Congratulations to Fire Chief Steve Knorrek on His Retirement

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Fire Chief Steve Knorrek on his retirement.

His four-decade long career of extraordinary dedication, commitment, and service to the Bettendorf Fire Department began on September 6, 1983.

In less than a decade, he rose through the ranks, becoming a captain and a fire marshal. His commitment didn't go unnoticed as he was named the Bettendorf Fire Department Officer of the Year in 1991. He received accolades such as the 2015 Governor's Fire Prevention Officer of the Year award and actively contributed to organizations like the American Burn Association's International Outreach Committee and the St. Florian Burn Foundation Board of Directors.

Chief Knorrek's service extended beyond the call of duty, representing the highest ideals and integrity, and he is leaving an indelible mark on the Bettendorf community and the broader region.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Chief Knorrek on his retirement and thank him for his dedicated service. Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October can feel different for everyone who has been affected by breast cancer.

Some people wear pink and others may be grieving, but we can all agree on the importance of community support. Breast cancer knows no age, gender, or race, but it predominantly affects women.

As the single most diagnosed cancer among American women, we must remember to get screened, learn more about the risks and factors, and support families and caregivers impacted by this disease. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let us continue to put up a fight against breast cancer and, most importantly, let us remain united as we work to find a cure. Honoring Dustin Michael Cackley

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary life of Dustin Michael Cackley of Keokuk, Iowa, who passed away at the age of 51 after suffering a heart attack in September.

Dustin's life was marked by selfless service and unwavering dedication to his country. He graduated from Keokuk Senior High School in 1991 and joined the U.S. Army later that year, beginning a 20-year career as a military police officer. His exemplary service earned him numerous accolades, including the Iraq Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal, among others. He served two deployments in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004 and 2008 to 2009.

After retiring from the military in 2011, Dustin faced personal challenges, including PTSD. Yet, with the support of his loyal military brother, Paul Schroeder, he found his way back to faith and a new purpose in life.

He dedicated himself to helping veterans cope with PTSD through faith-based initiatives, cofounding the Armatus Reintegration Program in 2017.

Returning to Keokuk in 2019, Dustin became an integral part of his community. He served as commander of Keokuk American Legion Post 41, promoting military appreciation night and advocating for veterans' causes. He worked tirelessly on the Veterans Memorial Commission, promoting the Agent Orange Memorial and the Road of Honor.

Dustin Michael Cackley's legacy is one of bravery, service, and unwavering dedication to his country and community. His impact on the lives of veterans and the city of Keokuk will be felt for generations to come. Recognizing Police Officer Jared Alcorn

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary efforts of Norwalk Police Officer Jared Alcorn, who saved a couple from a house fire while on patrol in August. At 3:50 a.m., Officer Alcorn smelled smoke and conducted a thorough search of the neighborhood he was patrolling, leading him to a small house where he witnessed flames engulfing the back deck.

The fire, although not yet extensive, posed a grave threat to the unsuspecting couple sound asleep inside. Without hesitation, Alcorn dialed the fire department, swiftly woke and evacuated the occupants, along with their pets, and called for backup.

Then displaying remarkable bravery and resourcefulness, Officer Alcorn and his partner took on the roles of impromptu firefighters. They grabbed garden hoses from both sides of the house and commenced a valiant battle against the encroaching flames. Their relentless efforts held the fire at bay until professional firefighters arrived on the scene.

Thanks to the swift and selfless actions of Officer Jared Alcorn, the fire's damage was contained primarily to the home's exterior. The couple and their pets were spared from harm and the heart of the residence remained intact.

Mr. Speaker, in the darkest hours of that morning, Officer Alcorn's courage shone brightly, embodying the true spirit of a dedicated and heroic public servant. Motion to Vacate Speaker McCarthy

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to address comments I recently heard on the floor, and that is a motion to vacate Speaker McCarthy.

A motion to vacate is going to continue to derail our appropriations bills process and bringing those bills to the floor. It will upset and further erode our ability to investigate the Biden family corruption, in which we have made significant progress.

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