Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Since its inception, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has disregarded congressional intent in a number of alarming ways. Under the previous Director, Richard Cordray, the agency took it upon itself to essentially write law through guidance and regulate through enforcement. Bureaucrats at the CFPB worked diligently to eliminate options for Americans, arrogantly believing they were better equipped to make financial decisions than consumers themselves.

Thankfully, under Acting Director Mulvaney and Director Kraninger, the CFPB is striving to foster an environment that promotes transparency, legitimacy, and great consumer choice. The American people deserve a Bureau that enforces law rather than creates it, while placing power and choice back in the hands of consumers themselves.

Unfortunately, the legislation we are considering today accomplishes the exact opposite.

I appreciate the chairwoman's attempt to reform the Bureau and share the belief that it needs significant reform. However, instead of solving underlying issues that make the CFPB an unaccountable bureaucracy with little oversight, this legislation cherry-picks specific actions of former Acting Director Mulvaney and attempts to reverse his decisions.

Ignoring the underlying structural issues of the Bureau, Democrats are attempting to codify their CFPB agenda with respect to staffing by limiting political appointees, directing political initiatives through the creation of the Office of Students and Young Consumers, and emphasizing the powers and duties of the Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity.

Yet again, my friends across the aisle are more focused on who is leading the agency than on real reforms that would increase oversight and accountability at the CFPB and could shed light on some of the issues this legislation seeks to address. For example, if the CFPB were subject to an Office of Inspector General, we would have reports on whether or not staffing levels are sufficient to fulfill the Bureau's statutory goals. If the Bureau was subject to the appropriations process, Congress would have a voice in choosing the number of political appointees at the Bureau. Some of these issues, Mr. Chairman, are not even partisan, they're near bipartisan, and yet we can't get these things done.

Instead of working with Republicans to reform the Bureau, create transparency, and avoid partisan policy shifts from Director to Director, the

majority is choosing to advance legislation that mandates the advancement of political priorities.

The bottom line here is the legislation before us is wholly partisan and does nothing to ensure the CFPB can carry out its mission to protect consumers. I oppose this legislation and I urge my colleagues to do so, as well.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry), ranking member of the full committee.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment that would place, I believe, an unnecessary burden on credit bureaus with no benefits to consumers.

Currently, consumers have access to free credit scores through the annualcreditreport.com website run by the big three credit reporting agencies, or CRAs. On this website, consumers can get three separate credit scores, one at each of these three CRAs, for free. This amendment will use the CFPB to require that the CRAs provide an additional credit score to consumers. That is right, a fourth credit score.

Specifically, the amendment requires CRAs to use the credit score that is most frequently used. What the legislation fails to mention is that the most frequently used score is a FICO score. FICO scores are not free.

This amendment requires that the credit bureaus, all private companies, purchase credit scores from FICO, another private company; and in doing so, it is mandating the transfer of potentially hundreds of millions of dollars from one company to another company.

One has to ask oneself, why is this designed to punish these three CRAs or to create a massive payday for FICO? This is the USA, not USSR, not China, and not Venezuela. The government has no right to force a private company to hand millions of dollars to another private company simply because the government official prefers one product over another.

In addition, the chairwoman has introduced legislation to reform the CRA and has yet to bring a bill up before the committee. I would imagine this amendment that deals with credit scores, not consumer protection, is better suited to be debated under regular order in our committee than thrown onto a bill that seeks to amend CFPB governance.

In short, this amendment has the government picking winners and losers, provides little or no benefit to consumers, is irrelevant to the subject of this bill, and should be soundly defeated.

This sets a horrible precedent, Madam Chairwoman. We are dictating one private company to pay another private company for a service. When do we ever do that? That is amazing precedent to set. How can we do this?

We are not a dictatorial government here. We allow the winners and losers to be chosen by the people through economic freedom. We don't dictate who buys a product from here and who buys a product from there. That is what the people are allowed to do on their own, and that is what makes our country so great is economic freedom to be able to do that: pick and choose between what companies provide what services and which ones they want to pay for. Instead of dictating how one company should pay another, we should be allowing the freedom for them to choose.

Again, this amendment is about picking winners and losers. It provides no benefit to consumers and should be soundly defeated.

Madam Chair, is my understanding correct that the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) has no time remaining?

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry).

Madam Chair, I have the right to close, so I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry), the ranking member.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating several extraordinary young women from Missouri's Third Congressional District, for their achievement in earning the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is not an achievement easily obtained. It requires a significant amount of time, initiative, commitment, and leadership. The lessons learned in each of the seven steps that must be completed to achieve the Gold Award can be used beyond the Girl Scouts and applied in their educational choices, career paths, and everyday lives. With each of their Gold Projects, the young women have identified issues in their communities important to them, created plans for solving these concerns, and tackled the problems head-on. Because of their determination and drive, they have helped make their community a better place. Each of these young ladies should be proud of their accomplishments and I am honored to recognize each of them on this momentous occasion.

Congratulations to the following outstanding young women: Allison Bright, Emily Kurtz, Lindsay Picha, Kimberly Coulon, Maddi McGuire, Jillian Marie Rodgers, Madelynn Dickson, Anne Katherine Meister, Victoria Suerig, Nicolette Kolenc, Alyssa Miller, Madison Stumpf, Josephine Schmaltz, Sarah Burke, Shannon Wyss, and Sarah Wyble for their hard work and dedication as they join a selective group of young women.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing these exceptional young women for a job well done.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Owensville High School STEM team for winning the 2019 Samsung ``Solve for Tomorrow'' technology contest.

The Solve for Tomorrow contest, which this year was held aboard the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York City, invites students from across the nation to engineer technical solutions for today's common problems. Owensville students Paige Tayloe, Jonah Hoffman, and Trey Fisher put their minds together to focus on school safety. Under the supervision of engineers from LMI Aerospace in Washington, Missouri the team developed a door latch that will keep classroom doors closed in the event of a security threat even when the door lock is broken. The Gasconade County School District has already committed to using the new latches.

For winning the contest Samsung is awarding the school district $100,000 in technology and classroom supplies, which will be an incredible resource for our students. More importantly, with their invention Paige, Jonah, and Trey have made their fellow students much safer and given parents added peace of mind. As their representative in Congress I am very proud of their success, but as a father and grandfather I am even more grateful for their dedication and ingenuity.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Paige Tayloe, Jonah Hoffman, Trey Fisher, and Owensville High School for a job well done!

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of Old Monroe, Missouri, on the commemoration of its Bicentennial.

Old Monroe, located in Lincoln County, Missouri, has a rich history dating back to 1673 and the exploration of Frenchmen James Marquette and Louis Joliet. Old Monroe is the oldest town in Lincoln County and was a city before Missouri obtained statehood.

In 1799, Christopher Clark settled along the rich freshwater spring in Lincoln county. He deemed the land to be the ``finest, richest, and most attractive district.'' Among the first settlers, were Joseph Cottle, Zadock Wood, and

his brothers: James and Martin Woods settling near present day Old Monroe. In 1802, Ira and Almond Cottle, relatives of Joseph Cottle, moved from Vermont to Missouri. Several years later, Ira and Almond established the town of Old Monroe--named out of respect for President James Monroe.

In 1819, the town was the site of the first election held in Lincoln County. The Territorial General Assembly organized 8 new counties in Missouri, dividing them into three judicial circuits: Southern, Northern, and Northwestern. Lincoln was placed in the Northwestern County. The first court of the new Northwest Circuit was held in the home of Zadock Woods.

In 1859, the United Evangelical church of Old Monroe was organized by a group of German Protestants, with approximately 50 families participating. The next year, the congregation merged with the Evangelical Synod of North America Church eventually becoming the St. Paul United Church of Christ that still stands today. The settlers sought to honor God when establishing their town and would be proud of how far the church has come.

The city of Old Monroe will commemorate its 200th Bicentennial with three separate weekends full of exciting events. The weekend of May 4, the town will have a parade and day in the park, along with a flag ceremony, ball tournaments, and local historian speakers. The weekend of June 8, Old Monroe will celebrate with a car show, motorcycle rally, and a kayak river race. Finally, the weekend of September 14, the town will host a BBQ cook off, street dancing, and a duck calling contest. A celebration fit for this incredible milestone.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating the city of Old Monroe on their 200th Anniversary. May the town's rich history continue to be the foundation for an undoubtedly bright future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. and Mrs. Clifford and Anna Lee Jones and congratulate them on their 70th Wedding Anniversary. This incredible milestone anniversary will be celebrated on May 25, 2019.

Clifford and Anna Lee both grew up on family farms in Wayne County, Missouri. After marrying on May 27, 1949, the young couple moved to O'Fallon in St. Charles County, MO where they raised three sons. Clifford and Anna Lee lived in Winfield upon retirement and eventually settled in Troy where they still reside today. Throughout their lives, Clifford and Anna Lee have exuded the hardworking mentality of Missouri and the Midwest. Clifford worked for Ford Motor Company and Kroger Warehouse both in Hazelwood. Anna Lee spent her working years at the plastic factory in St. Louis before joining H&K bakery located in O'Fallon--all while raising a family.

In their spare time, Clifford and Anna Lee continue to enjoy many hobbies. Clifford can often be found working on lawnmowers and cars. Anna Lee enjoys quilting and numerous crafts. In their retirement years, both Clifford and Anna Lee relish spending time with family and friends and attending functions at the Troy Senior Center. They also socialize throughout the week at Hardee's in Troy with their friend group that is often referred to as their ``breakfast club''.

Clifford and Anna Lee have been blessed with 3 sons, 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild. They consider their family their proudest accomplishment, as many of us do.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Jones on their 70th Wedding Anniversary. May they have many more happy years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Blair Oaks Falcons Football team for winning the 2018 Missouri Class 2 State Football Championship.

With a perfect record of 15-0, the Blair Oaks Falcons Football team and coaching staff should be commended for all of their hard work throughout this past year and for bringing home the state championship to their school and community.

Please join me in congratulating the coaching staff: Ted LePage; assistant coaches: Kevin Alewine, Lerone Briggs, John Butler, Mike Cook, Josh Linnenbrink, Mason Swisher, Andrew Terpstra; manager: Ben Stockman; and the players: Kamron Morriss, Jayden Purdy, Nolan Hair, Gavin Wekenborg, Seth DeWesplore, Cade Stockman, Zach Herigon, Cobi Marble, Carson Prenger, Sam Luebbering, Jake Closser, Ian Nolph, Braydan Pritchett, Riley Lentz, Cadon Garber, Levi Haney, Josh Bischoff, Hayden Ellis, Adam Hughes, Zach Goeller, Trinity Scott, Griffin Herst, Kyler Griep, Adam Jurgensmeyer, Collin Branum, Jordan Keesler, Nico Canale, Conner Wilson, Nolan Atnip, John Benward, Zack Wilbers, Carson Bax, Cale Willson, Caleb Buechter, James Thomson, Austin Lange, Corban Bonnett, Shane Gillmore, Andrew Luebbering, Rylee Niekamp, Benner Thomas, Ayden Chouinard, Isaiah Prenger, Grant Laune, and Marcus Edler on their dedication to the game and focus throughout the season.

I ask you to join me in recognizing the Blair Oaks Falcons Football team for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1122, the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act of 2019.

As currently administered, housing vouchers often are insufficient in helping American families get access to neighborhoods with greater opportunities. That is why H.R. 1122 is so important.

A strong body of research shows that growing up in a safe, lower- poverty neighborhood with good schools improves children's academic achievement and long-term chances of success, and may reduce intergenerational poverty.

A recent groundbreaking Harvard study found that young children in families who used housing vouchers to move to better neighborhoods fared much better as young adults than similar children who remained in extremely poor neighborhoods.

The Harvard study found that young boys and girls in families who use a voucher to move to lower-poverty neighborhoods were 32 percent more likely to attend college and earned 31 percent more as young adults than their counterparts in families who did not receive an MTO voucher. Girls in families who moved to lower-poverty neighborhoods were also 30 percent less likely to be single parents as adults.

And let us not forget that location also affects adults in many ways, such as access to jobs, the cost of getting to work, the feasibility of balancing child care responsibilities with work schedules, and other basic goods and services.

Voucher mobility is key to enabling families with children to move to safer neighborhoods with less poverty, thereby enhancing their chances of long-

term health and success. H.R. 1122 will provide the foundation for many of these key changes.

I thank Mr. Duffy and Mr. Cleaver for their hard work in looking into this issue and providing evidence-based solutions to affect positive change in families and communities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 1122, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my support for the bill.

I thank Mr. Cleaver for his personal testimony today. It was very compelling. It is a tremendous story of success in the use of these things and how changing our neighborhoods can really be helpful.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 974, the Federal Reserve Supervision Testimony Clarification Act, an important bipartisan bill that will provide Congress greater oversight of regulation and supervision at the Federal Reserve.

The Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Federal Reserve exercises and oversees the Board's supervisory and regulatory authority over a variety of financial institutions and activities. This role is imperative to promote a safe, sound, and stable financial system that supports the growth and stability of the U.S. economy.

This bill before us today will ensure that the Federal Reserve will come forth and testify before Congress on issues relating to the supervision of financial institutions, giving added transparency to the American people, as well as increasing the Fed's accountability.

The issues overseen by this position are of high importance to the American people and our financial system. It is crucial that we have the ability to hear testimony and ask questions of the Federal Reserve on these complicated issues.

I would like to thank Congressman Gottheimer for sponsoring and Congressman Lucas for cosponsoring this much-needed legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1414, the FinCEN Improvement Act.

This bipartisan piece of legislation passed the House by a voice vote last Congress. I am happy to see that my colleague, Congressman Riggleman of Virginia, has joined Congresswoman Wexton in reintroducing it this Congress.

This is the first piece of cosponsored legislation Congressman Riggleman had on the floor, and the fact that it focuses on terrorism speaks directly to his past service in the Air Force and his continued effort to protect the American people from bad actors. Mr. Speaker, I thank him and Congresswoman Wexton for leading this fight to protect the American people.

H.R. 1414 outlines how the terror landscape in our post-9/11 world has expanded.

Now, we are tasked with protecting the American people not only from traditional threats posed by groups like al-Qaida abroad, but also domestic terrorism, where crimes are committed on U.S. soil by both foreign and U.S. persons.

H.R. 1414 mandates that FinCEN focus on all forms of terror, not just foreign terror campaigns. This is a commonsense update to the statute that would bring added clarity to our antiterrorism laws.

H.R. 1414 also strengthens FinCEN by ensuring cooperation with Tribal law enforcement agencies and the prioritization of virtual currencies.

Illicit actors have been found to be using virtual currencies because of their ability to provide anonymity. Some virtual currencies have been shown to frustrate law enforcement's efforts to link transactions to people or IP addresses.

It is for this exact reason that FinCEN needs to be able to allocate resources and manpower to investigate and thwart instances of terrorism that involve all forms of virtual currencies.

Mr. Speaker, it is our sworn duty to protect the American people, and H.R. 1414 allows FinCEN to adapt its investigative abilities to prevent terrorism in our digital age.

Again, I thank Ms. Wexton and Mr. Riggleman for their leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Riggleman), one of our outstanding freshmen from the freshman class of this past fall.

Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my support for H.R. 1414, the FinCEN Improvement Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Blair Oaks Falcons Football team for winning the 2018 Missouri Class 2 State Football Championship.

With a perfect record of 15-0, the Blair Oaks Falcons Football team and coaching staff should be commended for all of their hard work throughout this past year and for bringing home the state championship to their school and community.

Please join me in congratulating the coaching staff: Ted Lepage, assistant coaches: Kevin Alewine, Lerone Biggs, John Butler, Mike Cook, Josh Linnenbrink, Mason Swisher, Andrew Terpstra, manager: Ben Stockman, and the players Kamron Morriss, Jayden Purdy, Nolan Hair, Gavin Wekenborg, Seth DeWesplore, Cade Stockman, Zach Herigon, Cobi Marble, Carson Prenger, Sam Luebbering, Jake Closser, Ian Nolph, Braydan Pritchett, Riley Lentz, Cadon Garber, Levi Haney, Josh Bischoff, Hayden Ellis, Adam Hughes, Zach Goeller, Trinity Scott, Griffin Herst, Kyler Griep, Adam Jurgensmeyer, Collin Branum, Jordan Keesler, Nico Canale, Conner Wilson, Nolan Atnip, John Benward, Zack Wilbers, Carson Bax, Cale Wilson, Caleb Buechter, James Thomson, Austin Lange, Corban Bonnett, Shane Gillmore, Andrew Luebbering, Rylee Niekamp, Benner Thomas, Ayden Chouinard, Isaiah Prenger, Grant Laune, and Marcus Edler on their dedication to the game and focus throughout the season.

I ask you to join me in recognizing the Blair Oaks Falcons Football team for a job well done.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rod Smith, longtime Sports Director at KRCG-TV Jefferson City, for his recent induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Growing up in Naperville, Illinois, Rod shared his father's love of sports, playing baseball, basketball, golf, tennis and even hockey as a child. In 1985, Rod graduated from Oral Roberts University and started his career at KRCG. Jefferson City was not on his radar when Rod graduated, but after attending college in Tulsa and his parents still living in Chicago it was a good central location. His career at KRCG started out with reporting the weather and sports on the weekend. He didn't expect to stay at KRCG forever, but when he met Lana at Capital City Christian Church everything changed. The two fell in love and built a life in Jefferson City.

Throughout his three decades of passionately delivering sports news to Jefferson City residents Rod has become an icon and celebrity in the local community. He has watched generations of student athletes excel in their respective sport and has cheered them on with pride. During this longstanding career he has also had the privilege to cover two Super Bowls: Rams and Tennessee Titans and Rams and New England Patriots; World Series games: St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals; NCAA tournaments; Missouri bowl games; and SEC football games. Perhaps his best claim to fame in the Midwest is ``Rod's Big ol' Fish!'' segment that is dedicated to showcasing the many catches from anglers across the region.

Along with sports broadcasting Rod is known throughout the community for his many emcee appearances which include fundraisers like the Mid- Missouri Heart Association Heart Ball, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, United Cerebral Palsy's ``Wing Ding'' and ``Deal or No Deal'', and the YMCA and Samaritan Center auctions. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and many other events also appreciate his energetic and positive energy. In 2018 alone, Rod emceed no less than 35 of the area's fund-raising events. As an accomplished golfer, Rod has been able to participate in 15 charity tournaments each year on behalf of KRCG and Naught-Naught Insurance Agency.

The biggest supporters throughout Rod's longstanding career are his wife of 31 years, Lana, and daughters, Brittany, Brooke, and Paige. While his love of sports is evident, Rod's family has unquestionably been his number one priority and, even with his hectic broadcasting schedule, he was able to coach all three girls in softball and basketball. I have no doubt they are as proud of their father today as he has been of them throughout their lives.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating Rod Smith on his induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2019. This milestone is well deserved.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Meramec Regional Planning Commission on their 50th anniversary.

On January 23, 1969, Governor Warren E. Hearnes signed a proclamation establishing the Meramec Regional Planning Commission. Dent County Presiding Judge J.E. Bergman, Salem Mayor Jack Masters, Washington County Presiding Judge Jesse Essmyer, Potosi Mayor Leon Camillo, and Dent County Clerk Don Prewitt were all in attendance to mark the historic occasion. A 5,154-square mile radius of beautiful gently rolling hills, deep valleys, and numerous rivers make up the region. Thirty-six towns serve as industrial havens and are surrounded by countryside where the small farmer continues to prevail.

The commission successfully serves 8 counties: Gasconade, Dent, Crawford, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington. Throughout the commission's longstanding history, a strong reputation has been built with a variety of programs being offered including grant writing and administration, economic development, community planning, emergency planning, training and grand administration, hazard mitigation planning, solid waste planning, grant administration and program implementation, small business loans, HUD housing rental assistance and family self-sufficiency programs, promotion/administration/growth of community foundations, project development, and legislative advocacy. From these programs, many businesses have been welcomed into the small towns where they have been successful while enjoying Missouri's picturesque natural beauty and diverse cultural heritage.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating the Meramec Regional Planning Commission on their 50th anniversary. This milestone is a great testament of their commitment to the counties they serve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Blair Oaks Falcons Football team for winning the 2018 Missouri Class 2 State Football Championship.

With a perfect record of 15-0, the Blair Oaks Falcons Football team and Coach Ted LePage should be commended for all of their hard work throughout this past year and for bringing home the state championship to their school and community.

I ask you to join me in recognizing the Blair Oaks Falcons Football team for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Coach Dale Gildehaus of St. Francis Borgia High School in Washington, Missouri on his well-deserved induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Coach Gildehaus has a longstanding career of 32 years as head football coach at St. Francis Borgia High School. Throughout the years, Coach Gildehaus has approached football as much more than just a game about wins and losses. It's about faith, family, his players and coaches, and the entire Washington, MO community. As a graduate of St. Francis Borgia, Coach Gildehaus has the unique connection to the town and understands the importance of a coach who cares about his team on and off the football field. His ultimate goal is to teach positive leadership and influence his team to also develop positive leadership mindsets to carry into their personal lives and help them be successful in whatever they choose to do.

As Coach Gildehaus enters his 32nd year, he boasts a whopping 252 wins. Among those wins is a Class 3 state championship in 1993. In 1995, he was honored with the Jimmy Conzelman Coach of the Year by the National Football Foundation. Despite his impressive record, Coach Gildehaus often credits the many coaches who have impacted his life: Coaches Rinne, Scanlan, and Flanagan each demanded discipline, respect, and hard work-the same lessons that Coach Gildehaus instills in his football players today.

After high school, Coach Gildehaus went on to play football at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri where he earned induction to the Truman State Hall of Fame. After graduating he spent four years at Union High School before moving to his current position at St. Francis Borgia. This impressive football career has been acknowledged by the Missouri Football Coaches Association in 2007 with an induction into their Hall of Fame. In 2014, the Missouri Football Coaches Association also honored him with the Pete Adkins Power of Influence in Football Award.

Throughout the years, Coach Gildehaus has always been supported by his loving wife, Beth, and their children, Christopher, Sandi, and Stacy. His granddaughter, Anna, said it best: ``whether it is on the field, around school, at home, or around town you can always count on Grandpa to have a smile on his face''. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Coach Gildehaus on his incredible career and induction to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Winona Blohm who is celebrating her 100th Birthday.

The world was a different place in 1918. The Model T was the newest car style with gas prices around 25 cents per gallon; the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world; Woodrow Wilson was President; and the Boston Red Sox won the World Series with the help of Babe Ruth. The average price for bread was 10 cents, butter was 58 cents, and eggs were 57 cents. And World War I officially ended with Armistice Day on November 11. The changes to the world in Mrs. Blohm's lifetime have been monumental and extremely exciting.

Mrs. Blohm was born in Black Walnut, Missouri and lived in the Portage Des Sioux area until she married Vincent Blohm in 1941. Vincent and Winona bought their farm in Orchard Farm, Missouri where she continues to live today.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Blohm has enjoyed numerous hobbies. For many years Winona and her husband served on the board of St. Charles County Farm Bureau and were active members. She is a skilled gardener and has produced many bountiful harvests. Using the lessons learned from their mother, Mrs. Blohm's children now plant a beautiful flower garden for her to enjoy every year. Of her many pastimes, she also loves creating beautiful wedding cakes and quilting elegant quilts for her family and loved ones.

Mrs. Blohm and I share a love of baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals. She enjoys watching the games and cheering the Cardinals on faithfully throughout their season.

Most importantly to her, Winona's daughters, Sharon and Janet and their husbands Vince and John, her six grandchildren, and 13 great- grandchildren are all joining her in celebrating this incredible milestone birthday.

Mr. Speaker, please join all of us in wishing Mrs. Winona Blohm a very Happy 100th Birthday Best wishes for much happiness and health in the years to come.