[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20228]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF GOVERNOR TERRY BRANSTAD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROD BLUM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2015

  Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Iowa Governor Terry 
Branstad, who yesterday became the longest serving governor in the 
history of the United States, surpassing former Vice President George 
Clinton from New York.
  Governor Branstad has now served 7,642 days as governor. I salute and 
congratulate him on his dedication to the state of Iowa and his passion 
for public service.
  Born and raised on a farm in Northern Iowa, Governor Branstad's life 
has been dedicated to the advancement of the state of Iowa. After a 
tenure in the United States Army, he served three terms in the Iowa 
House of Representatives and was subsequently elected as the Lieutenant 
Governor.
  In 1982, at the age of 35, he was elected as the youngest governor in 
Iowa history. After his first four terms in office, Governor Branstad 
refocused his boundless energy on continuing to serve the state as the 
President of Des Moines University. He returned as governor in 2010 and 
is currently serving his sixth term.
  During his administration, Iowa has seen record low unemployment 
rates, as well as an admirable budget surplus. His endless energy and 
strong work ethic inspires all of us who serve in elected office to 
constantly strive to improve our performance on behalf of all Iowans.
  Thank you, Governor Branstad, for all that you have done for the 
great state of Iowa and your nearly twenty-one years of service.