Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Sam Crane of the Rock Bridge High School Bruins Wrestling team for winning the Class 4 Missouri State Wrestling Championship in the 132-pound weight class.

Mr. Crane and his coaches should be commended for all their hard work throughout the regular season and for bringing home the state title in the Class 4 132-pound weight class to his school and community. His win represents the school's first state champion in Class 4 since 1997.

I ask that you join me in recognizing Mr. Crane for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Marcus Schmidt of the Centralia High School Wrestling team for winning the Class 1 Missouri State Wrestling Championship in the 120-pound weight class.

Mr. Schmidt and his coaches should be commended for all their hard work throughout the regular season and for bringing home the state title in the Class 1 120-pound weight class to his school and community. This is his fourth state medal and second consecutive Class 1 championship.

I ask that you join me in recognizing Mr. Schmidt for a job well done!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Justin VanHoose of the Kirksville High School Wrestling team for winning the Class 2 Missouri State Wrestling Championship in the 138-pound weight class.

Mr. VanHoose and his coaches should be commended for all their hard work throughout the regular season and for bringing home the state title in the Class 2 138-pound weight class to his school and community. This win places him in a short, elite list of only 21 other Missouri wrestlers to have ever won four state titles.

I ask that you join me in recognizing Mr. VanHoose for a job well done!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Jaydin Clayton of the Father Tolton Catholic High School Wrestling team for winning the Class 1 Missouri State Wrestling Championship in the 113-pound weight class.

Mr. Clayton and his coaches should be commended for all their hard work throughout the regular season and for bringing home the state title in the Class 1 113-pound weight class to his school and community. His win represents the school's first state title in Class 1.

I ask that you join me in recognizing Mr. Clayton for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Austin Roper of the Krisksville High School Wrestling team for winning the Class 2 Missouri State Wrestling Championship in the 132-pound weight class.

Mr. Roper and his coaches should be commended for all their hard work throughout the regular season and for bringing home the State title in the Class 2 132-pound weight class to his school and community. This is his third State title.

I ask that you join me in recognizing Mr. Roper for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Carol W. Fleisher, who recently was awarded the Outstanding Public Service Award from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in appreciation for her great efforts in support of this Nation's veterans. The Outstanding Public Service Award is the second highest honor given by the Chairman to a public servant who ``has rendered service or assistance to considerable personal sacrifice, motivated by patriotism, good citizenship and a sense of public responsibility.''

Mrs. Fleisher is the daughter of a career United States Air Force pilot, as well as the great-granddaughter of Senator James E. Watson from Indiana and former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

She attended the University of Maryland and graduated with a bachelor's degree in international relations and political science and minors in sociology and history. She attends the University of Missouri, where she is working toward her master's degree in religion. Currently, Mrs. Fleisher is the Director of Missouri University Veterans Center.

As director, Mrs. Fleisher has helped to develop one of the Nation's premier on-campus veterans centers located at the University of Missouri, providing a ``one-stop'' resource center to those in need of assistance. The veterans center provides valuable assistance for our military men and women who served this country with honor and distinction. Not only do they deserve our gratitude, but they also deserve our assistance for the sacrifices they made in defense of our great Nation.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Carol W. Fleisher for this well-deserved award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sgt. Daniel E. Sewell, who recently was awarded the Outstanding Public Service Award from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in appreciation for his great efforts in support of this nation's veterans. The Outstanding Public Service Award is the second highest honor given by the Chairman to a public servant who ``has rendered service or assistance to considerable personal sacrifice, motivated by patriotism, good citizenship and a sense of public responsibility.''

Sgt. Sewell enlisted in the United States Air Force on January 23, 2003, and was assigned to Spangdahlem Airbase, Germany, as a Munitions Systems Inspector. During his service, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 52nd Fighter Wing in support of the unit's A-10, which assisted in the first elections held in Afghanistan. He completed his military service in August of 2007 with the 509th Bomb Wing at Whitman Air Force Base, Missouri. Currently, Mr. Sewell is a Staff Sergeant with the Missouri Air National Guard with the 131st Bomb Wing in Whiteman Air Force Base.

Sgt. Sewell received a bachelor's degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Missouri. He's currently working toward the completion of his master's degree in

Business Administration from the University of Missouri. Mr. Sewell was the president of the student veteran's group at the University of Missouri, and he led the organization in efforts to establish the first on-campus Veteran's Center in the country. The Veteran's Center provides a ``one-stop'' resource center for our veterans on campus, which assists the veteran with all student veteran needs. He continues to find ways to assist veterans by teaching a class called ``Learning and Transition Strategies for Veterans.'' The goal is for veterans to have a successful transition from military life back to academic life.

Sgt. Sewell continues to find ways to help veterans by being an advocate. He was the advocate for the review of military transfer credits. This led to hundreds of veterans receiving academic credit for their applicable military education and training. He manages and coordinates with the Student Veteran Volunteer network, which helps veterans working toward their higher education on a national level.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Sgt. Daniel E. Sewell for this well-deserved recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Rock Bridge High School varsity cheerleaders on its state championship.

On October 1, 2011, the squad of 25 young women placed first in the 5A Super Large division at the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association's state competition. It was the first time the squad has won a state cheerleading championship. These young women and their coaches should be commended for all their hard work and dedication.

I ask that you join me in recognizing the tremendous effort of the Rock Bridge High School's varsity cheerleaders and congratulating them on a job well done!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Saint Francis Borgia High School cheerleading squad on its state championship.

On October 1, 2011, the squad took first place in the Class 4 division small at the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association's state competition. They competed against 16 other terrific teams, but with all their training and preparation, they were able to claim the number one spot. These young women and their coaches should be commended for all their hard work and dedication.

I ask that you join me in recognizing the tremendous effort of the Saint Francis Borgia High School's cheerleaders and congratulating them on a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 11, on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, I was unable to vote due to unavoidable circumstances. Had I been present, I would have voted, ``yea.''

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Caleb Wilfong of the Rock Bridge High School Bruins Boys Cross Country team for winning the individual Class 4 Missouri State Championship.

Mr. Wilfong should be commended for all of his hard work throughout the regular season and bringing home the individual state title to his school, family and community. At the State Cross Country Championships in Jefferson City, Caleb won the individual state title with a time of 15 minutes 54.13 seconds. He holds Rock Bridge's school record for a 3.1-mile race and is the school's second individual cross country champion.

I ask that you join me in recognizing Caleb Wilfong for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Owensville, located in Gasconade County in Missouri, as the community celebrates its centennial anniversary this year.

What is now the City of Owensville began as an early trail called the Potosi to Boonslick Trail. Spurs from this main trail went to the current city, creating a crossroads that later became the St. Louis to Springfield Road and the St. James to Hermann Road called the ``Iron Road.''

The city was originally laid out in 1886 by the Owensville Improvement Company, whose owner, Francis Owen, is the town's namesake. Owensville was named from the horseshoe contest in 1847 by Francis Owen and Edward Luster. The contest was won by Mr. Luster, but he did not want the town named Lusterville, and, therefore, it was named ``Owen'sville'' in honor of his friend. Later it was condensed to Owensville. Owensville residents believe their city is the only place named as a result of a horseshoe pitching contest. Owensville was incorporated as a fourth-class city on May 27, 1911.

Over the past century, industries such as a corn cob pipe factory, a tomato cannery, shoe factories and clay mining supported the town. Today, the RR Donnelly printing company and Emhart Glass Manufacturing are located there. Owensville is a thriving town and a proud community of more than 2,500 residents.

In closing, I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing the residents of the City of Owensville congratulations on their centennial anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Kaleb Wilson of the Linn High School Wildcats Boys Cross Country team for winning the individual Class 1 Missouri State Championship.

Mr. Wilson should be commended for all of his hard work throughout the regular season and bringing home the individual state title to his school, family and community. At the State Cross Country Championships in Jefferson City, Kaleb completed the race with a time of 17 minutes 1.32 seconds. The victory led to his team's overall win, but it has also provided additional support and comfort to his family. Kaleb has dedicated this season, including his final championship race, to his cousin who is still in the hospital following a car accident in early September.

I ask that you join me in recognizing Kaleb Wilson for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Rock Bridge High School Bruins Boys Cross Country team for winning the Class 4 Missouri State Championship.

The young men and their coaches should be commended for all of their hard work throughout the regular season and bringing home the state title to their school and community. At the State Cross Country Championships in Jefferson City, the Bruins won the state title with a score of 61, 28 points better than second place. They have made history for the school, as it is the Rock Bridge boys' first state title.

I ask that you join me in recognizing the Rock Bridge Bruins for a job well done!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, which is celebrating its one hundredth anniversary this year.

The Missouri Cattlemen's Association began in 1911 as the Missouri Livestock Producers Association and adopted its current name in 1968. In the beginning, dues were only $2, and were reduced to a quarter during the Depression.

Missouri ranks third in the Nation in the number of cows, and the Missouri Cattlemen's Association is the voice for the State's 60,000 beef producers, focusing on issues that affect beef production while also providing a safe, abundant, and nutritious source of food.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing the members of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association congratulations on reaching this significant milestone.