[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING MAJOR GENERAL BENJAMIN CORELL ON HIS RETIREMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major 
General Benjamin Corell of Strawberry Point, Iowa, for his outstanding 
service as a 37-year member of the Iowa National Guard.
  Major General Corell retired last week after serving as Iowa National 
Guard's top general since 2019, leading the Guard through the COVID 
pandemic.
  Throughout his decorated career, Major General Corell has deployed 
overseas to Iraq, Afghanistan, Romania, and Kuwait, and has led several 
of the National Guard's infantry divisions. He retired with a master's 
degree and a career full of military awards and accomplishments.
  Major General Corell plans to spend his retirement with his wife, 
Beth, and their seven grandchildren, passing along the values that 
guided him through his career. All three of his sons are 
noncommissioned officers in the Iowa Army National Guard. I wish them 
the very best as they follow in the footsteps of an excellent father 
and role model.
  Coming from a financially challenged family in rural Iowa with no 
college education, Major General Corell's life journey represents the 
very best of Iowa and the rest of the country and serves as a shining 
example for generations to come.
  I am grateful for Major General Benjamin Corell's service, and I wish 
him a relaxing and fulfilling retirement.


     O'Hara True Value Hardware Closing After 83 Years in Business

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize O'Hara True 
Value Hardware in Ottumwa, Iowa, which is closing after 83 years in 
business.
  Martin and Florence O'Hara opened the doors of O'Hara Appliance in 
January of 1940, but before long, the appliance store quickly shifted 
into a hardware store, too. Martin had offered home repair advice for 
years, and the shift came naturally.
  The O'Haras value being family owned and operated, and their children 
each grew into employees at the shop, including their son Mike, who 
ultimately took over the business and who I know well.
  For years, Mike O'Hara has continued his family's legacy in Ottumwa, 
offering the best service and advice for all things plumbing, 
electrical, automotive, construction, and repairs. You could take in 
any kind of screw from any kind of product, and they could tell you 
what it went for and how to replace it.
  The store is also famous for having the best Christmas decorations in 
town, to include live reindeer in a stable outside throughout December.
  O'Hara has overcome numerous challenges over the last several 
decades, including major fires, the flood of 1993, and most recently, 
the COVID pandemic.
  Mike's commitment to serving his community has always remained clear 
and steadfast. I am proud to know Mike and his family, and I wish him 
the very best in retirement--they so deserve that--but they are going 
to be greatly missed. The town will cherish their memories from 
O'Hara's and we will all miss going there for home repair needs.

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