Marc Moen is Keeping Iowa Beautiful
Floor Speech
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a man from my district for his commitment to keeping Iowa beautiful and preserving some of our most treasured historical sites.
Marc Moen, a developer in Iowa City, was recently presented with the Iowa Architectural Foundation's 2021 Community Enhancement Through Architecture and Design Award. The awards program recognizes individuals, organizations, agencies, or communities outside the architectural profession who have demonstrated consistent and effective leadership, vision, and support for architecture, or have continually championed the cause of architecture in ways that contribute to the betterment of Iowa communities.
Marc began his architectural work in 1985 when he advocated to save the first brick house in Iowa City from being razed and began restoring the building instead. Since then, Marc has worked to make Iowa City the beautiful community it is today.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Marc for his dedication to our community and to our State. Lewis Payne Is Carrying on Iowa's Family Farm Heritage
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a man from my district for continuing his family legacy of leadership in Iowa agriculture.
This year, Lewis Payne of Kalona was awarded the Heritage Award by the Iowa Farm Bureau. The Heritage Award recognizes agriculture industry leaders who have carried on the tradition of farming family- owned land.
Known as the Pickard Farm, Lewis' 261.4-acre plot of land was originally purchased by his great-great-grand uncle over 172 years ago and was passed from Lewis' great-grandfather down to his grandfather, then eventually to his mother, who then passed the land down to Lewis, who had been raised on that farm helping his parents.
When asked about the future of his family farm, Lewis said that his goal is to be a steward of the land and eventually pass it down to the next generation.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Lewis for continuing a fantastic Iowa family tradition and for making Iowa a better place to live, work, and raise a family. 4 Paws for Ability
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share a heartwarming story about total strangers coming together to make a positive impact in a child's life in my district.
Six-year-old Keagan Berding of Bettendorf, Iowa, loves to run. Diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, Keagan is nonverbal, but he is very social and has several passions, including playing outside with other children, showing affection through hugs, and watching videos on his tablet.
Because of Keagan's love of running, extra measures are needed to ensure his safety, and this is where a fantastic organization has come in to assist Keagan and his parents. 4 Paws for Ability is a group that provides and trains service animals to assist people like the Berding family across the globe. Currently the organization has raised over $43,000 toward providing Keagan with a fully trained service dog, with the largest single donation being $10,000 from a complete stranger whose own child has benefited from a service animal.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for 4 Paws for Ability and everyone who has contributed for striving to make positive impacts in the lives of children like Keagan all over the world.
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