Recognizing Carl Pierson

Floor Speech

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Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Carl Pierson, a husband, father, teacher, coach, City Council member, and resident of Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District. Carl has served the City of Waconia for more than twenty years, enriching the lives of countless students and community members around him. He leads by example, and we are fortunate to have someone like Carl in the Sixth District who puts others first and demonstrates what ``Selfless Service'' truly means.

Carl is a staple in the Waconia Community, teaching high school government for the last two decades. In addition to educating future generations of Minnesotans in the classroom, he is cultivating the next generation of student-athletes as coach of the Waconia High School basketball, baseball, and football teams. If that weren't enough, Carl is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association and author of the book ``The Politics of Coaching,'' a must-read for coaches looking to navigate the politics of youth sports. As someone who coached youth hockey for many years, I've learned some valuable lessons in negotiation and diplomacy while working with the parents of my players, but Carl literally wrote the book on it.

In November 2020, Carl was elected to the Waconia City Council, representing Ward 2. This was not his first stint in public service, as Carl had previously served on the Waconia Park Board and the Carver County Sheriffs Citizen Advisory Council. Where Carl finds time to accomplish all these things and continue to be a loving husband to his wife and father to his two sons remains a mystery, however, Carl remains a leader and mentor for the residents and students in Waconia.

Earlier this year, Carl was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. While this news is never easy to receive, I have no doubt that he will approach this new challenge with the same optimism and determination be has shown time and time again on the basketball court and win this fight.

I cannot thank Carl enough for his leadership and dedication to the residents of Waconia. Our community, our district, and our state are in a better place because of his work and perseverance. I thank Carl, and may God Bless him and his wonderful family.

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