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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING SABETHA MUMM AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
______
HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 11, 2020
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join
me in celebrating an Iowan who models the promise of the American Dream
and someone who has turned their passion for dance into a thriving
small business. It is my great honor to recognize Sabetha Mumm, the
owner of Dance Vision in Johnston, as Iowan of the Week.
A lifelong dancer, Sabetha always knew she was meant to share her
love of dance with others. After one semester of college as a pre-law
major, she switched to a dance major, eventually graduating with a
Bachelor of Arts in Dance with Honors. Without enough resources to help
her career in dance immediately come to fruition, she initially opted
for a more traditional career path in an office setting.
Years later while encouraging her young son to follow his dreams, she
realized she needed to do the same. She wanted to lead by example for
her children and provide young Iowans the resources she hadn't had to
pursue their dreams of careers in dance. With the support of her
family, the native Iowan dedicated the next few years to researching
and planning her business: Dance Vision. Since opening in 2003, Mumm
has grown Dance Vision from a rented, 2,500 square foot space with one
studio to a custom-designed, 12,000 square foot facility with five
different studios.
Thousands of talented students have come through her classes and
several hundred have gone on to find professional success as dancers in
the United States and abroad. They've graced Broadway shows, advanced
through televised dance competitions, toured with world-famous musical
artists, and been featured in music videos, Sabetha credits this
overwhelming success to the spirit and work ethic of Iowans. There's
plenty of talent here, she says, and now a resource to help it
flourish.
After learning more about Sabetha's journey and growing venture, it
came as no surprise that she was named the Small Business
Administration's 2020 Iowa Small Businessperson of the Year: a
prestigious honor very well deserved.
Businesses like Sabetha's are vital to the success of any community.
This is a fact we see more each day as the pandemic stretches on. As a
small business owner myself, I know it is an incredible challenge to
start and maintain that vision. Sabetha's drive to pursue her dream is
inspiring--that kind of leap is not for the faint of heart. Her
decision has clearly paid off as we celebrate her success and thriving
dance studio today. She's helping kids and families find joy through
movement and self-expression and is passing her passion for dance down
to new generations. She is a perfect example of how strategic
collaboration, creativity, a little patience, and a lot of hard work
can make your dreams a reality.
As I've traveled all 16 counties across my district, one thing every
place has in common is that women are who hold our communities
together. Whether it's through volunteering at church, providing child
care for neighbors, organizing an annual festival, or operating a
successful small business--the ladies in our communities are getting
things done.
Sabetha says, ``The only dreams impossible to reach are the ones that
you never pursue.'' It is people with that kind of spirit that make
Iowa such a great place to live, have a family, and grow a business. I
will continue to fight in Congress for small business owners like
Sabetha to ensure the American dream will always be alive in our
community. It is my honor to recognize Sabetha Mumm as our Iowan of the
Week.
____________________