[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H3769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               VACCINATING TO STOP RISE OF DELTA VARIANT

  (Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the issue of 
vaccinations, vaccine hesitancy, and the rising rates of the COVID-19 
delta variant.
  For the last few months, I have traveled across my district 
administering vaccines to Iowans. It has been a pleasure to see my 
constituents and the entire country have a renewed sense of freedom and 
begin to return to normal.
  But fully engaged living is threatened by the delta variant, which is 
causing increased hospitalizations and death, especially among those 
unvaccinated. Those vaccinated have a much milder course of disease.
  It is miraculous to have three safe and effective vaccines for COVID-
19 so rapidly. However, this speed of development may give some 
Americans pause. Therefore, it is critical to emphasize that no safety 
shortcuts were taken and reassure our constituents that they are safe 
and effective.
  Decades of research informed the development of these breakthrough 
vaccines, and millions have been vaccinated with tremendously low risk. 
Given the rise in the delta variant, I would once again encourage 
everyone to get a vaccine as soon as possible so that we continue our 
path to normalcy and not go back to lockdowns and mask mandates.

  This vaccine is how we get back to normal and get our lives back. If 
you have questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this time to wish the youngest 
of 10 in our family, Mari-Eleanor Martino, a happy birthday.

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