[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6539-H6540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING CONGRESSIONAL WRITING COMPETITION WINNERS

  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 congratulate the 
winners of our first ever congressional writing competition. I asked 
students from around Iowa's First Congressional District, elementary, 
middle, and high school, to submit an essay about what makes Iowa 
special. Given that the University of Iowa has the Writers' Workshop, 
writing in Iowa is a known quantity.
  I was moved by the quality of writing our students in Iowa possess 
and their unwavering love for Iowa.
  The winners are: Katelyn Cope, sixth grader from Newton; Adele 
Decker, sixth grader from Newton; Sawyer Rhoades, sixth grader from 
Keokuk; Georgia Clark, eighth grader from West Liberty; Gwenavier 
Spalding, ninth grader from Anamosa; Kayden Wherry, ninth grader from 
Anamosa; Yuchen Gong, 11th grader from Iowa City; and Justin Chapman, 
12th grader from Williamsburg.
  The winners will receive a certificate of achievement as well as a 
flag flown over the Capitol building.
  I congratulate these dedicated students. I look forward to seeing all 
of their contributions to Iowa in the future.


             Congratulating the Iowa Hawkeyes Football Team

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Iowa 
Hawkeyes football team on another winning season. Led by the breakout 
running back Kaleb Johnson, who finished the regular season with 1,537 
yards and 21 touchdowns, the Hawkeyes finished 8-4, with key wins 
coming against Washington, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
  This season was a historical one for our longtime coach, Kirk 
Ferentz. Coach Ferentz clinched his 204th career win on November 29 and 
is now only one win away from the all-time record for wins in the Big 
10.
  While the regular season may be over, there is still more football to 
be played. On December 30, the Iowa Hawkeyes will be taking on the 
number 19 in the country, the Missouri Tigers, in the Music City Bowl 
in Nashville.
  I once again congratulate the Hawkeyes on a great season and wish 
them all the best in their bowl game.
  Go Hawks.


                    Giving Veterans Tools to Thrive

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Veterans SPORT Act, legislation I introduced to ensure that our 
Nation's veterans have access to adaptive prostheses and terminal 
devices for sports and recreational activities as part of their medical 
benefits.
  Currently, veterans eligible for VA medical services can receive 
artificial limbs, but those wishing to engage in sports and recreation 
lack access to specialized equipment. This bill amends title 38 of the 
United States Code to include these critical devices, allowing veterans 
to pursue activities that support their physical and mental well-being.
  Sports and recreation are vital components to rehabilitation, 
promoting fitness, social interaction, a sense of accomplishment, and 
the sense of being a whole person once again.
  The Veterans SPORT Act empowers veterans to regain independence and 
participate fully in activities they love. I urge my colleagues to 
support this bill and ensure our veterans have the tools they need to 
thrive.


                         Misguided EV Mandates

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
President Trump's commitment to ending the misguided EV mandates set by 
the Biden-Harris administration.
  While our country and our automakers need to make EVs to combat the 
Chinese Communist Party and electric vehicles have their place in the 
market, the American people should not be forced into adopting them.
  Hundreds of millions of Americans rely on combustion engine vehicles 
in their daily lives, and these mandates are driving up the cost for 
families who can least afford it.
  In just 2 years, the Biden administration allocated $7.5 billion in 
taxpayer funds for EV chargers, yet only eight

[[Page H6540]]

stations have been completed. This failure highlights the need for a 
more thoughtful approach, one that assesses cost and benefit and one 
that respects consumer choice and avoids unnecessary government 
intervention.
  President Trump understands that a thriving economy is built on 
freedom and choice, not top-down mandates. Under his leadership, the 
American people will have the freedom to make their own decisions 
without the overreach of Washington.


                   Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, Merriam-Webster has named 
``polarization'' the word of year. While that may reflect current 
times, it should also serve as a reminder that we must work harder to 
bridge the growing divide in our Nation.

  Too often, political discourse has become hostile, with one side 
labeling their opponents as extremists for advocating commonsense 
solutions like securing our borders, lowering costs, or commonsense 
solutions that are helping hardworking families and ensuring fairness 
in women's sports.
  I am optimistic that we can begin to heal these divisions and put 
America back on track. We must come together to prioritize policies 
that promote economic growth, strengthen national security, and restore 
the American Dream.
  As we move into a new year, let us focus on the values that unite us 
and work for the betterment of all Americans.

                          ____________________