Media

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the congregation of Saint Peter Lutheran Church of Afton, Minnesota on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the church. Since its founding by German settlers in 1863, the church has served as a center of faith and community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my profound sympathy for the loss of life and destruction in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan.

Ten thousand people are feared to be dead. More than nine million people are estimated to have been affected, including 650,000 who have been displaced. In some of the hardest hit areas, the typhoon destroyed 70-80 percent of the structures in its path, severely hampering rescue and relief efforts for the millions in need.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota (PPMNS) on the 85th anniversary of its founding.

In 1928, Minnesota's first clinic was established, providing women with access to reproductive care. Since then, additional clinics in Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota have opened ensuring women, men and their families have access to affordable, comprehensive care. Each year, more than 60,000 patients access a broad range of health services including preventative screenings, reproductive care, and routine exams.