[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3931]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO MEREDITH WILHARBER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID YOUNG

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 11, 2016

  Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Meredith Wilharber of Urbandale, Iowa as one of Iowa's 
2016 Heroes of the Heartland, sponsored by the American Red Cross of 
Greater Iowa.
  Each year, the American Red Cross serving greater Iowa honors 
individuals for their acts of great bravery, dedication and service to 
the community. The winners are nominated by their peers, highlighting 
Iowa's most compassionate and caring individuals. These extraordinary 
people commit actions which demonstrate the potential heroism and 
kindness which is in all of us. Heroes of the Heartland reflect the 
values and vision of the American Red Cross, leaving a positive impact 
on central Iowa.
  Meredith knows first-hand about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) 
because it took her mother's life when she was young. At 34, Meredith 
was diagnosed with the same incurable disease. Pulmonary Arterial 
Hypertension or PAH is a chronic and deadly combination heart and lung 
disease where the pulmonary artery causes the heart and lungs to become 
strained. It is less often that I meet a hero face to face but I have 
had the honor and privilege of visiting with Meredith and her husband, 
Randy who founded the Blue Lips Foundation with the goal of changing 
how and when PAH is diagnosed through awareness and education, as well 
as funding research and the development of diagnostic tools. They are 
warriors for a just cause.
  Mr. Speaker, Meredith is an Iowan who has made central Iowa citizens 
very proud. She has dedicated her life, doing what is right and not 
seeking much attention. But it is with great honor that I recognize her 
today. I ask that my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives 
join me in honoring Meredith for her courage. I thank her for her 
service and wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.

                          ____________________