[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 163 (Tuesday, September 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1000-E1001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING JOHN AND TASHA HOLBEN AS IOWANS OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 21, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John and Tasha 
Holben, letter carriers for the United States Postal Service and proud 
union members, as Iowans of the Week. John has faced the rain, wind, 
heat, and snow for 37 years to ensure the residents of Council Bluffs 
receive their mail in a timely manner. His wife, Tasha, has done the 
same for 17 years. I am proud to honor their dedication and years of 
service.
  Working families like John and Tasha's keep Iowa's communities 
strong. They put in the hours every week to get the job done, serving 
their neighbors and advocating for fellow workers along the way. As 
letter carriers in southwest Iowa--where so many families rely heavily 
on the mail for critical needs like prescription drugs, income, and 
supplies for their small business--the impact of their efforts is 
amplified.
  John and Tasha are long-time members of the National Association of 
Letter Carriers (NALC). John has been a member of the union his entire 
career, serving in various leadership roles for NALC Branch 314 such as 
president, officer, Sergeant at Arms, and now trustee. Tasha has also 
been an active member of Branch 314 and has served in several officer 
roles. As active union leaders, they've helped bargain collectively for 
decent wages

[[Page E1001]]

and benefits, safe working conditions, and a fair shake not only for 
themselves but also on behalf of their union brothers and sisters' 
families.
  The Holben's drive to serve their community goes beyond their day-to-
day duties. John and Tasha enjoy volunteering at the NALC's national 
food drive, which is held the second Saturday of May. Union members 
volunteer to pick up food and then transport it to local food pantries. 
Food pantries are always happy to see the influx of food in May, 
because oftentimes they see a slump in donations following winter 
holidays.
  John additionally serves as a pastor at the Community of Christ 
Church in Council Bluffs, where he, Tasha, and the congregation help 
clean up their neighborhood every Earth Day. Instead of hosting a 
normal church service on the Sunday closest to Earth Day, members of 
the church walk around and pick up litter. They're usually able to fill 
up several garbage bags as they clean up yards, streets, and sidewalks.
  As we celebrate Labor Day this week, I'm especially appreciative of 
John and Tasha, who have fought long and hard to maintain their union 
and ensure safe and reliable delivery of the mail to their neighbors. 
Through their activism and volunteer work, John and Tasha have made 
Council Bluffs a better place to live and work. Please join me in 
honoring John and Tasha as our Iowans of the Week.

                          ____________________