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HONORING LARRY WINUM AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
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HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Friday, February 5, 2021
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Winum, community banker and President of the Mills County Economic Development Foundation in Glenwood, Iowa. Larry's outstanding service to his neighbors and fellow Iowans during some of the most challenging times in the last 18 months is why I recognize him as my Iowan of the Week.
Iowans in Mills and Freemont counties had not only a tough 2020, but a difficult 2019. Massive flooding hit these two counties in early 2019 and devastated communities like Pacific Junction. And of course, in 2020, every community has suffered the economic impacts of COVID-19. Many families lost their businesses, their homes, and their jobs. Just as many folks were getting back on their feet from the floods, they were knocked down again by the virus. That's where Larry comes in.
Larry has over 30 years of experience working at the Glenwood State Bank, so he's seen a lot. He helped many of our family, friends, and neighbors during the 2008 economic recession, helped to bring new economic development to Southwest Iowa, and was instrumental in building a new commerce highway to southwest Iowa. Madam Speaker, the truth is I could go on and on about Larry's accomplishments. Frankly, I don't know of a business or good cause in Southwest Iowa Larry hasn't been a part of. Therefore, you know how difficult the last two years have been when even he admits it's been hard on everyone.
Larry has been right there to help us rebuild time and time again. Not only did the Glenwood Bank and Larry help over 150 customers in need of assistance during the pandemic, resulting in over $9.5 million in assistance for businesses impacted by COVID-19, they also hosted a water distribution location for those who lost everything in the 2019 floods. ``It's not hard to do because it's the right thing to do'' he said, because those are the values Larry lives by. Larry and I saw each other as we toured the devastating flooding, both of us offering as much support and assistance as we could. As I fought in Congress to help bring relief faster to Iowa, Larry worked to distribute that assistance, answer questions, and right now he's working to help build new, affordable housing which is sorely needed.
As a part of the family owned bank that has been in business for 120 years, Larry doesn't see his work as anything extraordinary. He's proud of his friends and neighbors who pulled together ``like a family'', he feels, saying that ``everyone just rallies around each other in difficult times.'' I will point out that working nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help businesses apply for and receive essential PPP loans to keep them in business is Larry going above and beyond. Larry feels that his work was just one small part of helping our communities. He credits his coworkers, local leaders, local businesses, and small-town values of Iowans for helping raise money, deliver meals, offer donations, and so much more. Larry, like any Iowan, can't imagine not helping when his community is in need and that's exactly why I want to honor Larry as Iowan of the Week.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 22
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