Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chantland Material Handling Company (Chantland MHS) in Dakota City, Iowa for earning Monsanto's 2007 Supplier Quality Recognition Award for being one of Monsanto's top and trusted suppliers.

Monsanto has 31,000 suppliers, and Chantland MHS is now one of 75 elite companies that have received the award in the past 21 years. Each company is rated based on their performance, and feedback from Monsanto's manufacturing sites factored heavily into the final decision of the award winners. Chantland MHS supplied 17,000 feet of conveyor systems to Monsanto last year, which has helped Monsanto increase their corn capacity. The Dakota City manufacturing facility employs 86 people and is a leading supplier of bag fillers, conveyors, palletizers, robots and systems.

Chantland MHS, dedication to providing outstanding service and product quality has provided great benefit to the State of Iowa, and for this I offer Chantland MHS my utmost congratulations and thanks. It is an honor to represent Jamie Flot, President and COO, and all the employees of the Chantland MHS, in the United States Congress, and I wish them continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mrs. Mary Glese, principal at Hogan Elementary School in Marshalltown, Iowa, on the occasion of her retirement. I also wish to express my appreciation for Mary's dedication and commitment to the youth of Iowa.

For the past 39 years, Mrs. Glese has contributed her time and talents to improving youths' lives through education and mentoring. She grew up in Ames and graduated from Iowa State University before obtaining her master's degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder. During her career, Mrs. Glese also worked at schools in Minnesota and Mason City as well as a consultant for the Area Education Agency.

Mrs. Glese has truly made a lasting impact on students, family and faculty throughout her illustrious career, and her leadership at Hogan Elementary will certainly be missed by everyone. I consider it an honor to represent Mrs. Mary Glese in the United States Congress, and I wish her and her husband David a happy and healthy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Peter Faust for his longtime dedication to helping persons with disabilities, being an inspiration in his community of Clear Lake, Iowa and earning the American Network of Community Options and Resources' (ANCOR's) Direct Support Professional (DSP) of Iowa Award.

Pete has been working at Opportunity Village for 31 years and is the only employee to work with the agency for more than 20 years. In 1994, Pete earned the Shirley Echelbarger Award, which is the highest honor an employee at Opportunity Village can receive. Although Pete must work extra hours just to pay his bills, he continues to work at Opportunity Village because he understands that consistency and familiarity are what his clients need.

Pete's sacrifices and dedication to his clients go above and beyond what we are asked as citizens of this country. His willingness to give a part of himself for the betterment of others illustrates the compassion of Iowans, and for this I offer him my utmost congratulations and thanks. I consider it an honor to represent Peter Faust in the United States Congress, and I wish him the best in his future work serving others.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Youth and Shelter Services of Marshall County, Iowa, on celebrating their 25th anniversary and to express my appreciation for their commitment to providing services to Iowa's youth and their families.

Over 25 years, Youth and Shelter Services has grown from just a one person staff to sixteen employees today. They began serving as a youth and run-away service but now serve school-based and home programs, which includes foster care and those on welfare as well. The agency has turned part of their focus towards prevention services to help children avoid making poor choices.

I commend Youth and Shelter Services for continuing to provide a safety net for children and dedicated service to the Marshall County community. It is an honor to represent Director David Hicks, and all current and former members of the Youth and Shelter Services team, in the United States Congress, and I wish them continued success in their future service to Marshall County youth.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Conley Nelson of Algona, Iowa, for his appointment to the National Pork Board.

Conley was one of five people appointed to the 15-member board at the World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and will serve a three year term. The National Pork Board, which was created by Congress as part of the Pork Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1985, is designed to develop budgets and award contracts to carry out projects that bring pork into the marketplace.

Conley is the general manager of the Murphy-Brown LLC Midwest operation. His large-scale operation includes 89,000 sows and markets 3.7 million hogs a year. In addition, he owns a 4,400 head wean-to- finish operation. Conley is a member of the National Checkoff's Pork Leadership Academy and serves on the Iowa Pork Producers board of directors, its Audit Committee, the Membership and Leadership Committees and the Swine Health and Animal Well-Being Committees. He is also a member of both the Kossuth County Pork Producers and Humboldt County Farm Bureau. Conley's broad range of experience and involvement in the pork industry certainly has earned him a position on the National Pork Board, and I am eager to see him excel in his role of helping pork producers across the country.

I commend Conley Nelson for his dedication to his work and congratulate him on his new nomination. I consider it an honor to represent Conley in the United States Congress, and I wish him great success while serving on the National Pork Board.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is very important. Helping people in need overseas has always been a national priority, and I stand in favor of H.R. 5501. However, I must say that helping American taxpayers hurt by natural disasters should be our highest priority. This Congress is letting them down.

According to the House and Senate leadership, there simply isn't enough time for Congress to pass emergency aid to help Midwestern States affected by the devastating floods last month.

Not enough time?

When Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf on Monday, August 29, 2005, Congress began working. On Friday of that same week, the House and Senate introduced, passed, and had a supplemental appropriation bill signed into law that same day. Five days later another supplemental bill was introduced and was signed into law the very next day. And in 2004 after Hurricanes Charlie and Frances landed, the Congress passed a supplemental appropriations bill and had it signed into law in 1 week.

Yet here I stand almost 2 months after the most damaging natural disaster in Iowa's history began and the Democrat leadership in the House and the Senate are telling the people up and down the Mississippi River that

they can wait until there is frost on the beans until we decide on additional aid.

Earlier this week the Governor of Iowa told the leadership of this House that Iowa alone needs an additional $1.2 billion more than FEMA can provide. Iowa has suffered a loss of $10 billion. Now we are told we will be waiting until September for a bill.

Where's the outrage? Well, I will tell you. It's in Iowa. It's with the 25,000 homeless Iowans. It's with the small business owners, the employers, the people who sacrificed their homes to help their neighbors.

This House has had time since the first waters started flowing through Midwestern homes to vote on numerous bills under the suspension calendar. We have had time to designate the ``National Day of the Cowboy'' and the ``National Carriage Driving Month.'' And 348 Members of Congress walked over here to vote to honor the life of a musician who had a number one hit entitled ``What's the Use of Getting Sober, When You're Gonna Get Drunk Again?''

Well, it appears that Congress needs to sober up and help the people of the Midwest. The House should not leave for the August recess until we finish our work and help the victims of the Midwest.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Shirley Ramaeker for her many years of service at the Eagle Grove, Iowa, Fareway Economical Food Store.

For the past 20 years, Shirley has served the people of Eagle Grove as an outstanding and dedicated employee, offering reliable and friendly service. In fact, members of the community often wait in her line just to have their groceries checked out by her. Shirley's commitment to her job and her customers has earned her admiration, trust and friendship from her fellow co-workers. Great service goes a long way, and I am honored to see fellow Iowans like Shirley providing service second to none.

I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending Shirley Ramaeker for her service to Eagle Grove and the Fareway Food Store. I consider it an honor to represent her in Congress, and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Iowa Select Farms in Iowa Falls, Iowa for earning the ``Above and Beyond'' award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) organization, for

supporting its employees who are in the National Guard or Army Reserve.

The ``Above and Beyond'' award received by Iowa Select Farms was preceded by a ``My Boss is a Patriot'' certificate in 2005, which was awarded after an Iowa National Guard employee nominated the farm for providing special consideration and benefits during his deployment. Iowa Select Farms' corporate policy obliges the company to pay a year's salary while a soldier employee is deployed, thereby removing considerable stress and uncertainty in how a soldier can provide for his or her family while serving abroad. By providing top notch support to its military employees, Iowa Select Farms shows the respect and honor deserved by America's troops, who continue to sacrifice for our nation.

I offer my utmost congratulations and thanks to Iowa Select Farms for playing such an active role in supporting our troops. It is an honor to represent Jeff Hansen, President and CEO, and all the employees of the Iowa Select Farms in the United States Congress, and I wish them success in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Larry Reis for reaching an important milestone as a public servant to the people of Winneshiek County, Iowa.

For the past 25 years, Larry has served on the Winneshiek County Conservation Board (WCCB). Before working on the County Conservation Board, he grew up in Lime Springs, Iowa, where he followed in the footsteps of his parents and grandparents by enjoying his time with nature and becoming a passionate outdoorsman. Larry's first job was a campground manager in Little Sioux, Iowa.

In 1983, Larry became the WCCB naturalist and maintenance technician. Ten years later, another staff person was hired, which allowed Larry to primarily work as the county naturalist. In this past year, WCCB again hired another staff person, and Larry began spending part of his time working as the natural resource manager as well.

I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending Larry Reis for his service to Winneshiek County. I consider it an honor to represent him in the United States Congress and I wish him the best in his future work with the Conservation Board.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Sharon Alban, co-publisher of the Ogden Reporter, for earning the Distinguished Service Award at the annual Iowa Newspaper Association's convention.

The Distinguished Service Award is the most prestigious honor given by the Iowa Newspaper Association, and former recipients of the award select the winner. Excellence runs in Sharon's household as her husband Gary won the award in 2005. In addition to Sharon's award, the Ogden Reporter was awarded three press awards in the Iowa Newspaper Foundation's annual Better Newspaper Contests.

In 1966, Gary and Sharon bought the Ogden Reporter. Sharon began on the streets selling ads. She found a niche in sales in addition to her day-to-day work with the newspaper. In addition to Sharon's diligent work with the newspaper, she is very active in her church and is involved in many community activities and events.

I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending Sharon Alban for her leadership and dedication to representing Iowa in the Ogden Reporter. I consider it an honor to represent Sharon and her husband Gary in Congress, and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Pocahontas Regular Baptist Church of Pocahontas, Iowa, on celebrating their 50th anniversary as a congregation.

Beginning in 1955, a group of Baptists began meeting together in Rolfe, Iowa where study classes and evangelical meetings were held in preparation for a new church community in Pocahontas. In January 1958, the Pocahontas Regular Baptist Church was organized. Later that year it was officially received into the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches.

The first services and meetings were held in the Farm Bureau building until 1961, when the first church building was raised. The church building was the former Methodist Church from Havelock, Iowa. The congregation continued to grow, and in 1978, it was decided to build a new church to accommodate the growing congregation. A new church building was completed and dedicated in 1981 and remains the congregation's church today.

Pocahontas Regular Baptist Church has been an integral part of the surrounding Pocahontas community, and for this I offer the congregation my utmost congratulations on a prosperous history. It is an honor to represent all the parishioners and the current Pastor, Tim Kuhn, in the United States Congress, and I wish them continued success, grace, peace and celebration as a community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gladys Martens on the occasion of her 100th birthday on July 15, 2008.

Gladys was born on July 15, 1908 in Adair County, Iowa, as Gladys Petrie. She is a graduate of Drake University and was a teacher in Linden, Iowa. In 1939, she married Grant Martens and moved to a farm in rural Madison County, where she lived until 1997. Gladys is a life-long member of Van Meter Trinity Lutheran Church and currently lives at the West Bridge Care Center in Winterset, Iowa.

There have been many changes that have occurred during the past one hundred years. Since Gladys' 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. Gladys has lived through eighteen United States Presidents and twenty-four Governors of Iowa. In her lifetime, the population of the United States has more than tripled.

I congratulate Gladys Martens for reaching this milestone of a birthday. I am extremely honored to represent Gladys in the United States Congress, and I wish her happiness and health in her future years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Don Betts as the recipient of the 2008 Educator of the Year from the Iowa Association of Alternative Education and for his outstanding service as a teacher and director at Carrie Lane Alternative School in Charles City, Iowa.

The Educator of the Year award is presented each year to an alternative educator who makes a significant contribution to alternative education in Iowa. Don currently is the only teacher at Carrie Lane. He understands that in alternative education, relationships based on encouragement are necessary, and he continues to build upon those relationships well after graduation. His hard work and motivational skills have helped many students persevere and earn their high school diplomas, and the confidence he instills in his students opens doors to learning opportunities and future success.

I congratulate Don Betts on his well- deserved award, and I'm certain that he will continue to touch the lives of many students in his community. It is a great honor to represent Don in the United States Congress, and I wish him continued success at Carrie Lane Alternative School.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of Mr. Jim Gale, a guidance counselor at Algona High School in Algona, Iowa, and to express my appreciation for his years of dedication and commitment to the youth of Iowa.

After graduating from Akron High School and receiving his education degree and master's degree in counseling from South Dakota University, Jim Gale has spent the past 39 years contributing his time and talents to youth development. He began by teaching for 5 years and then counseling for 2 years at a small school in Minnesota before coming to Algona High School as a guidance counselor, where he remained for the past 32 years. Through teaching, counseling, and coaching sports, Jim has touched the lives of thousands of students. Inspired to become a counselor because of the great impact his own counselor had on him while growing up, Jim says the most memorable experience he will take with him is seeing students come in as freshmen and mature into seniors, later becoming mature adults giving back to their communities.

Although his leadership will be missed, Jim Gale has made a lasting impact on the many students and teachers he has worked with over his career, and he plans to continue serving his community through part- time guidance and counseling at schools in the area and other volunteer efforts. I consider it an honor to represent Jim Gale in the United States Congress, and I wish him and his wife Marilyn a long, happy and healthy retirement as they enjoy their grandchildren and continued community involvement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Silver Lake Lutheran Church of Northwood, Iowa, on celebrating its 150th anniversary as a congregation.

On July 20, 1858, twelve families met under a tree in rural Northwood for Silver Lake's first service. Today's congregation still worships in the church built by the original founders. Silver Lake Lutheran Church, which has had several upgrades, is the oldest church in Worth County, Iowa and was moved from its original location. Built by the Silver Lake cemetery, the church was later set on logs and rolled to its new location.

During the Civil War the church faced some difficulties and a split between some church members, but Silver Lake's congregation remained strong in faith and continued to grow despite the struggle. Today, Silver Lake has 226 baptized members, and they support local and international charities with their Mission Endowment program.

Silver Lake Lutheran Church of Northwood is dedicated to benefiting the lives of those in Northwood and the surrounding rural areas, and for this I offer Silver Lake my utmost congratulations and thanks on a prosperous history. It is an honor to represent all the parishioners of Silver Lake and current Pastor Randy Baldwin in the United States Congress, and I wish them continued success, peace, and celebration as a community.