[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1919-H1920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SERGEANT NEIL HORN
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Stauber) for 5 minutes.
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service
of Sergeant Neil Horn, who dedicated 8 years of his life to service of
his country in the United States Marine Corps.
Sergeant Horn spent most of his career in the U.S. Marines traveling
the world as a security guard to defend the U.S. embassies where he was
stationed.
In 2002, Neil served in antiterrorism capacities in North Africa, and
part of his job was to train marines in door-to-door combat and
enhanced marksmanship. He was also an instructor for combat water
survival.
Sergeant Horn spent 14 years working in diplomatic security for the
State Department, where he was engaged in a wide array of
investigations, including human trafficking, terrorism,
counterintelligence, the location and return of U.S. fugitives, large
scale visa fraud, and passport and identity fraud. Most notably,
Sergeant Horn played an integral part in reestablishing the United
States Embassy in Cuba.
His country is forever grateful for the sacrifice that he and his
family have made for this great Nation. May he rest in eternal peace.
Congratulating Ava Lowman
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate
Ava Lowman of Cambridge-Isanti High School for being selected as a 2023
Triple A Award State scholarship recipient.
This prestigious award, established in 1988, highlights high school
seniors across the State of Minnesota for their hard work and
dedication to their academics, art programs, and athletic endeavors.
Ava has earned an impressive GPA of 4.36 while participating in the
band and choir, being the speech team captain, and a member of the
tennis and track and field teams.
Additionally, Ava is considered a leader in her school's Link Crew
program, where she and other students assist ninth graders with the
transition into high school.
Ava plans on going to college while continuing to participate in
tennis, speech, and music.
It is with great honor that I recognize Ava's achievements thus far,
and it makes me proud to have such a distinguished young lady represent
the great Eighth District of Minnesota.
I congratulate her and wish her good luck in her future endeavors.
Recognizing the Life of Carol Alstrom
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Carol
Alstrom, who dedicated 34 years of her life to teaching our youth.
Carol received her teaching degree in physical education and health
from Bemidji State University where she competed in track, volleyball,
softball, and hockey and was inducted into BSU's Athletic Hall of Fame.
She was known for her larger-than-life personality and her generous
and
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caring demeanor. Her style of teaching was ahead of her time. Carol
understood the importance of teaching her students valuable skills that
could be transferred into the real world. She wanted to help her
students become model citizens and would monitor their progress
throughout their life.
Carol was an athletics enthusiast and true pioneer in women's sports,
starting Tower-Soudan's girls' volleyball, basketball, swimming, and
track programs. She introduced countless students to cross-country
skiing, Rollerblading, and pickleball.
Carol went above and beyond to make sure her student athletes always
had the equipment they needed. From buying new Adidas sneakers for the
volleyball team to collecting golf clubs for the golf team, no one was
underequipped.
It takes a special kind of person to draw over 200 attendees to honor
their life. Carol was that kind of special person. Former students, the
children of former students, coworkers, and friends gathered to
celebrate the life of Carol Alstrom and to exchange lasting memories
that she imprinted on each one of them.
The Tower-Soudan School gym was decorated in purple and gold to
commemorate Carol's love for the Minnesota Vikings and her Tower-Soudan
Golden Eagles.
A permanent memorial will be installed outside of the Tower-Soudan
School in her honor.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Carol for her lifetime of service, and may she
rest in peace.
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