The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING CLARKE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL INDIANS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the recent success of a high school football team in Iowa's Second District. For the first time in 31 years, the Clarke Community High School Indians are headed to the playoffs. The team finished the regular season with a 5-and-3 record, which is also a first in 31 years.
Although their season had plenty of ups and downs, the team persevered and worked hard to make their community proud. They will be traveling up to Williamsburg, Iowa, tomorrow, October 22, to take on the Raiders in the first round of the playoffs. I am confident that Clarke will make the Second District proud.
Congratulations to Coach Quinlan and his staff, and all the players, and the entire Clarke County community on their success, and good luck tomorrow night.
Save our Servicemembers
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss an issue that has become a national crisis and that must be immediately addressed. Serving in the Army for 24 years as both a nurse and a physician, from the Vietnam era to the first Gulf War, I have seen many of my fellow veterans suffer from anxiety, depression, survivor's guilt, and PTSD. Many veterans are still living with those scars, and without proper care and treatment, mental health crises can make everyday life a struggle or even life-threatening for them or their families.
Yesterday, I partnered with my fellow veterans, Congressman Ruben Gallego, a corporal in the Marine Corps, Senator Joni Ernst, a fellow veteran and a fellow Army lieutenant colonel, and Senator Mark Kelly, a captain in the Navy, to introduce the Save Our Servicemembers Act.
This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would direct the Pentagon to evaluate the effectiveness of their suicide prevention efforts and to improve its data collection, reduce bureaucratic duplication, and strengthen collaboration between its offices.
I am heartbroken at the continued rise in suicides in the veteran community and our military communities. It is no secret that our servicemembers often face invisible challenges when they return to civilian life, and we need to do a better job addressing their needs and the needs of their families.
We need to look into all of our mental health and suicide prevention programs to better service our heroes, and I am proud to partner with an incredible group of veterans in Congress on this legislation.
To our servicemembers and our veterans, I want you to know that you are not alone and there are people who care and are trained to help you in any mental health crisis you might face.
I encourage everyone to check in on your family and your friends because sometimes the deepest wounds are the ones that we cannot see.
Mourning the Loss of State Trooper Ted Benda
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tragic loss of one of Iowa's heroes.
Yesterday, October 20, Iowa State Trooper Ted Benda passed away from injuries sustained during a crash while responding to a call for help to detain a wanted suspect in Clayton County.
Over his 16-year public safety career, Trooper Benda served with honor and courage each and every day. Trooper Benda began his public safety career with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation in 2005. He later moved to the Special Enforcement Operations Bureau, and finally, to the Iowa State Patrol, admirably serving communities in Northeast Iowa.
It is days like this when we are reminded of the sacrifices so many of our law enforcement officers make every day. I am proud to say that I was always ready to support them and do whatever I could in Congress to ensure that they are properly funded, trained, and equipped. Trooper Benda was a hero, not just in his community, but to all of Iowa. His years of dedication and service will never be forgotten.
My thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Benda's wife, Holly, their four young children, all of his loved ones, and the entire Iowa State Patrol family.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 185
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up