[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 207 (Wednesday, December 1, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H6717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  MARC MOEN IS KEEPING IOWA BEAUTIFUL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a man from 
my district for his commitment to keeping Iowa beautiful and preserving 
some of our most treasured historical sites.
  Marc Moen, a developer in Iowa City, was recently presented with the 
Iowa Architectural Foundation's 2021 Community Enhancement Through 
Architecture and Design Award. The awards program recognizes 
individuals, organizations, agencies, or communities outside the 
architectural profession who have demonstrated consistent and effective 
leadership, vision, and support for architecture, or have continually 
championed the cause of architecture in ways that contribute to the 
betterment of Iowa communities.
  Marc began his architectural work in 1985 when he advocated to save 
the first brick house in Iowa City from being razed and began restoring 
the building instead. Since then, Marc has worked to make Iowa City the 
beautiful community it is today.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Marc for his dedication to our 
community and to our State.


         Lewis Payne Is Carrying on Iowa's Family Farm Heritage

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a man from my 
district for continuing his family legacy of leadership in Iowa 
agriculture.
  This year, Lewis Payne of Kalona was awarded the Heritage Award by 
the Iowa Farm Bureau. The Heritage Award recognizes agriculture 
industry leaders who have carried on the tradition of farming family-
owned land.
  Known as the Pickard Farm, Lewis' 261.4-acre plot of land was 
originally purchased by his great-great-grand uncle over 172 years ago 
and was passed from Lewis' great-grandfather down to his grandfather, 
then eventually to his mother, who then passed the land down to Lewis, 
who had been raised on that farm helping his parents.
  When asked about the future of his family farm, Lewis said that his 
goal is to be a steward of the land and eventually pass it down to the 
next generation.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Lewis for continuing a fantastic Iowa 
family tradition and for making Iowa a better place to live, work, and 
raise a family.


                           4 Paws for Ability

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share a heartwarming 
story about total strangers coming together to make a positive impact 
in a child's life in my district.
  Six-year-old Keagan Berding of Bettendorf, Iowa, loves to run. 
Diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, Keagan is nonverbal, but he is 
very social and has several passions, including playing outside with 
other children, showing affection through hugs, and watching videos on 
his tablet.
  Because of Keagan's love of running, extra measures are needed to 
ensure his safety, and this is where a fantastic organization has come 
in to assist Keagan and his parents. 4 Paws for Ability is a group that 
provides and trains service animals to assist people like the Berding 
family across the globe. Currently the organization has raised over 
$43,000 toward providing Keagan with a fully trained service dog, with 
the largest single donation being $10,000 from a complete stranger 
whose own child has benefited from a service animal.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for 4 Paws for Ability and everyone who 
has contributed for striving to make positive impacts in the lives of 
children like Keagan all over the world.

                          ____________________