[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14790]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                     MINNESOTA'S BEST AND BRIGHTEST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Emmer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate five 
outstanding students in my district who have earned a Fulbright 
scholarship this year.
  Austin Barkley of Sartell, Paul Creager of Stillwater, Amy Grant of 
Big Lake, Natalie Hoidal of Forest Lake, and Jenna Maus of Kimball will 
each have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lecture, study, teach 
English, or do research in foreign countries that range from Mexico to 
Malaysia. Each of these Fulbright scholars will not only have the 
ability to promote healthy relations and diplomacy with foreign 
nations, but they will also bring home the knowledge and leadership 
experience they will gain while abroad.
  Many past participants of this program have gone on to achieve 
success in a variety of fields, with some even serving here in 
Congress. I have no doubt we will see great things from each of these 
exceptional individuals, and I congratulate and wish them luck on their 
exciting adventure.


                      Minnesota's Top Farm Family

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Bruce and Sharon Johnson of East Bethel and the Minnesota Fresh Farm 
for being named the Anoka County Farm Family of the Year by the 
University of Minnesota. For the past 2 decades, the University of 
Minnesota has chosen top farming families for their work promoting our 
State's great agricultural industry.
  The Minnesota Fresh Farm has been passed down from one generation of 
the Johnson family to the next and is currently being farmed by Bruce 
and Sharon Johnson, along with their son, Luke; and his wife, Liz.
  This year, the Johnson family was chosen for the efforts they have 
made to educate Minnesota's youth about farming. This includes working 
with the Opportunity Services in Anoka, an organization that helps 
individuals with special needs so they can enjoy farming and the great 
outdoors. The Johnson family were also chosen because of their focus on 
sustainable production methods and growing food without using 
pesticides.
  I want to congratulate the Johnson family and thank them for their 
efforts to promote the farming life and Minnesota's agricultural 
industry.


                    Investing in Minnesota's Future

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a 
great Minnesota company that is actively helping our Nation's students 
develop skills that will help them shine in their future success. I am 
proud that Minnesota's own Best Buy Foundation is giving grants to form 
programs that will give students the chance to master important 
technology skills, like coding and graphic design.
  The world that we are living in is rapidly transforming and 
technology is quickly becoming more than just a luxury--it is becoming 
a way of life and a key ingredient to our Nation's future success.
  What is perhaps most commendable about Best Buy's grant program is 
that it targets teens who live in underserved communities. If we as a 
Nation hope to remain not only relevant, but competitive, then 
everybody must have the chance to strive. I would like to thank the 
Best Buy Foundation for recognizing the importance of serving the 
underserved.


                         Stearns County Heroes

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 12 Stearns 
County dispatchers who received medals of merit for their work during 
the horrific attack at the Crossroads Center Mall.
  What seemed like a normal night at a mall in central Minnesota 
quickly turned into a nightmare when a man began to attack shoppers 
with a knife. As the attacks unfolded, chaos ensued.
  What kept this dangerous situation from getting even worse was the 
dedicated work of these 12 professionals. In 2 hours, they took 250 
calls and they made numerous calls to emergency responders to keep them 
abreast on the most current details of the attack. As a result of their 
work, there was no loss of life and all shoppers and first responders 
were able to return home safely to their loved ones that night.
  While words can never express the full extent of our gratitude, I am 
proud to stand here today to thank these men and women for their heroic 
efforts.

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