Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Thomas Gibson of Iowa City for winning a Congressional Bronze Medal. I had the pleasure of presenting the award to Thomas last week in front of his friends and family at Iowa City West High School. Thomas is an outstanding young man, deserving of the award given to him to recognize the dedication to service and achievement in our Nation's youth. In order to earn a Congressional Bronze Medal, participants must set and achieve goals in public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration. Thomas fulfilled his goals by restoring a native prairie to its original beauty, volunteering at a community garden that gave all of the food to people in need, and becoming a senior patrol leader for his Boy Scout troop, serving as a role model for younger Scouts and learning valuable lessons in leadership. Thomas is also a member of Iowa City West's most advanced jazz band and spends his free time working at a local ice cream shop. His peers speak very highly of him and recognize him as a valuable member of the community. Madam Speaker, I wish Thomas the very best of luck as he continues to be a leader and role model in the community. He represents the very best of Iowa and the rest of the country. Congratulating Hailey Whitters of Shueyville, Iowa

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, which was held yesterday, May 8, and to recognize our veterans' service to this great Nation. The commemorative ceremony is held annually to honor our 115,000 Iowan Vietnam veterans for their service and remember the 868 Iowans who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war. This year's ceremony was held at the Iowa Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated to those who died in combat or after the war as a result of their service. The Vietnam war was one of our country's most painful times, and our veterans were often not welcomed home. My brother was one of those. I take this chance to thank all of them for their bravery, sacrifice, and strength. During last week's recess, I had the privilege of visiting with veterans across the First District. As an elected official and as chair of the Subcommittee on Health of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I felt it was my duty to reassure them that the Limit, Save, Grow Act would not cut veterans' benefits or resources. As long as I am in Congress, I will always fight to improve and protect our veterans' benefits. It is important that we always take the time to recognize the patriotism, dedication, and willingness of our veterans to fight for our liberties and our way of life. Our servicemembers dedicate their lives to protecting our Nation, and it is our duty to honor those commitments both during and after their service.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate General Stephen E. Osborne for being appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds as the 28th Adjunct General of the Iowa National Guard. General Osborne is a native of Davenport, Iowa, and enlisted in the Army in 1984, actually 10 years after my own enlistment in the Army. He went on to commission as an infantry officer through the University of Alabama in 1990 before transferring to the Iowa National Guard in 1992. General Osborne deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in 1991 during the Persian Gulf war. He then deployed to Kosovo in 2004 in support of Operation Joint Guardian and Iraq in 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has served as the Iowa National Guard's deputy adjunct general since 2018 and will now manage more than 2,000 full-time employees and nearly 9,000 part-time soldiers and airmen in his new role as adjunct general. Iowans can trust the National Guard will be in great hands under the leadership of General Osborne. I wish him the very best as he transitions into this important role. Celebrating Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss major flooding in seven counties in southeast Iowa along the Mississippi River. I appreciate Governor Reynolds' efforts to protect these communities, and I encourage residents in these areas to stay cautious. Each year, as snow north of Iowa melts, it floods the communities along the Mississippi River in Iowa. While these floods can be devastating, we are lucky to be able to predict the severity of floods each year. In Davenport, crews have been working 24-hour shifts at pump stations for over a week to protect their 9 miles of the riverfront. As we continue to monitor the flooding, I remain grateful for the close eye of the Governor's office, disaster resources, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers' efforts to ensure pumps are working flawlessly. I also appreciate the University of Iowa Flood Center to be able to monitor and sense rising waters. My office remains open as a resource if southeast Iowans are in need of assistance. Together, we can again power through this flooding season. I want to take a moment to wish a very happy birthday to my sister, Mariette Stanson. Happy birthday, Mariette.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize police canine Kilo, of the Indianola Police Department, for assisting in a drug bust during his first week of being on patrol with his handler, Officer Treyton Nixon. As the newest member of the Indianola Police Department, Kilo made an immediate impact by helping find over 7 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop. A canine's keen sense of smell helps them to detect items that a human officer might miss, especially drugs and bombs. In a time when record levels of illicit narcotics are pouring in through our southern border and killing American citizens, poisoning them with synthetic fentanyl, it is increasingly important that police departments utilize every resource available to keep their communities safe. I hope Kilo sets the example and proves the need for canine units across our police forces, including at the border. If one canine officer could handle this drug bust in Indianola, imagine what a full squad could accomplish at our ports of entry. Thank you, Kilo, for your service to the city of Indianola. We wish him and the rest of the Indianola Police Department the very best in the future. Monitoring Mississippi River Flooding

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Aaron Warner, CEO of ProCircular Inc., in Coralville, Iowa, who was named Iowa's 2023 Small Business Person of the Year. Mr. Warner founded ProCircular in 2016 with the goal of being a dedicated cybersecurity and compliance firm, offering analysis, testing, governance, risk management, and compliance services. In the company's first year, its revenue grew over 200 percent and has continued to grow steadily year over year. The company now has 69 full- time staff and 19 interns. In addition to running a booming small business, Mr. Warner is also heavily involved in his community. He volunteers with a number of different organizations, including the Technology Association of Iowa, the Iowa City Area Development Group, Junior Achievement, Rotary International, and the March of Dimes. He and his wife also started a trust to provide scholarships to students in need. Mr. Warner is truly a pillar of his community and very deserving of this honor. I look forward to seeing what the future holds as his business and activism in southeast Iowa continue to grow. Recognizing Police Canine Kilo

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team for winning the 2023 Naismith National Player of the Year award, the AP Player of the Year award, the Wooden Award National Player of the Year, and the Honda Sport Award for Basketball. Caitlin is a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, and attended Dowling Catholic before taking her career to the next level with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Her exceptional play this season captivated audiences far beyond the Hawkeye State. As a junior, Caitlin averaged 27.3 points and led the Nation with five triple-doubles, including a 41-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound effort in Iowa's NCAA tournament win over Louisville to advance to the Final Four. The ESPN telecast of the Hawkeyes' win over Louisville averaged more viewers than any NBA telecast on ESPN this season as Clark became the first player in the NCAA tournament history to record a 40-point triple-double. In a recent interview, she said: ``I want my legacy to be the impact that I can have on young kids and the people in the State of Iowa, and I hope I brought them a lot of joy this season.'' Madam Speaker, Caitlin is most certainly a joy and an inspiration to all Iowans and numerous Americans. We can't wait to continue watching Caitlin on the court and wish her the best of luck in the future. Go Hawks. Madam Speaker, I wish a very happy birthday to my nephews, Matthew and Joseph Martina.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Donald A. Stott of Monticello, Iowa, who lost his life aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor. His remains were only recently identified due to the significant advancements in DNA testing. Stott's family has been working to identify his remains for over a decade until the Navy called, offering DNA tests to identify the remains of 35 soldiers who were previously labeled as unrecoverable. As of last week, Stott's remains have been returned home to Monticello where his life and military service will be celebrated with a special burial service. Donald Stott enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and spent the early parts of his career training in Great Lakes, Illinois, before being stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma in June of 1940. Stott served as a Seaman First Class, carrying out important duties such as steering, signaling, and standing watch. We appreciate the Stott family's patience, and we also recognize and honor their family member. Congratulating the University of Iowa Women's Basketball Team

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, 33 years ago today, I was blessed with the most incredible of gifts, with the birth of our daughter, Taylor. Happy birthday, Taylor. You are a blessing to both your father and me.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, today is Vietnam War Veterans Day. As a Vietnam-era veteran and having a brother who served in Vietnam, I wish to recognize and acknowledge this day and the honorable service of those who served in Vietnam. Wishing My Daughter a Happy Birthday

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I congratulate the University of Iowa women's basketball team and Coach Bluder on making it to the Final Four. Good luck and go Hawks. Recognizing Vietnam War Veterans Day

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Chair, polluters over people act. They would rather put people stopping traffic to prevent you from getting to work and people throwing mashed potatoes at art than they would the American people. I could not disagree with my colleagues more. Oil is a global commodity. Prices went up when the President constrained supply. How do we know that? His own actions. What did the President do? He went to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to ask them to produce more oil, and then released oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve so prices could go down just in time for the elections. Among the 20 bills that make up this package, I draw attention to a suite of bills focused on refining and processing critical minerals as well as development of new mines for critical minerals on Federal land. The critical minerals provisions in the E&C and Natural Resources titles are helpful for Iowa wind, which produces 58 percent of the electricity in the State. This allows Iowa to be a net exporter of electricity and supports 230 blade manufacturing jobs in Fort Madison. Ensuring we mine critical minerals in the U.S. and process those minerals domestically is critical to securing our Nation's global competitiveness and supporting many clean energy technologies as well as supporting a cleaner environment from China. Madam Chair, I also commend the significant strides we have made on NEPA reform with the package combining measures to streamline permitting reviews for energy products and mines. Importantly, H.R. 1 places clear timelines on environmental reviews, clarifies the scope of environmental reviews, and puts sidebars on judicial reviews under NEPA. According to a recent poll from Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum, 80 percent of people support policies that expedite government review of infrastructure projects, which is why these issues are at the heart of H.R. 1. As fiscal conservatives, we also take pride in the fact that responsible permitting reform has the opportunity to lower emissions while also costing zero taxpayer dollars and lowering the costs of energy for consumers. I am proud of the legislative wins in H.R. 1 to reduce energy costs. We all want a cleaner, healthier planet for our children and grandchildren and also affordable, abundant energy. H.R. 1 is a step in the right direction. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss China's growing role in international relations and its impact on American national security. In just the last few weeks, China has brokered a peace deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia and re-established diplomatic relations with Honduras following its break with Taiwan. Both negotiations are worrisome as Iran continues to target and kill Americans in Syria and China edges closer to invading Taiwan. Also, the Chinese Communist Party is fully supporting Russia in its unprecedented and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. China's growing influence across Latin America is concerning, particularly as these relationships continue to appear lopsided. Nations are receiving investments from the Chinese, but in return are left dependent on the Chinese Communist Party. The Middle East is especially concerning, though. For decades, the United States has brokered peace negotiations in the region or, at the very least, been in the room as these deals have been agreed upon. Between Iran and Saudi Arabia, however, the United States was left out. The implications of this decision are profound, particularly as Iran continues to sponsor terrorist attacks as it is unclear what peace was agreed to and our response was weak. Our Nation has watched as the Chinese Communist Party has grown in power and influence, and has fallen victim to its espionage efforts whether through TikTok, Confucius Institutes, or even spy balloons. The Chinese Communist Party's goals are clear: Infiltrate and undermine American economic and national security. As the CCP's influence continues to grow, its threat to our national security does too. We must actively seek ways to decouple our economy, end our dependence on Chinese supply chains, and bolster our national security. China is our greatest foreign threat and it is time we begin to act accordingly. I wish a happy birthday to Joseph and Matthew Martino of Connecticut, who are my nephews. Happy 16th birthday, Joseph and Matthew. Congratulations to Kyle and Jill Jacobs on the birth of their daughter, Sierra Rose, on Saturday. I hope that they are able to get some sleep.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two World War II veterans who recently celebrated their 100th and 101st birthdays. Lowell Dibble of Iowa City, Iowa, celebrated his 101st birthday on St. Patrick's Day. Mr. Dibble served as a radio operator for the Merchant Marines during the Second World War, using Morse code and other communications to receive and record time signals, weather reports, and other information important to the smooth operation of their vessels. Mr. Dibble starts each day with a workout and still talks to his friends in Morse code every night. He attributes his longevity to his positive attitude, his faith, and keeping busy. We can all learn a valuable lesson from Mr. Dibble, who should be an inspiration for people of all ages who struggle to find motivation in their lives. Mr. Speaker, I also recognize Max Wilson from Maquoketa, Iowa, who celebrated his 100th birthday last month. Mr. Wilson was drafted in 1941 and served as a bombardier during the Second World War, flying 43 missions in a B-17 in five different countries. As bombardier, he was responsible for landing more than 240,000 tons of bombs on target during critical missions throughout the war. Mr. Wilson is a humble man who doesn't see himself as a hero, though he certainly is deserving of recognition. On his birthday, he received a special gift from the University of Dubuque's Jet Center--a private flight around Dubuque and down to his hometown of Maquoketa. Mr. Dibble and Mr. Wilson are two heroes from the Greatest Generation, and I am honored to recognize them both on the House floor. I hope each enjoyed a wonderful and memorable birthday. China is our Greatest Foreign Threat

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on March 10, 2023. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 143.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize O'Hara True Value Hardware in Ottumwa, Iowa, which is closing after 83 years in business. Martin and Florence O'Hara opened the doors of O'Hara Appliance in January of 1940, but before long, the appliance store quickly shifted into a hardware store, too. Martin had offered home repair advice for years, and the shift came naturally. The O'Haras value being family owned and operated, and their children each grew into employees at the shop, including their son Mike, who ultimately took over the business and who I know well. For years, Mike O'Hara has continued his family's legacy in Ottumwa, offering the best service and advice for all things plumbing, electrical, automotive, construction, and repairs. You could take in any kind of screw from any kind of product, and they could tell you what it went for and how to replace it. The store is also famous for having the best Christmas decorations in town, to include live reindeer in a stable outside throughout December. O'Hara has overcome numerous challenges over the last several decades, including major fires, the flood of 1993, and most recently, the COVID pandemic. Mike's commitment to serving his community has always remained clear and steadfast. I am proud to know Mike and his family, and I wish him the very best in retirement--they so deserve that--but they are going to be greatly missed. The town will cherish their memories from O'Hara's and we will all miss going there for home repair needs.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major General Benjamin Corell of Strawberry Point, Iowa, for his outstanding service as a 37-year member of the Iowa National Guard. Major General Corell retired last week after serving as Iowa National Guard's top general since 2019, leading the Guard through the COVID pandemic. Throughout his decorated career, Major General Corell has deployed overseas to Iraq, Afghanistan, Romania, and Kuwait, and has led several of the National Guard's infantry divisions. He retired with a master's degree and a career full of military awards and accomplishments. Major General Corell plans to spend his retirement with his wife, Beth, and their seven grandchildren, passing along the values that guided him through his career. All three of his sons are noncommissioned officers in the Iowa Army National Guard. I wish them the very best as they follow in the footsteps of an excellent father and role model. Coming from a financially challenged family in rural Iowa with no college education, Major General Corell's life journey represents the very best of Iowa and the rest of the country and serves as a shining example for generations to come. I am grateful for Major General Benjamin Corell's service, and I wish him a relaxing and fulfilling retirement. O'Hara True Value Hardware Closing After 83 Years in Business

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the growing student loan debt in our Nation. Despite efforts by President Biden and the Democrats to forgive student loans, they are still a major financial commitment and should be treated as such. Before taking out Federal student loans, proper counseling for students should be required. We must ensure that our students are equipped with the guidance needed to make an informed decision and that they understand the process through which they pay these loans back. This week I reintroduced the Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act with Representatives Feenstra, Hinson, Nunn, and Guest to require institutes of higher education to counsel students before any Federal loans are disbursed. This counseling would also require students to manually enter the exact dollar amount of funding requested and require that students receive regular loan statements throughout their undergraduate career. If we can help our students understand the process by which they receive Federal students loans and the interest, we will be one step closer to helping to relieve them of their debt through their career choices--unlike President Biden's loan which claims to erase these loans. Unfortunately, we can't just erase loans taken out. They must be paid back, just like a car loan or a mortgage. Erasing would only transfer the debt to other hardworking taxpayers.

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, February 26, The Wall Street Journal released another article about the origins of COVID-19. This time, the Department of Energy has acknowledged that most likely this was a lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. I remember having a hearing here in the Capitol with the Select Committee on the Coronavirus Pandemic at which we discussed the origins of COVID-19. We were derided and we were ridiculed, as were other Members of Congress. I think it is important that we recognize there is such an importance for free speech, especially in healthcare and in medicine and science, that a debate is what needs to take place and that we should be careful in who we chastise simply because we don't like the political party that they represent. It was no conspiracy to acknowledge that there was not furin cleavage sites normal, that there were doubling of amino acids, and that there was gain-of-function research that had been funded indirectly by the United States Government despite a prohibition on gain-of-function research. To this day, there has not yet been an intermediate host for SARS- CoV-2, although there was very rapidly with both SARS and MERS. My point is that we need to recognize that we can have differences of opinion and those should not be considered to be radical or conspiracy theories, despite what political party that emanates from.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, today is also TCU or Texas Christian University Day at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. As an alum of Harris College of Nursing at TCU, I welcome TCU to Washington, D.C. As long as TCU is not playing an Iowa team, I can say, ``Go Frogs!'' Healthy Healthcare Debate Among Parties

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ben Kueter of Iowa City who took down Hempstead's Joe Lewis in a technical fall to win his fourth State title in wrestling--only the 32nd time in the history of the Iowa State wrestling tournament. He is also the seventh to complete an undefeated high school career, with an outstanding record of 111-0 with 105 career bonus point wins. In addition to winning his fourth State title and shattering records in Iowa, Ben also holds a world title in wrestling. Just this summer, he represented Iowa on the world stage and won gold at the Junior Men's Freestyle World Championship. An all-star athlete and senior at Iowa City High School, Ben excels in more than just wrestling. He has also been a star member of the football, baseball, and track teams. Ben's proudest accomplishment, though, is being a good role model for future wrestlers. He always makes time to talk to and take pictures with younger wrestlers at tournaments and makes it a priority to keep things fun. I am proud of Ben's accomplishments, and I join all of Iowa in being proud that he continues to represent our State at the highest levels. I am also honored that he has chosen to continue his wrestling career in Iowa City at the University of Iowa. Go Hawkeyes! Texas Christian University Day

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for yielding time. I rise in strong support of H.R. 185 to end the international travel COVID vaccine mandate. I am a doctor, and unlike my colleague on the other side of the aisle, I am also a former director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, so I am speaking for public health. The vast majority of Americans are either vaccinated or have natural immunity. There is no recognition of natural immunity by continuing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for travelers into the United States. This is, as previously alluded, not 2020. It is 2023. This timely measure nullifies the CDC's order that restricts noncitizen entry into the United States unless the traveler can prove they are vaccinated against COVID-19. It doesn't say to prove immunity or prove testing negative. Mr. Speaker, it is time to move forward. Entry restrictions were necessary during the early stages and the height of the pandemic, but that was when we, as a Nation, were still learning the details of the virus and experiencing soaring death and hospitalization rates. Now, over 95 percent of Americans have various forms of immunity, whether from vaccination or prior infection, and health professionals have deep knowledge of the coronavirus that has led to multiple vaccines and therapeutics. People have returned to work, children to school, and Americans have resumed international travel at prepandemic rates. Some of the countries with the most stringent lockdown and protocols, Canada, Australia, and Germany, all have eliminated their severe entry restrictions. All have suspended their vaccine requirements. It is time that we, as a Nation, do the same. This does not mean that we do not still have circulating virus. We are aware of that, but it is time for the mandate for travelers entering the United States to end. Republicans and Democrats should be able to agree that the pandemic is over. President Biden even said so himself. House Republicans will continue to move our country past the pandemic, which is exactly what this bill does. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues as a public health professional to vote ``yes.''

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Annie Palmer of Indianola who received the Grow Your Future Award from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Each year, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation offers the Grow Your Future Award to young Iowans who work in agriculture to help grow their businesses. Last year, Annie submitted her business, H8R Acres, which raises Berkshire hogs and Navajo-Churro sheep for their meat and wool. After several rounds of voting, Annie was selected as a finalist which involved a pitch-off to determine which award she would receive. At the end of the conference, Annie went home with $2,500, which she plans to put toward building a new shed for lambing or farrowing. I also thank the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation for hosting this annual competition to financially support the next generation of Iowa farmers. This competition has been a great way to encourage young farmers to get into the agricultural business and grow the farming community in Iowa. Congratulations to Annie and the rest of the winners of this year's Grow Your Future Award. I look forward to seeing their businesses produce.

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Isabel Bloom shop in Davenport, Iowa, and what would be the 115th birthday of sculptor Isabel Bloom. The original Isabel Bloom was a Davenport native who attended the Art Institute of Chicago and the Vogue School of Fashion. She and her husband married in 1938 before settling in Davenport with their three children in the early 1940s. In 1963, Isabel and her husband opened a small studio in Davenport's East Village. Bloom received multiple awards for her ceramics but perfected garden art to sell in her store. Because it was sturdy and weather resistant, her preferred base was concrete. Though ownership has since changed, and the Isabel Bloom shop has continued to grow, the current owners, Donna Young, Cathy Nevins, and Bill Barrett, have stayed true to Bloom's original vision: to create art that brings comfort and joy to their community. As an owner of a few Isabel Bloom pieces myself, I can say their vision rings true. Congratulations to the Isabel Bloom shop. I wish them many more years of creativity, friendship, and success.

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Healthcare workers have a variety of knowledge and information available about the vaccine, and like any other individual, they should be able to make healthcare decisions for themselves with the guidance of their physicians. This vaccine mandate is almost malpractice. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this repeal through this legislation.