Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Joe Bob and Rose Lynne

Dunn, who on March 23, 1962, were married in the Everton Christian Church in Everton, Missouri, and are now celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Joe Bob and Rose Lynne were born and raised in rural Dade County, Missouri. They both grew up on farms and graduated from Everton R3 Public School, Joe Bob--Class of 1959, and Rose Lynne--Class of 1961. While in school they were high school sweethearts and I am proud to say that their love has stood the test of time.

After graduating, Joe Bob and Rose Lynne went to work in Springfield, Missouri. Joe Bob spent his career in the Producers Creamery plant, now known as Dairy Farmers of America, and retired in 1999. Rose worked as a secretary at Lily Tulip, Zenith Electronics, and retired Emeritus from Missouri State University in 2007.

Joe Bob and Rose Lynne have been blessed with a son, Scott, who lives in Springfield, Missouri. Scott and his wife Tobin have provided the light of Joe Bob and Rose Lynne's life, their grandsons Taylor and Jordan. They both actively enjoy cheering on their grandsons in their various team sports.

When they were not busy with their family, Joe Bob and Rose Lynne enjoy square dancing together. They were active members of the Frisco Square Dance Club and to date have attended 13 national conventions. They are currently members of the Christian Church and are loyal supporters of the Missouri State athletic teams. As a family they enjoy the great outdoors by traveling and camping.

These days, they relish their well-earned golden years in the retirement home, at the Island Green Golf Community in Republic, Missouri.

I am proud of Joe Bob and Rose Lynne and am honored to call them my neighbors in the 7th Congressional District of Missouri. I want to commemorate their 50th wedding anniversary and may God bless them with many more happy and loving years together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, a council in the 7th District of Missouri, as Girl Scouts celebrates 100 years of leadership development for girls.

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, and has a membership of approximately 17,000 girls living in southwest and central Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. Last year, Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland experienced a more than 17 percent increase in its membership, ranking it third in the country for growth out of 112 Girl Scout councils.

March 12, 2012, marked the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the USA. Self-discovery and community service were core values that Girl Scouts founder Juliette Low sought to instill in girls from the earliest days. In 1912, many girls' paths in life were limited and Low's vision was for girls to be able to expand their personal horizons by having fun while exploring new interests and contributing to society.

Girl Scouts today benefit from tangible outcomes such as a strong sense of self, practical life skills, healthy relationships, and feeling empowered to make a difference. In southwest Missouri, Girl Scouts are participating in robotics teams, financial literacy activities, environmental stewardship campaigns, and numerous other initiatives that reflect the continued strength and relevance of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

They also give back to their community with thousands of hours of community service each year. During this year's Girl Scout Cookie Program, many Girl Scouts participated in the Cookie Share program, through which Girl Scout Cookies are shared with military organizations or food pantries. At summer camp and locally, girls will participate in Girl Scouts Forever Green projects to promote environmental stewardship. This year, girls have also helped to replenish food supplies at local pantries, provide comfort and supplies to families displaced by tornadoes, bring joy to residents at nursing homes, thank veterans for their service, and much more.

Folks in Southwest Missouri should be proud to know that the Girl Scout program remains strong and provides a significant opportunity for girls today to learn and grow safely. I too am proud and honored to know that young girls in the 7th District of Missouri are demonstrating positive values and strong leadership skills--and will continue to do so for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize world-famous Branson, Missouri. This year, Branson celebrates 100 years of heritage, harmony, and hospitality. Branson is a community of people, shaped and inspired by the lakes and hills that surround her, with a common mission, united in perseverance and service to others.

Over the past 100 years, millions of people from around the world have enjoyed and appreciated this special location in Ozark Mountain Country. However, it wasn't always this way, as Branson comes from humble beginnings.

In 1882, a community was founded when a young schoolteacher named Reuben Branson built a store and opened the first post office in a rural area of southwest Missouri. Branson continued to grow, helped by steamboats and the White River Railroad arriving in 1906, and Branson was officially incorporated on April 1, 1912.

In 1907, preacher Harold Bell Wright wrote a best-selling book, ``Shepherd of the Hills,'' which led to an attraction still thriving today. Inspired entrepreneurs kept arriving and in 1949, Hugo Herschend signed a 99-year lease on a cave and went on to build Silver Dollar City. In 1959, Branson's distinction as a music destination began when the Mabe brothers opened the first music show. The Presley family opened the town's second music show on what eventually became Missouri Route 76.

Today, Branson entertains millions of visitors who embrace the city's heritage, harmony and hospitality. I am proud to have the city and the community of Branson in my district and I congratulate them on the past 100 years and I look forward to 100 more.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the young gentlemen of the Billings Wildcats Boys Basketball Team for winning the Missouri Class 2 State Championship.

The Wildcats have a philosophy built around teamwork and a desire to be champions. These talented young men, Kaleb Harter, Connor Jenisch, Nathan Blades, Brady Chastain, Austin Essick, Chad Yeokum, Dawson Meyer, Lane Truman, Sawyer Hawkins, and Seth Haggerman are the true definition of a team. Through their hard work and dedication they won the Missouri Class 2 State Championship.

Coach Kendall Tilley and his talented coaching staff should be proud of their accomplishment in guiding such a phenomenal group of young men. I commend them all on a job well done.

The Wildcats had a wild final with their opponent rallying multiple times, but Billings held

fast and came out on top. In the end, the Wildcats refused to lose. They ended with a 29 3 record.

The Billings community is justifiably proud of the extraordinary group of young and talented future leaders on the Wildcats Basketball Team.

I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Billings Wildcats Basketball Team, the Missouri Class 2 State Champions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the young ladies of the Republic Lady Tigers Basketball Team for winning the Missouri Class 4 State Championship.

The Lady Tigers had some up and down moments in their championship run, but were able to rely upon each other to persevere. These talented young women, Brooke Dutton, Alice Heinzler, Alex Botkin, Alexis Edwards, Sarah Kreul, Kayla Bartelsmeyer, Baylee Rayl, Micah Mansker, Mercedes Doty, Taylor Wells, Kailey Mathis, Lindsey Carlson, and Tori Taylor are the true definition of a team. Through their hard work and dedication they won the Missouri Class 4 State Championship.

They were outstandingly guided by Coach Kris Flood and his talented coaching staff, Tori Mooneyham and Curt Plotter, whom I commend on an amazing accomplishment and a job well done.

The Republic Basketball team had tremendous support throughout their season; their friends, family, and fans attended the tournaments, cheered them on throughout the basketball season and followed them to Columbia for the state championships. Uniquely, many of the excited fans would dress up in costumes, like superheroes and whoopee cushions, for their title run.

The Republic community is justifiably proud of the extraordinary group of young future leaders on the Republic Lady Tigers Basketball Team, but even more important, the young ladies of the Republic Basketball team will have memories to last a lifetime. They've had the extraordinarily opportunity to live the dream of defying the odds and achieving victory through greatness.

This is third time that the Republic Lady Tigers have won the state championship.

I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Republic Ladies Basketball Team, the Missouri Class 4 State Champions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th birthday of George Dean Carden, a man from southwest Missouri who went from humble beginnings to becoming the largest producer of Shrine Circuses in the country.

George Carden was born on March 19, 1952 in Springfield, Missouri. It was in Springfield he was raised, staying with his grandparents as his parents traveled the country working in a circus. After a few years his parents bought a circus of their own, but this time George came along. It wasn't too long before George started his own circus company--George Carden Circus International--in 1981. Eventually, he bought out his father's circus, combined the two, and after years of hard work became one of the largest circus producers in North America. In fact, George and his father have produced the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Circus for almost fifty years.

The circus is usually a family affair and the Cardens are no different. George's wife, Alexandra, is also involved with the circus, as are his two sons, Larry and Brett Carden. George also has a daughter, Michelle, and two grandsons, George Brett and Cash Carden. Working in the circus means a life on the road, but when it comes time to relax, George and his family spend their time on their 800-acre ranch in Hickory County, Missouri, enjoying deer hunting and fishing.

Giving back to the community is also important to George. He is a lifetime member of Abou Ben Adhem Shriners and is very active in the Shriner community, even financially supporting renovations to the Shrine Mosque. George also has a soft spot for children and has taken care of over 100,000 special and needy children over the past thirty years. For his service, George has become honorary member of many Shrine Temples.

Mr. Speaker, George is a great man and I am privileged to honor him on his 60th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mercy Village Apartments, of Joplin, Missouri, which is welcoming its residents home after being damaged in the devastating F 5 tornado of May 22, 2011.

For nearly 30 years, Mercy Housing has been committed to developing affordable, program-enriched housing for low-income families, seniors and people with special needs who lack the economic resources to access quality, safe housing opportunities. To date, Mercy Housing has participated in the development, preservation and financing of more than 40,000 affordable homes and an additional 7,309 homes are in the pre-development, construction or concept phase.

The day of the tornado, residents and staff worked together to get everyone to safety, even carrying wheelchairs down three flights of stairs. Thankfully, no one was hurt. One resident who was especially lucky to survive was 82-year-old Bonnie Betz. When Bonnie was awakened from her nap by the tornado sirens, she immediately started to move downstairs to shelter. The entire wall of the stairwell was torn away from the building by the tornado. She clung to the banister and was lifted off her feet, yet despite her arthritic hands, was able to literally hold on for her life. A structural engineer later said that without the good design and extra structural reinforcement Mercy Housing added when they built Mercy Village in 2005, the story might have a different ending.

I would therefore like to commend Mercy Housing for its hard work and dedication. Because of them, Joplin seniors can remain in the community they call home.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 46, I did vote ``yes'' and checked the monitor--apparently the card or system malfunctioned.

Mr. Speaker, one of the privileges we have as Members of Congress is to have the leader of a church back home deliver the opening prayer for the United States House of Representatives.

Today, I am proud to introduce America to a friend of mine, the Reverend Doctor Cal LeMon. Reverend LeMon is an ordained elder at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Missouri, where he regularly preaches and teaches in a historic house of worship.

He is the president of Executive Enrichment, Inc., a corporate education and consulting firm, assisting organizations to become more productive through effective leadership. He is also a writer and regularly contributes to the Society for Human Resources magazine, Employment Relations Today, and the opinion page of USA Today.

Like many members of the clergy, the Reverend Cal LeMon is an important voice in our community. Reverend LeMon is and has been a tremendous spiritual influence on my family and me.

He has a heart for his country and for each and every one of us. I am honored to welcome him here to Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of the payroll tax extension--holiday--whatever you want to call it, and the doc fix that we address every single year here in this Congress. At the end of last year, we went home. We did our work. We extended the payroll tax holiday for 1 full year. We did the doc fix for 2 years. When I got to the airport in Dallas, Texas, we got a call that the Senate had sent back over a bill here that was going to pay the doctors taking care of our seniors on Medicare for 2 months. I think, if I remember right, they had three different plans. It would either take care for 2 months, 8 weeks, or 60 days. That's the only three programs they looked at in the Senate. Then they sent it back over here, and then they try and blame us, saying we're not for the payroll tax extension. We were for it for a year; we were for the doc fix for 2 years.

I think it is ridiculous that the Senate cannot do their work, just like we haven't had a budget out of the Senate in 1,000 days.

I rise today to address a thousand days. Now, I can try to impress you with my knowledge of a thousand days and tell you things like Mark Zuckerberg could have invented Facebook in his dorm room at Harvard 71.3 times in a thousand days, but I don't think that's going to get us anywhere. I could tell you that you could build 2.4 Empire State buildings in a thousand days, but that really doesn't mean anything. Those are the things you could do in a thousand days. What I'd like to address is what you cannot do in a thousand days.

What can we not do in a thousand days? The Senate cannot pass a budget. I was with one of the 87 freshmen that got here last year. I've been here 365-plus days. So what happened to that first 600-and-some days, if we could address that, when the Democrats controlled all three bodies, the House, the Senate, and the White House? They didn't produce a budget in that time.

This is an election year. I don't think we're really going to see a budget this year. We can talk about it all we want and ask them to produce one, but it's not politically correct to budget in this country anymore. And to me, Mr. Speaker, that's appalling.

When you do come forth with a budget, as we did last year, a couple days later you're going to get an ad of somebody throwing a lady off a cliff in a wheelchair, because that's what happens in this country when you put your plan down in writing, and that's appalling.

Eighty-seven freshmen came here last year--doctors, nurses. I was one of two auctioneers. Pizza parlor owner, roofing contractor. Just like the Founding Fathers envisioned. Car dealers, people off the street, people that have run businesses, small business people.

We got here and we were told the first vote we needed to take was for what? Speaker of the House. We voted for John Boehner, Speaker of the House, because the public sent us up here with a 25-seat majority.

What was our second vote? A CR, a continuing resolution. We looked at each other. Continuing resolution? Oh, yeah. We've got to keep the government open for 2 more full weeks, 14 days, because that's how we operate here in Washington, D.C. And if that's not appalling, too--we were sent here to change the way Washington does business.

Now, you can have your three Ds--doubt, despair, decline--and I think on ``Hee Haw'' they used to say ``in agony''--but we can also be optimistic in this country.

You can deal from a position of defeat and doubt and decline like our colleagues across the aisle like to, but I wish I would have stepped 14 steps down the hall to my good friend from Oregon's office--that's how far our offices are apart--and I could have studied on how the first term of George W. Bush they worked night and day how to figure out how to get him reelected, because apparently Mr. McConnell is doing something wrong in the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the service of one of the 7th District of Missouri's radio stations, KZRG.

KZRG is an AM radio station broadcasting from Joplin, Missouri that does news broadcasting for Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, or as they call it, ``the four state'' area.

On May 22, 2011, an EF-5 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, devastating a once quiet Missouri town. On that Sunday evening, Joplin was forever changed. Much was destroyed. Family, friends, neighbors, homes and businesses disappeared in the blink of a tornado's eye. After the winds stilled, over 160 people, 8,000 homes and 500 businesses were lost.

The early days were tough. Shock and disbelief, chaos and devastation, but out of that wreckage came hope and inspiration. We found out there are a lot of heroes in Joplin. During those dark hours they stood up and came to the aid of their community when their neighbors needed them most. There is no better example of that than the associates at KZRG.

Despite the fact that seven KZRG associates lost homes during the tornado, despite

seeing their town in ruins, despite the horror and devastation of one of the most destructive tornados in American history, KZRG continued to broadcast and report, 24 hours a day, on-air and in the field.

The tornado's widespread devastation damaged or destroyed much of Joplin's cell phone towers and phone and electrical lines. This left much of the community powerless and unable to communicate. However, the radio broadcasts of KZRG continued. KZRG remained on air, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving folks critical and time-sensitive information as it was happening. KZRG was there, helping the police dispatch their officers, helping loved ones find each other, helping community leaders coordinate disaster recovery efforts. Truly, journalism at its finest.

They also launched a relief collection effort, which collected food, clothing, and toiletry items to listeners in need. In fact, their station became a meeting place of sorts, for emergency personnel and volunteers. They became a symbol of the community getting back on its feet.

Folks in Southwest Missouri should be proud to know that in times of trouble, KZRG was and will always be there. I too am proud and honored to call the associates of KZRG my fellow citizens and neighbors in the 7th Congressional District of Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, there once was a man named Mel, and when he stepped to this microphone, he'd give 'em Mel.

I rise today to recognize a former Member of this body and a friend and mentor, Congressman Mel Hancock. He would sign all of his letters or emails, whatever he'd sign, with the same thing: ``Yours for better but less government.'' That's what Mel believed.

When Senator Jim Talent first came to this body, he asked Mel to help him vote. He said: Mel, can you show me how to use the voting machine here?

Mel said: Sure, Jim, come over here. You see, if you want to vote ``no,'' you push the red button. And if you have a conflict, you can't vote on an issue, you push the yellow button for ``P'' for ``present.'' And he turned and walked off.

Senator Talent said: Hey, Mel, what's the green button?

Mel turned around and said: I don't know, never used it.

Mel died peacefully in his home in his sleep on November 6 in Springfield, Missouri. Mel was a champion of limited government. Mel knew that our Founding Fathers understood the corrupting influence of power on the human character, which is why they championed personal freedom, the idea that a government by the people and for the people should preserve liberty for future generations. Like our Founders, Mel was a wise man, a good man, who worked tirelessly to defend people's liberty. Mel was a true Ozarkian.

He was born in Cape Fair, Missouri, in 1936. He graduated from college and enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 where he would serve in active duty until 1953. Following active duty, Mel stayed in the Air Force Reserves until 1965 where he attained the rank of first lieutenant.

After military service, Mel went into business, co-founding a security system equipment leasing company. However, Mel's dedication to his country did not end with his military service. As a businessman and a voter, Mel was upset with the way things were being done in the State of Missouri and Washington, DC. In 1977, Mel founded the Taxpayer Survival Association--I can still see the bumper sticker today with a lifesaver on it, like you'd throw off of a boat or a ship--a not-for- profit organization dedicated to advancing a constitutional amendment to limit taxes. He was a one-man show. He would go around Missouri getting signatures. You might see him up in Kansas City standing in a parking lot in front of a mall in a rainstorm getting people to sign his tax-and-spending amendment petition to put on the ballot.

Through his hard work, the ``Hancock amendment'' was added to the Missouri Constitution in 1980. Mel used its passage to continue his advocacy for responsible government and for the rights of individuals to be free from overburdensome government.

Mel's convictions took him to Congress in 1988 where he represented southwest Missouri for 8 years. I always called Mel the reluctant Congressman. He didn't want to be a Congressman; he didn't want to come to Washington, DC, but he was just pulled in that direction by people who said: Mel, you've got to go. You've got to do it.

I am honored to now occupy that same Congressional seat, Missouri 7.

During his time in Congress, from 1988 to 1996, Mel worked at the House Ways and Means Committee to advance the cause of liberty. He also championed a balanced budget amendment, his signature issue, and I'm proud to say we're going to vote on a balanced budget amendment this week.

Mel retired from Congress in 1996. He didn't retire because he couldn't win another election, but because he had promised the people of southwest Missouri that he would not serve more than four terms in office. With Mel, a promise made was a promise kept, something that Washington would do well to learn today. And I am honored to now occupy that same congressional seat, Missouri 7.

Now, over 30 years since the passage of the Hancock amendment, our current budget problems reveal just how right Mel was. We would not have a $15 trillion debt or massive runaway government spending if we had a Hancock amendment on a national level.

Mel was much beloved by his many neighbors, friends, and family in Missouri's Seventh District and was one of my mentors. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Sug, whom Mel always referred to as the Boss, his sons, Lee and Kim, and his daughter, Lu Ann, and their families.

Mel will be missed, but the legacy that he has created and the ideas that he championed will continue. His legacy will forever be a part of Missouri through the Hancock amendment and his service to his constituents. Mel meant the world to me, and I will continue to champion the ideas that he dedicated his life fighting for.

Mr. Speaker, I came to Congress as a small business owner. And as any small business owner will tell you, the government can't create jobs, only the private sector can.

I think it's easy to forget, but the United States Government does not have any money that it does not first take from productive citizens and businesses. When the government spends to create jobs, it has to take money from people who earned it and who would have spent it or invested it otherwise--the broken window effect, if you will. So the reality is that government spending trades productive private sector jobs for usually wasteful public sector jobs.

With record unemployment affecting families across the Nation, now is not the time to increase the public sector on the backs of the private sector and increase the burdens on our small businesses. Small businesses are the engine that drives this economy, and it's time for the government to get out of their way.

As part of the House GOP Plan for America's Job Creators, we've opposed the President whenever he wants to create new taxes or more regulations. So far this year, the House of Representatives has passed many bills that focus on job creation. These are real jobs bills that create real wealth-producing private sector jobs--not fake bills like the stimulus that didn't do anything but stimulate the national debt-- bills that empower small business owners, fix the Tax Code to help job creators, increase competitiveness for U.S. manufacturers, encourage entrepreneurship and growth, maximize domestic energy production, and pay down America's unsustainable debt burden. Some of these have passed the Senate and gone on to become law, believe it or not. The free trade agreements, for instance--for which I am especially proud.

When 95 percent of the world's customers are outside of America, it's no surprise that jobs would be created as our companies are allowed to compete and expand on the world stage. In fact, it's estimated that by pursuing those agreements, we're creating up to a quarter of a million new jobs. Good jobs will be created right here in America at a time when jobs are badly needed.

House Republicans have also tried to fix our Tax Code. Complying with our confusing Tax Code costs Americans billions every year--over $160 billion in 2009 alone.

We need to get Washington out of the way by simplifying the Tax Code and lowering tax rates. We need a Tax Code that is flatter, fairer, and simpler, a Tax Code that creates jobs by making America more competitive. That's why I'm proud Congress passed the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act, which eliminated the 1099 form mess. The 1099 form created an unprecedented accounting and paperwork burden on small businesses across this country. A National Federation of Independent Business small business survey determined the form is the most expensive burden placed on small businesses by the Federal Government.

Another House jobs bill that has now become law is the America Invents Act, a bill that brings long-overdue patent reform. So three free trade agreements, a tax reform bill, and a patent reform bill--if you're counting. Out of the many jobs bills, only those have escaped the graveyard of the United States Senate. It seems that some would rather campaign and complain instead of doing what we know will create jobs. We know that throwing money at problems doesn't solve a thing. If it did, then all of our problems would have been solved with the stimulus. We know that eliminating burdensome overregulation and restrictions on job creators is a sure fire way to create jobs.

We need legislation that encourages entrepreneurship and growth. America has historically been on the cutting edge of innovation and technological development, but we are increasingly falling behind our global competitors. We must make it easier for existing businesses to grow and allow more start-up companies to flourish. That's why the Senate needs to pass the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, the Energy Tax Prevention Act, the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act, the Consumer Financial Protection and Soundness Improvement Act, the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act, Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act, and we need to fix the Tax Code.

The Gettysburg Address is 272 words; the Declaration of Independence, 1,500 words; the Constitution, 7,200 words; the Federal Tax Code, 10 million words.

Our Tax Code needs to be fixed, and that's why the Senate needs to pass the 3 percent withholding rule repeal, which would repeal the 3 percent withholding on our contractors' payments with Federal, State, and local governments.

This job-killing requirement would create costly new work for Federal, State, and local governments and hold the money hostage from government contractors. The IRS needs to learn that hurting businesses, cities, towns, and consumers during a recession is not going to get our economy back on track.

Much like the costly Form 1099 requirements that Congress repealed earlier this year, the 3 percent withholding rule would impose more burdens on cash-strapped employers and hurt job creation. Instead of focusing on job creation and economic growth, business and local governments will have to focus on enormous administrative and financial challenges.

Just today, we learned the leadership in the Senate has been burning the midnight oil figuring out a way to even gum up this 3 percent repeal.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of the 7th District of Missouri's most distinguished individuals, Diana Newton.

Diana has dedicated her life to serving those who serve our country. Growing up with a father and brother in the armed forces, she knows first-hand the sacrifices our troops and their families make every day to keep our country free.

One day, while speaking with a veteran's mother, Diana felt more should be done to recognize our combat veterans. She then decided to bring back the American tradition of Silver Star Service Banners.

Silver Star Service Banners, or hand-sewn silver stars on blue and red cloth, were popular during the First World War. Families of enlisted members would display the banners in the windows of their homes in recognition of their loved one's patriotism and sacrifice.

In 2004, Diana and her husband co-founded the Silver Star Families of America in the hopes of once again using the Silver Star Service Banners to honor the sacrifice of America's best and brightest. Thanks to Diana's hard work, the Silver Star Service Banner is again being presented to thousands of veterans across the country.

The Silver Star Families of America is now an esteemed board member of the Veterans Administration Volunteer Services and has delivered over $2 million in donated materials to veterans throughout the United States. Diana's leadership has established the organization as a verifying organization with the Presidential Volunteer Awards Program, a testifying organization with the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and a sponsor of the Silver Star Banner Day on May 1st of every year.

A model citizen, Diana has been nominated as a CNN Hero of the Year, decorated with the Daily Point of Light award, the Missouri National Guard's Conspicuous Award, and received the 2010 Commendation and Gold Presidential Volunteer Services awards from former President George W. Bush.

Americans should be proud to know that people like Diana honor those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms. I too am proud, and I am honored, to call her my fellow citizen and neighbor in the 7th Congressional District of Missouri.