[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H211-H212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING CHRISTINE KUSTELSKI

  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 Christine 
Kustelski, the Southside unit director of the Boys & Girls Club of 
Central Minnesota, for her recent induction into the Youth Intervention 
Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor, one that only 86 individuals have 
received over the last 21 years, is given to members of our community 
who go above and beyond just working with our Nation's youth.
  Since 1997, Christine has worked in youth development at the Boys & 
Girls Club of Central Minnesota, serving nearly 1,200 K-12 youth. 
Christine assists a range of students, working with children living in 
foster care or with incarcerated parents or those who have experienced 
abuse, neglect, and severe poverty.

[[Page H212]]

  I thank Christine for meeting the needs of the youth in our community 
and for her service to others in need. I congratulate her on earning 
her place in the Youth Intervention Hall of Fame.


           Recognizing the Anoka County Human Services Staff

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Human Services 
staff in Anoka County, Minnesota, for receiving the Local Government 
Innovation Award. These Innovation Awards highlight counties, cities, 
townships, and schools that have found ways to make a bigger impact in 
their communities.

  Anoka County developed a new apprenticeship program called the 
Empowers Program. This volunteer initiative provides employment and 
training opportunities to the workforce of tomorrow.
  In a nation struggling with workforce shortages and a growing skills 
gap, this program helps young people identify what they want to do with 
their career. The program assists the participants with job searches, 
individual career planning, paid training, and achieving technical and 
occupational certificates. The program can even assist with basic needs 
like a bus pass, clothing for work, or books for school.
  Anoka County deserves to be recognized for its efforts to prepare our 
young people to join the workforce. With 7 million open jobs in this 
country, our young people need to be equipped to join our growing 
economy.
  I congratulate Anoka County.


      Recognizing Elk River Area School District's Excellence in 
                        Technological Education

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Elk River Area 
School District. As we closed out 2019, Elk River received an award for 
the district's efforts to lead in educational approaches involving 
technology. Sourcewell Technology's annual Impact Education Conference 
named technology specialists and leaders from the Elk River Area School 
District as the 2019 Technology Team of the Year.
  Elk River earned this prestigious award because of the work the 
district's technology team undertook to expand the services they 
provide to their students. Elk River now provides on-demand courses for 
teachers as well as online resources and training for students and 
families. In total, the Elk River Area School District has implemented 
e-learning options that are now available for nearly 14,000 students.
  We are fortunate for such incredible educators dedicated to 
innovating for their learners. I congratulate all the educators and 
administrators at Elk River Area School District for winning this well-
deserved award.


  Recognizing Rivers of Hope, Neighborhood Heroes Helping Victims of 
                           Domestic Violence

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rivers of Hope, a 
community-coordinated response to domestic violence.
  In the summer of 1989, a group of neighbors concerned about an 
increase in domestic violence banded together to create Rivers of Hope 
to provide victims with care and support from their community.
  Today, Rivers of Hope has expanded its scope of service, offering 
legal advocacy, education, support groups, referrals, and a 24/7 free 
and confidential crisis line for victims of domestic violence. The 
organization also operates a youth program and a criminal justice 
intervention program.
  In addition, Rivers of Hope has grown beyond the neighbors who 
founded the organization to now include corporate professionals, 
business leaders, public servants, public servants from Wright and 
Sherburne Counties, and other community leaders.
  I thank everyone who offers their time and effort to Rivers of Hope, 
making it the vital resource for victims in our communities. We are 
grateful for their dedication to making the Sixth Congressional 
District a better place to live and a safe place for everyone.

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