Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Bruce Grotewiel on receiving the Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

This December, Mr. Grotewiel will mark 50 years of service to the greater Jefferson City and Columbia area. His dedication has not gone unnoticed, and his service could not be more deserving of this recognition. Throughout his career as a first responder, Mr. Grotewiel has been on the front lines helping those who need it most, and for that we cannot thank him enough. The great courage and moral judgment he exhibited over the course of his professional and volunteer career should forever be appreciated.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Mr. Grotewiel's five decades of service to the people of Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Potosi High School's Mr. Greg Kester on receiving the 2024 Missouri Teacher of the Year Award.

Throughout his nearly three decades as a teacher at Potosi High School, Mr. Kester has played a significant role in shaping generations of Missourians. Countless families in my district share an immense appreciation for Mr. Kester's dedication to our children's education and community's success. His decades of public service have made him an invaluable member of our great state.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Greg Kester for being named the 2024 Missouri Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the naming of the portion of U.S. Highway 50 from Bahner Quarry Road to Tower Road the ``SGT James L. Shipley Memorial Highway.'' Sergeant Shipley was a great man who served his country valiantly during the Second World War. At only 19 years of age, Mr. Shipley made the decision to go to his local recruiting station and serve his country during a time of war, which led to him becoming a crew chief and mechanic for the 332nd Fighter Group. Little did Mr. Shipley know this decision would place him in one of the most respected military organizations from World War II which would pave the way for African Americans' service in the armed forces.

After Germany's surrender, Sergeant Shipley returned home to Tipton, Missouri where he ran a farm and operated a gas station along U.S. Highway 50 with his loving wife Mildred. While working hard to support his family, Sergeant Shipley frequently made time to share his experiences with community groups and schools in the area.

Sergeant Shipley's long and storied life charts several important chapters in our state's and country's history. The ``SGT James L. Shipley Memorial Highway'' will stand as an important reminder of his tremendous dedication to his community and country for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in commemorating the ``SGT James L. Shipley Memorial Highway.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Elizabeth's Baseball Team on their victory in Missouri's Class 1 Championship game.

The Hornets claimed the Class 1 title for the third time in 5 years and fifth in their program history. In an exhilarant game, the team broke open the 1-1 score with an incredible 5 runs in the top of the third inning. They never trailed and played so well that the game was cut short at the end of the sixth inning due to the ``run rule'' mercy rule. The Hornets should be commended for all their hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to their school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the St. Elizabeth Baseball Team for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Timberland High School's Emilia Labruyere on her victory in Missouri's Class 5 Discus State Championship.

Emilia claimed the Class 5 title, becoming the Wolves' first female track and field state champion. Her incredible, winning throw of 42.14 meters matched both her personal best and school record-winning toss of the same distance a month prior. Emilia should be commended for all her hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to her school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Emilia Labruyere for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Columbia Independent's Scholar Bowl Team on their victory in Missouri's Scholar Bowl State Championship.

Asher, Sophie, Elijah, Emily, and Graham conquered the tournament, averaging an impressive 150 points higher than their opponents in each round. As winners of the first team state championship in their school's history, the Lions should be commended for all their hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to their school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Columbia Independent's Scholar Bowl Team for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Columbia's Rock Bridge Track and Field Team on their victory in the Class 5 Track and Field Team State Championship.

Rock Bridge claimed the Class 5 title in 2021, 2022, and now in 2023. The Bruins fought through an intensely close state championship. They worked incredibly hard, entered the final event up 15.5 points, and finished strong to win the title. The Bruins should be commended for all their hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to their school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Rock Bridge Bruins for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Eldon High School's Zoe Martonfi on her victories in Missouri's Class 3 1600 Meter Run, 800 Meter Run, and 300 Meter Hurdles State Championships.

Zoe claimed her first ever state titles at the Class 3 championships. Not only did she win one race but conquered her next two events as well. Zoe led the pack in the girls 1600-meter run, then won the 800- meter run less than two hours later in addition to the 300-meter hurdles. Zoe should be commended for all her hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championships to her school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Zoe Martonfi for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Father Tolton's Olivia Andrews on her victory in Missouri's Class 2 3200 Meter Run State Championship.

Olivia claimed the Class 2 title with the impressive time of 11:02:24, achieving a school record and Class 2's fastest time of the season in the 3200-meter run. She ended her high school career with a bang as she dominated her last race before she heads off to college next year. Olivia should be commended for all her hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to her school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Olivia Andrews for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Russellville's Trinity Riggs on her victory in Missouri's Class 2 Shot Put State Championship.

Trinity claimed the Class 2 title for the Indians, ending her high school career with an incredible throw of 11.93 meters. She should be commended for all her hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to her school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Trinity Riggs for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Fort Zumwalt South Girls Soccer Team on their victory in Missouri's Class 3 Soccer State Championship.

The team claimed the Class 3 title for the third time in the first ever three-peat in girls' soccer by a Missouri public school. Isabel Montileone and Audrey Smith scored beautiful first-half goals to give the Bulldogs the win as they defeated Smithville 2-1. The team should be commended for all their hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to their school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Fort Zumwalt South Girls Soccer Team for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Liberty High School's Morgan Cannon on her victory in Missouri's Class 5 Javelin State Championship.

Morgan claimed the Class 5 title with an incredible throw of 45.21 meters. She fought through her shoulder pain and singlehandedly won 10 of her team's 18 points. Morgan should be commended for all her hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to her school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Morgan Cannon for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Lutheran St. Charles' Elle North on her victory in Missouri's Class 3 400 Meter Dash State Championship.

Elle claimed the Class 3 title with an impressive time of 57:75. As the only Cougar returning to the state meet after qualifying as a freshman last year, she was a key contributor to her team's state championship title. Elle not only won the 400-meter dash; she also was the runner-up in the 200-meter dash. Elle should be commended for all her hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to his school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Elle North for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Lutheran St. Charles Track and Field Team on their victory in the Class 3 State Championship.

Lutheran St. Charles claimed the Class 3 title in an impressive team effort. With only one member of the team a returner to the state competition, the team's plethora of young talent bodes well for its future. Although their title seemed secure after 15 events, they finished strong and brought home the championship. The Cougars should be commended for all their hard work throughout the past year, and I'd like to wish the team luck as they move up to succeed in Class 4 next year.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Lutheran St. Charles Cougars for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Osage High School's Madison Kessler on her victory in Missouri's Class 3 Pole Vault State Championship.

Madison claimed the Class 3 title in the pole vault competition, clearing the impressive height of 3.28 meters. Madison should be commended for all her hard work throughout the past year and for bringing home the state championship to her school and community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Madison Kessler for a job well done.