    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2025)]
    [House]
    [Page H735]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                  {time}  1215
                       HONORING BELOVED IOWAN DAVE HEATON

      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 the late Dave
    Heaton, a beloved Iowan, whose passing on February 12 at age 84 has
    left his wife Carmen; daughter, Mary Elizabeth; the city of Mount
    Pleasant; and Iowa in mourning.
      Dave graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, and he
    enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and served with an engineering
    battalion in Washington, Iowa. He taught social studies and government
    at Van Buren High School, and he also was an assistant coach for the
    girls' basketball team and a defensive coach for the football team.
      Before public service, Dave and his wife, Carmen, ran the Iris
    Restaurant for 42 years, and Dave's family in Sigourney, Iowa, ran
    restaurants as well. The Iris Restaurant was a community hub where he
    carved roast beef and listened to everyone who entered. Known as the
    best boss, he made it into southeast Iowa's finest dining spot.
      For 24 years, Dave served in the Iowa House of Representatives, where
    his pragmatic compassion shaped mental health, human services, and
    education policy. As chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services,
    Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, he turned
    conviction into progress.
      His reach extended to education, working with school boards, and
    inspiring leaders like Jesse Howard. Healthcare in general, but also
    mental health, were his focus, and later in life he served on the board
    of directors of the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
      He was a giant of a man: mentor, friend and neighbor. Always humble
    and always selfless, Dave Heaton's legacy of dedication, kindness, and
    service defines what public life should be. Iowa stands stronger
    because of him.
      Rest in peace, Dave. You will definitely be missed.

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