[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 220 (Monday, December 28, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING JOSH NUSS AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 28, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, today I want to honor an Iowan who is 
fighting for change and assistance for those who have amyotrophic 
lateral sclerosis, ALS or also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Executive 
Director of the Iowa ALS Society, Josh Nuss, has been a leading 
champion in our state for those diagnosed with this tragic, progressive 
and misunderstood disease. I am proud to honor Josh as our Iowan of the 
Week.
  Earlier in December, I was proud to vote for a bill that ensure those 
who have ALS can receive social security benefits as soon as they 
receive their diagnosis. I'm glad to see that bill signed into law, 
which is going to offer financial assistance to those with this 
disease. But perhaps no one was more excited to see this legislation 
pass than Josh, who listened to the vote happen live as it passed the 
Senate and then the House. Josh said it was amazing to hear Senators 
and Representatives from across the country speak on behalf of those 
with ALS. He hopes too that this bill will open the door to other rare 
diseases and illnesses who need assistance too.
  Josh's work with ALS began in 2004 when he first met Iowans with this 
rare but fatal disease. When in 2014, he had the opportunity to join 
the Iowa ALS Chapter, he jumped at it. The work he does is deeply 
meaningful because he is ``helping the best people at the worst time of 
their lives'', he said. As part of Executive Director for Iowa ALS, 
Josh's work include advocacy and supporting our community. Iowa ALS 
helps those with ALS learn about their care options, invest in 
research, and hold community events like the annual ``Walk for ALS'' 
here in Des Moines and the national Ice Bucket Challenge that raises 
money--and awareness--for those with ALS. As part of Josh's work, he 
makes multiple trips from Iowa to Washington D.C. each year, meeting 
with our lawmakers to rally support for ALS research, funding, and of 
course this bill. Josh made this trip on behalf of Iowans with ALS who 
could not, bringing their stories to legislators across Iowa and 
Washington.
  Josh's passion for Iowa is clear. He's served our communities in so 
many ways and we're lucky to have him during this extremely difficult 
time, as the pandemic has not only been frightening for those with 
longterm illnesses, like ALS, but the economic strain on our nonprofits 
across the country. Although the pandemic has changed the way Josh and 
the Iowa ALS provide help, they still make sure they are providing the 
same level of care for Iowans and their families. Josh credits his 
amazing co-workers, caring board members, and volunteers across the 
state who all work together and of course his wife, Kate, and their 
twin daughters Lydia and Taylor--who would like the record to show they 
are 12 and a half. ``We are Iowa'' he said, explaining that Iowans 
pitch in and help each other in times of need. It is Josh's love for 
his fellow Iowans, passion for change, and service to our community 
that I am proud to name him Iowan of the Week.

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