[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1147-E1148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING DEBRA DeLAET AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring Professor Debra DeLaet, the 
Executive Director of the Iowa United Nations Association (UNA), for 
her dedication to protecting human rights and ending violence against 
women.
  November 25th marks the United Nation's International Day for the 
Elimination of Violence against Women, a day devoted to bringing 
awareness to intimate partner violence,

[[Page E1148]]

sexual violence and harassment, human trafficking, and more. Professor 
DeLaet has been passionate about gender equality and human rights from 
a young age. She developed her passion for international relations and 
global issues of human rights during her time at the University of 
Notre Dame where she received her master's in Peace Studies. She began 
teaching at Drake University in 1995, leading courses ranging from 
human rights to world politics.
  In 2019, Professor DeLaet was brought on as the Executive Director of 
the Iowa UNA, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that focuses on 
advocating for constructive U.S. global engagements and supporting the 
work of the UN. It is in this position that Professor DeLaet has been 
able to advocate for change on a larger scale. Gender equality and 
women's rights are two of the main focuses of the Iowa UNA, and 
Professor DeLaet takes pride in the organization's work which has 
focused on everything from refugees and human rights to female 
empowerment and environmental issues.
  In addition to teaching college students, Professor DeLaet speaks to 
young people about the Iowa UNA and the importance of caring about 
global issues. She encourages students to get involved so they can be 
advocates for their own future, as well as for the future of Iowa and 
our country. Many current Iowa UNA members have been involved for 
decades, some since their charter in 1953. The longtime membership of 
many in the Iowa UNA inspires Professor DeLaet to remain resilient and 
tenacious, and their dedication to the important work of the UN shows 
the universality of the issues the Iowa UNA focus on.
  Professor DeLaet's dedication to human rights, especially pertaining 
to women, is incredibly inspiring. She has been a lifelong advocate for 
equality among all people, and she continues to teach the next 
generation of leaders to support human rights and global involvement. 
Professor DeLaet hopes to see a new generation of Iowans get involved 
in the Iowa UNA and champion important issues such as gender equity. I 
am proud of the work that she and the Iowa UNA have done to continue 
these important discussions and stand up for decency and equality. 
Professor Debra DeLaet's many years of dedication and passion are 
exactly why we are inspired by her, and why I am honored to recognize 
her as our Iowan of the Week.

                          ____________________