Recognizing Staff Sergeant Keith Ormsby

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Muscatine County Vietnam veteran Staff Sergeant Keith Ormsby, who has finally received an Air Medal and his Purple Heart for injuries sustained in battle 54 years ago.

As Mr. Ormsby's Representative in Congress, I had the privilege of pinning him with the Purple Heart and personally thanking him for his dedicated service to our country during a special ceremony that took place on our Nation's Independence Day.

On January 31, 1970, while leading his platoon through the Vietnamese jungle and unloading a helicopter at a landing zone, Mr. Ormsby's unit was ambushed, resulting in him being shot and wounded.

Due to the chaotic nature of those times, the paperwork for his Purple Heart was never processed, and he was air-evacuated out of Vietnam immediately. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Muscatine County VA, we were finally able to properly recognize this hero.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Ormsby for his service to our country and expressing our gratitude to the Muscatine County VA and Eric for their exceptional work. God bless our veterans, and may God bless the United States of America. Honoring Dawnell Doreo on Her Retirement

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and career of Dawnell Doreo, who will be retiring after nearly four decades serving our Nation's heroes at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dawnell is a lifelong resident of Iowa's First District, having grown up on a small farm in Washington, Iowa. She began her service at the Iowa City VA Medical Center in 1986 as a ward clerk and rose up through the ranks over the decades to become a management and program analyst today.

Because of Dawn, the Iowa City VA was able to provide world-class healthcare and benefits to our veterans. In her free time, Dawnell also volunteers as a court-appointed special advocate, where she serves as a fierce advocate for child welfare.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Dawnell's amazing career and wishing her the absolute best on a well-earned retirement. Jensen Wedeking Receives Medal of Merit

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jensen Wedeking of Bellevue, Iowa, for receiving the American Medal of Merit.

As a member of Bellevue's Boy Scout Troop 86, Jensen achieved the prestigious Eagle rank in 2023 after leading various community projects. However, his most remarkable achievement came when he saved the life of his friend.

During a nighttime drive, Jensen's friend suffered an allergic reaction to peanuts. Acting swiftly and drawing on his Boy Scout training, Jensen administered lifesaving epinephrine via an EpiPen before rushing his friend to the hospital.

This quick thinking and exemplary first aid skills really underscore Jensen's exceptional character and deep concern for others, qualities that define recipients of the Medal of Merit. This national award is bestowed upon Scouts who demonstrate uncommon valor and compassion in critical situations, criteria that Jensen undoubtedly fulfilled.

I congratulate Jensen on this well-deserved recognition and on his quick thinking. Thanking Tom Woodruff

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a remarkable man whose passion for history has led to the immortalization of some of Iowa's forgotten heroes. Tom Woodruff stands as a testament to the dedication and tenacity in preserving the legacy of the Littleton brothers, Union soldiers who gallantly fought during the Civil War.

Tom's journey began with a faded scrapbook, a gift that sparked a relentless pursuit of truth. Through decades of meticulous research and community-driven efforts, he immortalized the Littleton brothers in granite, ensuring that their story endures along the Great River Road.

His leadership in constructing the Toolesboro memorial exemplifies his commitment to honoring our past with dignity and respect. His unwavering dedication and selfless service to Louisa County's history resonate deeply with us all.

I thank Tom Woodruff for his indomitable spirit and for reminding us that history, when cherished and honored, binds us together as a community and Nation. Congratulating Iowa Hawkeyes Participating in Summer Olympics

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor all the Iowa Hawkeyes who have qualified for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

These incredible athletes, ranging from disciplines like wrestling, track and field, rowing, and basketball, embody the excellence and determination encouraged in Iowa City.

The athletes competing have worked hard their entire lives for this opportunity, the opportunity to represent their countries in the sport that they love while the entire world watches them. Their journey to this global stage exemplifies the dedication and resilience that define what it means to be a Hawkeye.

As they prepare to represent Iowa and showcase their skills before the world, let us unite in cheering them on and sending our support. May their performances inspire future generations of athletes. Bring home the gold. As always, go Hawkeyes.

Mr. Speaker, I wish a very boisterous happy birthday to my sister Mari-Eleanor Martino.

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