Post-Traumatic Growth
Floor Speech
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, General Bergman, for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise today during PTSD Awareness Month to honor the millions of Americans, including thousands of veterans, who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. As a 24-year Army veteran and one of 82 military veterans serving in Congress, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work on legislation that helps veterans diagnosed with PTSD get the care and support they need.
One example is the Veterans Care Act, a bill I introduced that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct and support research on the effectiveness and safety of certain forms of cannabis and cannabis delivery for veterans diagnosed with PTSD.
As the chairwoman of the Health Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee along with General Bergman, I have also been able to host several key hearings and roundtables where we discussed effective treatment for PTSD, including emerging breakthrough therapies with psychedelic-assisted therapy.
I have also passed the VIP Act, or Veterans in Parks Act, which allows lifetime passes to our national parks for veterans, Gold Star family members, and even Active-Duty military because we know of the meditative qualities and healing qualities that can come about through outdoor activity and work within nature.
For far too long, society has focused on the negative impacts of trauma and struggles caused by PTSD, especially among our veterans. It has reached a point where being labeled as someone with PTSD has become debilitating. While it is crucial to recognize these challenges and get appropriate care, it is equally important to reduce stigma and offer more hope to those diagnosed.
If you are someone with PTSD, I want you to know that you are not any less of a person because of your diagnosis. You are not a burden. Being diagnosed with PTSD isn't the end of your story. There is a pathway to extraordinary growth and transformation in your life.
As a veteran serving in Congress, I am dedicated to ensuring that you understand that and receive the treatment you need to continue living your life to the fullest.
God bless our veterans, and God bless General Bergman for bringing this to the attention of Congress and America. Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.
Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month is a time to heighten awareness about the disease and to show our support for the one in nine people aged 65 and older who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. My mother was one of those.
Over 66,000 Iowans and nearly 7 million Americans are victims of this disease. As a doctor myself, I have advocated for affordable healthcare and doing everything we can to make medical research possible and to make medical research transferred into action.
I am committed to working on legislation that ensures Americans impacted by Alzheimer's disease receive the care they deserve, and I call upon my fellow Members of Congress to remember those who have Alzheimer's and their families during this month and join me in the fight to end Alzheimer's. Presidential Scholars
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Andrew Dong from West High School in Iowa City, Iowa, for being named a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
Andrew is one of 161 students from across the Nation being recognized for their remarkable academic achievements, contributions to their community, and success in fine arts. In his application, Andrew highlighted the incredible work he has done volunteering with mental health professionals and assisting them in developing guidelines for educators across the State of Iowa. As the youngest person in Iowa to be certified in Mental Health First Aid, Andrew is passionate about ensuring our communities have the tools necessary to face the ongoing mental health crisis head-on.
With that, I would like my colleagues to join me in celebrating Andrew and his amazing achievements and wishing him all the best in his future endeavors. Floods
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the recent floods impacting Iowa currently. After the recent supercell storms, Iowa suffered widespread damage, debris, and record flooding. Some areas received up to 15 inches of rain, and at least 1,900 properties were impacted, with hundreds destroyed. Over the weekend, at least 250 water rescues were conducted.
Rivers all across Iowa will be impacted with extra water moving downstream and cresting to come. With the potential for possible more bad weather tomorrow and this weekend, the entire Hawkeye State is keeping a watchful eye.
I urge my constituents to prepare in the event of flooding and bad storms impacting our communities. The entire Iowa delegation is working closely with Governor Reynolds and local officials during this difficult time.
Finally, Madam Speaker, I am grateful to the first responders working around the clock to help Iowans in need.
University of Iowa Boasts the Third Smallest Baby Born in the World
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Eilers family of Solon, Iowa. Emily and Ted Eilers are parents to Evelyn Eilers who was born at the University of Iowa in September of 2023.
Evelyn was tied as the third smallest baby born in the world. Thanks to world-class care available at the University of Iowa, Evelyn was able to come home as the size of an average full-time newborn.
Evelyn's survival and the survival outcomes for other extremely premature infants at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital are among the best in the world. This is yet another demonstration of the phenomenal care available to Iowans through the university's hospital.
As a former doctor at the University of Iowa Hospital, I am proud to celebrate the incredible work and the recent homecoming of Evelyn Eilers, and, more importantly, support a culture of life.
God bless the Eilers family.
Congratulating University of Iowa Track and Field Athletes
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the seven athletes from the University of Iowa track and field program on their appearance at the Olympic trials this past weekend.
I would like to give a special congratulations to Kalen Walker, the brother of one of our legislative interns. Kalen Walker is a three- time, all-American record-holding athlete who competed in the 100-meter dash at the semifinal round at the Olympic trials this weekend.
Kalen is from rural Iowa and graduated from Eddyville-Blakesburg- Fremont High School in 2020. He attended Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, and then transferred to the University of Iowa as a walk-on.
Kalen embodies what it means to be a true, hardworking Iowan. He came to the University of Iowa to fulfill his dream of running as a Hawkeye, and this weekend was a step toward fulfilling his dream of being an Olympian.
I am proud to congratulate him and his teammates on their honor of representing Iowa and America.
As always, go Hawks.
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