[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 191 (Monday, December 2, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAY GRASSLEY

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, my 
wife Barbara and I traveled to Carroll, IA, for the induction of our 
youngest son, Jay Grassley, to the Iowa Girls Coaches' Association Hall 
of Fame. Jay earned this honor through his work over the last 29 years 
as a volleyball official. Jay has officiated the most Iowa high school 
volleyball finals in history with 14 games. With one exception, Jay has 
officiated at every Iowa State volleyball tournament since 1995. This 
outstanding record demonstrates Jay's dedication to his work as an 
official.
  In addition to his officiating, Jay has been a coach and mentor to 
volleyball players for more than 30 years. His interest in volleyball 
started when he was a student at the University of Northern Iowa. Jay 
started the Six Pack Volleyball Club in 1990, and after years of 
building a strong reputation, his team earned the USA Volleyball 18s 
Division National Championship title in 2011.
  As I travel across Iowa for my annual 99 county meetings, I often run 
into Iowans whose relationship with Jay has had a lasting impact. They 
commonly ask that I tell Jay ``hi'' and follow with a story of how he 
was a mentor and coach to them or one of their children. As a father, 
those are heartwarming sentiments for me to hear. Jay's kind nature and 
motivational spirit help him to connect with people of all ages and 
make his influence all the more worthwhile. At the hall of fame 
induction, Jay's fellow coaches and officials described him as ``one 
of, if not the best, official(s) out there.''
  Barbara and I are very proud of Jay being named to the Iowa Girls 
Coaches' Association Hall of Fame.

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