men. Structured to fight the battle against domestic violence, the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) is an organization established to reach out and help Iowans with domestic violence issues. With 28 direct service programs across the state, the coalition offers counseling and community outreach. The ICADV institutes a 24-hour statewide hotline for those needing help. The phone number is 1-800-942-0333.

Domestic violence is a horrific act that no one should have to deal with, and it is my hope that the resources and help available will offer guidance and aid to those affected.