[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3840-H3841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING ANDY MERFELD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Emmer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Andy Merfeld, an outstanding educator from my district, for being named 
Principal of the Year by the Central Minnesota Association of Secondary 
Principals. The Central Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals 
consists of over 200 administrators from more than 18 counties. The 
Principal of the Year is selected for excellence as a collaborative 
leader, unique curriculum, and personalization. With this

[[Page H3841]]

distinction, Principal Merfeld will be considered for the Principal of 
the Year award.
  As principal of St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West, and after 
16 years with the St. Michael-Albertville school district, Principal 
Merfeld has built a legacy as an educator and as a leader. He goes 
above and beyond, serving on the district's finance advisory committee 
and co-chairing a working group that aims to expand math opportunities 
for high-achieving middle school students.
  To Principal Merfeld, thank you and congratulations. Minnesota's 
Sixth District is grateful for dedicated educators like you.


                              Capital One

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Capital One, its 
executive team, and its employees for their generosity and commitment 
to our local communities.
  Since 2012, Capital One has generously donated over $80,000 to the 
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota to support the mission of 
enabling young people to reach their full potential.
  In particular, a Capital One grant to fund Project Learn helps 
advance the goal of equipping our kids with coding skills to meet the 
needs of the future. Capital One recognizes the importance of STEM- and 
tech-related skills to the future of our Nation, and I thank them for 
investing in our Nation's future leaders.
  Thank you, Capital One, for your commitment to the young people of 
central Minnesota. We are grateful for your team in our community.


             Recognizing Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Anoka Ramsey 
Athletic Association, a volunteer service organization, committed to 
providing opportunity for students across all skill levels to play and 
compete in recreational athletics. Comprised of coaches, parents, 
directors, commissioners, and board members, the organization serves 
nearly 40,000 Minnesotans each year.
  For over 40 years, Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association has sought to 
provide character development through competition. Selfless volunteers 
have donated over 300,000 hours planning, coaching, training, 
maintaining fields, working concessions, and overall operations to 
ensure that our kids have the opportunity to participate in sports like 
baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, softball, volleyball, 
wrestling, tennis, and soccer.
  To the volunteers of the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association for your 
decades of service, thank you.


          Congratulating St. Cloud State University Wrestling

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the St. Cloud State 
University Wrestling team for winning this year's NCAA Division II 
National Championship. The young men on this team strive every year for 
excellence, and for the third time in the last 4 years, it paid off. 
But this year was special.
  For the first time in Husky history, the team also clinched four 
titles in one season. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference 
title, the National Duals, and Regional and National tournament titles 
were all achieved. The perseverance and success of our Husky wrestlers 
reminds us all that when you commit to excellence and you work hard, 
the results will follow.
  Congratulations to the outstanding student athlete wrestlers of the 
St. Cloud State Wrestling team for your remarkable achievement and 
another memorable season.


          Recognizing Teachers, Coaches, and First Responders

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
teachers, coaches, and first responders who saved the life of my 
constituent, Ryan Monahan of Big Lake, Minnesota. Ryan, who is only 15 
years old and a student at Monticello High School, unexpectedly went 
into sudden cardiac arrest after a basketball practice.
  The quick thinking and preparedness of the people around him saved 
his life. A call was immediately placed to 911 and five heroic coaches 
and teachers worked together to use the automated external 
defibrillator to revive Ryan. We are grateful to all who helped save 
Ryan's life.
  Ryan was lucky. Unfortunately, more than 7,000 Americans lose their 
life to sudden cardiac arrest every year. It is my hope that Ryan's 
story serves as a reminder to all of us of the value of being prepared 
for an emergency like this.
  Our local community back home in Minnesota is so grateful to those 
who reacted so swiftly, as well as all of the first responders who 
saved Ryan. Thank you all.

                          ____________________