[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H1128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PROUD ANNOUNCEMENTS

  (Mrs. Miller-Meeks of Iowa was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce that through 
community project funding, my team and I have secured $3 million for 
southeast Iowa, delivering targeted investments in public safety, water 
infrastructure, and housing development.
  These investments include: $500,000 for the SAFECity Initiative in 
Oskaloosa, bringing advanced public safety technology to the community 
to help prevent crime, improve emergency response times, and keep 
Oskaloosa residents safe; $2 million for the Papoose Creek Redundant 
Force Main in Muscatine to support a critical water infrastructure 
upgrade. This will protect homes, improve flood control, support 
growth, and strengthen environmental safety for years to come.
  I also secured $750,000 for the Veterans District sewer project in 
Knoxville to help build a sanitary lift station and storm and sewer 
lines to serve more than 110 acres of future housing in the Veterans 
District.
  With these historic investments, I have now secured over $8 million 
for southeast Iowa and will continue fighting to secure all the Federal 
resources our communities need and deserve.


                       Recognizing Haley DeGreve

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Haley 
DeGreve, founder and president of The Gray Matters Collective, and 
local leader Jon Zumkehr for their partnership in raising awareness 
about mental health and suicide prevention among correctional officers 
and law enforcement officers.
  Their work became a lifeline for many after the tragic death by 
suicide of correctional officer Blake Schwarz who worked at Thomson 
Federal Prison but lived in Iowa, a loss that rocked our community and 
exposed the silent suffering of so many who serve behind the walls.
  In the aftermath, Jon Zumkehr, an 18-year veteran of the Federal 
Bureau of Prisons, reached out to Haley and invited her to Thomson. She 
shared her own journey of survival and hope, speaking openly about her 
struggles and recovery and the realities that far too many correctional 
officers face in silence, many of whom are former military veterans.
  On August 28, Haley nearly became another statistic, believing 
suicide was her only way out of pain. Instead, she chose to fight and 
founded The Gray Matters Collective, a nonprofit with chapters for 
veterans and first responders. She has listened to hundreds of stories 
like her own and like Blake's, and she has made it her mission to break 
the stigma and offer real support.
  Jon and Haley's partnership has made a real difference. Together, 
they have sent 24 officers at Thomson to ASSIST training, organized 
suicide prevention walks, and led multiple staff recalls focused on 
mental health and resources. They have also created a law enforcement 
support group open to all staff with licensed counselors and free to 
anyone who needs it.
  After Blake's death, I was honored to sit down with Jon and work to 
introduce Correctional Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act, 
legislation aimed at providing the resources and recognition our 
correctional officers deserve. I thank Jon and Haley for their courage, 
compassion, and relentless advocacy bringing attention to this very 
important issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to wish a very happy birthday to my nephew, 
Andrew Martino.
  Happy birthday, Andrew.

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