Shopping Small Business
Floor Speech
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the economic heartbeat of Iowa, our small businesses.
In Iowa, over 99 percent of businesses are small, many of which are family-owned. That is over 282,000 small businesses employing more than 616,000 people.
At a time of great economic uncertainty across the country, Iowa has been a beacon of hope and proven to be one of the best States to own and operate a business.
This past weekend, we celebrated Small Business Saturday encouraging folks to shop local for the holidays. As we approach Christmas and the New Year, I encourage Iowans and Americans everywhere to continue supporting small businesses and shopping local during this holiday season.
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and without them, we don't have large businesses and our Nation's economic engine would falter.
I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the vital contributions of small businesses in Iowa and across the country, and to continue advocating for their success. Recognizing Iowa Regional Teacher of the Year Kaitlin Mahoney
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the first- ever Iowa Regional Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Kaitlin Mahoney. Mrs. Mahoney has taught at Bettendorf High School for 11 years, molding the minds of our future generations.
Mrs. Mahoney believes that education begins with the ability to engage students. She has worked vigorously to adapt the school algebra curriculum, enabling hundreds of students to move on to higher education. She also works as a student counselor, pushing students toward achievements previously unthinkable.
It is the creativity and passion of educators like Mrs. Mahoney that will push this Nation across the finish line of our educational goals. The fostering of our youth must be at the forefront of concern in this Nation if it is to remain the greatest country in the world.
She will be competing against other finalists for the title of the 2025 Iowa Educator of the Year, the winner of which will be announced later this year. I wish Mrs. Mahoney all the luck in the world. Maintaining the Values of American Democracy
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5349, the Crucial Communism Teaching Act.
This important bill directs the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop a curriculum that teaches high school students about the dangers of communism and its conflict with the values of American democracy.
As communist nations continue ramping up their aggression toward the U.S., it is crucial that we educate the next generation on the stark realities of totalitarian regimes and human suffering caused by communism.
By providing students with these critical resources, we can help them understand the importance of liberty, individual rights, free markets, and the constitutional principles that define our Nation. This bill will prepare our young people to be responsible citizens who can safeguard the freedoms we hold dear.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5349 and ensure that future generations are educated on the lessons of history.
Recognizing the Iowa Computer Science Technology Association
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Iowa Computer Science Technology Association for helping Iowa rank amongst the top 10 States in the Nation for providing access to high-quality computer science education.
Iowa's top 10 ranking in the 2023-2024 academic year of computer science class availability beats the national average by 24 percent, with 84 percent of public schools offering computer science classes.
With computer and information technology jobs rising exponentially across the United States, the efforts of these passionate educators will be reflected in the success of Iowa's youth as they set the standard in the workforce.
As we move forward in the ever-changing technological climate, it is imperative that we continue to develop innovative ways of helping our students achieve success, not only on the national stage, but on the world stage, as well.
This is a win for the people of Iowa and for America. The fight for educational success is never over, and we must continue to prioritize education, continually aiming for a brighter future for our students. Honoring the 83rd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Saturday, December 7, will be the honoring and remembering of the 83rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, a day that will live in infamy, a day that claimed the lives of 2,403 American heroes.
On December 7, 1941, a peaceful Sunday morning was torn apart when Japan launched a surprise assault on our naval base in Hawaii. Ships were sunk, planes were destroyed, and lives were lost. Indeed, there is the USS Arizona Memorial that remains there today.
From this devastating attack, our Nation's strength and unity emerged. Pearl Harbor awakened an unshakable spirit of patriotism and resolve. Americans, ordinary men and women, answered the call to defend freedom and protect the ideals that make this country great and that continued democracy throughout the world.
Let us honor those who sacrificed everything and remember their courage and dedication. Their legacy lives on in the enduring strength of this Nation, which will never falter in the face of adversity and will always stand for freedom and justice.
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