Congratulating Reese Dehen on Her Outstanding Athletic Accomplishments
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an outstanding athlete from Anoka, Minnesota.
Reese Dehen, this year, became a repeat State champion in swimming. She won the State swimming title in the Class AA 200 individual medley, and then the sophomore from Anoka continued to add a second State championship in the 100 breaststroke during the swimming State championships at the University of Minnesota.
Reese is an outstanding young talent and one of Minnesota's premier athletes. She is also a role model for thousands of young swimmers and student athletes who make the sacrifice to achieve the best they can be.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Reese and thank her for being a great role model. Our entire community is proud of her. Honoring Christopher Stewart, an Outstanding Educator
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Christopher Stewart of North Lakes Academy charter school in Forest Lake, Minnesota. Mr. Stewart took learning to a new level this past year, participating in a program designed to preserve and amplify the history of fallen U.S. service personnel.
For an entire year, Mr. Stewart researched the life and service of Richard Willard Moody, a fallen World War II hero of the United States Army's 129th Aero Squadron assigned to the French Escadrille Br. 129. Mr. Moody was from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and he fought bravely on behalf of the United States before making the ultimate sacrifice in France.
Sponsored by National History Day, in conjunction with the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, Mr. Stewart brought history to life and revived and preserved the memory of Richard Willard Moody. In fact, he even traveled to France to give a graveside eulogy and, when he returned to the United States, used this experience to teach his students.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Stewart for remembering a fallen hero and preserving his legacy. His students are lucky to have him and so is Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District. Honoring Stan Nelson, a Minnesota Hero
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stan Nelson for his decades of service to the United States and to the city of Anoka, Minnesota.
Stan is well known throughout his community as a man of faith, family, and football. Some know Stan as ``Coach.'' Others know him as ``Lieutenant Junior Grade.'' Others know Stan as a Minnesota Senior Olympic gold medalist. Today, we add ``Hero'' to the list of titles that accompany his name.
Stan was a student and football player at Augsburg College who went on to enlist in the Navy following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Stan operated one of the first boats to land on Omaha Beach on D-day.
Following his service in World War II, Stan went on to coach the Anoka High School football team for 26 years, becoming a legend in Anoka and a mentor for generations of players. In honor of his repeated sacrifices, Haven for Heroes, a local nonprofit that provides transitional housing for veterans, recently dedicated their auditorium in honor of Stan.
Men like Stan deserve to be honored. He has lived a life as a servant leader. And at age 99, he hasn't slowed down.
Mr. Speaker, we are honored that Stan's name will forever adorn the Haven for Heroes auditorium, and I thank him for his service to Anoka and to his country. Recognizing Starkey Hearing Technologies
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Starkey Hearing Technologies, a Minnesota-based manufacturer of hearing aids, for earning a place on Time magazine's list of Best 2019 Inventions.
Starkey's invention of the Livio AI hearing aid not only provides users with improved hearing quality, but it also tracks an individual's body and brain health.
This device, in addition, has several features that apply to our fast-paced world: It can stream music; it can act like a smart assistant; and it can even translate languages.
Minnesota is proud of its many innovators and inventors. From Medtronic's pacemaker to Starkey's cutting-edge hearing devices, Minnesota remains one our country's premier medtech hubs.
I congratulate Starkey for its amazing contribution to hearing health for patients across the country. Minnesotans are proud that they call our great State home. Addressing Workforce Shortages for American Farms
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the recent passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, H.R. 5038.
I want to thank my colleague from the State of Washington, Mr. Dan Newhouse, and my colleagues from across the aisle for working in good faith in search of a solution to a longstanding issue in our agricultural community.
Workforce shortages are crippling our most important industries. In the Sixth District of Minnesota, agriculture and manufacturing have suffered the most. Farmers need assurances they will be able to maintain their farm over the long term and that includes having a reliable workforce.
Unfortunately, H.R. 5038 fell short of addressing key changes to our temporary worker visa programs.
While we have more work to do, I appreciate my colleagues' efforts to find solutions to the challenges.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source