[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 84 (Friday, May 14, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E525-E526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING JEFF MILLER AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 14, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeff Miller, the 
retired West Des Moines police officer who is currently walking across 
the entire state of Iowa in honor of his sister Linda, who passed away 
from Alzheimer's disease.
  Jeff has been hiking across the state for about a week now in the 
hopes of raising money and awareness for Alzheimer's disease. He 
started his cross-state journey on Saturday the 24th in Akron and plans 
to follow

[[Page E526]]

Highway 3 to Dubuque, which is approximately 325 miles east, 
documenting his journey via YouTube along the way. Jeff has been 
camping when he can, but the kindhearted people of Iowa have also 
opened their homes and sponsored hotel stays for Jeff so he can be well 
rested enough to resume his treks the next day. Jeff has also opened 
his walk to anyone who wishes to walk alongside him, if only for a mile 
or two.
  Jeff's sister Linda was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer's in 
2012 and lost her battle five years later. According to Jeff's page on 
the Walk to End Alzheimer's website, Linda always referred to Jeff as 
her ``bratty little brother,'' but you can't doubt the closeness the 
two shared as he makes his way to the Mississippi River.
  Jeff is asking for donations to the Alzheimer's Association in honor 
of Linda and those who have been affected by the disease. The 
Alzheimer's Association provides care to all those facing Alzheimer's. 
Their goals and missions are to drive research toward treatment, 
prevention and, ultimately a cure, as well as speak up for the needs 
and rights of people affected by Alzheimer's disease.
  Jeff's goal with this hike is to raise awareness and donations, but 
he also wishes for it to be a beacon of hope and understanding for 
people. He hopes it reminds Iowans to love their family and friends, 
and to hold each other as close as they can for as long as they can.
  It is incredibly honorable to use your voice to raise awareness for 
those who cannot always raise awareness for themselves, but actions 
sometimes speak louder than words. Jeff's devotion to his family and to 
the cause are undoubtedly admirable, and we as Iowans will continue to 
cheer Jeff on in his mission to bring awareness to Alzheimer's disease. 
It is my honor to recognize Jeff Miller as our Iowan of the Week.

                          ____________________