Issues of the Day
Floor Speech
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Grothman, for yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women Veterans Recognition Day, which is the anniversary of President Truman's signing of the Women's Armed Forces Integration Act, which allowed, for the first time, women to serve as regular members of the military.
While only about one in six Americans serving in the Armed Forces are women, they are responsible for some of the most important accomplishments in military history. Whether it is the Hello Girls from World War I who connected the U.S. military's communications in imperative ways, the thousands of volunteer nurses who saved lives in the Vietnam war, or the hundreds of thousands of women currently in active service, women in the military are playing an active role in ensuring the safety of our Nation, and I was one of those as a 24-year Army veteran.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating all the brave women who have put their lives on the line for this incredible Nation we call home. Honoring Ronald Knoche
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of one of my constituents, Ronald Knoche, for being named a 2024 Top 10 Public Works Leader of the Year by the American Public Works Association.
As the most prestigious national award in the public works profession, Ron and the other honorees are recognized for their professionalism, expertise, and personal dedication to improving the quality of life in their communities through the advancement of public works services during their career.
Knoche has served Iowa City for 25 years. He joined the city as a civil engineer in 1999, was promoted to senior engineer in 2001, and the city engineer in 2003.
In 2015, Knoche was promoted to public works director. In this role, Knoche oversees the city's engineering, equipment, resource management, streets, wastewater, and water divisions.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Ron. I am very proud of him. Johnson County Engineer
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Johnson County, Iowa, engineer, Greg Parker, on being named the 2024 Urban County Engineer of the Year by the National Association of County Engineers.
Mr. Parker's career has spanned 40 years and earned him a reputation for being a national authority on pavement reconstruction.
Mr. Parker and the Johnson County Secondary Roads Department are responsible for 915 miles of county highways and the 213 bridges and infrastructure they contain.
As the department director, Mr. Parker oversees construction and year-round maintenance with 50 employees.
I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Greg Parker for winning this award and wishing him all the best as he continues to pave the way for all Iowans. Peace Corps Volunteers
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the seven amazing Peace Corps volunteers from Iowa's first district who are currently serving worldwide on behalf of our great Nation.
By freely providing their various skill sets, such as healthcare, education, and peacekeeping in the world's developing nations, these volunteers are on the front lines of ensuring a better world for all of us.
Despite the stresses and tribulations the job may provide, these seven heroes have a true unending passion for helping people.
Furthermore, I would like to specifically congratulate two of our Peace Corps volunteers from Iowa's First Congressional District, Katheryn Peck and Kent Rice, for completing their tenure in the Dominican Republic on May 17, 2024, and returning home to Iowa.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these incredible Peace Corps volunteers and wish them the best on their continued journeys.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Grothman, for yielding me time.
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