[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 207 (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H5063-H5064]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING LEE COUNTY, IOWA

  (Mrs. Miller-Meeks of Iowa was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a major 
milestone for Lee County in my district. With a critical $2.1 million 
grant in community project funding, the Meller Family Health Center and 
Lee County EMS facility became a reality and officially opened. I am 
proud to have secured these funds for the EMS bay improvement project, 
but also for the Lee County Public Health Department, which has its 
first independent base of operations in more than three decades and 
will save on rental income for the county.
  This new health center and EMS facility will strengthen our public 
health infrastructure and improve emergency response for families 
across the region. This project has long been important to both the 
community and to me, and I am grateful to support investments that 
restore, maintain, and enhance essential public health services, 
enhance emergency response capabilities, and help Lee County continue 
to grow.
  Mr. Speaker, the opening of the Meller Family Health Center marks a 
new chapter of progress and preparedness for our community.


                 Recognizing Easton Valley High School

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Easton Valley High School team for earning first place at the 2025 
Clinton Community College Academic Quiz Bowl. The team, led by Coach 
Jenny Knutsen, included Captain Tyson Tubbs, Lucas Kunde, Tyler Kunde, 
and Nizhonia Schmidt.
  Each year, high school teams compete by answering questions across a 
wide range of subjects, including math, history, science, language, 
literature, government, music, arts, sports, and current events, sort 
of like Trivial Pursuit.
  Clinton Community College awards a trophy to the winning school, and 
the Sharar Foundation further supports these students with a $1,200 
scholarship for graduates who choose to attend Clinton Community 
College.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Easton Valley team on their 
dedication, hard work, and commitment to learning. They have made their 
school and community incredibly proud.


              Congratulating Executive Chef Tessa Cardoza

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tessa 
Cardoza on her impressive victory in the Iowa Restaurant Association 
culinary competition.
  Ms. Cardoza, the executive chef at Maxwell's On the River in 
Muscatine, Iowa, is known for her exceptional culinary skill and 
creativity. In collaboration with the Iowa Beef Industry Council, 
Choose Iowa, and Lola's Fine Hot Sauce, another entrepreneurial product 
made in Iowa, she crafted an outstanding entree featuring a locally 
sourced beef tri-tip roast that truly impressed the judges.
  Chef Cardoza plans to return to the competition next year as the 
defending champion, ready to showcase her talents once again. Her 
determination, passion, creativity, and expertise reflect a lifelong 
commitment to fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a chef.
  Iowa is fortunate to have such a talented and inspiring individual 
who turns the incredible ingredients produced in our State into award-
winning dishes. I am going to have to make another trip to Maxwell's On 
the River.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Tessa Cardoza on her achievement that

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makes Muscatine and all of Iowa proud.

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