Angie Craig

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dave Titus on his retirement from the St. Paul Police Department. Dave began his service with the St. Paul Police Department in 1994. He served in the Operations Division (patrol), as a field training officer (FTO), and on the Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) Team. Dave served as President of the Saint Paul Police Federation from 2001-2019 where he advocated to improve working conditions, officer pay and supported the implementation of body cameras. He also served as President of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association and was twice appointed by the Governor to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. He continued his law enforcement career as an Inspector with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office for over five years. I'm proud to have worked with Dave on various pieces of legislation including the Public Safety Officer Support Act, Invest to Protect Act and the Protect Local Law Enforcement Act. In addition, he has been a tireless advocate for the Social Security Fairness Act. I'll always appreciate Dave's advice and counsel on law enforcement and public safety legislation and look forward to continuing that partnership in his new role as Deputy Director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. Thank you to Dave for serving and protecting our community.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Kate Fetter, who worked in partnership with her peers to put together a Fight Back Against Fentanyl PSA. Kate is from Cottage Grove, Minnesota. She has proven her commitment to combating the opioid crisis through her advocacy and work with the Devin Norring Foundation. The Devin Norring Foundation was established to honor Devin's legacy and raise awareness about the dangers of illicit drugs and fentanyl. On April 4, 2020, Devin passed away from fentanyl poisoning. He was seeking relief from blackout migraines and dental pain. He bought what he thought was Percocet marketed by a drug dealer on Snapchat. That pill turned out to be 100 percent fentanyl. Devin was 19 years old. The Devin Norring Foundation, in partnership with Kate, produced an impactful and heartfelt PSA to fight back against fentanyl. In turning grief into activism, Kate has shown strength and courage beyond her years. I am proud to have her as a constituent and an ally in this fight against the fentanyl crisis. I thank Kate for demonstrating a commitment to combating the opioid crisis.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sophia Soriano, who worked in partnership with her peers to put together a Fight Back Against Fentanyl PSA. Sophia is from St. Paul, Minnesota. She has proven her commitment to combating the opioid crisis through her advocacy and work with the Devin Norring Foundation. The Devin Norring Foundation was established to honor Devin's legacy and raise awareness about the dangers of illicit drugs and fentanyl. On April 4, 2020, Devin passed away from fentanyl poisoning. He was seeking relief from blackout migraines and dental pain. He bought what he thought was Percocet marketed by a drug dealer on Snapchat. That pill turned out to be 100 percent fentanyl. Devin was 19 years old. The Devin Norring Foundation, in partnership with Sophia, produced an impactful and heartfelt PSA to fight back against fentanyl. In turning grief into activism, Sophia has shown strength and courage beyond her years. I am proud to have her as an ally in this fight against the fentanyl crisis. I thank Sophia for demonstrating a commitment to combating the opioid crisis.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Caden Norring, who worked in partnership with his peers to put together a Fight Back Against Fentanyl PSA. Caden is from Hastings, Minnesota. His brother, Devin, was an honors student who loved playing football, making music and skateboarding. On April 4, 2020, Caden and his family lost Devin to fentanyl poisoning. He was seeking relief from blackout migraines and dental pain. He bought what he thought was Percocet marketed by a drug dealer on Snapchat. That pill turned out to be 100 percent fentanyl. Devin was 19 years old. The Devin Norring Foundation, in partnership with Caden, produced an impactful and heartfelt PSA to fight back against fentanyl. In turning his grief into activism, Caden has shown strength and courage beyond his years. I am proud to have him as a constituent and an ally in this fight against the fentanyl crisis. I thank Caden for sharing Devin's story and demonstrating a commitment to combating the opioid crisis.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Hayley Norring, who worked in partnership with her peers to put together a Fight Back Against Fentanyl PSA. Hayley is from Hastings, Minnesota. Her brother, Devin, was an honors student who loved playing football, making music and skateboarding. On April 4, 2020, Hayley and her family lost Devin to fentanyl poisoning. He was seeking relief from blackout migraines and dental pain. He bought what he thought was Percocet marketed by a drug dealer on Snapchat. That pill turned out to be 100 percent fentanyl. Devin was 19 years old. The Devin Norring Foundation, in partnership with Hayley, produced an impactful and heartfelt PSA to fight back against fentanyl. In turning her grief into activism, Hayley has shown strength and courage beyond her years. I am proud to have her as a constituent and an ally in this fight against the fentanyl crisis. I thank Hayley for sharing Devin's story and demonstrating a commitment to combating the opioid crisis.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Brooke Severson, who worked in partnership with her peers to put together a Fight Back Against Fentanyl PSA. Brooke is from Cottage Grove, Minnesota. She has proven her commitment to combating the opioid crisis through her advocacy and work with the Devin Norring Foundation. The Devin Norring Foundation was established to honor Devin's legacy and raise awarenessy about the dangers of illicit drugs and fentanyl. On April 4, 2020, Devin passed away from fentanyl poisoning. He was seeking relief from blackout migraines and dental pain. He bought what he thought was Percocet marketed by a drug dealer on Snapchat. That pill turned out to be 100 percent fentanyl. Devin was 19 years old. The Devin Norring Foundation, in partnership with Brooke, produced an impactful and heartfelt PSA to fight back against fentanyl. In turning grief into activism, Brooke has shown strength and courage beyond her years. I am proud to have her as a constituent and an ally in this fight against the fentanyl crisis. I thank Brooke for demonstrating a commitment to combating the opioid crisis.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Natalia Shevtsova, who worked in partnership with her peers to put together a Fight Back Against Fentanyl PSA. Natalia is from St. Paul, Minnesota. Her sister, Anastasia, loved playing the piano, singing, painting and drawing. On April 20, 2022, Natalia lost her sister, Anastasia, to fentanyl poisoning. She purchased what she thought was Percocet marketed by a dealer. Those pills turned out to contain fentanyl. Anastasia was 15 years old. The Devin Norring Foundation, in partnership with Natalia, produced an impactful and heartfelt PSA to fight back against fentanyl. In turning her grief into activism, Natalia has shown strength and courage beyond her years. I am proud to have her as an ally in this fight against the fentanyl crisis. I thank Natalia for sharing Anastasia's story and demonstrating a commitment to combating the opioid crisis.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Natalia Rustand, who worked in partnership with her peers to put together a Fight Back Against Fentanyl PSA. Natalia is from St. Paul Park, Minnesota. She has proven her commitment to combating the opioid crisis through her advocacy and work with the Devin Norring Foundation. The Devin Norring Foundation was established to honor Devin's legacy and raise awareness about the dangers of illicit drugs and fentanyl. On April 4, 2020, Devin passed away from fentanyl poisoning. He was seeking relief from blackout migraines and dental pain. He bought what he thought was Percocet marketed by a drug dealer on Snapchat. That pill turned out to be 100 percent fentanyl. Devin was 19 years old. The Devin Norring Foundation, in partnership with Natalia, produced an impactful and heartfelt PSA to fight back against fentanyl. In turning grief into activism, Natalia has shown strength and courage beyond her years. I am proud to have her as a constituent and an ally in this fight against the fentanyl crisis. I thank Natalia for demonstrating a commitment to combating the opioid crisis.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the passage of my bipartisan bill to cut back on wasteful government spending, the LIVE Beneficiaries Act. My bill, with my colleague, Representative Gus Bilirakis, passed the House with unanimous bipartisan support this week. That level of support speaks to just how much sense this bill makes. It requires Medicaid to check the death records each quarter, so they stop paying benefits to deceased enrollees sooner. Between 2009 and 2019, more than $249 million in these improper payments were made across 14 States, $3.7 million in my State of Minnesota. It is a commonsense bill in a town where more common sense is needed. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Major Randell Voas of Lakeville, Minnesota. Maj. Voas tragically lost his life on April 9, 2010, in an aircraft crash during a combat mission in Afghanistan. Though he lost his life that day, his heroic actions and flying skills helped save the lives of sixteen other passengers on board the aircraft. Maj. Voas was a man of honor and integrity, serving our country in the United States Army and Air Force for nearly twenty years before his death. During that time, he served in Germany, Korea, England, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Major Voas participated in the largest airdrop operation since Vietnam, earning a Cheney Award for his exemplary conduct during the mission. Maj. Voas' military career was one of remarkable service and immense sacrifice. In May of this year, the Air Force Special Operations Command honored that sacrifice by presenting his family with a Distinguished Flying Cross in honor of his extraordinary aerial skill in saving the lives of sixteen other souls on board his aircraft. I want to both congratulate, and offer my deepest condolences to Maj. Voas's wife, Jill, his children Maddeline and Mitchell, and the rest of his family on this posthumous recognition of Maj. Voas's service to our country. May his memory be a blessing to them all.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Colonel Jacob Helgestad, who recently passed away after a valiant battle with cancer. Col. Helgestad was born and raised in Lonsdale, Minnesota. He attended New Prague High School where he played football, hockey, and baseball. His life of service started earlier than most--before he even graduated high school, he joined the National Guard as a private. He continued to serve in the National Guard while he attended college at Mankato State University, where he met his wife, Karry. In 2001, Col. Helgestad deployed to Saudi Arabia as an enlisted chemical reconnaissance specialist. A few months later, in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11, he made the selfless choice to dedicate his life to serving our country. He attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was then deployed to Kosovo and later Iraq as a company executive officer of an infantry company in the Al Anbar province where he spent two years leading the soldiers of Charly Company in Operation Iraqi Freedom. For his final deployment, Col. Helgestad served as the Battalion Commander of the 1-194 Armor Regiment. He led a historic deployment for Operation Spartan Shield based out of Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Under his leadership, 425 soldiers participated in the evacuation of Kabul, Afghanistan in August 2021 by securing vital sectors of Hamid Karzai International Airport and providing humanitarian assistance. His battalion was awarded the Army Presidential Unit Citation, the U.S. military's highest unit award, for their work. Col. Helgestad's life and career were characterized by great personal sacrifice and exemplary service. He represented the best that this country has to offer. I offer my deepest condolences to Col. Helgestad's family--his wife, Karry, and his two children, Lucy and Sam. And I thank him and his family for their service and dedication to our country.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Haag, my close, personal friend and Chairman of the National Corn Growers Association. Tom has served on the National Corn Growers Association board since 2016 and has led NCGA on the executive leadership team since 2021. Before NCGA, he was a longtime member of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, serving as its President from 2012 to 2013. Tom is also a fourth-generation family farmer in Eden Valley, Minnesota, growing over 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans with his son Nathan. I am thankful to have had a strong working relationship with Tom throughout his time at NCGA. During his long career working on behalf of Minnesota corn farmers, Tom has been a strong leader and advocate for expanding opportunities for Minnesota's biofuel producers and refiners. Thanks to the hard work of people like Tom, Minnesota became the first state to require biodiesel in our diesel fuel blends in 2018. In Congress, I am proud to be a co-chair of the bipartisan House Biofuels Caucus and a strong advocate for renewable biofuels. In particular, I have urged the EPA to consider how biofuels can address climate change and improve emissions standards. Minnesota-grown biofuels are critical tools that we have at our disposal right now to help address climate change and stimulate Minnesota's economy, thanks to leaders, and farmers, like Tom. I'm grateful for our partnership, and I thank Tom, known as ``The Legend,'' for his tireless advocacy on behalf of Minnesota family farmers and corn farmers across our country.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 175th anniversary of Dakota County, Minnesota. Dakota County was established as one of Minnesota Territory's original nine counties in 1849, and has played an important role in the history of Minnesota since the beginning. Even as the function and responsibilities of county government have changed over the past 175 years, Dakota County has remained one of the most important and influential counties in the state of Minnesota. It's now the third-largest county in the state and the largest in the Second Congressional District. Indigenous people have been living in the land that is now known as Dakota County for many thousands of years. The lands of Dakota County were important for tribes to make use of the waterways for sustenance, transportation, and interaction with other tribes across the nation. The Bdote (confluence) of the two major rivers Misi zipi (Mississippi) and Mni sota (Minnesota) are also an important cultural location as the original birthplace of the Dakota people. By the time European settlers began making their way into Minnesota from the north and east, the Dakota and Ojibwe were the two main tribes, with the Kaposia band of Mdewakanton Dakota residing in this area, as well as Wahpekute and Sisseton groups nearby. In 1851, Dakota leaders ceded millions of acres of land in Minnesota Territory to the U.S. government. This led to a marked increase in settlement in Dakota County. Dakota County was officially organized in 1853. The county seat was initially located at Kaposia (present-day South St. Paul) and then at Mendota before moving to Hastings in 1857, where it remains today. Over the 175 years of its existence Dakota County has taken on many roles including providing public safety, keeping records, creating, maintaining, and repairing a system of county roads, assessing taxes, conducting elections, providing health care services addressing both the physical and mental health needs of its residents, operating a countywide library system and many popular county parks. Dakota County is regularly recognized on a national level for the high quality of its programs and services I have been proud to partner with Dakota County on many important initiatives including the creation of the Veterans Memorial Greenway, and significant improvements to Interstate 35, as well as securing investments for the Dakota County Sheriff's Office with body worn cameras and their electronic crimes unit. It is my honor and privilege to represent Dakota County. I congratulate the Dakota County government on the celebration of their 175th anniversary, and recognize them for their many contributions to local residents, the state of Minnesota, and the Nation as a whole.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Rebecca Buck on being a finalist for Education Minnesota's 2024 Teacher of the Year. Rebecca has taught in District 191 for twelve years, being recognized as the 2020 recipient of the district's Spirit of Excellence Award, which honors employees who exemplify the best of what District 191 strives for. As an elementary school music teacher, she is an inspiration to her community and the students she works with. Her dedication and passion shine through the connections she makes with her students and their love for music. Ms. Buck strives to practice and advocate for equitable, inclusive education, ensuring students in her class are represented in the curriculum and have opportunities to share their own cultures with classmates. This recognition by her peers and officials at Education Minnesota is supported by the immense appreciation for her contribution to public service in my district. I am honored to recognize Rebecca Buck today as a model for meaningful educators, and I thank her for the work she is doing to create community in her classrooms.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Marie Hansen on being a finalist for Education Minnesota's 2024 Teacher of the Year. Marie has taught at Burnsville High School for sixteen years, taking after her father who was a teacher and coach for 35 years. As a teacher of 11th grade AVID, 11th grade English, dual-enrollment courses with a local community college and 10th grade English, she is an inspiration to her community and the students she works with. Ms. Hansen believes that her students are preparing to take the world by storm, and lead with humor, warmth and curiosity as they grow into our nation's next generation of leaders. This recognition by her peers and officials at Education Minnesota is supported by the immense appreciation for her contribution to public service in my district. I am honored to recognize Marie Hansen today as a model for meaningful educators, and I thank her for the work she is doing to create community in her classrooms.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today nearly 3 months since Burnsville lost Police Officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand and Firefighter- Paramedic Adam Finseth in the line of duty. They answered a domestic call early one Sunday morning, where seven children were being held inside a home by an armed gunman. A tactical vehicle from the city of Rosemount was a critical part of the emergency response that day. Look at these photos beside me. Take a long look at these photos. Forty-one shots from a gunman's rifle hit this vehicle as officers from Rosemount and Apple Valley tried to help their brothers. We may have had even more injury and, God forbid, death that day without this vehicle. It was 3 months ago when I stood on the House floor and pledged to honor Matthew, Paul, and Adam's lives by giving the first responders who keep our communities safe the support they need on the ground. That is why, today, I am introducing the Protect Local Law Enforcement Act, a bill that would allow local law enforcement to purchase vehicles like the one used in Burnsville with Federal funds, which is currently restricted by the Federal Government. Law enforcement's multiple missions are harder and more dangerous than ever before. They are routinely put in harm's way. This National Police Week, let's honor them by protecting them. Mr. Speaker, this bill will save lives, and I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, Barb Hedstrom, as the recipient of the Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus' 2024 Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy. Barb Hedstrom serves as Shakopee Police Department's Victim and Community Services Coordinator. This award's honoree is a professional, volunteer or organization whose efforts directly benefit victims and survivors of crime. The award recognizes innovations in victim assistance and crime victim services in the areas of program development, public or agency policy development, community and public awareness, and collaboration among community and justice-based organizations that serve crime victims. Barb is exactly that. The Shakopee Police Department was the first police department in Minnesota to have a Victim Services Coordinator. In 2015, Barb worked with her colleagues to launch the Recovery Assistance Program (RAP), which helps those in recovery by providing scholarships to help break down barriers to treatment. Barb recently started the Law Enforcement Association of Victim Essential Services (LEAVES), which is a statewide professional association of law enforcement-based victim service providers. Due largely to Barb's work, the Shakopee Police Department has been a leader in the State of Minnesota and across the country for victims' services for nearly a decade and has made victim services a top priority. It is an honor to represent Barb Hedstrom and the Shakopee Police Department in Congress. I look forward to our continued partnership in serving the Second District of Minnesota.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, we rise today on behalf of a grateful Nation to honor three heroes from my Minnesota community: Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth. These three public servants gave their lives protecting us on February 18. Officer Ruge is remembered as quick to lend a helping hand and make his community a better place. Officer Elmstrand is described by his loved ones as a man with a servant's heart. Putting others first was never a choice for Paul. It was just who he was. Firefighter/Paramedic Finseth, who gave his life trying to save his colleagues, was a caring husband, brother, father, and friend, who spent decades serving his community and his Nation in Iraq. There are no words to describe the void that this loss has left for their families, Minnesota's law enforcement community, and for the city of Burnsville and our entire State. Nothing we say today will bring Paul, Matthew, and Adam back. They gave their lives to save seven children from harm in that house that awful morning. Nothing could be more heroic. We can honor their lives by giving the police officers and first responders who keep our communities safe the respect and the support they deserve. I ask Members to join me in a moment of silence from a grateful Nation to honor the lives of Paul Elmstrand, Adam Finseth, and Matthew Ruge.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate outgoing Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) President Bob Worth. Bob has served more than two decades with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association in various roles: beginning as a volunteer, treasurer, secretary and lastly as president. MSGA is our nation's longest-running state soybean association, and Bob is the only Minnesota farmer to have served multiple, two-year terms as president. Bob also has worked on his father's corn and soybean farm in southwest Minnesota for more than 50 years with his wife Gail, their son Jon and Jon's family. I'm thankful for our strong working relationship during his time with MSGA. During his tenure, Bob has become a national spokesperson for rural mental health awareness; in this role, he's bravely shared his story and encouraged his fellow rural residents to rally around each other. Bob is also a strong advocate and leader in expanding and protecting renewable biofuels. Thanks to the hard work from leaders like Bob, Minnesota became the first state to require biodiesel in our diesel fuel blends when Bob first served as MSGA president. In Congress, I am proud to be a co-chair of the bipartisan House Biofuels Caucus and a strong advocate for renewable biofuels. In particular, I have urged the FDA to consider how biofuels can address climate change and improve emissions factors. Homegrown biofuels are tools we have at our fingertips right now to help address climate change, thanks to leaders like Bob. I'm grateful for our partnership, and I wish Bob and his family the best in his next chapter.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate outgoing Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Chairman Keith Anderson on a successful four years as Chairman of SMSC's Business Council. Chairman Anderson served for five terms on SMSC's Business Council. I'm thankful for our strong working relationship during his time as Chairman and it is a privilege to represent the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Congress. In particular, I'm proud to have secured $2.5 million in federal funding to help complete a clean water reclamation system at SMSC's new organics recycling facility, Dakota Prairie Composting. Chairman Anderson continued SMSC's strong national presence having served as co-chairman of the Native Farm Bill Coalition, advocating for native farming practices and serving as board chairman for Koda Energy, a partnership between Rahr Malting and SMSC that creates energy by burning dry biomass fuels. As a member of the Business Council, he also helped oversee the construction and opening of Hocokata Ti, SMSC's cultural center and museum. I'm grateful for our partnership and wish Chairman Anderson the best.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Caleigh Gumbiner for five years and more than two full sessions of Congress as a member of my district office staff. Caleigh has been with my office from the very beginning. They started our casework operation in 2019 with virtually no resources and have elevated to the role of Director of Constituent Services. For years, Caleigh has worked tirelessly to serve the constituents of Minnesota's Second District. They've overseen the building up and training of a constituent services team that has returned more than $4.5 million to constituents and closed over 4,200 cases. Caleigh's been vital to training other congressional offices having worked with the CAO Coach program. They led our district office team through the pandemic and all the various programs Congress passed to serve our constituents and have worked day and night during global conflicts to ensure constituents' safety. I'll always be grateful for Caleigh's service to my team and our constituents in their various roles over the years and wish them the best in their new role with Second Harvest Heartland--I'm confident they'll continue to serve Minnesotans with exceptional service.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a group of Minnesota heroes. Earlier this month, the Washington County Drug Task Force, made up of law enforcement from Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington Counties, successfully executed the largest fentanyl seizure in Minnesota history. The officers seized over 30,000 grams of fentanyl pills and charged six individuals for their role in trafficking these drugs. It is difficult to comprehend the devastation that could have befallen these families if those pills had reached our community. In Minnesota, we know that fighting the fentanyl crisis will require all members of our communities to do their part. From those dedicated members of Minnesota law enforcement to the parents and advocates who have shared their stories with me, to the educators working to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit drugs, we all have a role to play in saving lives and addressing this crisis. That is why I am working across the aisle to expand overdose prevention tools and hold drug traffickers accountable. A grateful community thanks every member of law enforcement for the work they do every day to keep our communities safe. Israeli Hostages

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the story of Naama Levy. Naama is just 19 years old. Before October 7, she was full of joy with dreams of helping people in need. She was last recorded on a cell phone being dragged by her hair at gunpoint, injured and bound by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. On October 7, Naama and more than 240 other men, women, and children were kidnapped from their homes and their communities, as even more innocent people were killed, sexually assaulted, and tortured. Naama and 135 other hostages are still being held captive in Gaza, enduring unspeakable trauma at the hands of Hamas who refuse to let them go. I stand here today to demand that Hamas release Naama immediately with all of the other hostages, and I stand with Israel as it works to destroy Hamas and free Naama and its other citizens wrongfully held by this terrorist group. It is past time that we bring Naama home. We must bring them all home. Support for Credit Unions

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the more than 4,700 credit unions across the country, including 86 chartered in my home State of Minnesota. As not-for-profit, member-owned financial institutions, credit unions work every day to improve the financial well-being of American households and communities, including the nearly 300,000 credit union members in Minnesota's Second District. It is estimated that Minnesota credit unions have provided more than $227 million in direct financial benefit to our State. Local branches in the Second Congressional District have done important work helping customers gain early access to their paychecks, supporting local school athletic programs and veterans' organizations, and hosting community events. Our credit unions have put community and customer trust first. This month credit unions in Minnesota and nationwide will be represented by the newly launched America's Credit Unions to better serve the more than 140 million people who rely on them for financial well-being. I am a proud supporter of Minnesota and America's credit unions in Congress.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sheriff Tim Leslie on his retirement from the Minnesota Sheriff's Association and wish him well as he begins his next chapter. After getting his start in law enforcement with the St. Paul Police Department, Tim went on to be appointed Assistant Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. He then served within the Dakota County Sheriffs Office for over 20 years and spent the last year helping the Minnesota Sheriffs Association with government affairs work in St. Paul after a decorated law enforcement career. It was my honor to work with Sheriff Leslie during his tenure as Dakota County Sheriff. Sheriff Leslie served as Sheriff of Dakota County from 2015 to 2022, where he led the department through challenges with the opioid epidemic, the COVID-19 pandemic and increased community policing efforts. He remains a pillar of the Minnesota Law Enforcement Community. I'll always appreciate Tim's advice and counsel on law enforcement legislation and am proud to have worked together to pass the bipartisan Public Safety Officer Support Act in the 117th Congress. I wish him the best in retirement and hope he can spend some more time with his grandkids and a little more time fishing.