[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 9, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2147-H2148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING WEGAYEWU FARIS

  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 honor a local hero, 
whose selfless act exemplifies the very essence of courage and 
sacrifice.
  Wegayewu Faris, an immigrant from Ethiopia who settled in Coralville, 
Iowa, displayed remarkable bravery when he risked his life to save an 
8-year-old boy from drowning back in 2022. Without hesitation, Faris, 
who worked as a custodial worker at City High School in Iowa City for 
17 years, leaped into action when he saw the boy in danger, struggling 
in the Iowa River. He jumped into the river, and his quick and decisive 
response underscores the true nature of heroism.
  Tragically, Faris lost his life in the process, but his heroism did 
not go unnoticed. Recently, he was posthumously awarded the Carnegie 
Medal for Heroism, the highest civilian honor

[[Page H2148]]

for bravery in North America. This recognition serves as a testament to 
his extraordinary courage and selflessness.
  Faris' legacy reminds us of the profound impact one individual can 
have on their community. May his bravery inspire us all to act with 
courage and compassion in the face of adversity.


    In Recognition of the Iowa Hawkeyes and South Carolina Gamecocks

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Iowa 
Hawkeyes women's basketball team's incredible season.
  I also commend the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team. 
Their incredible performance led to the national title in the NCAA 
championship game. They played a great game. Despite their dominance in 
the first quarter, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes had a heart-
wrenching loss.
  Having lost three congressional races, I think I can say with all 
sincerity that I know how they feel. However, to the Hawkeye Nation and 
beyond, you are champions, regardless of the title.
  What you have done to elevate women's basketball as a sport goes 
beyond titles. Take me, for example. I probably watched one pro 
basketball game and one college basketball game in person. I never 
watch it on TV, and I know nothing about basketball.
  However, like millions of other people, I was drawn in by your 
incredible playing, demeanor, excitement, joy, inspiration, and 
enthusiasm that you displayed on and off the court, not to mention your 
academic achievements.
  You created an opportunity for me and my son to talk together and to 
bond. Caitlin Clark and the team are such incredible players and 
people, both on and off the court, that they commanded attention.
  Kate Martin, what an incredible player you are. I loved seeing you 
drive down the court and do a three-point shot.
  Hannah Stuelke came through in a clutch against UConn.
  Sydney Affolter, it was joyful watching you being able to guard and 
being able to do that layup underhanded.
  Sharon Goodman, I think they said at the championship you had a 4.0 
academic average as well as being a phenomenal athlete.
  Molly Davis, we were heartbroken, but delighted to see you on the 
court in the final minute.
  Gabbie Marshall, I am just going to say the words of a more famous 
coach: ``Pretty eyes. Defender. Sniper.''
  Caitlin Clark, the records that you have broken, the elevation that 
you play in women's sports, I heard Coach Lisa Bluder say that when 
they recruited you to Iowa, you could have gone to any of those titled 
universities. You came to Iowa, walked into the locker room as a 
freshman, and said: We are going to the Final Four.
  That vision, that drive, that enthusiasm, that goal, that command for 
excellence carried you through. Your legacy is beyond a national title.
  This is your legacy: 18,300 in attendance at Rocket Mortgage 
FieldHouse, and I was one of them; 18.7 million viewership, 24 million 
at its peak.
  Those other elite teams had all won national titles before, every one 
of them--LSU, UConn, South Carolina--but they did not do this. You did 
this, the University of Iowa women's basketball team.
  You did so much to generate enthusiasm and excitement among millions 
of young girls and young boys, who now want to participate to be their 
best, which is the best of Iowa and the best of America.
  You brought countless hours of joy, excitement, heartache, and 
camaraderie to the Hawkeye Nation and millions across this country, and 
even Cyclone fans. You became a national sensation, and we will 
remember not just the results, but we will remember the feelings and 
the joy that you gave us.
  Champions are leaders, but leaders aren't titles. It was a high 
school student who asked me that. You are a doctor, a lieutenant 
colonel, a director, a Congresswoman. What does it take to be a leader?
  Leaders inspire.

                              {time}  1230

  Mr. Speaker, Caitlin is the GOAT and the rest of the team are GOAT 
goddesses, and I suppose Coach Bluder is a GOAT herder. They don't need 
a national title. They are national heroes.
  Forever, Go Hawks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their remarks 
to the Chair and not to a perceived viewing audience.

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