The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING JOHN AND TASHA HOLBEN AS IOWANS OF THE WEEK
______
HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John and Tasha Holben, letter carriers for the United States Postal Service and proud union members, as Iowans of the Week. John has faced the rain, wind, heat, and snow for 37 years to ensure the residents of Council Bluffs receive their mail in a timely manner. His wife, Tasha, has done the same for 17 years. I am proud to honor their dedication and years of service.
Working families like John and Tasha's keep Iowa's communities strong. They put in the hours every week to get the job done, serving their neighbors and advocating for fellow workers along the way. As letter carriers in southwest Iowa--where so many families rely heavily on the mail for critical needs like prescription drugs, income, and supplies for their small business--the impact of their efforts is amplified.
John and Tasha are long-time members of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). John has been a member of the union his entire career, serving in various leadership roles for NALC Branch 314 such as president, officer, Sergeant at Arms, and now trustee. Tasha has also been an active member of Branch 314 and has served in several officer roles. As active union leaders, they've helped bargain collectively for decent wages and benefits, safe working conditions, and a fair shake not only for themselves but also on behalf of their union brothers and sisters' families.
The Holben's drive to serve their community goes beyond their day-to-
day duties. John and Tasha enjoy volunteering at the NALC's national food drive, which is held the second Saturday of May. Union members volunteer to pick up food and then transport it to local food pantries. Food pantries are always happy to see the influx of food in May, because oftentimes they see a slump in donations following winter holidays.
John additionally serves as a pastor at the Community of Christ Church in Council Bluffs, where he, Tasha, and the congregation help clean up their neighborhood every Earth Day. Instead of hosting a normal church service on the Sunday closest to Earth Day, members of the church walk around and pick up litter. They're usually able to fill up several garbage bags as they clean up yards, streets, and sidewalks.
As we celebrate Labor Day this week, I'm especially appreciative of John and Tasha, who have fought long and hard to maintain their union and ensure safe and reliable delivery of the mail to their neighbors. Through their activism and volunteer work, John and Tasha have made Council Bluffs a better place to live and work. Please join me in honoring John and Tasha as our Iowans of the Week.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 163
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
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