Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication and hard work of one of my constituents. Phil Fleisher of St. Ansgar, Iowa, who has organized one of the most ambitious tributes to tell the story of America's veterans.

This Saturday, April 12, the first annual Veterans Heritage Day will be observed at the St. Ansgar Walter T. Ennenberg American Legion Post headquarters, thanks to Phil's coordination.

The event will display the largest military history collection in the north central region of Iowa, including thousands of veteran histories compiled by Fleischer, a Vietnam war veteran, in one of the most ambitious chronicles anywhere, dating back to the American Civil War.

It has been noted in press reports that Phil has sponsored and organized a number of these event, at his own expense, designed to educate and promote awareness for the sacrifices of U.S. military personnel in American history.

And, even though it is reported that Phil prefers to remain in the shadows and allow other veterans to take the spotlight, I wanted to properly recognize Phil's dedication to telling

the veterans' stories of service and sacrifice today while at the same time collecting and preserving them for the benefit of future generations of Americans.

No one has done more to secure this country's freedom and prosperity than our veterans. And, thanks to Phil Fleisher's hard work, we all can benefit from his story as a veteran and the stories of thousands of other veterans who proudly served this great Nation.

I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress will join me in commending Phil Fleisher and wish him a safe and successful event this Saturday.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of Tim Hoffman, Superintendent for the Adel-Desoto-Minburn School District, and to express my appreciation for his dedication and commitment to the youth of Iowa.

For the past 25 years, Tim has contributed his time and his talents to the betterment of young Iowans. During his time as superintendent there have been many district-wide

improvements, and a new high school was built. Over the years, the school curriculum has also been significantly modified to create greater consistency and to focus on essential learning material, which has in turn helped raise student achievement scores. He credits much of his success to having quality school board members, great administrators, and dedicated employees in the school district. Nearly all the current school district employees were hired by Tim.

During his service, Tim has made a significant impact on the students and the entire surrounding community. His leadership will certainly be missed. I consider it an honor to represent Tim Hoffman in Congress, and I wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the 2007 National Princess of the American Miniature Horse Registry, Alyssa Palas of Story City, Iowa.

In September 2007, Alyssa was crowned at the National Miniature Horse show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As princess, Alyssa presented all the awards during the show, including presenting her mother with Reserve National Champion honors for their two-year-old gelding. She will reign until the 2008 national show.

Alyssa and her family have been involved in the miniature horse business for six years. The Palas family competes across the country under the farm name Royal Palas Miniatures. They received 31 National Top Ten placings at the 2007 national show.

I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending and congratulating Alyssa Palas. I consider it an honor to represent Alyssa and her family in Congress and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Marcella Potthoff of Indianola, Iowa, as the Good Samaritan Society's 2007 Volunteer of the Year.

Marcella volunteers three days every week at the Indianola Good Samaritan Center. She performs a variety of tasks for residents, which includes making food, pushing wheelchairs and playing games. She especially enjoys bingo. According to Trudie Wood, the activity director and volunteer coordinator at the Good Samaritan Center, Marcella's eagerness to serve, and her patience and availability at short notice is what makes Marcella deserving of this award.

Marcella has dedicated her life to improving her community. Her past volunteer work includes teaching Sunday school, hosting a Bible study, helping with youth activities, leading a Girl Scout troop, and being an active member in a quilt club and a singles club. She is a great example for her community, and I commend her on her enduring commitment.

I consider it an honor to represent Marcella Potthoff in Congress. I commend Marcella's willingness to volunteer and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charles City, Iowa Police Department Investigator Todd Smith and Mason City Police Officer Steve Klemas as recipients of The Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor for saving another's life by risking their own.

The Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor Program was established in 1977 to recognize peace officers and firefighters, who while serving in an official capacity, distinguished themselves by performing a heroic act while fully aware of a threat to his/her personal safety. The strict nomination process includes background investigations, and the final determination is made by the Governor of Iowa.

On June 18, 2007, Officer Klemas and Investigator Smith responded to a request by the Wright County sheriff to assist in an armed stand-off that occurred after the office attempted to serve a committal order on an individual. After failed negotiations, two rounds of tear gas, and a five-hour stand-off, Officer Klemas and Investigator Smith led a team of eight into the house. Investigator Smith served as the shield person, and was shot at three times as Officer Klemas fired on the individual to subdue him and take him into custody.

Investigator Smith and Officer Klemas' bravery goes above and beyond what we are asked of as citizens of this country. Their courage illustrates the compassion of Iowans; willing to risk their own lives for the safety of our fellow citizens. For this I offer them my utmost congratulations and thanks.

I commend Officer Steve Klemas and Investigator Todd Smith for their bravery. I am honored to represent them in Congress and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Charles City Police Department and the graduates of the first ever Charles City, Iowa, Citizens Police Academy.

On November 13, 2007, seventeen residents of Charles City graduated from the first Charles City Citizens Police Academy, a ten week program facilitated by the Charles City Police Department and North Iowa Area Community College. The Charles City police officers took time to study specific aspects of police work and polished their presentation skills before instructing the classes. The Academy participants learned about the rigorous education and training police officers go through to do their jobs effectively. They also gained knowledge in various topics including; handling stressful situations, law enforcement operations, jurisdiction, the use of force and liability, terrorism training, and self-defense techniques.

This inaugural program has helped citizens better understand all that police do to protect and serve communities and has brought the police and citizens of Charles City closer together. The Academy is a characteristic of what Iowa is all about--regular citizens motivated to protect and cooperate with one another for the betterment of their communities.

I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending and congratulating the Charles City Citizens Police Academy and Charles City Police Chief, Mike Wendel. I consider it an honor to represent each member of the Academy and the Charles City Police Department in the U.S. Congress, and I wish them all the best as they work together to make Charles City a safer place.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Bud Schrier for his longtime service to the community of Carlisle, Iowa, and being named 2008 Carlisle Citizen of the Year.

Bud was born in 1930 and grew up on a farm west of Carlisle. After graduating high school, he entered the army and fought in the Korean War. He then came back to Carlisle to marry his wife, Betty, and began a 35 year career as an automotive parts salesman for NAPA. Since 1954, Bud has been an active member of the American Legion, promoting patriotism in his community. He also has dedicated a significant amount of time to volunteering for the needy. Since 1977, Bud has also been involved with the Boy Scouts of America in Carlisle as a Scoutmaster.

Around town, Bud is known for having a deep respect for the American flag. He ensures the respectful and proper display of each flag in town and kindly reminds townspeople when their flags need to be replaced. Bud's profound reverence for our country certainly sets a wonderful example for all of us.

Bud's dedication to his community and his commitment to volunteer service should be commended. I consider it an honor to represent Bud Schrier in the U.S. Congress, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the 115 second grade students at Lincoln Elementary School in Clear Lake, Iowa, for their efforts in making the holidays brighter for our U.S. troops overseas.

The second grade class participated in a project called ``Operation Stockings for Soldiers.'' The children donated their own time and money to fill stockings with video games, DVD's, razors, stationary and a variety of other items. Each student also wrote inspiring letters, thanking the soldiers for protecting America and wishing them happy holidays. Some of the students' families donated money for the postage on the stockings.

This collective effort at Lincoln Elementary School is a characteristic of what Iowa is all about--citizens motivated and dedicated to improving the lives of others. I commend all the students, their families and especially their teacher, Kim Williamson, who organized this heartwarming effort to help our Iowa soldiers overseas. The effort of Kim and her students has reinforced the importance and joy of giving to others. I consider it an honor to represent each of the second graders, teachers and parents of the Lincoln Elementary School community involved in the ``Operations Stockings for Soldiers'' project in the U.S. Congress, and commend them for their great act of compassion. And I know my colleagues join me in thanking them for their wonderful work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ames, Iowa Police Officer Clint Hertz and Lt. Jeff Brinkley as recipients of The Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor for saving another's life by risking their own.

The Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor Program was established in 1977 to recognize peace officers and firefighters, who while serving in an official capacity, distinguished themselves by performing a heroic act while fully aware of a threat to his/her personal safety. The strict nomination process includes background investigations, and the final determination is made by the Governor of Iowa.

On December 27, 2007, Lt. Brinkley and Officer Hertz responded to a 911 call of a car on fire in the North Grand Mall parking lot. When Lt. Brinkley arrived, he realized the inside of the car was full of black smoke and the back half of the car was in flames. He quickly ran to the car and broke the passenger window, but because of the thickness of the smoke, he was unable to see if there were any passengers inside the car. Officer Hertz then arrived and also ran to the car to check for passengers and found a man trapped inside the car. Officer Hertz then opened the passenger-side door and Lt. Brinkley helped him pull the man to safety. Moments later the car was completely engulfed in flames.

Lt. Brinkley's and Officer Hertz's bravery goes above and beyond what we are asked of as citizens of this country. Their courage illustrates the compassion of Iowans; willing to risk their own lives for the safety of their fellow citizens. For this I offer them my utmost congratulations and thanks.

I commend Lt. Jeff Brinkley and Officer Clint Hertz for their heroism. I am honored to represent them in Congress and I wish them the best in their future service with the Ames Police Department.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the repair and welding shop, Pierce Bros. Repair of Indianola, Iowa, on celebrating their 50th Anniversary and to express my appreciation for their commitment to providing important services to Iowans in the area.

In 1958, brothers Lee and Gene Pierce opened an old-style blacksmith shop, primarily repairing farm equipment. Current owner Kurt Wells now has a five-man crew doing various jobs in the area, including repairing lawn mowers, grills, trailer hitches, and other projects. Kurt joined the company in 1960 at age ten and bought the shop in 1972.

Pierce Bros. Repair's success has come by sticking to their original niche and only upgrading the necessary modern modifications. Although the shop has expanded twice since 1958, there are no computer-run tools, and the shop is still heated today by a wood burning stove. Kurt's managing secret is to work with his employees, not boss them. It is a secret that has generated 130 years of experience at the shop between the five current employees.

For 50 years, Pierce Bros. Repair of Indianola has benefited Iowans by providing important, reliable, customer-oriented service, and for this I offer them my utmost congratulations and thanks. It is an honor to represent Kurt Wells and all members of the Pierce Bros. crew in Congress, and I wish them continued success in serving the Indianola community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Mark Kushner, a distinguished professor and Dean of the College of Engineering at Iowa State University on winning the Semiconductor Industry Association annual award for outstanding work and exemplary leadership by university researchers.

Dr. Kushner received his BA in Astronomy and BS in Engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1976 and earned his MS and PhD in Applied Physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1977 and 1979. From 1986 to 2005, Dr. Kushner was the Founder Professor of Engineering in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2005, Dr. Kushner became the Dean of Engineering and the James Melsa Professor at Iowa State University with appointments in the departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical Engineering.

For 18 years, Dr. Kushner has worked with the Semiconductor Research Corporation, and his work is widely recognized as the ``Gold Standard'' for the semiconductor industry. He has published more than 210 journal articles and delivered more than 170 invited symposia presentations on topics related to plasma and thermal materials processing, gas and solid state lasers, pulse power plasmas, chemical lasers, and laser spectroscopy. Dr. Kushner has also trained dozens of Ph.D.s who continue to drive innovation and progress in microelectronics.

Dr. Kushner's efforts in research and training play a crucial role in expanding horizons in semiconductors and the field of engineering for the benefit of society. I consider it an honor to represent Dr. Kushner in Congress, and I wish him continued success in his groundbreaking efforts in the semiconductor industry and his academic work in the field of engineering.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Corn Belt Power Cooperative of Humboldt, Iowa, on the occasion of their 60th anniversary.

Before 1947, electric cooperatives were unable to keep up with farmers' additional need of electricity to power their homes and farms, and power companies in the cities were wary of selling electricity to rural Iowa. As a result of the increased demand, two smaller power cooperatives merged to create a partnership that could build a larger coal-fired generation, thus forming Corn Belt Power.

In the early years, Corn Belt Power was a source for electric lights, storing and preparing food in rural homes, pumping water, and bringing ease to daily farm chores. Today Corn Belt Power is a source of power for sophisticated livestock systems and computers, heat pumps and efficient heating and cooling systems for homes. Corn Belt Power has withstood many ups and downs, including the energy crisis in the 1970s, the farm crisis of the 1980s, and our need for energy efficiency today.

Corn Belt Power Cooperative of Humboldt is dedicated to benefiting rural Iowa and the agricultural community, and for this I offer them my utmost congratulations and thanks. It is an honor to represent the employees of Corn Belt Power, the board of directors, and President Donald Feldman in the U.S. Congress, and I wish them continued success in serving the people of rural Iowa.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Donna Eastman for reaching an important milestone as a public servant to the citizens of Callender, Iowa.

For the past 25 years, Donna, a life-long resident of Callender, has served as the city clerk. As city clerk of a small town, Donna performs many diverse tasks for the community. She handles the utilities, budget, public records, city water, sewer, garbage and electric fees. Donna also files information for the mayor and city council and serves as a liaison between city residents and their elected officials. She has a strong understanding of the needs and desires of the community. With her experience and knowledge of the town she has become the town's unofficial ambassador.

I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending

Donna Eastman for her years of leadership and service to the people of Callender. I consider it an honor to represent her in the United States Congress and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Duane. Joann, Kelli. Staci, Amy, Brooke and Andy Wurzer of Chickasaw County, Iowa for being named the 2007 Outstanding 4-11 Family.

Duane has been involved with the local 4-11 club by coaching softball, conducting service projects and helping with livestock projects. Joann. has been a leader of the Lawler Lassies and Lads club for 16 years. All five of their children started in 4-11 as Little Clovers in the second grade. I hey have all held various leadership positions, earned awards for their efforts in a variety of areas, volunteered in numerous service projects and have had many projects selected at the Iowa State Fair.

4-H's mission is to ``empower youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.'' Duane and Joann have been compassionate adults who continue to strive to empower more children to reach their goals each day. As parents and mentors they have touched the lives of many children who have then gone on to inspire others, to continue the cycle for generations to come.

I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending the Wurzer family's leadership and donation of time and talent for the benefit of Chickasaw County's youth. I consider it an honor to represent Duane. Joann, Kelli, Staci, Amy, Brooke, and Andy Wuzer in Congress and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, as a proud original cosponsor of House Resolution 924, a resolution congratulating Iowa State University on its sesquicentennial, I would like to take a moment to express my support for its passage and thank the leadership of the House for bringing it to the floor for consideration.

I am proud to have the opportunity to represent the 4th Congressional District of Iowa, the home of Iowa State University and want to congratulate them on their 150th Anniversary. Iowa State's contributions to the State of Iowa, Nation and world are second-to-none and it deserves to receive special recognition. Established on March 22, 1858, Iowa State University has been a pioneer on many fronts; it has demonstrated leadership on very important issues such as equal education and agriculture. Iconic figures such as George Washington Carver and suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt received their education from this outstanding center of learning.

Widely recognized and respected for its service, Iowa State University has now been a leader in higher education for 150 years. Today, it is regarded as one of the greatest agricultural institutions in the Nation and was one of the first institutions to be designated as a land grant institution. The entire agricultural economy is dependent on the agricultural research carried out by Iowa State University. And, its work in biorenewable energy has contributed to the development of alternative fuel sources important to help America reduce its dependence on foreign energy sources. But agriculture and renewable energy are not the only areas in which Iowa State University excels. Engineering, architecture and computer sciences, to name a few, are other areas of higher learning that attract students from all over the globe to Ames, Iowa.

I would also like to applaud Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffrey, the faculty, staff, students and alumni for continuing the rich tradition of excellence and upholding its superior reputation. On behalf of all Iowans, I want to thank Iowa State University for being a source of pride and for the positive influence it has had on the state of Iowa. Again, I am honored to represent this wonderful university and proud to call myself a Cyclone.