[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 185 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H5735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            CELEBRATING CLARKE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL INDIANS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
recent success of a high school football team in Iowa's Second 
District. For the first time in 31 years, the Clarke Community High 
School Indians are headed to the playoffs. The team finished the 
regular season with a 5-and-3 record, which is also a first in 31 
years.
  Although their season had plenty of ups and downs, the team 
persevered and worked hard to make their community proud. They will be 
traveling up to Williamsburg, Iowa, tomorrow, October 22, to take on 
the Raiders in the first round of the playoffs. I am confident that 
Clarke will make the Second District proud.
  Congratulations to Coach Quinlan and his staff, and all the players, 
and the entire Clarke County community on their success, and good luck 
tomorrow night.


                        Save our Servicemembers

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss an issue 
that has become a national crisis and that must be immediately 
addressed. Serving in the Army for 24 years as both a nurse and a 
physician, from the Vietnam era to the first Gulf War, I have seen many 
of my fellow veterans suffer from anxiety, depression, survivor's 
guilt, and PTSD. Many veterans are still living with those scars, and 
without proper care and treatment, mental health crises can make 
everyday life a struggle or even life-threatening for them or their 
families.
  Yesterday, I partnered with my fellow veterans, Congressman Ruben 
Gallego, a corporal in the Marine Corps, Senator Joni Ernst, a fellow 
veteran and a fellow Army lieutenant colonel, and Senator Mark Kelly, a 
captain in the Navy, to introduce the Save Our Servicemembers Act.
  This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would direct the Pentagon 
to evaluate the effectiveness of their suicide prevention efforts and 
to improve its data collection, reduce bureaucratic duplication, and 
strengthen collaboration between its offices.
  I am heartbroken at the continued rise in suicides in the veteran 
community and our military communities. It is no secret that our 
servicemembers often face invisible challenges when they return to 
civilian life, and we need to do a better job addressing their needs 
and the needs of their families.
  We need to look into all of our mental health and suicide prevention 
programs to better service our heroes, and I am proud to partner with 
an incredible group of veterans in Congress on this legislation.
  To our servicemembers and our veterans, I want you to know that you 
are not alone and there are people who care and are trained to help you 
in any mental health crisis you might face.
  I encourage everyone to check in on your family and your friends 
because sometimes the deepest wounds are the ones that we cannot see.


              Mourning the Loss of State Trooper Ted Benda

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
tragic loss of one of Iowa's heroes.
  Yesterday, October 20, Iowa State Trooper Ted Benda passed away from 
injuries sustained during a crash while responding to a call for help 
to detain a wanted suspect in Clayton County.
  Over his 16-year public safety career, Trooper Benda served with 
honor and courage each and every day. Trooper Benda began his public 
safety career with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation in 2005. 
He later moved to the Special Enforcement Operations Bureau, and 
finally, to the Iowa State Patrol, admirably serving communities in 
Northeast Iowa.
  It is days like this when we are reminded of the sacrifices so many 
of our law enforcement officers make every day. I am proud to say that 
I was always ready to support them and do whatever I could in Congress 
to ensure that they are properly funded, trained, and equipped. Trooper 
Benda was a hero, not just in his community, but to all of Iowa. His 
years of dedication and service will never be forgotten.
  My thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Benda's wife, Holly, their 
four young children, all of his loved ones, and the entire Iowa State 
Patrol family.

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