Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Kevin Kiley

Independent on America 250 2026-07-22

329 words · 12 sentences · 19 clauses

Statement grade

Average 90 / 100

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Greeting 9%Claims 83%Thanks 8%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Mr. Speaker, Greeting · 28 wordsin the spirit of National Zookeeper Appreciation Week, I rise today to recognize an outstanding zookeeper in my district, Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary Zookeeper Amy Van der Molen.¹Greeting Claims · 274 wordsAmy has been a zookeeper at the Zoo Sanctuary since 1994.² Prior to that, she worked as zookeeper at the Fairytale Town Park in Sacramento and is an educator at the Sacramento Zoo Interpretive Center.³ During her career, she has cared for birds, reptiles, omnivores, and carnivores. During her tenure at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, Amy has overseen the care of many animals, including 13 bears, 8 mountain lions, 2 tigers, 5 wolves, ⁴and many others. As part of her zookeeping job, Amy participates in vet procedures for the animals in her care, creates behavioral and environmental enrichment, performs positive enforcement training, participates in keeper chats for guests to educate them about animals, and shares the Zoo Sanctuary’s mission of teaching responsible behavior toward all animals. Amy has created the Annual Art Program where animals use their feet, nose, or other body parts to paint with nontoxic washable paint on a canvas.⁵ These paintings are sold in the zoo gift shop and have even been part of art shows at a local art gallery in Folsom and have sold at various special events and fundraisers to benefit the Zoo Sanctuary. Amy’s love for her work and for the animals under her care is evident as she has been quoted as saying: ``During my career, I have loved every single animal that I have worked with, but of course there are a few that I will never forget and will always be a part of me. I have been eligible,’’ she said, ``for retirement since January of 2025, ⁶but I love my job and my animal family. I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon.’’ Thanks · 27 wordsTherefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored to recognize zookeeper Amy Van der Molen for her service to the Folsom community.Thanks

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 80

2 of 2 deductions are Signal

Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.

Greetings and pleasantries.What the tags mean “in the spirit of National Zookeeper Appreciation Week, I rise today to recognize an outstanding zookeeper in my district, Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary Zookeeper Amy Van der Molen.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored to recognize zookeeper Amy Van der Molen for her service to the Folsom community.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · no score

Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.

Respect · no score

Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.

Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.

Clarity · 100

0 of 2 deductions are Clarity

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

Nothing lost points.

Claims · 6

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

1“National Zookeeper Appreciation Week”National Zookeeper Appreciation Week occurs in the week of July 22, 2026.search
2“a zookeeper at the Zoo Sanctuary since 1994”Amy Van der Molen has been a zookeeper at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary since 1994.search
3“worked as zookeeper at the Fairytale Town Park in Sacramento”Before Folsom, Amy Van der Molen worked as a zookeeper at Fairytale Town Park in Sacramento.search
4“13 bears, 8 mountain lions, 2 tigers, 5 wolves”During her tenure at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, Amy Van der Molen has overseen the care of 13 bears, 8 mountain lions, 2 tigers, and 5 wolves.search
5“or other body parts to paint with nontoxic washable paint on a canvas.”Amy Van der Molen created the Annual Art Program at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary.search
6“I have been eligible,’’ she said, ``for retirement since January of 2025, ”Amy Van der Molen said she has been eligible for retirement since January of 2025.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15