Congratulating Dr. Michael Welsh
Floor Speech
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Michael Welsh, a University of Iowa professor of internal medicine, on winning the 2025 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award. The Lasker Award is one of the most prestigious biomedical and clinical research awards.
Dr. Welsh was recognized for his extraordinary research on cystic fibrosis, which is helping to pave the way to new therapies that are dramatically improving health and extending life for people with cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic lung disease that primarily affects young people. Dr. Welsh's research has been instrumental in understanding the function of a critical CFTR protein and how it causes cystic fibrosis, which has led to the creation of lifesaving therapies. Aided by his medical team, Dr. Welsh created a triple drug combination that treats up to 90 percent of those affected by cystic fibrosis.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Welsh for all of his body of research and congratulations on the Lasker Award.
Congratulating Kirk Ferentz, the Big Ten's Winningest Coach
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz for becoming the Big Ten's all-time winningest coach.
With the Iowa Hawkeyes 47-7 win over UMass Minutemen on September 13, Coach Kirk Ferentz broke Woody Hayes' record. Coach Ferentz' career started as the first season head coach at the University of Iowa in 1999 and since then he has won two Big Ten titles and conference Coach of the Year four times.
Coach Ferentz is in his 27th season as coach of the Hawkeyes, and he won his 206th game with the program to break the conference's all-time list milestone. He is the longest tenured active head coach in college football, with a 206-124 record at Iowa and a 217-145 career record. This achievement is a testament to Coach Ferentz' leadership and commitment to excellence within the Hawkeye organization.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Coach Ferentz. Go Hawks.
I would like to extend birthday wishes to my amazing husband and partner, Curt Meeks. Happy birthday, Curt.
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