[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 9, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H3135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF MUCAAD HUSSEIN ABDALLA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Emmer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Mucaad 
Hussein Abdalla, known by his friends and family as Siraaj.
  Last month, a tragic incident took the lives of 157 individuals when 
an airplane crashed in Ethiopia. This unfortunate event took the lives 
of eight Americans, and one of those individuals was Mucaad Hussein 
Abdalla.
  Mucaad was a member of our community. Growing up in St. Cloud, 
Minnesota, he graduated from St. Cloud Apollo High School and began a 
career as a truck driver.
  To his friends and family, Mucaad was simply known by his nickname, 
Siraaj, meaning a light or a lamp. He brought laughter, joy, and light 
to those around him.
  We extend our most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones 
for their loss.


    Thanking KoriAnn Carter and the United Way of Central Minnesota

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize community resource 
navigator KoriAnn Carter and the United Way of Central Minnesota for 
working together on a pilot program to assist students and families at 
Lincoln Elementary School with food, housing assistance, mentoring, and 
after-school programs.
  In addition, I want to recognize the work KoriAnn does through a 
program called Girls On Arise To Succeed in partnership with the 
Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club, McKinley Area Learning Center, and 
CentraCare Health, which brings young girls together to discuss 
important life topics and provide guidance.
  For young women encountering family issues, experiencing 
homelessness, or struggling with mental health issues, this group gives 
them a space to talk to adults who care. Girls between 12 and 18 can 
participate in one of the girls groups where they learn lessons in 
healthy habits, the importance of education, how your current actions 
impact your future choices, leadership skills, goal setting, and 
gratitude.
  These groups have transformed students throughout the St. Cloud area, 
giving them an avenue to succeed as well as find community and 
fellowship.
  I thank KoriAnn and all the partners who make this possible. Their 
work to foster the next generation of leaders makes our corner of the 
world a better place.


                      Congratulating St. Cloud VA

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the St. Cloud VA 
for being one of only 18 hospitals nationwide to be selected to 
participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to establish 
the highest level of care for our military veterans.
  Our veterans and our community rely on the St. Cloud VA to provide 
the highest level of care possible already. So to those of us in the 
community, it comes as no surprise that our VA will now help lead the 
Nation and the VA system to help establish these standards.
  The selection is a great honor and testament to everyone who makes 
the St. Cloud VA the success it is today. The opportunity to lead our 
VA system to the highest standard of care for our Nation's heroes is 
indeed a high calling.
  Congratulations to the St. Cloud VA, and good luck in your mission.

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