[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8365-8366]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      VOLUNTEERING THE MIDWEST WAY

  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 congratulate 
Mary Gangl of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Mary was recently awarded the 
Office Volunteer of the Year Sylvie, which is given annually by the 
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Upper Midwest Chapter.
  The Sylvie award was presented to Mary for her contributions to the 
society which works to improve the lives of those diagnosed with 
multiple sclerosis. Mary spends nearly 400 hours a year volunteering at 
the office front desk where she helps with many important tasks as well 
as welcoming visitors and staff.
  Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating disease of the central nervous 
system, which affects more than 2 million people worldwide. Those 
affected by this disease have devastating symptoms; and, unfortunately, 
at this time, there is no cure.
  I want to thank Mary for dedicating so much of her time volunteering 
to help others. Your hard work is appreciated, and you truly deserve 
this award.


               Minnesota Home to Manufacturer of the Year

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Minnesota-based company Sign-Zone for receiving a Manufacturers 
Alliance Manufacturer of the Year award for midsize businesses. Sign-
Zone is highly deserving of this award, as it is one of the fastest 
growing companies in the country as well as the Nation's leading 
provider in visual communication products and solutions.
  Manufacturing is an incredibly important industry in the State of 
Minnesota. Our State is not only home to nearly 300,000 manufacturing 
jobs, but the industry brings billions of dollars to our economy every 
year, making it a key pillar of Minnesota's economy.
  I commend Sign-Zone for bringing great business and excellent 
products to our community, but I also thank them for contributing to an 
industry that is so critically vital to our State.
  Congratulations, Sign-Zone, and thank you for what you contribute to 
the great State of Minnesota.

[[Page 8366]]




                  Minnesota's Own Presidential Scholar

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one of 
Minnesota's best and brightest, Sartell High School senior Gopi 
Ramanathan, who was recently named a 2016 Presidential Scholar.
  Every year, up to 161 students can be named Presidential Scholars, 
making it one of the highest awards a high school student can receive. 
It is safe to say this achievement has gone to an incredibly deserving 
scholar.
  Gopi Ramanathan has had an exceptionally successful high school 
career, and his resume includes a very long list of accolades and 
achievements. He is a two-time champion of the Minnesota State 
Geography Bee, and he was captain of the United States team that took 
first place at the 2013 National Geographic World Geography Bee.
  Additionally, he is a member of the National Honor Society, a Big 
Brother mentor, a member of the student council, the president of the 
Minnesota Association of Student Councils, and a member of the Sartell 
soccer team.
  Perhaps most notably, Gopi earned a perfect score of 36 on his ACTs, 
an accomplishment that puts him in the top one-tenth of 1 percent of 
students across this country.
  It is an honor to recognize a student of such distinction here today, 
and I can say with absolute certainty that we will see more great 
things to come from this young man in the future.


               Anoka Educator Honored at the White House

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Anoka High School math teacher Paul Kelley for recently being honored 
at the White House in a ceremony for exceptional educators.
  In addition to teaching math at Anoka High School for the past 29 
years, Mr. Kelley serves on the board of directors for the National 
Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Along with four other teachers from 
around the country, Mr. Kelley was nominated for this recognition by 
the staff at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 
headquarters.
  During the ceremony at the White House, Paul had the chance to meet 
hundreds of other extraordinary teachers as well as the Secretary of 
Education, John B. King, and Deputy Assistant to the President for 
Education, Roberto Rodriguez. Mr. Kelley also heard from President 
Obama, thanking the educators for their roles in educating today's 
youth.
  A good teacher molds minds, sparks creativity, and gives students 
keys that can open all of life's doors. Congratulations, Mr. Kelley, on 
your recent achievement, and thank you for helping Minnesota students 
achieve their full potential.

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