Bruce Braley

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take an opportunity to congratulate Machinists Local Lodge 831 on their 100th anniversary. Local Lodge 831 is located in Cedar Rapids, which is in my district. Local Lodge 831 was chartered as Harmony Lodge 831 on November 18, 1913. For over a century, the Machinists in Cedar Rapids have worked to strengthen the middle class and advance every American's right to collectively bargain. Machinists successfully implemented the 8-hour workday, helped outlaw child labor, and have worked to increase salaries for middle class Americans. In Cedar Rapids, Local Lodge 831 has provided good paying jobs to many hardworking Iowans. Since being elected to Congress, I've been proud to work alongside the members of Local Lodge 831 in strengthening the middle class. I'm proud to call many of the members of Local Lodge 831 my friends, including President Brad Van Fossen and former President Joe lronside. I congratulate every member of Local Lodge 831 on their 100th anniversary and wish them all the best for the future.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 488, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. For 24 years now, the ADA has secured for people with disabilities their most fundamental rights, and allowed them to integrate more fully in their communities. More than two decades ago, my hero, Tom Harkin spearheaded this legislation that would change the attitudes of so many in order to protect the civil rights of the 54 million Americans with disabilities. Like so many others, I thank him for his tireless advocacy in the United States Senate and his continued dedication to this important issue. I would also like to thank all of the organizations involved in this year's Johnson County ADA Celebration for bringing together a community of all walks of life, and recognizing that all people have unique skills, talents and abilities. Expanding access and opportunities for people with disabilities is something we must work to improve every day. There are obstacles that, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, have been all but eliminated and I look forward to seeing even more progress.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak out against the misguided efforts to reduce or repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard. The RFS was enacted in 2005 to improve our economy, our environment, and our energy independence. However, it is currently threatened by an EPA draft proposal that would roll it back, and as highlighted in a recent op-ed by Senators Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar, by Big Oil's attempt to protect its market share and profits at the expense of American consumers. As they wrote, ``The Federal law has helped to displace oil imports, increase domestic energy security, create jobs in rural America, curb pollution with cleaner-burning fuel, and lower prices at the pump for consumers.'' In Iowa, biofuels have created 73,400 jobs, pumping $5 billion of wages annually into our economy, and $19.3 billion of economic activity annually. In the United States, it has created 852,000 jobs, $46.2 billion in wages, and $185 billion in economic activity. Why would we push back and go backwards, instead of moving forward into the future?

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the provision within the Transportation Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations legislation to fund the contract tower program, which includes the tower at the Dubuque Regional Airport, and for funding of the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. While I voted against the THUD legislation, I do support these provisions. Unfortunately, the overall bill cuts important transportation and housing programs, and on balance, the bill is not a win for Iowa. The contract tower at the Dubuque Regional Airport is extremely important to commercial air service in the Dubuque region, and helps ensure the safety of passengers flying in and out of the Dubuque airport. The tower is also an important training tool for students at the University of Dubuque's professional pilot training program. Additionally, the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program provides important services to our veterans including housing services for homeless veterans. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that these programs are fully funded, while working to improve the other transportation and housing components of the bill which need significant improvement.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mary Ellen Maske on being selected as the Iowa Central Office Administrator of the Year. Mary Ellen serves as the deputy superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community Schools in my district. Mary Ellen was selected because of her leadership in establishing Professional Learning Communities and her efforts to create school-community partnerships for parents and students in the community. Mary Ellen began her career as an elementary school teacher in Iowa City. She also previously served as an executive administrator in Cedar Rapids. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education and her master's degree in educational administration, both from the University of Iowa. Mary Ellen was selected for this award by a committee of Iowa central office administrators. Mary Ellen has proven that she is a leader at her school and throughout the Cedar Rapids community. I'm proud to call her a constituent, and congratulate her on all of her success.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, because of flight delays due to extreme weather I will not be present for tonight's rollcall vote No. 241 and 242. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 241 and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 242. Personal Explanation

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chris Barnett as he walks across the great state of Iowa, raising awareness of the need for new foster parents. As Chris takes on mother nature, battles blisters, and logs approximately 875 miles across Iowa in both directions, Chris will let folks know about the tremendous need for additional foster families throughout the state of Iowa. Chris and his wife have been foster parents since 2003 and have been able to foster more than 30 children in that time. As a former foster child himself, Chris understands the impact foster parents have on a child's life, which has been his passion as he has worked in the human service field for over 27 years. We can never forget the impact each home has on a small child. This impact stays with a child throughout his or her life. Safe and caring homes improve our society and our country. I applaud Chris on his continued pursuit to bring a voice to an under-discussed issue and congratulate him on this extraordinary accomplishment.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my good friend Mike Montgomery on his retirement as an elementary school principal for the Knoxville Community School District. Mike was my best friend growing up in Brooklyn and has dedicated his life to the education of Iowa children. Mike earned his master's degree in school administration from Drake University and his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Central College. For 26 years Mike has served as a principal in the Knoxville Community School District. At Knoxville, he has implemented many successful education programs including all day every day kindergarten, 4 year old voluntary pre-school, and a system of support and professional learning communities for teachers and students. Mike has been a strong leader and mentor for the students and faculty in Knoxville. He interacts with students on a daily basis eating lunch with them and playing sports with them. Mike has also successfully built strong relationships with his staff and has personally hired many of the elementary school teachers in Knoxville. He has twice been nominated for Knoxville Community Educator of the Year. He has been a strong leader and champion for education throughout his career and has devoted his life to improving the lives of children. ``Mr. Montgomery'' has been a powerful positive role model in the lives of thousands of Iowa students, including my own nieces. His energy and enthusiasm inspire us to put students first and make education a lifelong experience. I'm very proud of Mike, and honored to call him my friend. I congratulate him on his retirement and I wish him, his wife Mary, and the rest of his family all of the best as he moves on to his next adventure.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mt. Vernon, Iowa, as they commemorate May 23, 2014 (5-23-14) as zip code day. Historic Mount Vernon, Iowa, is home to 4500 residents, including 1200 college students enrolled at Cornell College. Located in Eastern Iowa, the city boasts a vibrant uptown business community with numerous antique and specialty stores, restaurants, coffee houses, commercial art galleries, and three National Historic Districts. Mt. Vernon also has a proud history of firsts in our nation's history including having one of the country's first curbside recycling programs and first community-designed and built playgrounds. I am proud to have the opportunity to represent 52314 in Congress and applaud Mt. Vernon for achieving so much in the proud 177 years since the first settlers arrived in 1837.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kim Tierney on being selected as the Iowa Elementary Principal of the year. Kim serves as the principal at Denver Elementary School which is in my district. Kim was selected because of her leadership in implementing professional learning communities. Mrs. Tierney began her career as a teacher in the Waukee Community School District. She has been the Principal at Denver Elementary for six years. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary and middle school education from the University of Northern Iowa, and her master's degree in educational leadership from Iowa State University. Mrs. Tierney was selected for this award by a committee of Iowa elementary school principals. The National Association of Elementary School Principals will also honor her as a National Distinguished Principal this fall in Washington, D.C. Kim has proven that she is a leader at her school and throughout the Denver community. I'm proud to call her a constituent, and congratulate her on all of her success.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Aiddy Phomvisay on being selected as the Iowa Secondary Principal of the year. Aiddy serves as the principal at Marshalltown High School which is in my district. Aiddy was selected because of his work in creating a culture of high expectations for all learners. Mr. Phomvisay began his career as a ninth and tenth-grade teacher for the Ames Community School District. In 2008 he came to Marshalltown to serve as the principal. He received his bachelor's degree, master's degrees in curriculum and instruction and educational leadership, and his superintendent certification from Iowa State University. Mr. Phomvisay was selected for this award by a committee of Iowa secondary principals, and he is now a candidate for National High School Principal of the Year. Aiddy has proven that he is a leader at his school and throughout the Marshalltown community. I'm proud to call him a constituent, and congratulate him on all of his success.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, on April 28, millions of workers worldwide come together to recognize Worker's Memorial Day. Worker's Memorial Day commemorates those who have been injured or killed on the job. My own family experienced tough times when my Dad was permanently injured in a workplace fall when I was very young. Over the past several decades in the United States we have made great progress in preventing injuries and deaths at the workplace. However, there is still work to be done as each year more than 5,000 Americans are killed due to workplace related injuries, and millions more experience occupational injuries and illnesses. Work related accidents are still too common in the United States. An average 16 Americans are killed each day due to workplace injuries. It is clear we must continue work towards ensuring that every workplace is a safe one. While in the United States we have improved workplace safety in recent decades, the numbers across the globe are overwhelming. It is estimated that nearly 2 million workers die each year due to work related accidents or diseases worldwide. More people are killed due to workplace injury or disease than are killed in war. As a member of Congress, I will continue to fight for workplace safety. I'm also committed to recognizing Worker's Memorial Day and the millions of workers across the world who have given their lives while on the job. That is why I'm proud to have co-introduced a resolution honoring Worker's Memorial Day with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. We must continue to honor the millions of men and women who have given their lives for the continued progress of humankind. As long as I'm in office, I will continue to work towards strengthening the middle class and advocating for workplace safety.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ryan Davis on being selected as the Iowa Assistant Principal of the year. Ryan serves as the assistant principal at Vinton-Shellsburg High School in my district. Ryan was selected because of his commitment to student success, his vision of student learning and his work with parents and the community. Mr. Davis began his career as a science teacher in Minnesota. In 2008, he came to Vinton as the assistant principal and at-risk coordinator. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa, his master's degree in educational leadership from Southwest State University and his certificate in education administration from Saint Mary's University. Mr. Davis was selected for this award by a committee of Iowa assistant principals, and he is now a candidate for National Assistant Principal of the Year. Ryan has proven that he is a leader at his school and throughout the Vinton-Shellsburg community. I'm proud to call him a constituent, and congratulate him on all of his success.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gary Hatfield on being selected as the Iowa Middle Level Principal of the Year. Gary serves as the principal at Taft Middle School in Cedar Rapids which is in my district. Gary was selected because of his leadership in implementing a system of learning supports for students and teachers. Mr. Hatfield began his career as a math teacher at Wilson Middle School. In 2008, he came to Taft Middle School to serve as the principal. He received his bachelor's degree in math from Iowa State University, and master's degrees in middle school math education and educational administration from the University of Northern Iowa. Mr. Hatfield was selected for this award by a committee of Iowa middle level principals, and he is now a candidate for National Middle School Principal of the Year. Gary has proven that he is a leader at his school and throughout the Cedar Rapids community. I'm proud to call him a constituent, and congratulate him on all of his success.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Annetta Cheek on her retirement as Chair of the Center for Plain Language. Annetta has been a tireless advocate for plain language. She spent 25 years as a Federal employee witnessing firsthand the government's failure to communicate effectively. While serving as a government employee, Dr. Cheek was the chair of PLAIN, a federal interagency plain language advocacy group. In her role as chair, Annetta administered the group's website, and taught courses on plain language to different government agencies. Annetta also spent four years as the chief plain language expert on Vice President Gore's National Partnership for Reinventing Government. In 2003, Annetta founded the Center for Plain Language, a non-profit organization dedicated to plain language advocacy. Annetta has served as Chair of the organization since 2003. In her role as Chair, Dr. Cheek has urged both the Federal Government and the private sector to communicate in a clear and understandable way. Dr. Cheek's biggest success was her work to pass the Plain Writing Act into law. I was honored to work with Annetta in writing this important legislation which requires government agencies to communicate in plain language. Thanks to her great work in getting the Plain Writing Act passed millions of Americans are now receiving easy-to- understand communication from the Federal Government. I'm very proud of Annetta, and honored to call her a friend. I congratulate her on retirement, and wish her and Charles all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Madam Speaker, last month, after proposed cuts to the Iowa National Guard, I asked Iowans for their comments and stories about the impact the Guard has had on their lives. Today, I will be turning those responses in to Secretary Hagel and the Pentagon to make sure that the Pentagon hears, not just from me, but from the Iowans who have seen the tremendous good done by the Iowa National Guard. I want to share several of the responses I will be turning in. Donna from Ankeny, who has a nephew in the Guard, told me: The National Guard is an investment in our safety and security, but it is also an investment in many young people-- a huge employer. Nancy from Dubuque, Iowa, wrote: Not only do they fight for our country overseas, but they do so much for our country, such as helping with the floods in Iowa or with the aftermath of 9/11 in New York. The National Guard is an important part of our safety at home and abroad. These are just some of the hundreds of responses I have received, and I am submitting many of these for the Record. The Iowa National Guard served the longest deployment of any combat unit in Iraq. They came back and helped deal with the most powerful tornado in the United States that hit my district in 2008 and the worst flooding in our State's history, and that is why we shouldn't cut their funding. The following individuals also indicated that they do not support the Pentagon making cuts to the National Guard to reduce spending: Kevin Burke--Grimes, IA; John Moore--Grinnell, IA; Kathryn Bly--Grinnell, IA; Jacob Knott--Liscomb, IA; Chris Brodin-- Marshalltown, IA; Bing McHone--Marshalltown, IA; Carolyn Peters--Montour, IA; Rachael Johnson--Rhodes, IA; Bonnie Coble--Rhodes, IA; Darlene Eckhart--State Center, IA; Nancy Croy--Des Moines, IA; Deborah Mikelson--Des Moines, IA. Julia Taylor--Urbandale, IA; Rob Maser--Urbandale, IA; David Bryant--Mason City, IA; Stacy Baumgartner--Joice, IA; Hope Hartwig--Manly, IA; Sloane Morrow--Fort Dodge, IA; Londa Dawkins--Ackley, IA; Dawn Shepard--Aplington, IA; James Meehan--Cedar Falls, IA; Emilee Leonard--Cedar Falls, IA; Barb Hazen--Cedar Falls, IA; Kristine Grummitt--Cedar Falls,

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, the following in individuals indicated that they do not support the Pentagon making cuts to the National Guard to reduce spending: doug betts--albion, IA I am not in favor of cutting funding for our military at all. I believe we should keep a strong defense, but also keep that defense close to home and only on foreign soils when needed to protect US citizens and strategic interests. Specifically, I'm not in favor of deploying large numbers of our Iowa Guard troops overseas, as then they are not here to help in case of an emergency like a natural disaster. If defense must be cut, down-sizing bases in foreign countries and other foreign aid should be the first consideration. Ken Willoughby--Melcher Dallas, IA No way! With climatic events etc., etc. it's the last place they should cut. There are dozens of areas to make cuts other than the guard. After using the guard for overseas wartime service then making cuts after all they've sacrificed is ridiculous!! John Irwin--Grinnell, IA I don't think we should cut any defense spending other than the gaft industries charge for items purchased by the govt. Franklin Curtis--Iowa Falls, IA The guard is needed as a backup to local emergency and national disaster assistance to law enforcement and first responders. Reduction in some active duty and equipment storage of un-needed aircraft is a better plan. Betty Reynolds--Le Grand, IA This country has been depending on the National Guard to fight in the war. My son has been over twice. Some families may depend on the extra income from the Guard also. Thank you for sticking up for them. Debra Downs--Marshalltown, IA Cut the waste--not the people. Sandra Patterson--Marshalltown, IA How about cutting government corruption instead? Roger Lakey--Marshalltown, IA States needs the Guard for natural disasters and state functions. Like the floods of 2008 in Iowa; who would be called up for duty if we were to cut the Guard? Iowa has no active duty base or fort in the state so the Guard is our only state military asset. Pedro Aquero--Marshalltown, IA We need the troops to keep our DEMOCRACY safe. If you need more comments and exact comments I can explain. Steven Aikin--Rhodes, IA I was in the Guard and Guard units are essential in deployments. Dianna Butcher--State Center, IA I do believe it is wrong to cut funding for the National Guard. I would rather see our troops brought home and the money used to keep our national borders secured. We need the young men and women to assist in times of disaster within our own State... Maybe it is time that monetary support for the Iowa National Guard comes from the Iowa state budget to keep them available. In any event we need to maintain our National defenses, not lessen them. Phyllis Stadtlander--Waukee, IA Please use my tax dollars to preserve the National Guard. It is a safety net for the safety for my family. Thank you very much for your work on our behalf. Mike Vandelune--Urbandale, IA The military needs to be treated as a business. You have a workforce (active duty) for your basic manufacturing or business needs. Then when you have a unexpected need, you bring on the part-time (National Guard) workforce. The last thing you want is to not have what you need for a workforce when there is an emergency. Jim Mayland--Buffalo Center, IA I am commander of the local VFW Post. I have seen some waste in the military and I think that is where the cuts should come not in reducing the National Guard. Ross Kuper--Osage, IA Do not make cuts to the military in any way shape. They need to have the best care provided to the service person and their families. We need the best military in the world. Randy Martin--Rockwell City, IA I do not want to see the country go back to the era where our military was cut so low that we were open to terrorist attacks. Remind them of 911. Anna Fremont--Cedar Falls, IA Besides we all know we will need the guard in active duty when all this snow melts and we are flooded again. Then what? Diane Siebel--Cedar Falls, IA Absolutely not! Kathy Doyle--Cedar Falls, IA My husband is active duty National Guard/Army. He would lose his position and now he's currently at the Arizona border patrol as a pilot. If we lose that we lose our careers our income and insurance and that would mean that the unemployment rate will go sky high. I am totally against this and not happy about it either. Ralph Prunty--Cedar Falls, IA Redefine and reduce the scope of the NSC and Keep the National Guard. Carl Meyer--Cedar Falls, IA The National Guard is not only capable of being deployed to places like Afghanistan but also is used for all kinds of national disasters. The Guard numbers are right where we need them. Robert Yuska--Hudson, IA They protect our state in disasters as well as protecting our nation in emergencies. Debra Noesen--Independence, IA I'm sick & tired of hearing about cuts to our military when the cuts should be made in our Congress & Senate, that's where the waste is. By the time Congress gets done with this, we will have no security in this country. I served in the US Women's Army Corp and am still extremely proud of my service but I'm fed up with the way the military and veterans are treated in this country. Dan Callahan--Independence, IA Our aviation assets are better than the Army's. Our soldiers bring a wealth of experience from their civilian jobs that make our units far more flexible than active units. Paying so much for weapons systems that don't work and being unable to retain and train our soldiers is silly. Active duty generals and lobbyists are frightened by how effective our Guard units are at a much lower cost than a similar active unit. They worry about protecting their jobs, not the effectiveness of the fighting force. Ted Lanske--Waverly, IA The last time we had troop cuts this low was right after WWII and for the same reason. Guess what, Korean conflict came along. We are about to make the same stupid political mistake and history will repeat itself. Drones cannot fight hill to hill, valley to valley, nor door to door. Kathleen Schuhmacher--Waverly, IA We are weakening our defense system in the United States. Please do what you can to maintain (at least) what we already have in place. Joseph Seitz--Waterloo, IA As you say, they could make cuts to military weapon development and to cut waste. It's nice that the Secretary of Defense wants to make cuts but maybe the cuts need to be toward that first before reducing our National Guard. Chip Wood--Waterloo, IA Much more savings achieved cutting regular forces. Angie Gilbert--Waterloo, IA My husband is in the Iowa National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. He works very hard to do a great job at any task he is appointed to and is always ready to do whatever he is asked to serve our state and our country. These men and women do a great service and deserve great respect. I believe budget cuts could be made elsewhere. Brenda Douglass--Waterloo, IA My son is a member of the Iowa National Guard. He takes his job as an Army National Guard soldier very seriously and has great pride in being ready to serve his country when needed. Nancy Stirm--Waterloo, IA Our National Guard does so much more than protect our country. Let's keep them available to all needs of the state and country. Cindy Bengston--Waterloo, IA Thank you Rep. Braley! Sandie Deahl--Waterloo, IA I believe funding within the Iowa National Guard should be redistributed. Outdated or mostly vacant posts should be closed or sold. Funding previously spent on maintenance should be used for recruitment/training of recruits. Please give Tim Orr a call, he represents the National Guard well and has quite a few good ideas about future direction(s) of the guard. Tiona Johnston--Waterloo, IA I do not believe that we should cut any of our military. My oldest son is in the Reserves. I also believe that someone should be FIGHTING for our Veterans' rights.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the Temporary Assistance for Emergency Eradication (TREE) Act to provide communities in my home state of Iowa, and across the nation, with assistance to deal with the emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borer, first found in Michigan by way of shipping crates from China, is an invasive beetle that is thriving in America as it decimates our ash tree populations in more than twenty states. In my state alone, it will cost approximately $3 to remove these trees that now pose a public safety hazard. The intent of the funding in this legislation is to address the emerald ash borer problem. The TREE Act will provide critical assistance to communities by restoring funding to the US Department of Agriculture's office of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) back to its previous level of $37 million to continue to ramp up their work to find a means to control and eradicate the emerald ash borer. Further, it will increase funding for grant programs that directly assist local and state governments dealing with this issue as they coordinate with their communities and private property owners impacted by the infestation of the emerald ash borer. To do so, the TREE Act would provide an additional $15 million to the Forest Health Management Cooperative Land program to be used to help communities address emerald ash borer infestations. As well, an additional $5 million would be provided to the Urban and Community Forestry program to increase grants available for combating the ash borer infestation, and ``re-greening'' efforts as communities diversify their tree populations and replenish shade where ash trees have been lost.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, while I support the effort to fix the cut to veterans' pensions included in S. 25, I am staunchly opposed to extending sequestration cuts to Medicare. Given that the cut to veterans' pensions is due to occur many years before the sequestration extension, I am supporting this bill, with the hope that Congress will undo this additional extension of sequestration cuts to Medicare. Again, let me state clearly: I oppose extending sequestration cuts to Medicare, and I will be working to convince the Senate to find an alternative way to fund the fix to veterans' pensions.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, due to being extremely sick, I was not present for tonight's rollcall vote No. 55, No. 56, and No. 57. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall votes 55, 56, and 57.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Willie Stevenson Glanton on her tireless efforts throughout her life to break down race and gender barriers and pave the way for many Americans. Willie Stevenson Glanton has been dedicated to the law, human services, and civil rights. Willie has been a champion for women and minorities throughout her entire life. She was only the second African American woman admitted to practice law in the State of Iowa, along with becoming the first African American woman to be appointed as a city clerk, assistant county attorney, and the first African American female to be elected to the Iowa State Legislature. In addition to her many achievements, Willie is the first woman and first African American to be elected president of the Iowa Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. She ``wanted to make an impact for black and women's rights, which are historically intertwined,'' and ``felt that our black children needed more black images in politics to stir their interests.'' With all of her achievements, another great success was her 50-year marriage to the love of her life, the late Luther T. Glanton Jr. who was also a pioneer for African Americans by becoming Iowa's first district judge. A thrilling day for my family was when Judge Glanton spoke at my sister's high school graduation in 1973. As such an important symbol of justice, the Willie Stevenson Glanton Award was established to recognize a lawyer who exemplifies Willie's spirit to help others, reach back, and help his or her community. Recipients are honored for working toward the goal of improving their community, whether through a commitment to public service, legislative initiatives, professional activities, or community activities. They must demonstrate a commitment to advocacy and activism in the spirit of Willie's devotion to ``free up people.'' Willie is an example of a leader who has worked tirelessly to make her community, her state, and her country a better place to live. She is a true example of hard work, determination and a good heart, and shows us that we can achieve so much and improve the lives of so many individuals directly and indirectly. Willie, on behalf of Iowans and Americans, you make us proud.

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, because of flight cancellations due to extreme weather I was not present for tonight's rollcall vote No. 1. Had I been present, I would have voted ``present.''

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 592, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa

Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kevin Cohn on his retirement from the United States Navy. Kevin is one of the quiet, unsung heroes who makes life better for everyone he meets. I first met Kevin in the Office of the Attending Physician in the U.S. Capitol. Kevin helped me recover from a significant injury, but he became more than a health care provider, he became my friend. Kevin has dedicated himself to improving the health and quality of life of countless patients, and brings passion and excellence to his work. Kevin and his colleagues often work long hours in stressful conditions and have to be prepared to deal with all types of medical emergencies on a moment's notice. Whether it's responding to the needs of a heat-stricken tourist, standing by on full-alert during the State of the Union address, or dealing with accidents and injuries that are commonplace when thousands of people crowd the Capitol grounds, Kevin always exudes confidence and grace under pressure. Kevin also knows the value of public service. During his career in the Navy, he has cared for men and women in uniform of every rank and has taken care of members of Congress. He has seen the world and walked the halls of Congress. He has missed important events in the life of his family to serve his country. But Kevin doesn't just serve by treating. He serves by caring for the people he works with and making an effort to understand what's going on in their lives, to make sure they heal. Kevin is a stabilizing presence in an often-chaotic Capitol. Kevin, I don't just thank you for what you did for me, but I thank you on behalf of all Americans for your service to the Navy and our country. Good luck, and ``Anchors Aweigh'' as you embark on your next adventures.