[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING COACH JERREMIAH JOHNSON AND ASSISTANT COACH BRETT BARTA 
                   ON THEIR COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Emmer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, many years ago, an outstanding coach from my 
home State of Minnesota once said, ``I learned early on that you do not 
put greatness into people but somehow try to pull it out.'' That coach 
was Herb Brooks, who led Team USA to victory at the 1980 Olympics. 
Minnesota is home to many outstanding coaches who carry on the legacy 
of Coach Brooks every day.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two of my district's 
incredible coaches for receiving awards from the Minnesota Hockey 
Coaches Association. St. Michael-Albertville High School's Jerremiah 
Johnson achieved the AA John Mariucci coach of the year award, and 
Andover High School's Brett Barta received the assistant head coach of 
the year award.
  In Minnesota, we treat the sport of hockey as a lifestyle, and our 
youth coaches spend a lot of time with our young people. I am proud 
that coaches like Coach Johnson and Coach Barta are carrying on the 
legacy of Minnesota legends like John Mariucci and Herb Brooks and 
pulling the greatness out of our young athletes every day.
  Thank you, Jerremiah and Brett, for passing on lessons in 
perseverance, integrity, and the great game of hockey to the next 
generation.


   Celebrating the St. Michael-Albertville High School Wrestling Team

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the St. Michael-
Albertville High School wrestling team for winning their first-ever 
undisputed Class 3A State title. The young men on this team came close 
to winning in 2013. Due to a tie, however, they had to share the title 
with another team. But not this year. This year, the St. Michael-
Albertville High School wrestling team finished what they started.
  Congratulations to the wrestlers of St. Michael-Albertville High 
School for your first State championship. We expect many more.


Recognizing Tammy Oveson for Being Named National Childcare Provider of 
                               the Month

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tammy Oveson of 
Waite Park, Minnesota. Tammy is an outstanding childcare provider in 
Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District. She operates Learn `n Play 
Preschool and was recently named National Childcare Provider of the 
Month for her dedication to early childhood development and learning 
techniques.
  Mr. Speaker, right now in Minnesota, at this moment, Tammy and her 
assistant, Karla, are working with young children who will one day grow 
up to be great citizens and, hopefully, leaders of this great Nation. 
Tammy and Karla's work keeps Minnesota and our Nation moving forward. I 
am grateful for them and all of our childcare providers, teachers, 
counselors, and educators who are fostering future generations of 
Americans across the country.
  I am honored to recognize Tammy today and thank and congratulate her 
on the incredible work she does for young Minnesotans.


    Honoring the Life and Legacy of Vietnam Veteran Leo K. Thorsness

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Vietnam veterans, 
to remember the heroes who served our great Nation during the most 
expansive war in American history. To those who have passed and those 
still living, we offer our humble and eternal thank you. While you may 
not have always received a warm welcome or the gratitude you deserve, 
we honor your sacrifice to this Nation, now and forever.
  The great State of Minnesota is home to many of these incredible 
heroes, and today I am proud to honor the life and legacy of Leo K. 
Thorsness, who was recently interred at Arlington National Cemetery. 
Leo was Minnesota's last living recipient of the Medal of Honor. He 
deserved that great honor and distinction for the incredible courage he 
displayed in the Vietnam war.
  During his time in Vietnam, Leo was captured and imprisoned for 6 
years, spending one full year in solitary confinement. In honor of 
brave men like Leo, I rise today to say thank you. Thank you for your 
service, your sacrifice, and your willingness to put your life on the 
line and fight to preserve America's values.


          Recognizing Anoka County Special Deputy Vern Waldner

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Vern Waldner of 
Anoka County, Minnesota. After serving for 26 years as special deputy 
with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office reserve program, Vern is 
retiring.
  Local communities are made better by people like Vern who are willing 
to give their time and service to help others. Simply put, he made 
Anoka a safer place to live.
  For nearly three decades, Vern ensured the safety of families during 
each annual Anoka Halloween Parade, an event so large and so widely 
attended, it has earned Anoka the title ``Halloween Capital of the 
World.'' Vern was at that parade every year, dedicated to protecting 
his neighbors and friends.
  As a community, we are grateful for Vern and congratulate him on 
being the second longest serving reserve deputy in Anoka County 
history. Thank you, Vern. We wish you a long and happy retirement.

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