Cynthia Axne

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me, in honor of National Military Appreciation Month, in recognizing the nearly one thousand members of Iowa's National Guard that are helping our state fight COVID-19 as our Iowans of the Week. Over 800 soldiers and airmen with Iowa's National Guard have been called to state active duty to help combat COVID-19. They're delivering personal protective equipment to our Frontline health workers and county emergency management facilities. They're helping our food banks package and deliver food to Iowans in need. And they're helping our state complete COVID-19 testing through the new ``Test Iowa'' program, a critical step to charting a pathway to safely reopening Iowa through a data-driven understanding of the spread of the virus in Iowa. Members of the Guard like Specialist Janet Fonseca and Private First Class Cesar Galvan--a husband and wife from Marshalltown--have stepped up and helped their fellow Iowans in the face of these unprecedented times. Our Iowa National Guard are citizen soldiers--meaning they have to balance everyday demands with their responsibilities of service to our nation. Even soon-to-be and new parents, like Guardsman Mark Williams, are balancing the needs of their families and the demands of serving during this pandemic. In the past few weeks, members of our National Guard have worked early mornings and long days, helping to deliver personal protective equipment to over 88 counties in Iowa to keep our health care workers and emergency response professionals safe. They've also helped to repackage and sort food at our food banks-- ensuring Iowans in need during this pandemic do not go hungry. I'm proud to represent Camp Dodge, the headquarters of the Iowa National Guard, in Johnston, Iowa. I'm proud of the strong servant leadership I've seen in Colonel John Perkins, serving with the Army Guard, and Brigadier General Shawn Ford, serving with the Air Guard. These brave men and women who are now called to serve are taking time away from their regular jobs and their families to help support our citizens--and they deserve the thanks of a grateful state. Our National Guard members now serving may be known to their neighbors only as members of the local church or an employee at a local business--their regular lives before this pandemic that gave no indication of their commitment to serve. But in times of crisis, we know we can count on them--for this is hardly the first time they've been called to help. Last year, when Iowa was reeling from devastating flooding in the southwest part of our state, it was members of our National Guard who stepped up to help crippled communities get back on their feet. And so, in recognition of National Military Appreciation Month, I'm proud to honor the brave and dedicated men and women of the Iowa National Guard for their critical help to our emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I ask everyone to join me in thanking the Iowans serving our country both here and around the world as members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Their commitment to our nation and to protecting our citizens--in the face of enemies both seen and unseen--is not forgotten in these unique and challenging times.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the men and women of the Waukee Fire Department in Waukee, Iowa as this week's Iowans of the Week. The firefighters and paramedics of the Waukee Fire Department are an integral part of the Waukee community, and their dedication to protecting the health and safety of those they serve is nothing short of exemplary. That dedication is just as evident in the Waukee Fire Department's community engagement efforts. They're a frequent face visiting local schools, leading fire station tours, and hosting engaging, educational children's birthday parties at the fire station. I am grateful that our children have these hardworking men and women to look up to as role models. Right now, Iowa's police, fire, and emergency services personnel are continuing to provide essential services in their communities as Iowans stay home during the coronavirus outbreak. I know that this adjustment can make folks feel apart from their neighbors, especially in close- knit communities like Waukee. But that's not stopping the Waukee Fire Department. Thanks to the creativity and imagination of Lieutenant Tony Clemen, the department is finding a new way to get out in the community. They're bringing the birthday party--the fire truck, lights and all--to the children; they even play ``Happy Birthday'' over the truck's loudspeaker. Needless to say, the idea's been a hit with kids and parents alike. And now the community is joining in. On one recent visit, the Waukee Fire Department met up with locals before making a birthday visit. Together, they formed a birthday procession over twenty cars long, honking and waving to neighborhood kids along the way. I'm so glad that Iowans are coming together to spread much-needed joy and smiles as we work to slow the spread of coronavirus together. Our firefighters across Iowa are responding to emergency calls across our great state. I know many of our firefighters don't have the protective equipment they need, like face masks, to protect themselves during this COVID-19 outbreak. As our firefighters work to protect our communities, I will work to protect our firefighters and ensure they can get the essential equipment, protecting, training, and assistance they need. The men and women of the Waukee Fire Department are truly making a difference in their community, especially during these challenging times. I could not be more thankful for their hard work and service, and I ask the House to join me in recognizing them as Iowans of the Week.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, our elder Americans are among the highest risk for COVID-19. During this outbreak, our seniors need the continued support from their communities. That is why I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the dedicated employees of lowa's 444 long-term and skilled nursing facilities as they face new and unforeseen challenges in providing care for their patients and residents. Social distancing is not an option for these health care workers. Every day, these essential workers show up at work, receive their screenings at the door, and suit up in their protective equipment-- often homemade--so they can continue to serve and provide the same level of care for their residents--our parents, grandparents, our family, friends, and beloved community leaders. They show up despite the lack of personal protective equipment and show great ingenuity as they find new ways to protect their patients and themselves. Daily, they are working to protect our most vulnerable Iowans. Employees at skilled nursing facilities have very difficult jobs. They carry the responsibility of caring for our loved ones as they face the uncertain challenges of aging. They bathe, dress, feed, engage--and love--their residents to keep them happy and healthy. Administrators and their assistants balance tight budgets and shuffle schedules to accommodate severe staffing shortages. Chefs and cooks create menus with quality meals to accommodate many dietary restrictions and daily needs to ensure our seniors are leading healthy lives. All these difficult tasks are only compounded by the stress of added protective measures and coping with the anxieties that come as a result of the crisis we now find ourselves in. I am grateful for the strength and resiliency that our workers in long-term and skilled nursing facilities have shown during this crisis. While we are not able to visit our loved ones in these facilities, we can rest assured they are continuing to receive quality attention and care during this time. So today, I'm asking my colleagues here in the House to join me in honoring the remarkable employees who are keeping our long-term and skilled nursing facilities in Iowa up and running in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, each week, I honor an Iowan who has done something outstanding that deserves to be recognized. I started my `Iowan Of The Week' because I want to honor our unsung heroes, our everyday Iowans who leave a positive impact on their community not for reward, but because that is who they are. I've found parents, teachers, and farmers to celebrate each week. This week, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Iowans a little differently. I ask you to join me in honoring all our health care workers. Our doctors, our nurses, our PAs, our RNs, our medical residents, our hospital administration staff and so many more have gone into work each day, working tirelessly as this outbreak of COVID-19 has spread across this country. They are working extra shifts and additional hours, leaving their families at home. They know they must work to contain this outbreak while taking extra precautions to keep themselves and their families safe. As schools, small businesses, restaurants, and more close down to minimize the spread, our health care workers know that they will never be shut down. They are our first and last lines of defense against this outbreak, and I know they will see us through it. I've spoken with many in the health care field this week, and I've heard how they are being asked to cover longer shifts, to conserve medical supplies, and to care for and comfort patients. At a time when many Americans are working from home and engaging in social distancing, our health care workers are doing even more with less. We must remember that no one is born a superhero. Our health care workers are ordinary people called upon to do extraordinary things. The work they are doing reminds me of President Roosevelt's quote, which goes ``Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.'' Our health care workforce is putting the health and wellbeing of their communities first. Madam Speaker, Iowans are humble and we rarely brag or boast, so please allow me to boast on their behalf. Our health care workers across Iowa are among the best in the nation, and they are at work protecting the health of our communities. When I speak with our health care workers, they tell me they are ``just doing their job,'' but that is exactly what makes them special. I ask the House to join me in honoring Iowa's health care workers as my Iowans of the Week. I couldn't be more proud of these men and women for their selfless service during this time.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Neal Edward Smith of Des Moines, Iowa--in recognition of his 100th birthday--as our Iowan of the Week. Neal served our state as `the gentleman from Iowa' in the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1995--the longest that any Iowan has ever served in the House. As the current representative of Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, which spans much of the same area Mr. Smith represented here in Washington, I was glad to have the example he set to look to when taking office last year. As a fifth-generation Iowan, I've grown up with Mr. Smith's legacy across our state. Whether it's families using the Neal Smith Trail, employees working in the Neal Smith Federal Building, folks visiting the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge, or even students studying to be a part of next generation of leaders at the Neal Smith Law Center at Drake University--all of us feel the presence of this Iowa legend and newly minted centenarian. Mr. Smith honored our country by serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II as a bomber pilot. After his plane was shot down, Mr. Smith received a Purple Heart, Air Medal, four oak leafclusters and nine battle stars for his bravery and heroism. After exiting military service, Neal graduated both college and law school before entering public service, serving as the assistant county attorney for Polk County. In 1958, he was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and he was reelected 17 more times after that. It is an honor to commemorate Neal's commitment to public service for his 100th birthday, and applaud this `gentleman from Iowa' for his hundred years of hard work and dedication to making Iowa better for everyone. Happy birthday, Neal.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Kerisa Baedke, teacher and educator at Prairieview School in Waukee, as this week's Iowan of the Week. Kerisa is a foreign language teacher at Prairieview School in Waukee, Iowa. In her Spanish classes, she has built an immersive, vibrant environment in which her students feel comfortable and confident learning a new language. By combining a bright, colorful array of decorations with interactive lessons--taught almost entirely in Spanish--Kerisa brings a world of art, culture, and history to Prairieview School. Kerisa has a passion for teaching foreign languages and promoting different cultural experiences in her classes. Her whole family speaks three or four languages, she says, and it's where she first discovered love and passion for language. She also comes from a family of educators; her parents both dedicated themselves to teaching. Kerisa said she was born to be a teacher and couldn't imagine doing anything else. Prairieview School students look forward to Mrs. Baedke's class each year, including her well-known projects like creative cultural dances or the ``Dia de los Muertos'' shoebox. Kerisa has made a lasting impression on her students, cultivating a passion for language and for learning. In fact, it was one of her students that nominated her for the Iowa State Education Association's Excellence in Education Award-- and Kerisa won. The accolades don't stop there. I am proud to say that Kerisa was also awarded with the National Education Association's Horace Mann Award. This prestigious national honor is awarded to only five teachers each year for their outstanding contributions to their students and to the teaching profession. Kerisa is the first ever teacher from Iowa to receive the Horace Mann Award, and I know the entirely Prairieview School community is delighted by her achievement. As a mom, I know that education is the single most important investment we can make in our children. I am proud to know that our children have teachers like Kerisa helping them learn and grow. It is her commitment to creating an engaging, nurturing, and most importantly exciting environment for students to learn that makes her a pillar of our community. It is my honor to celebrate Kerisa Baedke and recognize her as the Iowan of the Week.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing two outstanding young Iowans, Dane and Kelsey Kruse from Silver City, Iowa. These two, brother and sister, are young farmers in Mills County continuing the family tradition on the farm. They were recently featured in a national advertising campaign that focused on the challenges young farmers face. Dane and Kelsey, or the ``Kruse Kids,'' are sixth-generation hog farmers that sell to Niman Ranch. Both in their early 20s, Dane and Kelsey are young faces in a profession where the average age is nearly 58. As Kelsey said, ``It's becoming very difficult for younger people to get themselves started'' in farming. I know many of my colleagues agree on how important it is to support young farmers like Kelsey and Dane. Nothing is more critical to the future of Iowa's rural economy than young people returning home to their community and carrying on the family tradition. Too often we see young Iowans moving away from their communities to seek opportunity elsewhere. Not only are the Kruse Kids helping their community by returning home after college, they are serving as incredible ambassadors for rural Iowa as the focus of national attention. Earlier this year, Dane and Kelsey joined other young farmers and participated in the Rose Parade on New Year's Day to kick off Chipotle's ``Cultivate the Future of Farming'' initiative. The Kruse family hogs are raised naturally with plenty of room, fed a vegetarian diet, and are antibiotic free. As consumers want to know more about where their food comes from, the Kruse Kids, along with their father Jeff, are proud to show off their farm and how they raise their Iowa hogs. I'm proud to honor Dane and Kelsey as our Iowans of the Week. As Dane shared to millions in the commercial, farming isn't easy. But why does he do it? ``You can say it is in my blood, you can say I'm crazy, I don't know, I just like farming.'' I hope you all will join me in recognizing Dane and Kelsey Kruse, along with all other young farmers across the country, and continue to work to ensure more kids have the resources they need to continue the family tradition.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Pam Williams, the Director of the Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps in Des Moines, as the Iowan of the Week. As the Isiserettes celebrate their 40th anniversary this year, I know this longstanding community program relies on the contributions and dedication of Ms. Williams to the Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps. Ms. Williams, or Ms. Pam as her students call her, co-founded the Isiserettes in 1980, a time when there weren't many creative outlets for young African American kids in Iowa. Since then, the Isiserettes have become an icon in the Des Moines Metro, with performances at the Iowa State Fair, parades all over the city, and even music videos with local musicians. They also perform nationally, hold several titles and have earned the honor of performing in both of President Obama's Inaugural Parades. We are deeply proud to see them representing Iowa as they travel across this country. Even at the age of 75, Ms. Pam never misses a rehearsal. You can always find her working hard on choreography and helping students reach the high expectations she's set for them. Students between 7 and 18 years old dedicate themselves to early morning practices on hot summer days, and must maintain good grades in order to participate. As a result, they boast a 91 percent graduation rate amongst members of their team. Ms. Pam's students describe her as one of the strictest people they know, but they will also tell you she is like a second mother to them. The key to the Isiserettes' success is the family atmosphere fostered by Ms. Pam and her team. It should not go without notice that Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps is a volunteer-led organization. Ms. Pam does not receive a single dime for the thousands of hours she puts into the organization every year. She does it out of the goodness of her heart, the benefits to our community, and her commitment to the success of her students. Ms. Pam has built the tradition, pride, and dedication that has sustained the Isiserettes for 40 years. It is Ms. Pam's dedication to providing a safe place for students to express themselves through music and dance that makes her a pillar of our community. It is an honor to commemorate Ms. Pam and recognize her as the Iowan of the Week.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Dr. Vergarie Sanford for her outstanding work and commitment as a faith leader in her community. Dr. Sanford serves as a minister at Mount Zion Refuge Center Church in Council Bluffs. Here, she centers her work on creating safe, supporting communities that focuses on serving God by serving others. Dr. Sanford engages young women, providing mentorship for girls between ages 12 and 18. She has also worked in local middle schools on bullying prevention programs. Her dedication to bettering her community is shown in her multiple memberships on the boards of local Council Bluffs organizations. Dr. Sanford is a true community leader and servant. Born and raised in Council Bluffs, Dr. Sanford is dedicated to continued learning that allows her to better serve her fellow Iowans. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School and attended Iowa Western; most recently, she received her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Oral Roberts University, and I know her community is deeply proud of this accomplishment. She said she is inspired by Matthew 9:37 which reads ``the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few'' which speaks to her heart and desire to serve her community. Dr. Sanford is on the Board of Directors of Children's Square U.S.A., which provides behavioral health, educational services, child welfare, and emergency services to families. She is also the Vice Chair on the Board of Directors of Centro Latino. This organization created a social services office in Council Bluffs to help the growing Latino community navigate through different resources including pantry services, housing assistance, applications to Medicaid, SNAP, and unemployment. Through her work, Iowans are getting access to services they need to support their families. It is an honor to commemorate the outstanding achievement of Dr. Sanford and celebrate the hard work that she has put in to give back to her community. I have great respect and admiration for activists like Dr. Sanford who continue to build up others and help them fulfill their needs.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Judge Romonda D. Belcher, a District Associate Judge at the Polk County Justice Center in Des Moines, Iowa as the Iowan of the Week. Judge Belcher is the first African American female judge to serve in the state of Iowa. She was appointed to the bench on August 20, 2010 and serves our community with distinction. Like many young girls across this country, she set her goals high at a young age. She grew up in North Carolina and moved to Iowa to attempted Drake Law School. Before she was selected to be a judge, she worked in the Polk County Attorney's Office for 15 years, serving in multiple different capacities including important work in juvenile justice. She's been a mentor to women and attorneys across Iowa-- including mentoring those who move here from out of state about how to handle our winter. As District Associate Judge, she continues to exemplify justice and equality by treating those who come before her fairly, with compassion and respect. The late Iowa Supreme Court Justice Mark Cady believed it was these qualities in Judge Belcher that makes her so valuable to our community. He said that Judge Belcher's ``presence and her approach and the kindness she displays is very needed'' by the those who come before her courtroom. I have great respect and admiration for folks who stand up for people who can't always stand up for themselves. Judge Belcher has made it her mission to help and had a dedicated life of public service, and Iowans are better because of it. It is an honor to commemorate the outstanding achievements of Judge Belcher and celebrate her as our Iowan of the Week.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kristi Myers from Des Moines on this year's World Cancer Day. Kristi is the mom of a smart and talented daughter, Audrey, and the wife of a wonderful partner, Dan. She works as a high school English teacher at Central Academy, and I hear she's a student favorite. Kristi is forever a Chicago Cubs fan, which speaks to her constant optimism. Kristi is a beautiful soul with a generous heart. And Kristi is another thing--a cancer survivor. She's fought and beaten cancer three times, and she is supported by her community making sure she'll be a fourth-time survivor. She's survived Hodgkin's lymphoma, a brain tumor, breast cancer, and is now fighting a second brain tumor. I am in awe of Kristi's strength, and the love and support of her family, to stand up to cancer four times over. On this World Cancer Day, I want to honor Kristi's fighting spirit, thank her family and our community who have helped support her, and make sure that we remember all those who have cancer on this day. Cancer doesn't know age or gender; it doesn't care about your race or how much money you have. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it impacts us all. Everyone in Iowa knows someone with cancer, and that's why I'm committed to providing research and development funding for all types of cancer--across the board. As a mom, I'm committed to making sure that moms across Iowa have a fighting chance. Kristi, and all cancer fighters in Iowa, need our support. Today, on World Cancer Day, it is important we remember that cancer affects us all. I'll keep fighting for more funding and research, and I know that Kristi will keep fighting too.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor David Wolnerman, a survivor of Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Dachau--and Iowa's last known Holocaust survivor--in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Those extraordinary men and women, like David, who survived the Holocaust have blessed us by sharing their stories and memorializing their experiences for future generations so that we never forget. Today, I am entering just part of David's story into the Congressional Record so it may be preserved for our children and their children. David was born in Poland. When the Nazis invaded, David was just 13 years old. He was told he needed to report to a work camp in order to save his family, including his mother, Hannah, his brother, Abraham, and his sister, Gertrude. The promise was a false one, as David's family would not survive. When David first arrived in Auschwitz, he waited in line like so many others did--awaiting an uncertain fate. Some were selected to go left, some selected to go right. David says that God gave him the right words to say that he was 18 years old, and he was sent to the right. Had he told the truth, that he was 13 instead of 18, he would have been sent left with the younger children and those who were ill to be sent to the gas chamber. David's survival was a miracle. He contacted illnesses like typhus. He was so starved that he weighed 80 pounds when he was liberated on April 29, 1945. After liberation, he lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany where he met his wife, Jennie. Together, they began to physically recover from the malnourishment, but the mental scars of concentration camps have never left David. David and Jennie came to America in 1950. They didn't speak English but began working at a printing plant. When they had their two sons, Michael and Allen, all David and Jennie wanted for them was a good education. Both Allen and Michael went to Drake University in Des Moines for pharmacy school, and their parents followed them to Iowa. In 2016, Jennie passed away at age 91. She often shared her memories with Iowa schoolchildren, working to ensure that her story--and the stories of her friends and family who perished--would live on. Jennie is remembered for her loving and generous spirit, her matzo ball soup, and as a loving grandmother and mother. Now David remains the last Holocaust survivor in Iowa. Jennie and David have shared their stories and wisdom with Iowans for years. We must honor them in return by sharing their stories and taking this day to remember the atrocities of the Holocaust. We must remember those who survived, and those who did not. We must remember the sacrifices made by children, just like David.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Ms. Mary Campos, a longtime Iowan civil rights activist. Campos was the first Latina inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame. In 2017, she received the American Civil Liberties Union Edward S. Allen Award for her time helping non-English speaking families learn English and helping them through the steps to become a U.S. Citizen. She has also earned the Ohtli Award, the highest honor given from the Mexican government to a Mexican descendent for her work assisting Mexican immigrants. She has served on the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the League for United Latin American Citizens and was one of the founders of the National Black and Brown Forum. Campos, who turned 90 in November, is still serving her community in various capacities. Ms. Campos received an honorary nursing degree from the Des Moines Area Community College. Al Exito, a catalyst for the empowerment of Latino youth in Iowa, conducted the third annual Mary E. Campos Luncheon where DMACC President, Rob Denson, presented the honorary degree. Al Exito started the Mary E. Campos Scholarship to help honor Campos' dream of seeing young people, especially students of color, earn higher education degrees and fill positions of leadership within their communities. It is an honor to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ms. Campos and celebrate the determination and hard work that she and other activists like her have put into Iowa. I have great respect and admiration for folks who stand up for people who can't always stand up for themselves, and I am humbled by Ms. Campos' decades and decades of bravery and compassion. I applaud Ms. Mary Campos for her unwavering dedication. Let us be of service this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and remember the important work of Dr. King that lives on in people like Mary Campos.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Iowa's Bondurant-Farrar High School's art teacher Christian Vandehaar for his hard work in his community and his continued contributions to his students' success. Mr. Vandehaar is a true public servant. He has been teaching 9th through 12th grade art classes at Bondurant-Farrar High School for nine years. Mr. Vandehaar received his Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Iowa State University and his master's from Drake University. He decided to become an art teacher because he enjoys helping others and seeing them reach their full potential. With help from Mr. Vandehaar's passion for the arts, Bondurant- Farrar High School has been recognized as one of Iowa's top three All- State Art Schools, with his school earning the number one overall spot in 2018. Students from Mr. Vandehaar's art classes have had success at state and national competitions, including the Congressional Art Competition. Under Mr. Vandehaar, art students from Bondurant-Farrar High School have been selected for the Congressional Art Competition for five of the past six years. 12 of his students have even earned All-State honors within the last four years. The accolades continue with three Gold and Silver medals in the National Scholastic Competition, two Grant Wood Legacy Prize Awards, and a National Scholastic American Vision Medal. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Vandehaar and his students have worked with the Bondurant Community Foundation to create a 100-foot mural along an area bike path. However, Mr. Vandehaar's proudest accomplishment is his Art Canned Food Drive, which challenges classes to donate the most canned items for their Combat Hunger week. Through his initiative, students have donated over 15,000 items in the last seven years. It is an honor to commemorate Mr. Vandehaar's outstanding achievements in his school and his community. I have great respect and admiration for our educators and am particularly thankful for the strong foundation they are giving our kids. As the mother of two boys, I know that a quality education is crucial to success. Mr. Vandehaar is not only helping his students succeed in the arts, but teaching them actively engage with their community. I applaud Mr. Vandehaar for his hard work and dedication, and I congratulate him and his students for their success.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Dr. Mike Wells, Superintendent for the Hamburg Community School District for his effort to create a unique and engaging learning environment for K-8 students in the Hamburg Makerspace Program. The Makerspace Program and Farm School serving elementary and middle school students in Hamburg, IA has been a major hit with both students and community members. Students have the opportunity to experience immersive learning environments where they gain hands on experience in a number of areas including: embroidery, wood working, culinary arts, screen printing, video game design with virtual reality, book making and so many other amazing programs each Friday for nine weeks. I had the opportunity to see these students at work, building a house for a family in their community that was hit by devastating flooding in the Spring of 2019. The plan is for a new home to be built each year moving forward and sold to a local family at a below market rate. Dr. Wells brings an amazing learning opportunity for his students and is using it to lift up our community. Dr. Wells has created an expectation in Hamburg Community Schools where students lead projects and obtain valuable, hands on experience. This includes The Farm School, started up in 2016, which is an effort to introduce hands on, agricultural education experiences through a functioning small farm on school property. This endeavor includes a garden, green house, poultry, and livestock. The students supply the local food pantry fresh produce and eggs year-round. Dr. Wells has made the school the center of the community and is a source of pride and learning for all residents of Hamburg, IA. It is an honor to commemorate the outstanding achievement of Dr. Wells and his staff in the Hamburg Community School District. I have great respect and admiration for our educators and am particularly thankful for the strong foundation they are giving our kids. As the mother of two boys, I know that a quality education is crucial to success. I hope the well-rounded training and techniques they found successful in the classroom becomes a model for other districts and the country as a whole.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be modified in the form I have placed at the desk.

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I have heard from many parents in my district worried about PFAS contamination in their drinking water. PFAS are manmade chemicals that can pose serious health risks and are of great concern to my constituents. In large quantities, PFAS are dangerous and deadly to human health, and these forever chemicals are going to take a lot of work and innovation to clean up. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, effects on the immune system, and impaired child development. While PFAS chemicals have not been found in the water supply in my district, there is a known contamination site. Our community has stepped up and is working together through a PFAS Working Group to address this contamination and conduct further testing, but it is past time that the Federal Government steps in, stops the production of these dangerous chemicals, requires cleanup, and provides resources to ensure that our communities aren't left to fight this alone. Our public water utilities provide a critical service to our communities by ensuring families have safe and clean drinking water. However, without proper support, many water utilities won't be able to afford the necessary upgrades or would be forced to put the costs back on the backs of their community. I am glad that this legislation creates a grant program to provide funding for water utilities to upgrade their drinking water systems in order to effectively remove PFAS. The PFAS Infrastructure Grant Program will ensure utilities have the resources they need to protect our water systems without burdening the communities they serve with an unaffordable expense. However, as the bill is written now, the PFAS Infrastructure Grant Program would only be authorized for 2 years. Our communities need more flexibility and time when deciding the best way to upgrade their water infrastructure and to combat PFAS. My amendment would extend the PFAS Infrastructure Grant Program for an additional 3 years, allowing water utilities time to properly address their needs, test their water, and request funding, as necessary. Additionally, my amendment would increase the funding available by $300 million over that 3-year period. By more than doubling the current authorized amount, my amendment would ensure there are enough funds available so utilities can afford these necessary upgrades without negatively impacting the critical work that they do. My State of Iowa also has many rural drinking water systems that don't have the scale to afford massive infrastructure costs. We see, time and time again, that smaller water systems are unable to remove hazardous and dangerous materials simply because of cost barriers. I am pleased that the underlying bill prioritizes small drinking water systems, and my amendment ensures the program has enough funding so no community is left behind. This legislation is an important step to ensure Iowa families have access to safe drinking water without these harmful PFAS chemicals. My amendment strengthens the PFAS Infrastructure Grant Program, and I urge a ``yes'' vote. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his support of the amendment. I am glad there is bipartisan support to ensure that our communities have the drinking water and resources they need to protect that. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, today, a lot of hard work is paying off with the passage of USMCA. I thank my colleagues who crafted this agreement that gives market stability to farmers, protects Iowa workers from having their wages undercut, and helps reduce the high cost of biologic drugs. It even has important environmental protections. I know my farmers, producers, and agriculture workers are celebrating the passage of USMCA today. Everywhere I go, the message has been clear: We need USMCA because of uncertainty in our markets. We now have that deal. The House has done a great job, but the Senate already said they won't take up this agreement anytime soon. It will pass today with bipartisan support. Whenever the Senate chooses to bring it up, it will pass with bipartisan support then, as well. The same Senators who have blamed the House for not moving this forward quickly enough are now stopping the USMCA from becoming law. Iowans and Americans are asking for help, and we must get this deal done. I am proud to have fought for a better trade agreement that works for Iowa, and I encourage those of us to vote for it in the House and for the Senate to take it up for a vote to make life better for people across the country.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, as a mom, I have spent hours in doctors' offices with sick kids. Nothing is more frustrating than when a doctor has to spend more time looking at their computer screen than helping our children. I have taken time off work only to end up sitting in waiting rooms because a doctor is running behind, all because of a mountain of paperwork that they must do for every single person that they see. And I have seen doctors who are frustrated at their computers trying to find the information they need. I have also heard from my constituents in Iowa that when they go to the doctor's office, they don't want to feel like it is an oil change, a quick ``check under the hood'' and then a mountain of forms. And it is not the doctor's fault. They have to comply with all of these administrative rules and codes. Parents like myself, those doctors, and everyone in the healthcare industry, know that something has to change. And that is why I am offering my amendment today. My goal is to create a grants program to help reduce all this excessive and unnecessary paperwork on doctors and healthcare workers. It will help doctors spend more time with their patients, including children like mine and those across Iowa. It will save money, because it makes required medical administration more efficient. My amendment will reduce the time crying kids have to wait for their parents to fill out that paperwork before they go into the doctor's office. And my amendment will cut red tape and Federal spending. This amendment cuts Federal healthcare administrative work by 50 percent in 10 years. I spent 10 years working for the State of Iowa, and I focused on making government more efficient, so I absolutely know how to find government waste and how to cut it, and I think it is important that we look at that. As an efficiency expert and a mom of two boys, I am proud to introduce this amendment today. Health administration costs are out of control. We spend $500 billion on all types of duplicate administration every year. My amendment creates $250 million in grants for States each year, because when excess administrative work costs nearly $250 billion per year, that is 1,000 times more. In other words, if we reduce administrative waste by more than 0.1 percent, these grants would already pay for themselves. And this amendment is going to cut away way more waste than 0.1 percent. I have the opportunity to travel all 16 counties in my district every month, and I have met with doctors, nurses, and physician assistants, they have all told me how exhausting and unnecessary all that extra work is. In 2016 doctors said they are spending almost twice as much time on administrative work than they are with their patients. That is just wrong. And that same study also found that when a doctor is in the exam room, more than one-third of that time is spent on desk work. Our rural and small communities are struggling to hire enough doctors, and I am already working on attracting doctors to our State, but we also need to protect and keep the doctors that we have, and doctors want to help patients, not do paperwork. Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released new guidance to help reduce documentation burdens and ensure doctors have more time with their patients. That was the first time in 25 years we have updated these regulations with the specific purpose of reducing paperwork. My amendment creates grant programs to get that done. Look, I get it, Mr. Chair, if you are filling out 30 pages of paperwork, you probably won't like this amendment if you like doing that. If your favorite place is a doctor's waiting room and you want to spend more time there, I will understand you not wanting to support my amendment. Or if you always dreamed of being treated like you are a computer code and not a patient, then you can vote ``no'' on this amendment. But I am pretty confident you are like me and you hate those things. So vote ``yes'' if you want doctors to focus on your kids. Vote ``yes'' if you want shorter wait times and more time with your doctor. Vote ``yes'' for all that, while you are also saving Federal Government money. And by the way, if you are going to miss the waiting room, I would be happy to sign you up for a ``Highlights'' magazine subscription to come to your home. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Chairman, I thank Representative Brady for his support for this amendment. I appreciate anybody who also wants to look at efficiencies within government. It is something that we need to spend more time on, so I am grateful for your support and I look forward to working with you and moving this agenda forward. Mr. Chair, I would still continue to urge all of my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3, so that we can make this a reality, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and call on Congress to support our seniors and those on Medicare by lowering the cost of prescription drugs. Seniors will get a 1.6 percent cost-of-living increase this year, yet the cost of prescription drugs is expected to go up 3.8 percent. How can older Americans on a fixed income afford this? The answer is they can't, and they need to act on this. I have spoken with Iowans who are rationing their medications or skipping meals just to cover the cost of the drugs they take. I heard from Joan in west Des Moines, who has an autoimmune disease, and her medication suddenly skyrocketed. If she doesn't take it, she will need a liver transplant, and she doesn't know how she is going to afford the medication. John in Madrid discovered his standard refill of insulin costs more than, literally, the price of gold. So something must change. Older Americans need Congress to act. That is why I am supporting H.R. 3 to protect our seniors. It means our older Americans won't be robbed of their retirement savings and they will live healthier lives. If you want to give seniors a healthier, happier, safer retirement, then I call on you to support this bill.

Mrs. AXNE

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because the price of prescription drugs is too high and prescription drug prices have risen 44 percent in 5 years. Big pharmaceutical companies have raised the cost of the most commonly used drugs by 100 percent. I am talking about every day, basic prescription drugs like insulin for diabetes or Advair for asthma. Experts say there is no end in sight, and we will see prices rise in 2020 if this continues and if we don't act now. I recently heard from Joan in west Des Moines, who said the cost of her generic suddenly skyrocketed, and there is nothing she can do, because if she doesn't take it she will need a liver transplant. And I heard from John in Madrid, who discovered his insulin refills literally cost more than the price of gold if you broke it down by price per ounce. That is why I am supporting H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. Iowans and Americans can't wait any longer. Every dollar spent on overpriced drugs is stealing money away from someone's retirement, from someone's college fund, and from buying a home, and it is putting someone's life at risk. We must act now and pass and support the Lower Drug Costs Now Act.