CONGRATULATING CONGRESSIONAL WRITING COMPETITION WINNERS

On 2024-12-10, Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1) delivered a floor speech titled "CONGRATULATING CONGRESSIONAL WRITING COMPETITION WINNERS" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered the economy, taxes.

CONGRATULATING CONGRESSIONAL WRITING COMPETITION WINNERS

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)] [House] [Pages H6539-H6540] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING CONGRESSIONAL WRITING COMPETITION WINNERS The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes. Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the winners of our first ever congressional writing competition. I asked students from around Iowa's First Congressional District, elementary, middle, and high school, to submit an essay about what makes Iowa special. Given that the University of Iowa has the Writers' Workshop, writing in Iowa is a known quantity. I was moved by the quality of writing our students in Iowa possess and their unwavering love for Iowa. The winners are: Katelyn Cope, sixth grader from Newton; Adele Decker, sixth grader from Newton; Sawyer Rhoades, sixth grader from Keokuk; Georgia Clark, eighth grader from West Liberty; Gwenavier Spalding, ninth grader from Anamosa; Kayden Wherry, ninth grader from Anamosa; Yuchen Gong, 11th grader from Iowa City; and Justin Chapman, 12th grader from Williamsburg. The winners will receive a certificate of achievement as well as a flag flown over the Capitol building. I congratulate these dedicated students. I look forward to seeing all of their contributions to Iowa in the future. Congratulating the Iowa Hawkeyes Football Team Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Iowa Hawkeyes football team on another winning season. Led by the breakout running back Kaleb Johnson, who finished the regular season with 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns, the Hawkeyes finished 8-4, with key wins coming against Washington, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. This season was a historical one for our longtime coach, Kirk Ferentz. Coach Ferentz clinched his 204th career win on November 29 and is now only one win away from the all-time record for wins in the Big 10. While the regular season may be over, there is still more football to be played. On December 30, the Iowa Hawkeyes will be taking on the number 19 in the country, the Missouri Tigers, in the Music City Bowl in Nashville. I once again congratulate the Hawkeyes on a great season and wish them all the best in their bowl game. Go Hawks. Giving Veterans Tools to Thrive Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Veterans SPORT Act, legislation I introduced to ensure that our Nation's veterans have access to adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and recreational activities as part of their medical benefits. Currently, veterans eligible for VA medical services can receive artificial limbs, but those wishing to engage in sports and recreation lack access to specialized equipment. This bill amends title 38 of the United States Code to include these critical devices, allowing veterans to pursue activities that support their physical and mental well-being. Sports and recreation are vital components to rehabilitation, promoting fitness, social interaction, a sense of accomplishment, and the sense of being a whole person once again. The Veterans SPORT Act empowers veterans to regain independence and participate fully in activities they love. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and ensure our veterans have the tools they need to thrive. Misguided EV Mandates Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of President Trump's commitment to ending the misguided EV mandates set by the Biden-Harris administration. While our country and our automakers need to make EVs to combat the Chinese Communist Party and electric vehicles have their place in the market, the American people should not be forced into adopting them. Hundreds of millions of Americans rely on combustion engine vehicles in their daily lives, and these mandates are driving up the cost for families who can least afford it. In just 2 years, the Biden administration allocated $7.5 billion in taxpayer funds for EV chargers, yet only eight [[Page H6540]] stations have been completed. This failure highlights the need for a more thoughtful approach, one that assesses cost and benefit and one that respects consumer choice and avoids unnecessary government intervention. President Trump understands that a thriving economy is built on freedom and choice, not top-down mandates. Under his leadership, the American people will have the freedom to make their own decisions without the overreach of Washington. Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, Merriam-Webster has named ``polarization'' the word of year. While that may reflect current times, it should also serve as a reminder that we must work harder to bridge the growing divide in our Nation. Too often, political discourse has become hostile, with one side labeling their opponents as extremists for advocating commonsense solutions like securing our borders, lowering costs, or commonsense solutions that are helping hardworking families and ensuring fairness in women's sports. I am optimistic that we can begin to heal these divisions and put America back on track. We must come together to prioritize policies that promote economic growth, strengthen national security, and restore the American Dream. As we move into a new year, let us focus on the values that unite us and work for the betterment of all Americans. ____________________