Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a sadness I struggle to express on behalf of a community that has lost a voice, a city that has lost a leader, and family that has lost a friend. I rise to honor the life and memory of Molly Hammer. Molly spent years gracing Kansas City and the world with a one-of-a-kind voice and an indomitable spirit. For thirteen of those years, she did so while sharing her life with metastatic breast cancer. On Tuesday, November 24, Molly lost her fight with breast cancer. She was forty-eight years old. Her story, cut tragically short, is of a soul who sought to use her gifts to spread joy and to use her hardships to inspire hope. For fifteen years, Molly sang for us. Today, we sing of her.

Those lucky enough to have followed Molly's career since its beginning know that the talent, work ethic, and grit she displayed in the final years of her life were nothing new. Her high school choir teacher remembers her astounding professionalism while playing the narrator in her high school's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. After graduating, she went on to become a stage actor and portrayed Patsy Cline on a stage in Iowa for five years. In 2005, Molly answered a spiritual call from a difficult industry where she could have the complete independence she craved--jazz and blues. And thank goodness she did. It was then that she dove into an intense study of vocal jazz and began an illustrious career in the Kansas City music community. Molly soon became a fixture of the 18th & Vine jazz scene, winning the 2016 Critics' Choice for Best Jazz Singer award from The Pitch, releasing four LPs--one just three months ago--and cementing her place as an integral stitch in the rich cultural fabric of Jazz's cradle.

In 2008, Molly was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she beat it. Eight years later, it came back, and Molly returned to her battle, this time fighting a more aggressive foe but with no less determination or spirit. And not only did Molly continue to bring joy to her community through song during that battle, she also became an outspoken advocate for cancer research and a powerful voice in bringing awareness to what it means to live life with the disease. She called for increased research funding and better methods of preventative screening, worked with organizations like METAvivor and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and even lobbied Congress. However, though her music and her advocacy took her

all over the country and all over the world, Molly, I am proud to say, was devoted to Kansas City, and more specifically to the Kansas City music community. She supported organizations like GUILDit, which seeks to connect the world of music to the world of business to help support artists, After all, when Molly was diagnosed, she had no health insurance--a tragically common phenomenon among independent artists. And recently, she chose to donate the proceeds from her albums to the Midwest Music Foundation, ensuring that her giving spirit will continue to touch artists in her community for years to come.

I have always been struck by Molly's ability play any room at all. Molly sang the National Anthem at Arrowhead Stadium. Molly sang it at Kauffman Stadium. Molly sang at the Kauffman Center. Molly sang at the Folly Theater. And yet, even when her fight with cancer was at its most painful ebb, Molly got out every single weekend and brought her voice and her presence to local jazz clubs and Unity churches throughout Kansas City. When the pandemic struck, dealing a crushing blow to musicians and venues everywhere, Molly sang online from her living room. On stage with a microphone in hand and a piano to sing beside-- that's where Molly felt at home. She used to say it was because music fed her soul. I so hope Molly knew that her music fed our souls as well.

Today, my heart is with Molly's family and friends, who are coping with a loss no amount of preparation could have softened. To Molly's parents, I say this: we are never prepared to outlive our children. I hope you take comfort in that you were able to see Molly exhibit a resilience that every parent hopes their child will have when they send them out into what can be an unfair and unforgiving world. Scripture tells us, ``Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.'' Molly's story, to me, is a story of service. Molly was given the gift of a singular voice and a presence that could light up jazz club, a concert hall, or a stadium, and she used it to bring joy and music to others. Molly was dealt a terrible disease, and she used it to bring awareness and comfort to those fighting alongside her. Molly administered God's grace in one of its most breathtaking forms, and she did so for all of us.

Jazz is about many things. It is about finding beauty where there is pain. It is about finding freedom where there are shackles. But at a musical level, jazz is about setting up rules, so they can then be broken. It is about establishing a rhythm, so that it can be defied. Madam Speaker, as I reckon with this loss, I take comfort in my belief that Molly has defied the unrelenting rhythm of this mortal world and taken her place among a choir of angels. There is piano somewhere in heaven that has been waiting for Molly, and I know that today, she is singing beside it.

So, Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the life and legacy of Molly Hammer. Though she may never return to the stages where we've seen her before, today Molly joins a pantheon of jazz greats whose music echoes through time. Artists never really die, and I woke up this morning with Molly's music in my head. ``So let me fly out of this world,'' she would often sing at the end of her concerts, ``And spend the next eternity or two / with you.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Independence Chamber of Commerce on one hundred years of support and advocacy for local businesses across Independence, Missouri. For an entire century, the Independence Chamber of Commerce has nurtured the entrepreneurial spirit that serves as the economic backbone of my district.

President Harry Truman, born and raised in Independence, emphatically believed that ``America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.'' For one hundred years, the Independence Chamber of Commerce has given local business leaders the tools to be courageous and imaginative, along with the determination necessary to succeed. The Chamber represents over five hundred businesses in Independence, each doing their part to make a difference in the lives of their friends and neighbors. Every year, the Chamber's incredible staff and Board of Directors organize nearly two hundred events, from roundtable discussions with burgeoning business leaders, to seminars with professionals on how to grow new enterprises. These business-centered events bolster the economic

mainstays of a proud and historic community. However, the Chamber's extensive catalog of events engages with all sorts of communities. Its organization and sponsorship of events like the annual Halloween parade, a weekly Foodie Friday that promotes local restaurants, and the SantaCaliGon Days Festival bring joy and warm memories to those fortunate enough to call Independence home. And as the current public health crisis continues to pose unprecedented challenges and difficult decisions to small businesses, the Independence Chamber of Commerce has risen to meet the moment. It has reimagined how to help local businesses and continues to serve as a vital resource for those navigating the narrow waters between a struggling economy and a lethal virus. Additionally, the Chamber's concerted effort to spread awareness about various COVID-19 relief funds has been the difference, for many family-owned businesses, between surviving a difficult year and being forced to close. In short, the Chamber's work has ensured that President Truman's hometown continues to grow and prosper.

However, the Chamber's work extends far beyond Independence city limits. Its annual lobbying day in Jefferson City and Washington, D.C. helps promote the policies necessary for robust business growth and economic development not only in the great state of Missouri, but across the entire country. And as this year has placed a renewed and long-overdue emphasis on community-owned broadband service, affordable quality housing, and neighborhood inclusivity, the Chamber has been an effective advocate for many of the issues that inspired me to run for City Council, for Mayor, and then for Congress. Through their advocacy, the Chamber has initiated and supported several infrastructure development and neighborhood revitalization projects that have benefitted a broad coalition of communities. It recognizes that policies that are good for hardworking individuals in all kinds of communities are also good for businesses, and I look forward to our continued partnership as we support Missouri families. But as I mentioned, it is not just the Chamber's policies, but also its presence, that have tangible positive effects on the district I represent.

With every educational seminar, a small business owner gains an opportunity to innovate and incorporate new ways to grow their business. With every networking event, the Chamber connects leaders who can collaborate and form symbiotic partnerships that benefit all of us. With every ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony, the Chamber offers a business the vital publicity and web of support needed to grow and succeed. Running a business is hard. But for one hundred years, the Independence Chamber has made it easier for the aspirational among us to capitalize on the same entrepreneurial spirit that made the American economy the envy of the world.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in congratulating the current and former staff members who have organized the daily activities of the Independence Chamber of Commerce, as well as all the past and present members of the Chamber's Board of Directors, who have served as dutiful stewards of this thriving organization. The Independence Chamber of Commerce has brought together entrepreneurs and served as a stalwart of growth and resiliency for the past one hundred years. I have no doubt that they will continue this important work over the next century and beyond.

Madam Speaker, it would be an error to suppose that men and women can be courageous every day. It would be unfair to anticipate that I or any Member of this body

could be a lion every day. No one is expected to be a lion day after day after day. But on this day, lions are required.

Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed votes on Friday, July 12, 2019. I had intended to vote ``yes'' on vote 468, ``yes'' on vote 469, ``yes'' on vote 470, ``yes'' on 471, ``no'' on vote 472, ``yes'' on vote 473, and ``yes'' on vote 474.

Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to celebrate the 85th birthday of the Honorable Paul Rojas and to recognize his numerous contributions to Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. Mr. Rojas' life has been dedicated to the betterment of those around him and it is an honor to have the opportunity to recognize his service.

Paul Rojas was born in 1935 in the Westside Neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Rojas is the youngest of six boys and a son of immigrant parents. Growing up, he and his family frequented Guadalupe Centers and relied on their services after the death of his mother. Their kindness and generosity showed Mr. Rojas the effect that a community organization such as Guadalupe Centers can have on a person's life. Community organizations provide not only tangible assistance, but they also teach the importance of helping one's neighbor.

After attending Guadalupe Grade School, he attended De La Salle High School. He worked in the fields, as a busboy, on the railroads, in

packing houses, and as a machinist for Wishbone and Honeywell. Each of these positions offered a unique point of view on the needs of the worker. This gave Mr. Rojas a clear view of the blue-collar community in Kansas City and the ways in which the lives of workers needed to be improved. From these experiences, a desire to serve and improve the lives of others was sparked within him.

As a U.S. Navy veteran serving in the Korean War from 1952 to 1955, Paul Rojas joined the ranks of great men and women who defended the United States on the frontlines. Mr. Rojas continues to exhibit the commitment he showed in his service to the United States with his membership in the Korean Veterans Association, Veterans of Underage Military Service, and the American Legion. Within these organizations, he advocates for those who have served, are currently serving, and who wish to serve their country in the future.

After serving in the Korean War, civic engagement remained a pillar of Mr. Rojas' life. He served on various boards and commissions at the city and county level before pushing to become the first Hispanic elected to the Missouri General Assembly. As a State Representative, Paul Rojas initiated national meetings of Hispanic elected officials, leading to the establishment of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Mr. Rojas also helped found the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC in order to help hundreds of Hispanic and minority owned businesses network and gain access to resources.

After his service as a Missouri State Representative, Paul Rojas continued his devotion to service. He is now chairmen of Guadalupe Centers Inc., the organization that supported his family in their time of need. Guadalupe Centers provide training programs, education, after school activities, and family support programs. Mr. Rojas also advocates for the welfare of seniors as a member of the Kansas City Silver Haired Council. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, an organization dedicated to charity. Recently, through Guadalupe Centers Inc., Rojas championed the decision to repurpose a building and create a youth recreation center that provides students with a safe location for extracurricular activities and opportunities to keep them out of trouble.

Throughout his life's work, Paul Rojas has served as a model of leadership and selflessness. His service in the U.S. Navy, his position as a Missouri State Representative, his chairing of the oldest Latino serving non-profit, Guadalupe Centers Inc., and his other leadership positions demonstrate his commitment to his community and his country. Mr. Rojas has made a unique contribution to each of these organizations, representing the reality of many underrepresented communities. His counsel empowers organizations to better make decisions about how to benefit those they serve. He continues to create a community that is well equipped to handle the issues it faces.

It is a privilege to stand today and recognize the contributions and devotion of Mr. Paul Rojas. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Mr. Rojas' remarkable service to the people of the Greater Kansas City area and beyond.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th anniversary of MRIGlobal in Kansas City, Missouri.

As World War II was ending, Americans were in awe of technology's role in ending the greatest global struggle in history. The quality of American science turned the tide of the war.

In order to harness further scientific advancements, create amazing new technologies, and employ returning veterans, Kansas City civic leadership founded MRIGlobal, an independent, not-for-profit research organization.

I am thankful that those civic leaders had the vision to create MRIGlobal and am pleased that Kansas City has remained its home.

Through the years, MRIGlobal has attracted top scientific talent, worked across disparate specialties, and addressed some of the world's most challenging problems. Their research and development have impacted a wide array of endeavors including: defense; infectious disease and biological threat detection; human health; pharmaceutical science; energy, in-vitro diagnostics; global health; and transportation.

MRIGlobal brings a significant share of Federal Research and Development investment to the Kansas City region. Since 2013, MRIGlobal has been awarded more than $495 million in applied R&D grants. Furthermore, MRIGlobal employs 288 dedicated individuals between its Plaza and North Kansas City campuses and 416 people nationwide.

MRIGlobal is a strong and active corporate citizen. They partner with regional Missouri and Kansas Universities and Colleges to develop scientific talent and secure qualified employees. MRIGlobal has been and remains one of the strongest supporters of Kansas City's science, technology, engineering and math education programs. For example, it proudly serves as the Presenting Sponsor for the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair. MRIGlobal is also a key civic contributor, supporting such organizations as BioNexus KC, The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, KC Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Area Development Council, Union Station Kansas City, the Nelson-Atkins Museum Business Council, the Animal Health Corridor, and the National World War I Museum.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to represent the employees of great non- profit companies like MRIGlobal. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating MRIGlobal on 75 years of progress and wishing them continued growth and success in the years ahead.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to rise today to celebrate Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church's 100th Anniversary and recognize it for its numerous contributions to the greater Kansas City area. I am truly honored to have this house of worship and pillar of faith in my Congressional District.

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church is in Kansas City's historic 18th and Vine District, a neighborhood critical to the life and development of the African American community. In the 1920s, 18th and Vine began to grow, becoming a creative hub of African American culture and shaping the future of Kansas City for the better. Founded in 1919, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church was crucial to this cultural renaissance. Churches throughout this period were centers of community and support. They provided members hope and encouragement in the face of seemingly hopeless challenges like inequality, discrimination, and segregation. For a century, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church has been a vehicle for social justice and change within Kansas City's African American community.

Today, churches continue to be a keeper of cultural tradition, a center of storytelling, and the core of African American community. As writer Shauntae Brown White wrote, ``Storytelling that connects is an act of resonance that fulfills the second tenant of Afrocentric discourse, creating harmony in the midst of chaos.'' For the past 100 years, the congregation of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church has produced some of the brightest leaders, innovators, thinkers, and artists in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District.

Today, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church serves as a spiritual anchor within the Kansas City community. The church transforms the lives of its members for the better, unites people of all ages and supports them as they seek to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. For the past thirty-three years, Pastor L. Henderson Bell has led the church to be a house of hope for those facing adversity in the community. Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church not only is a center of spiritual development but a hub of service in its community, embodying James 2:17's assertion that, ``Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.'' The church serves the poor and marginalized members of the community by reaching out to them and providing educational opportunities, Bible study classes, health and scholarship trainings, and programs for music and dance.

Mt. Pleasant Baptist has been and continues to be an advocate for the underserved and a champion of the faithful in Kansas City. Its century worth of contributions to the soul of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District are worthy of praise and recognition. Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating and honoring Pastor L. Henderson Bell and the congregation of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, both past and present, for achieving this milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Marching Cobras. It is my distinct honor to congratulate this prestigious drill team on fifty years of success. Throughout my public life, I have been pleased to see this organization grow in number and recognition.

In a time when Kansas City was experiencing a lull in our rich and vibrant music scene, the Marching Cobras provided vitality and energy by enthusiastically marching in the style of Mr. Willie Arthur Smith. They played a pivotal role in maintaining our city's reputation as a musical and cultural hub . It is my great pleasure to recognize the Marching Cobras' students and leaders, past, present, and future. Their dedication has made this organization what it is today. The Marching Cobras reflect the vibrant community they represent and add bright colors to the rich historical fabric of Kansas City.

Concerned with the lack of productive activities available to students, Mr. Willie Arthur Smith saw an opportunity to provide his community with the means to both keep students off the streets and share his passion for marching. While teaching at Lincoln Junior High, Smith taught a group of his students a dance called the Madison Line for an all-student talent show. This simple act marked the birth of the Marching Cobras. Since 1969, the Marching Cobras have risen to a place of international recognition and continue their legacy of excellence. They have won national competitions and performed in events like the American Royal and the Cotton Bowl. They have even played prestigious venues from Nice, France to the White House.

With every performance, the Marching Cobras act as ambassadors of Kansas City and represent our city with pride. The dedication of the students and leaders shows a devotion to constant, beneficial improvement. It is this demonstration of excellence that engenders a desire for progress in every community that the Marching Cobras touch. I look forward to seeing the Marching Cobras' legacy continue to grow. They provide students with a means for accomplishment and gaining valuable skills. If it were not for people like Willie Arthur Smith and other Marching Cobra leaders, hundreds of students would not have the ability to participate in this vibrant and meaningful experience.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the Marching Cobras' fiftieth anniversary of bringing music, pride, and recognition to the community. On behalf of myself and the entire Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, it is my joy to congratulate the Marching Cobras on this significant milestone and wish them even greater success in the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the planting of the Tree of Peace on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. This ceremony is dignified by the presence of Mr. Ross P. Marine, the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic to the Midwest United States and board member of the Czech and Slovak Club of Greater Kansas City. During his eighteen-year tenure as Honorary Consul, Mr. Marine has worked to strengthen the economic, social, and cultural ties between Slovakia and Mid-America, and this spirit of international cooperation is reflected by the Tree of Peace project. Since the dedication of the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Armistice Day in 1926, Kansas City, Missouri has been home to the country's foremost institution committed to preserving the history of the First World War. In the shadows of the Liberty Memorial--the most fitting location our country offers for this project--the Tree of Peace will convey a message of goodwill and contribute to the reflective nature of this consecrated site.

Between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918, the First World War claimed the lives of nine million combatants and nearly eight million civilians. Another twenty-one million military personnel were wounded during the course of the war. In the United States alone, over 116,000 servicemen were killed, 204,000 were wounded, and 3,350 went missing. Among the American casualties, 441 were from Kansas City. To this day, World War I remains among the most costly and destructive wars in history.

When the National WWI Museum and Memorial opened to the public in 1926, President Calvin Coolidge explained that the memorial had ``not been raised to commemorate war and victory, but rather the results of war and victory, which are embodied in peace and liberty.'' The Tree of Peace project, initiated by Slovak landscape architect Dr. Marek Sabala, serves a similar purpose.

The Tree of Peace project is an international initiative that began in the Slovak Republic last year to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War's conclusion. Within four years, Dr. Sabala hopes to plant a Tree of Peace on every continent, a mission designed to champion a message of peace and the need to avoid armed conflicts. Each Tree of Peace also stands as a living tribute to all those who fought and perished in World War I, including those who lost their lives on unknown battlefields and who remain known only God. So far, eight Trees of Peace have been planted in four participating countries: Austria, Slovakia, Russia, and Poland. With the planting of a Tree of Peace at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on June 21st, the United States will join this international community in hopes of achieving a world free from global conflict. At a National Historic Landmark that has attracted over two million visitors since 2006, the Tree of Peace will establish its roots at one of the most treasured sites in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District and the nation.

The motto of the Tree of Peace project, to ``make love the lifeblood of this world,'' articulates an ideal that is antithetical to the depravity of warfare. Visitors to the National WWI Museum and Memorial walk across a glass bridge above a field of 9,000 red poppies--each of which represents 1,000 combat deaths suffered during the War. Conversely, the Tree of Peace symbolizes belief in a future where war no longer inflicts senseless death on so many. World War I was described by many contemporaries as ``the war to end all wars.'' While the international community has repeatedly proven this description false--with graves all across the world bearing testament to the devastating consequences of armed conflict--the Tree of Peace expresses faith that we may, once and for all, see war come to an end.

The Liberty Memorial Tower is flanked by two Assyrian Sphinx sculptures, known as Memory and Future. While Memory shields its eyes from the horrors of war, and Future shields its eyes from the uncertainty of times to come, the Tree of Peace affirms hope in a future that need not cause one to cover one's eyes in fear.

The Tree of Peace project encourages each of us to recommit ourselves to the noble pursuit of perpetual peace--in which bullets, bombs, and bayonets are all set aside; hostility is replaced with civility; and antagonism gives way to amity. The Tree of Peace calls on nations to silence the beating of their war drums, cast away their rattling sabers, and pay no heed to war hawks. Only then will the ``just and lasting peace'' that is described on the north wall of the memorial become a reality.

Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating the planting of the Tree of Peace at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. Let us recognize this occasion by reflecting on the values of friendship, harmony, and goodwill.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak today on my amendment.

In recognition of the escalating severity of youth suicide rates in the United States and also in my congressional district, I propose a funding increase of $6.5 million for the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant to be used for youth suicide awareness and prevention with a corresponding reduction from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and this includes training school personnel and high school students on the signs of suicide.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in America for young people between the ages of 15 and 19. Missouri

statistics surpassed that of our Nation's average on almost every account, from every age group to race and ethnicity.

The 2018 Missouri High School Principal of the Year, Jeff Meisenheimer, came to my office recently. His chief concern was that our youth today are in distress; that suicide rates are rising; and school personnel need resources to help these vulnerable students.

Two years ago in his school, Lee's Summit North High School, which is located in my district, a hardworking, young woman with a contagious smile named Gemesha Thomas died by suicide in the school. She actually went in the girl's restroom and shot herself.

My grandson was at the school at the time, and they evacuated the school. I was actually speaking with him by phone from here. He was outside trying to figure out what was going on.

This is a tragedy. There is no other word for it, but we have got to do all we can to try to help prevent this. Disturbingly, this situation is becoming more and more common and we have to do something about it.

These tragedies do not exist in a vacuum. According to the Jason Foundation, four out of five teens who attempt suicide give clear warning signs.

Madam Chair, I want to applaud the committee's commitment on this issue and the increase in funding for youth suicide prevention in this bill. However, we must do more. This is why I propose an increase in funding for the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant program because it puts resources in the hands of those who are on the front lines of training for our future.

Let's do everything within our power to reduce death by suicide and give our future leaders a fighting chance.

I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute a veteran of the U.S. Army from Independence, Missouri, for his heroism and dedication to a life long career serving our country. As a young boy in Hutchinson, Kansas, brave soldiers inspired Mr. Sutton to join the ranks of the millions of women and men serving in our military.

A man of unwavering grit and tenacity, Mr. Sutton was not discouraged when his application to join the Army and Navy Air Corps was denied due to his color-blindness. He was studying at the University of Kansas when he was drafted into the Army in 1944. After his conscription, Mr. Sutton attended West Point and received his Bachelor of Science in 1949 from the Army Engineering school. This wealth of knowledge eventually led Mr. Sutton and his wife Dana to travel internationally to Germany with the Army.

Using his engineering skills and personal fortitude, Mr. Sutton served the U.S. Army's Engineering and Transportation units in Germany. During his time there, Mr. Sutton worked with an all-black Engineering Battalion where he learned the meaning of service and brotherhood. To this day, Mr. Sutton cherishes the time he spent with that battalion. Years later, Mr. Sutton honored his time spent with the battalion by creating a course focusing on Black Men in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Sutton eventually returned to the U.S. and furthered his education by receiving a Master's in Business Administration with an emphasis in Transportation Management. Shortly thereafter, he once again served his country as a professor of mathematics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for three years.

Mr. Sutton took classes until he was once again sent to Korea in the 1st Calvary Division. Being both an energetic scholar and dedicated service member, Mr. Sutton eventually returned to Virginia to work for the Pentagon. At the Pentagon, he was an assistant to a three-star general, a position which led him to travel all around the world. For instance, this occurred when the U.S. Army sent Mr. Sutton to Vietnam, where he oversaw a battalion of 3,000 troops and spent countless days and nights living under the fear of an attack.

Upon his return to the States, he became a Colonel and was sent to Pennsylvania for 3 more years. After teaching and serving in Germany and Fort Leavenworth, Mr. Sutton was ready to return home to care for his family and his elderly parents. As a retiree from the Army, Mr. Sutton began working at Park University first as the supervisor of their Military Extension Program and later as the Assistant Dean of the University.

A man who pursues his passions and goals, Mr. Sutton received his private pilot's license and eventually bought his own plane. To this day, he flies his plane at Fort Leavenworth. Today, Mr. Sutton's extensive military history is honored at Veterans Hall in the Truman Memorial Building.

In addition to his 35 years of active duty service, he has been married for 69 years of marriage with two children, his five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Though their travels have taken them all over the world, we are fortunate to have Mr. Sutton and his wife call Independence, Missouri, their home.

Madam Speaker, please join me and all of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in congratulating Mr. Sutton for his 35 years of active duty service and outstanding accomplishments. It is with great respect that I urge all my colleagues and fellow citizens across the

country to join me in showing our appreciation to Mr. Sutton for his unwavering strength and dedication to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Grandview High School men's varsity basketball team and their 2019 state championship. This victory has earned the team the honor of being the Missouri Class 4 State Champions for the second consecutive year. This remarkable achievement is a result of strong leadership and dedication from both players and coaches.

This is a significant achievement for Coach Reggie Morris, who was recognized this spring for his outstanding coaching with the Paul Lambert Coach of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. In 2018, Morris led his team to the school's first ever State Championship. Following that victory, many of the team's best players graduated and went on to play at the collegiate level. A mere twelve months later, Morris was able to rebuild his squad and return to Springfield to claim another State Championship.

The new team was headlined by senior point guard DeAndre Sorrells who set the school record for 3-point baskets. With the leadership of Morris and Sorrells, the team cultivated an atmosphere of trust and hard work, establishing a tight-knit team chemistry both on and off the court. Their championship victory in Springfield as the penultimate reward for such a remarkable team and a fitting end to a season that saw them win twenty straight games.

The many accolades of Grandview's basketball team are a testament to the program that they have built. In addition to winning the State Championship, the Bulldogs were the only team from Missouri recognized on the Super 25 Regional Rankings list. Furthermore, Coach Reggie Morris was named the 2019 Class 4 Coach of the Year, and DeAndre Sorrells was recognized as Hy-Vee's 41 Five-Star Athlete of the Week.

The Grandview community rallied around the Bulldogs during the season as they progressed game after game towards their incredible victory in the State Championship. Now, the players look forward to enjoying fruitful careers in various athletic and academic fields after their graduation, and I encourage each of them to continue challenging themselves on and off the court as they move forward in life.

Madam Speaker, please join with Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of the Grandview Bulldogs. It is my pleasure to congratulate each of the players and coaches that helped this superb team claim their title, and I am exceedingly proud to represent such exemplary student-athletes like those of the Grandview High School basketball team.

Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed votes on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. I had intended to vote ``yes'' on Roll Call vote 207, ``yes'' on vote 208 and ``yes'' on vote 209.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), managed by Honeywell FM&T. Since their founding in 1949, KCNSC and Honeywell established a strong presence within our community, fulfilling a national security need while engaging our local workforce. Today, their campus has expanded exponentially to provide quality jobs for over 4,500 members of the Fifth Congressional District.

The Kansas City National Security Campus was created under the direction of then U.S. Senator Harry S. Truman to establish a centralized national defense operation that would be strategically located in the heart of the country--Kansas City. Seven years later, President Truman was pleased to see his vision come true when Kansas City's Bendix Corporation signed the contract to operate the local division of the Atomic Energy Commission. Growing steadily, Bendix expanded to employ 8,301 employees in the Kansas City community by 1963. Bendix became known for providing quality employment options for men and women of diverse backgrounds. As a new resident of Kansas City in 1968, I was actually employed at Bendix myself, so I am especially appreciative to this company for giving me my first opportunity in the city that I have called home for the past fifty years.

Throughout their seventy years in service, KCNSC has consistently paved the way in providing innovative solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. State of the art facilities like the Electrical Products Manufacturing Building and the Flexible Manufacturing System exhibited the foremost technological advances available at the time.

Beginning in 2013, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Honeywell FM&T contract embarked on one of their largest and most prestigious expansions yet--the relocation of the KCNSC campus. Since this expansion, the collaboration has remained steadfast as an integral pillar in the community. These $9 billion facilities have enabled the already thriving KCNSC to expand exponentially, providing secure and highly sought-after jobs to a plethora of Kansas Citians. Since the opening dedication of the new facilities on Botts Road in August 2014, hundreds of employees have been added to the KCNSC family, encouraging economic growth and investment in our city. KCNSC has grown their total staff from 2,500 employees in 2015 to 4,500 employees employed there today. As a testament to KCNSC's continued efficiency, throughout the entire relocation process, the highest standards of both safety and performance were maintained, giving this branch of Honeywell and NNSA national recognition and approval. Their work during the transition was described as ``better than flawless'' by Plant President Chris Gentile.

Going forward, the KCNSC facility maintains the same standard of excellence and dedication to safety and sustainability as they did in 1949 while providing high quality jobs and employee satisfaction. It brings me great personal pride to have this institution located within our Fifth Congressional District of Missouri.

Madam Speaker, please join me with Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in honoring the Kansas City National Security Campus, managed by Honeywell FM&T, for their remarkable achievements in our community and their contributions to the security, safety, and longevity of our nation during the past seventy years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mr. Colin Garrison's three Olympic victories at the 2019 Special Olympic World Games. The achievement of such a distinguished title takes profound dedication and practice on the part of both the athlete, coaches, and the community. The immense accomplishments of individuals like Mr. Garrison make me proud to represent the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri in the United States Congress.

Out of the 216 athletes competing in the 2019 World Games, Mr. Garrison was one of two participants representing the state of Missouri. Having participated alongside countless talented athletes in Missouri for many years, Mr. Garrison was honored to earn a trip as a top contestant.

Mr. Garrison's awards in bocce ball, both silver and gold, at the 2019 Special Olympic World Games in Abu Dhabi are the culmination of years of hard work. Garrison overcame what might be perceived by others as obstacles in his life and turned them into blessings and triumphs. For the last 13 years, Colin has taken part in the Missouri Special Olympics, taking home titles in a variety of athletic categories. Furthermore, he has competed at the USA Games numerous times, including the 2010 and 2018 USA Games. Not limited to bocce ball, Colin competed in multiple sports such as basketball, softball, bowling, flag football, soccer, and more. Garrison says that he is not done competing and plans to continue training for future events. He hopes to once more join the American team at the 2023 Special Olympic World Games in Berlin.

Through these athletic games and tournaments, Colin Garrison has traveled across the nation from Lincoln, Nebraska to Seattle, Washington, and now, he has expanded globally. Mr. Garrison enjoys visiting new cities and attending professional sporting events; however, his favorite part is meeting new people at each series of events.

When Mr. Garrison is not competing, he is a crucial and beloved member of his family and his community. All those who know him feel blessed to have him in their life. His positive outlook and perseverance are two of his most defining traits. Working hard at two jobs, he always makes time for the rigorous practice schedule in a variety of sports. His coach and father, Mike Garrison, has said that he could not be prouder of his son and all that Colin has accomplished through his hard work and perseverance.

Madam Speaker, please join me and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in celebrating the accomplishments of Mr. Colin Garrison. I encourage my fellow citizens and constituents to unite together under the same spirit of positivity, resiliency, and determination that Mr. Garrison has carried throughout his long and prestigious career.