[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 118 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H3179-H3180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SUPPORTING THE NDAA

  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 in support of the 
conservative priorities included in the Fiscal Year 2024 National 
Defense Authorization Act.
  In recent years, our military has struggled with a severe recruiting 
crisis that will have enormous implications for our strategic position 
in an increasingly unstable global stage. There are several factors 
exacerbated by the Biden administration that have made military service 
less compelling to young Americans, and I say this as a 24-year Army 
veteran.
  For instance, discharging servicemembers who declined to take the 
COVID-19 vaccine, despite requesting an exemption, upended careers and 
negatively impacted many servicemembers and their hard-earned benefits.
  This year's NDAA provides critical steps to gut the administration's 
political agenda that has no place in our

[[Page H3180]]

military. For instance, it provides a pathway back to the Armed Forces 
for servicemembers who declined to take the COVID vaccine. It also 
continues to prohibit the DOD from mandating that servicemembers take 
an emergency use vaccine.
  Additionally, this legislation includes an extremely important 
provision of a 5.2 percent increase in servicemember pay. This is 
tremendously important for our enlisted ranks, and it is the largest 
pay raise in over 20 years.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this important legislation that 
supports our military families and ensures our national security.


                 Congratulating the Quad City Strikers

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I will use this time as a chance to 
congratulate the Quad City Strikers U15 Soccer Club who represented the 
State of Iowa in the 2023 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup, 
which took place in Wichita, Kansas, from July 6-11.
  This is the third year in a row that they competed in the Midwest 
Regional, and this year, after a runner-up finish in the regional, they 
successfully clinched their place in the national tournament. They were 
one of eight teams who qualified for the tournament and the only one 
that represented the State of Iowa.
  These boys worked hard all year long and were able to represent Iowa 
at the highest amateur level. I congratulate every player on the team 
and their coach, Juan Nuci.
  We thank him for his dedication and for making Iowa, and especially 
the First District, proud.


                      Congratulating Caitlin Clark

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, today, I congratulate Ms. Caitlin 
Clark of Des Moines, Iowa, for winning the National Player of the Year 
award for her performance this past season for the University of Iowa 
Hawkeyes Women's Basketball Team.
  Caitlin is a junior at the University of Iowa and averaged almost 28 
points a game, while leading the Hawkeyes to the NCAA Women's 
Basketball championship game. While averaging 28 points a game, she 
also averaged seven rebounds and almost nine assists through her 
historic season, where she swept the National Player of the Year award.
  Caitlin Clark is a prime example of our constituents in Iowa, 
extremely talented and hardworking, while also remaining humble through 
all of their success. We congratulate Caitlin, and we thank her for 
making Iowa, the University of Iowa, and the Hawkeye nation proud.


                   Congratulating Judge William Kelly

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Judge 
William Kelly on his selection to be a magistrate judge of the United 
States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Judge Kelly is 
a member of the Iowa National Guard and will now serve our country in a 
different way.
  Judge Kelly has an accomplished legal and judicial career. He 
obtained an undergraduate degree from Brown University. After 
graduation, he moved to Iowa to attend Drake University Law School in 
Des Moines. For 8 years he served as a State District Court Judge for 
District 5C in Iowa State courts, serving Polk County.
  Becoming a magistrate judge happens after a rigorous selection 
process, and candidates are selected based on their merit by the 
district judges to help assist with the smooth and speedy legal process 
that we enjoy in the United States. Good judges in our U.S. court 
system are vital to keeping our constitutional republic together. I 
applaud Judge Kelly for taking the position, and I wish him luck in 
serving southeast Iowa.
  Madam Speaker, I also extend a happy birthday to my sister, Mari-
Eleanor Martino. Happy birthday Mari-Eleanor.

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