Angie Craig

Patient Refunds for Bad Denials Act of 2026

in committee

Farm and Family Relief Act

in committee

Presidential Conflicts of Interest Accountability Act

in committee

“Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend, Public Safety Director Pete Koerner, on his retirement after 34 years with the city of Cottage Grove. Chief Koerner is a dedicated public servant and an outstanding leader in our community. Chief Koerner began his career with the Cottage Grove Police Department in 1992, where he served as a community service officer. Throughout his tenure, Chief Koerner served in several roles including as a school resource officer, a detective, a Project D.A.R.E. officer and a crisis negotiator. He was first promoted to sergeant, then captain, and in 2018, he was named Director of Public Safety. As Director of Public Safety, Chief Koerner strengthened community trust through his commitment to transparency and service. He was kind enough to facilitate a ride-along for me with his department, which provided me with new insight into the valuable work Cottage Grove police officers, like Chief Koerner, do every day. He was instrumental in advocating for the construction of the HERO Training Center in Cottage Grove which provides public safety personnel with access to critical educational resources. I had the privilege of touring this outstanding facility and am grateful for Chief Koerner's work to make it a reality. Chief Koerner's community involvement extends beyond his official role. In his free time, Chief Koerner has coached baseball and basketball for the Cottage Grove Athletic Association. He also served as a board member for several community groups, including the Friends in Need Food Shelf, the Holiday Train Committee, the Strawberry Festival Committee and the Cottage Grove Lions. I am deeply inspired by Chief Koerner's commitment to serving his neighbors. His leadership in public safety will have a lasting impact on Cottage Grove, and I am grateful for all he has done to protect and support our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Chief Koerner and in wishing him all the best on his well-earned retirement. ____________________”

2026-04-22 · Government Reform

“Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Captain Gary S. Tomczik, United States Army-Aviation, who passed away on March 20, 2026. Captain Tomczik was originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota, and graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School. While attending St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, he was accepted into the ROTC Aviation program and began flying lessons in St. Cloud and St. Paul. In 1967, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, and attended Helicopter Flight School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Shortly after, he was sent to Vietnam for his first tour of duty. During this tour, he served with distinction as he conducted airlift missions transporting troops and supplies into and out from theater, engaged in medical evacuation missions for injured troops, and flew numerous night missions. During his second tour in Vietnam, he served as the executive officer in his unit, directly assisting the unit commander, and oversaw the maintenance and repair of aircraft. This role required him to test choppers before their return to combat, a particularly risky task. Despite the danger, Captain Tomczik served his country with courage and conviction. Following his tours in Vietnam, he served as an instructor to new pilots at Ft. Rucker. As an instructor, Captain Tomczik took the safety of his students very seriously and worked tirelessly to ensure they had the tools and training they needed to succeed. Captain Tomczik was unwavering in his dedication to serving his Nation and instilled in his students their responsibility to always put the American people first in the performance of their duties. Captain Tomczik's courage and skill during his service were recognized with numerous Army commendations, including the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60-device, the Vietnam Service Medal, three Army Overseas Service bars, the Army Aviator Badge, and the National Defense Service Medal. Following his service in Vietnam and at Ft. Rucker, Captain Tomczik continued his work with helicopters for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. His career took him all over the world, before he and his wife of 53 years, Hilary, settled in Santa Barbara, California. I offer my deepest condolences to Captain Tomczik's family--his wife, Hilary, his sons Graham and Damien, and his siblings Ron, Janet, Mel, and Patrick. I want to thank him and his fellow veterans, including his three brothers, for their service to our country. [[Page E352]] ____________________”

2026-04-21 · Veterans

“Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend, Chief Hugo Searle, on his retirement after 34 years with the fire service. Chief Searle is a dedicated public servant and an outstanding leader who has served Minnesotans with courage and commitment. Originally from Wales, Chief Searle made Minnesota his home and devoted his career to protecting our communities. He served 19 years with the St. Louis Park Fire Department and 10 years with the Brooklyn Park Fire Department before being appointed Chief of the Eagan Fire Department in 2021. During his tenure as Chief, he strengthened community relationships, invested deeply in personnel and guided the department through a period of growth and change. His leadership enhanced emergency response capabilities and fostered a culture grounded in professionalism, compassion, and service. Chief Searle has earned the respect of his colleagues from across the state and is widely regarded as a leader within Minnesota's fire service community. Chief Searle's commitment to excellence extends far beyond the state. In his free time, Chief Searle serves as a high-altitude mountain guide and has summited Mount Everest. I am deeply inspired by Chief Searle's commitment to public service and exceptional leadership. His career in the fire service will have a lasting impact in Eagan and across the state of Minnesota and I am grateful for all he has done to support our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Chief Searle and in wishing him all the best on his well-earned retirement. ____________________”

2026-03-25 · Government Reform