[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 22 (Friday, February 5, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E112-E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING LARRY WINUM AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 5, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Winum, 
community banker and President of the Mills County Economic Development 
Foundation in Glenwood, Iowa. Larry's

[[Page E113]]

outstanding service to his neighbors and fellow Iowans during some of 
the most challenging times in the last 18 months is why I recognize him 
as my Iowan of the Week.
  Iowans in Mills and Freemont counties had not only a tough 2020, but 
a difficult 2019. Massive flooding hit these two counties in early 2019 
and devastated communities like Pacific Junction. And of course, in 
2020, every community has suffered the economic impacts of COVID-19. 
Many families lost their businesses, their homes, and their jobs. Just 
as many folks were getting back on their feet from the floods, they 
were knocked down again by the virus. That's where Larry comes in.
  Larry has over 30 years of experience working at the Glenwood State 
Bank, so he's seen a lot. He helped many of our family, friends, and 
neighbors during the 2008 economic recession, helped to bring new 
economic development to Southwest Iowa, and was instrumental in 
building a new commerce highway to southwest Iowa. Madam Speaker, the 
truth is I could go on and on about Larry's accomplishments. Frankly, I 
don't know of a business or good cause in Southwest Iowa Larry hasn't 
been a part of. Therefore, you know how difficult the last two years 
have been when even he admits it's been hard on everyone.
  Larry has been right there to help us rebuild time and time again. 
Not only did the Glenwood Bank and Larry help over 150 customers in 
need of assistance during the pandemic, resulting in over $9.5 million 
in assistance for businesses impacted by COVID-19, they also hosted a 
water distribution location for those who lost everything in the 2019 
floods. ``It's not hard to do because it's the right thing to do'' he 
said, because those are the values Larry lives by. Larry and I saw each 
other as we toured the devastating flooding, both of us offering as 
much support and assistance as we could. As I fought in Congress to 
help bring relief faster to Iowa, Larry worked to distribute that 
assistance, answer questions, and right now he's working to help build 
new, affordable housing which is sorely needed.
  As a part of the family owned bank that has been in business for 120 
years, Larry doesn't see his work as anything extraordinary. He's proud 
of his friends and neighbors who pulled together ``like a family'', he 
feels, saying that ``everyone just rallies around each other in 
difficult times.'' I will point out that working nearly 24 hours a day, 
seven days a week to help businesses apply for and receive essential 
PPP loans to keep them in business is Larry going above and beyond. 
Larry feels that his work was just one small part of helping our 
communities. He credits his coworkers, local leaders, local businesses, 
and small-town values of Iowans for helping raise money, deliver meals, 
offer donations, and so much more. Larry, like any Iowan, can't imagine 
not helping when his community is in need and that's exactly why I want 
to honor Larry as Iowan of the Week.

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