Back the Blue

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FEENSTRA. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Police Week. It is a time to recognize and thank our police and law enforcement officers for risking their lives to protect our families.

These heroes work long hours and make incredible sacrifices to keep our communities safe, never seeking recognition or praise for what they do. We cannot thank them enough for their service to our country.

Today, we also honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, including Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram and those who sadly passed away due to medical complications, such as Iowa State Trooper Rose Hoyt Ives, who was based in Council Bluffs for years. Our prayers remain with their families and loved ones.

In Congress, I will continue to stand with our law enforcement community and back those in blue. They deserve our deepest appreciation in all that they do. Recognizing National Hospital Week

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FEENSTRA. Mr. Speaker, during National Hospital Week, I recognize our incredible hospitals in Iowa and thank our doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, and administrators who keep our hospitals running each and every day. Their work is critical in keeping our families and communities safe and healthy.

On my 36-county tour, I met with healthcare workers and families about the importance of keeping our hospitals open and operational in our rural communities. That is why I introduced the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act, which just passed out of Ways and Means Committee, to help our hospitals meet payroll, retain quality staff, make needed improvements, and deliver exceptional care.

As a past city administrator, I can fully say that when a rural hospital closes, it is truly devastating to the community and to Iowa as a whole.

Fortunately, this bill will deliver the financial support that our hospitals need to provide high-quality healthcare to our families.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I will continue to advocate for policies that keep our rural hospitals strong and vibrant and protect access to affordable, reliable healthcare in Iowa.

Again, I thank all of our healthcare workers for creating true quality care in Iowa.

Recognizing Dordt University Women's Basketball Champions

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FEENSTRA. Mr. Speaker, on March 26, Dordt University women's basketball won the 2024 NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship.

Led by Head Coach Bill Harmsen, the Defenders defeated the University of Providence by a score of 57-53 to secure their first-ever national championship. With this championship victory, the Defenders finished the season with a nine-game winning streak and ended with a program- best 35-2 record. This is an incredible milestone in the history of this program.

I thank the head coach and the girls' basketball team for their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship that has elevated Dordt's women's basketball team on the national stage.

I congratulate women's basketball Coach Bill Harmsen on a successful season and look forward to cheering him on in the Defenders' 2025 and 2026 seasons.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source