[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
                   HONORING BELOVED IOWAN DAVE HEATON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Dave 
Heaton, a beloved Iowan, whose passing on February 12 at age 84 has 
left his wife Carmen; daughter, Mary Elizabeth; the city of Mount 
Pleasant; and Iowa in mourning.
  Dave graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, and he 
enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and served with an engineering 
battalion in Washington, Iowa. He taught social studies and government 
at Van Buren High School, and he also was an assistant coach for the 
girls' basketball team and a defensive coach for the football team.
  Before public service, Dave and his wife, Carmen, ran the Iris 
Restaurant for 42 years, and Dave's family in Sigourney, Iowa, ran 
restaurants as well. The Iris Restaurant was a community hub where he 
carved roast beef and listened to everyone who entered. Known as the 
best boss, he made it into southeast Iowa's finest dining spot.
  For 24 years, Dave served in the Iowa House of Representatives, where 
his pragmatic compassion shaped mental health, human services, and 
education policy. As chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, 
Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, he turned 
conviction into progress.
  His reach extended to education, working with school boards, and 
inspiring leaders like Jesse Howard. Healthcare in general, but also 
mental health, were his focus, and later in life he served on the board 
of directors of the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
  He was a giant of a man: mentor, friend and neighbor. Always humble 
and always selfless, Dave Heaton's legacy of dedication, kindness, and 
service defines what public life should be. Iowa stands stronger 
because of him.
  Rest in peace, Dave. You will definitely be missed.

                          ____________________