[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING KIM VAN WIE

  (Ms. OMAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. OMAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Kim Van Wie, who 
retires after 28 years of being the executive director of STARBASE 
Minnesota.
  The Department of Defense's STARBASE program spans across 80 bases, 
providing world-class STEM programming to underserved fifth graders. 
Under Kim's outstanding leadership, STARBASE Minnesota grew from 2 
classrooms to 11 and from 900 students per year to almost 7,000.
  I met Kim in 2019 at the STARBASE in St. Paul, where I had the 
opportunity to witness her inspiration to young scientists and 
engineers. It is no surprise that two previous graduates served on my 
constituent staff.
  Kim's commitment extends beyond title I students. During COVID, she 
propelled funding to provide 120,000 STEM kits for students across the 
region. Kim's selfless service and excellence will forever be 
celebrated.
  It is my privilege and honor to thank Ms. Kim Van Wie for her 
distinguished career and celebrate her well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________