[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12] [House] [Page 17069] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CONGRATULATING STATE SENATOR MIKE CONNOLLY (Mr. BRALEY of Iowa asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate my friend and mentor, Iowa State Senator Mike Connolly. Mike has represented the City of Dubuque and Dubuque County in the Iowa General Assembly for the past 30 years. He has also served for 30 years in the Dubuque community schools as a teacher and as an administrator. When Mike was getting started in the General Assembly, Iowa was facing tough economic times. The farm crisis was challenging the entire State, especially Dubuque, but Mike believed we could rebuild. He is an integral part of the leadership team that has guided the economic and cultural rebirth of Dubuque and Iowa. He has worked tirelessly to make Iowa schools among the best in the Nation, to make health care affordable and accessible, and create sustainable and good-paying jobs. Madam Speaker, integrity and humility are two trades we could use a lot more of in American politics. Mike Connolly has always served with integrity and humility. He has sacrificed to make his community a better place and kept his actions consistent with his principles. Senator Connolly, on behalf of all Iowans, I congratulate you on your legacy of service and wish you well in the future. ____________________