Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, Thursday, June 22, 2017, and Friday, June 23, 2017, I was unable to vote on any legislative measures due to having surgery on my foot. Had I been present, I would have voted the following:

Roll Call No. 311, On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair, I would have voted yes;

Roll Call No. 312, On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 1873, the Electricity and Reliability and Forest Protection Act; and H.R. 1654, the Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll Call No. 313, On adoption of the combined rule providing for consideration of H.R. 1873, the Electricity and Reliability and Forest Protection Act; and H.R. 1654, the Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll Call No. 314, On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Carbajal of California No. 1 to H.R. 1873, the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act, I would have voted no;

Roll Call No. 315, On passage of H.R. 1873, the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll Call No. 316, On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 2842, the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll Call No. 317, On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2842, the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll Call No. 318, On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Lowenthal of California No. 2 to H.R. 1654, the Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act, I would have voted no;

Roll Call No. 319, On passage of H.R. 1654, the Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll Call No. 320, On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Krishnamoorthi of Illinois No. 4 to H.R. 2842, the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll Call No. 321, On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Davidson of Ohio No. 5 to H.R. 2842, the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act, I would have voted yes; and Roll Call No. 322, On passage of H.R. 2842, the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act, I would have voted yes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 3M on 50 years of innovation in Springfield, Missouri.

3M is a company filled with employees that have spent over 100 years in the United States inventing and working each day to make the lives of others easier. Southwest Missouri is fortunate enough to have a 3M plant in Springfield, Missouri.

The 3M plant in Springfield is a vital part of the community. This plant employs many people that go to work each day and impact the lives of those not just in the local community, but all around the world.

I am honored to recognize 3M in Springfield and its dedication to not only southwest Missouri, but the many communities throughout the world. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in wishing 3M in Springfield and all of its employees the best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Melvin R. Brown, of Joplin, Missouri, on his recent achievement of the Boy Scouts of America's top rank of Eagle Scout.

The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. It is the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication, requiring countless hours of service, training and learning.

Becoming an Eagle Scout requires a significant amount of determination and self-discipline, traits which will no doubt serve to make Mr. Brown a better employee, family member and American throughout his life. To achieve this rank, he demonstrated active teamwork in his troop, underwent numerous wilderness training tests, dedicated time to his community and has adhered to the Boy Scouts of America oath's reverence for character, citizenship and personal wellness

Mr. Speaker, by attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, Mr. Brown has set himself on the path to achieve future success, and I'm proud to count him among my constituents. His dedication in completing the required benchmarks and community service requirements to reach the Eagle Scout rank is indicative of his ability to accomplish whatever goals he sets his mind to. I wish Mr. Brown luck with all his future endeavors, and urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on this momentous achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor a young student from my district who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Haley Farris of Oldfield has just been named one of the distinguished finalists in Missouri by The 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia.

Ms. Farris is being recognized for creating ``4Confidence,'' a program designed to help middle school students learn to love themselves through biweekly meetings covering topics from bullying to eating disorders. Ms. Farris started the group after realizing she wasn't the only one struggling with low self-esteem, organized pageants to raise money for group activities and increase the confidence of the young contestants she recruited from the community.

It's vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contribution this young citizen has made. Young volunteers like Ms. Farris are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow.

The program that brought this young role model to our attention--The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards--was created by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 1995 to impress upon all youth volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly valued, and to inspire other young people to follow their example. Over the past 22 years, the program has become the nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, and has honored more than 115,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

Ms. Farris should be extremely proud to have been singled out from the thousands of dedicated volunteers who participated in this year's program. I wish Ms. Farris luck with all her future endeavors, and urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating her on this momentous achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor a young student from my district who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Joshelle Hargus of Aurora has just been named one of the distinguished finalists in Missouri by The 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia.

Ms. Hargus is being recognized for being the creator of ``Joshelle's Funky Flip Flops,'' making more than 500 pairs of handmade flip flops since 2008 and using her earnings from her sales to buy shoes and clothes for 100 kids in need. Inspired to help by a kindergarten classmate's only pair of torn-up shoes, Ms. Hargus has gone on to sell her flip flops at craft shows and spread the word about her cause through events and media appearances.

It's vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contribution this young citizen has made. Young volunteers like Ms. Hargus are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow.

The program that brought this young role model to our attention--The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards--was created by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 1995 to impress upon all youth volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly valued, and to inspire other young people to follow their example. Over the past 22 years, the program has become the nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, and has honored more than 115,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

Ms. Hargus should be extremely proud to have been singled out from the thousands of dedicated volunteers who participated in this year's program. I wish Ms. Hargus luck with all her future endeavors, and urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating her on this momentous achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor a young student from my district who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Meredith Sharp of Springfield has just been named one of the top honorees in Missouri by The 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia.

Ms. Sharp is being recognized for raising over $13,000 to provide new athletic shoes for all 311 students at a local elementary school in a low-income area of Springfield. She created a nonprofit organization called ``Just for. Kicks,'' then began seeking donations in person and by mail from relatives, neighbors and business leaders. While she had hoped to collect enough money to buy shoes for one class of kids, she had collected enough for an entire school in just a matter of months.

It's vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contribution this young citizen has made. Young volunteers like Ms. Sharp are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow.

The program that brought this young role model to our attention--The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards--was created by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 1995 to impress upon all youth volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly valued, and to inspire other young people to follow their example. Over the past 22 years, the program has become the nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, and has honored more than 115,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

Ms. Sharp should be extremely proud to have been singled out from the thousands of dedicated volunteers who participated in this year's program. I wish Ms. Sharp luck with all her future endeavors, and urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating her on this momentous achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Granby First Church of God on 100 years of service and dedication to the Granby community.

Granby First Church of God, which was first known as the ``old rock church,'' opened its doors in 1917. Since then, the church has welcomed thousands of people from all different walks of life. When Joplin was hit by a devastating tornado in May of 2011, Granby First Church of God didn't hesitate to open its doors for people outside their community. As people came in to volunteer and help with clean-up, they were allowed to use the Family Life Center as a place to stay.

Granby First Church of God is vital to the Granby, Missouri community.

I am honored to recognize Granby First Church of God and its dedication to not only southwest Missouri, but the many communities throughout the area. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Granby First Church of God on 100 years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Jordan Valley Innovation Center on 10 years of dedication to new and innovative ideas.

The Jordan Valley Innovation Center is a place where students at Missouri State University and the private sector come together and work towards creating and researching the development of new technologies. As technology continues to change, it's important to have hands-on opportunities like the ones provided by the Jordan Valley Innovation Center.

Construction began for the center in 2005 and two years later, construction was completed. Since then the Jordan Valley Innovation Center has been a vital part of southwest Missouri and its success.

I am honored to recognize Jordan Valley Innovation Center on its 10- year anniversary. I look forward to watching this center grow as it continues to be a place of learning and creating. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Jordan Valley Innovation Center on all its success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate WinTech, Inc., on receiving the Missouri impact! Award for Continuous Improvement in Manufacturing Excellence from Missouri Enterprise.

WinTech, located in Monett, Missouri, is an employee owned company founded in 1991. This company specializes in making some of the most cost-effective windows around. As someone who represents this part of Missouri, I couldn't be more proud to have this business in Missouri's 7th Congressional District.

The Missouri impact! Award is an award given to businesses that have gone above and beyond in areas that include manufacturing excellence, innovative technology development, environmental solutions and contributing to Missouri business and community/state economic development.

I am honored to recognize WinTech and its dedication to not only southwest Missouri, but the many communities throughout Missouri. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating WinTech on receiving this award

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the men and women who have lost their lives at work due to unsafe work conditions. In 2015, 4,836 workers were killed on the job. That's 4,836 reasons to remember the importance of work safety.

This week in Missouri's 7th Congressional District the Mid America Safety Health & Environmental Conference is being held by the Missouri Association of Manufacturers. This conference is designed to provide general work safety training while also discussing the importance of safe work environments.

As those who have lost loved ones gather at the conference this week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will have a memorial service acknowledging those families as well as the many other families who have lost loved ones due to unsafe work conditions.

I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the men and women and who have lost their lives due to unsafe work conditions and the families who have lost their loved ones because of this.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri, for their dedication to honoring Gold Star Families in Missouri by building Missouri's first memorial dedicated to those individual families.

A Gold Star family is one that has lost a loved one in military service.

The Gold Star memorial on College of the Ozarks campus will honor Gold Star Families of Missouri. This memorial preserves the memory of the fallen and stands as a stark reminder that freedom is not free. College of the Ozarks feels that it is their duty to honor all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Building this memorial is the college's way of honoring those families that sacrificed everything in the name of freedom.

I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing College of the Ozarks on their outstanding dedication to this country by honoring Missouri's Gold Star Families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Springfield News-Leader and its dedication to 150 years of excellence in journalism.

The Springfield News-Leader was first published on April 4, 1867, and has been a vital part of the Springfield, Missouri, community ever since. After 150 years, the Springfield News-Leader has reached almost 55,000 consecutive days of print, for both morning and evening newspapers.

In January of 1927, after several changes in name and ownership, the newspaper was officially known as the Springfield Daily News. 120 years later, in 1987, after printing both a morning and evening edition, the afternoon edition of the newspaper was discontinued and consolidated with the morning edition to become the Springfield News-Leader.

Today, the Springfield News-Leader is combined with a number of other print publications, websites and digital marketing services as part of the News-Leader Media Group. This group is the largest multi-media marketing solutions company in southwest Missouri, serving the local and regional business community.

For 150 years, the Springfield News-Leader has caught the moments that have shaped our nation, Missouri and Missouri's 7th Congressional District. I am confident that in the next 150 years the Springfield News-Leader will continue to be the newspaper that keeps the people of the 7th District informed and up-to-date. Congratulations to the Springfield News-Leader.

Mr. Speaker, today I have the honor of introducing my friend Reverend Dr. Andrew Chaney.

Reverend Chaney is a third-generation minister. He serves as the senior minister at the historic First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Missouri, a church that is a special place to my family. Reverend Chaney serves as an important spiritual voice for me and the Springfield community.

Congress has a longstanding tradition of beginning each session with a prayer. I am privileged and honored to have the opportunity today to welcome Reverend Dr. Andrew Chaney to the people's House as he opened today's session with a prayer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Harmony House of Springfield, Missouri, for all the work the organization does on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and declare that Friday, February 10, 2017, be Harmony House Day.

Since 1976, Harmony House has been an active force for good in the Springfield-Greene County community. What started out as an all- volunteer grassroots network sheltering survivors of abuse in their own homes, has over the past 41 years answered more than 76,000 SAFEline calls, served over 450,000 meals and provided over 408,000 safe bed nights to more than 16,000 women and children from around Greene County, Missouri.

February 10, 2017, will mark the beginning of a new era for Harmony House. Going forward, Harmony House will continue to serve those in need and continue to change lives but in a new location with both enhanced and expanded capabilities. Harmony House's empowering work, as the only domestic violence shelter in the area, will reach more people and help more families operating from a newly renovated, top of the line, facility.

I am honored to recognize Harmony House and commend the organization for its service and hard work over the years. On behalf of Missouri's Seventh Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring Harmony House and observing Friday, February 10, 2017, as Harmony House Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sheriff Mick Epperly of Barry County, Missouri, who is retiring after 28 years of service in law enforcement.

Sheriff Epperly took his first oath as Sheriff of Barry County on January 1, 1997. Now, 20 years later, he has become the longest serving sheriff in Barry County's history.

During his career, Sheriff Epperly has come to be known as the ``working sheriff.'' On the job, Sheriff Epperly has consistently been an active sheriff arriving first on the scene for search and rescue missions, going into work at all hours, even on weekends and holidays, regularly going on patrols with his officers and working every homicide case that the Sheriff's Office has been involved in during his tenure.

I am honored to recognize Sheriff Epperly's years of service and hard work on the job for the people of Barry County. On behalf of Missouri's Seventh Congressional District I ask all of my colleagues to join me in wishing Sheriff Epperly the best in retirement and thanking him for 28 years of work in law enforcement.