[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 180 (Thursday, December 5, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H6366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SHOPPING SMALL BUSINESS

  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 in recognition of the 
economic heartbeat of Iowa, our small businesses.
  In Iowa, over 99 percent of businesses are small, many of which are 
family-owned. That is over 282,000 small businesses employing more than 
616,000 people.
  At a time of great economic uncertainty across the country, Iowa has 
been a beacon of hope and proven to be one of the best States to own 
and operate a business.
  This past weekend, we celebrated Small Business Saturday encouraging 
folks to shop local for the holidays. As we approach Christmas and the 
New Year, I encourage Iowans and Americans everywhere to continue 
supporting small businesses and shopping local during this holiday 
season.
  Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and without them, 
we don't have large businesses and our Nation's economic engine would 
falter.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the vital contributions 
of small businesses in Iowa and across the country, and to continue 
advocating for their success.


     Recognizing Iowa Regional Teacher of the Year Kaitlin Mahoney

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the first-
ever Iowa Regional Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Kaitlin Mahoney. Mrs. 
Mahoney has taught at Bettendorf High School for 11 years, molding the 
minds of our future generations.
  Mrs. Mahoney believes that education begins with the ability to 
engage students. She has worked vigorously to adapt the school algebra 
curriculum, enabling hundreds of students to move on to higher 
education. She also works as a student counselor, pushing students 
toward achievements previously unthinkable.
  It is the creativity and passion of educators like Mrs. Mahoney that 
will push this Nation across the finish line of our educational goals. 
The fostering of our youth must be at the forefront of concern in this 
Nation if it is to remain the greatest country in the world.
  She will be competing against other finalists for the title of the 
2025 Iowa Educator of the Year, the winner of which will be announced 
later this year. I wish Mrs. Mahoney all the luck in the world.


              Maintaining the Values of American Democracy

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5349, 
the Crucial Communism Teaching Act.
  This important bill directs the Victims of Communism Memorial 
Foundation to develop a curriculum that teaches high school students 
about the dangers of communism and its conflict with the values of 
American democracy.
  As communist nations continue ramping up their aggression toward the 
U.S., it is crucial that we educate the next generation on the stark 
realities of totalitarian regimes and human suffering caused by 
communism.
  By providing students with these critical resources, we can help them 
understand the importance of liberty, individual rights, free markets, 
and the constitutional principles that define our Nation. This bill 
will prepare our young people to be responsible citizens who can 
safeguard the freedoms we hold dear.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5349 and ensure 
that future generations are educated on the lessons of history.


      Recognizing the Iowa Computer Science Technology Association

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Iowa 
Computer Science Technology Association for helping Iowa rank amongst 
the top 10 States in the Nation for providing access to high-quality 
computer science education.
  Iowa's top 10 ranking in the 2023-2024 academic year of computer 
science class availability beats the national average by 24 percent, 
with 84 percent of public schools offering computer science classes.
  With computer and information technology jobs rising exponentially 
across the United States, the efforts of these passionate educators 
will be reflected in the success of Iowa's youth as they set the 
standard in the workforce.
  As we move forward in the ever-changing technological climate, it is 
imperative that we continue to develop innovative ways of helping our 
students achieve success, not only on the national stage, but on the 
world stage, as well.
  This is a win for the people of Iowa and for America. The fight for 
educational success is never over, and we must continue to prioritize 
education, continually aiming for a brighter future for our students.


             Honoring the 83rd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Saturday, December 7, 
will be the honoring and remembering of the 83rd anniversary of the 
attack on Pearl Harbor, a day that will live in infamy, a day that 
claimed the lives of 2,403 American heroes.
  On December 7, 1941, a peaceful Sunday morning was torn apart when 
Japan launched a surprise assault on our naval base in Hawaii. Ships 
were sunk, planes were destroyed, and lives were lost. Indeed, there is 
the USS Arizona Memorial that remains there today.
  From this devastating attack, our Nation's strength and unity 
emerged. Pearl Harbor awakened an unshakable spirit of patriotism and 
resolve. Americans, ordinary men and women, answered the call to defend 
freedom and protect the ideals that make this country great and that 
continued democracy throughout the world.
  Let us honor those who sacrificed everything and remember their 
courage and dedication. Their legacy lives on in the enduring strength 
of this Nation, which will never falter in the face of adversity and 
will always stand for freedom and justice.

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