[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8788-H8789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING COLONEL ANTHONY POLASHEK ON 32 YEARS IN THE AIR FORCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Emmer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Colonel Anthony 
Polashek on his retirement from the U.S. Air Force after 32 years of 
service.
  Colonel Polashek graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an 
officer training school, before commissioning into the Air Force.
  During his long career, Colonel Polashek's deployments included 
Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom 
and Enduring Freedom. By the end of his distinguished career, he logged 
more than 5,800 flight hours as a command pilot, more than 500 of which 
were in combat.
  Since 2016, Colonel Polashek has served as commander of the 934th 
Airlift Wing, located at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air 
Reserve Station, overseeing 12 squadrons with more than 1,400 airmen.
  Minnesota has been fortunate to have such an accomplished member of 
our Nation's Armed Forces lead the charge and train our airmen and -
women of tomorrow.
  Again, we congratulate Colonel Polashek on his retirement, and we 
wish him the best as he moves to his next chapter.


Recognizing Nancy Libersky's Lifetime of Service to the Small Business 
                               Community

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Small Business 
Administration's Minnesota district director, Nancy Libersky, on her 
retirement.
  District Director Libersky has served our great State of Minnesota 
for 28 years. She will be missed.
  Nancy's time at the SBA in Minnesota began in 1994 as the regional 
manager for SBA's Twin City's international trade programs. In this 
capacity, Nancy helped hundreds of Minnesota businesses compete in the 
global marketplace.
  At the same time, Nancy also served as an adjunct instructor at Saint 
Paul College and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to sit 
on the Minnesota District Export Council.
  Mr. Speaker, we thank Nancy for almost three decades of service to 
Small Business Minnesota, and we wish her the best in her retirement.


   The Wall Family, Minnesota Family Business Award of 2019 Recipient

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Wall family 
of Highland Bank in St. Michael, Minnesota, for receiving the 2019 
Minnesota Family Business Award.
  The Walls have proudly owned and operated the bank for more than four 
decades, serving as a lifeline for their customers and their community.
  As a small financial institution, the financial crisis took its toll 
on Highland and families in and around St. Michael. Nevertheless, the 
Wall family persevered and led their bank and their community during a 
very difficult economic time.
  The resiliency and community-focused nature of banks like Highland 
are essential to helping Minnesotans

[[Page H8789]]

and Americans pursue and achieve their American Dream. Family-owned 
institutions like the Highland Bank understand the needs of their 
neighbors and business owners and, in turn, empower families and local 
economies on Main Streets across our country.
  I congratulate the Highland Bank and the Wall family on their 
recognition and thank them for all they do for St. Michael and 
Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District.

                              {time}  1015


        Recognizing the Centennial of the Minnesota Farm Bureau

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish the Minnesota Farm 
Bureau Federation a very happy 100th birthday.
  For 100 years, the Minnesota Farm Bureau has been an ally and 
advocate for growers, ranchers, and producers across the 87 counties in 
Minnesota. Even after a century of work, the Minnesota Farm Bureau 
remains the leading voice for farmers, their families, and the 
agriculture community at large.
  I want to give a special thanks to Minnesota Farm Bureau President 
Kevin Paap and Vice President Dan Glessing, both of whom go above and 
beyond to advocate for their members.
  I would also like to recognize Amber Hanson Glaeser, the bureau's 
director of public policy, who always keeps our office apprised of the 
challenges facing our agricultural families and their community.
  It has been an honor to work with everyone at the Minnesota Farm 
Bureau throughout my time in Congress, and I am grateful for the 
opportunity to wish them all a happy 100th birthday.


 Honoring the Life of Stacy Manning and Her Legacy of Helping Families

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Stacy 
Manning from Zimmerman, Minnesota.
  Stacy tragically passed away earlier this year, leaving behind a 
legacy of compassion and support for Minnesota families working through 
the process of adoption.
  Stacy and her husband, Pat, had three children of their own when they 
decided to adopt three more. While working to meet the challenges that 
adoption can bring with a family of six, Stacy realized that other 
adoptive parents were experiencing many of the same challenges.
  Stacy wanted to help, so she established Hope Connections, a support 
network designed to connect with families for adoption coaching and 
education.
  Stacy's work touched the lives of thousands of families across this 
country.
  This week, Stacy's family is in Washington to honor her memory and 
receive the Angels in Adoption award that Stacy earned for the work 
that she believed in so deeply.
  Stacy may no longer be with us, but her spirit and Hope Connections' 
mission lives on through her son Andrew, who continues her legacy in 
assisting those experiencing the challenges that adoption can bring.
  Stacy's impact on so many Minnesotans will never be forgotten.

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