Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with a deep sense of gratitude that I rise today to honor the lifelong public service career of Mr. Carson Ross, who has served as the mayor of the city of Blue Springs since 2008. Mr. Ross will be retiring as the first African American Mayor of Blue Springs, Missouri. Mr. Ross's dedication to public service is truly exemplary.

Before he began his distinguished career, Mr. Ross was a graduate of Bradley County High School, attended the University of Arkansas--Pline Bluff, and later received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rockhurst University in 1977. He began his career as a public servant in 1981, when he was elected to the Blue Springs Board of Aldermen where he served Districts 2 and 3 for eight consecutive years as Alderman and one year as Mayor Pro Tem. To further grow his expertise and leadership skills, he went on to serve on the Legislative Branch of the State of Missouri and was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives to represent the 55th District. Under this capacity, Mr. Ross served for a total of 14 years in Missouri's House of Representatives and as a testament of his abilities as a leader, served as the Republican Whip in 1991 through 1992.

As a result of his work ethic and dedication to serving his community, Mr. Ross was recognized as one of Kansas City's most influential African Americans by the Kansas City Globe in 1995 and 1996. Furthermore, his influence and impact did not go unnoticed when he received the Outstanding Legislator Award in 1996 by the Missouri Federation Grand Order of Pachyderms and the 1997 state award by the Kansas City Globe as the Most Influential African American.

Beyond his role as a legislator, Mr Ross worked with Hallmark Cards after having an illustrious career of 39 years with the company, where he held various positions. Additionally, he has served the city of Blue Springs in various capacities outside of Mayor through his participation on various boards including as Chairman of the Blue Springs Personnel Board, President of St. Mary's Medical Center Board of Associates, a founding member of Summit Bank of Kansas City Board of Trustees, among many more.

As Mayor of Blue Springs for sixteen years, Mr. Ross focused on ways that he could better his community and his selfless spirit of service is displayed throughout his career. His historical achievement of becoming the city's first Black Mayor serves as an image of resiliency and determination to break through barriers and lay the groundwork for future leaders. As children look towards future careers and occupations, they will know that they too are capable of being Mayor and a public servant, even if that means being the first to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Mr. Ross for his tremendous accomplishments, his commitment, and tireless community service. His immense impact will continue through the multitude of lives he has impacted. On behalf of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, I wish Mr. Ross great joy and relaxation in retirement as Mayor.

Mr. Speaker, it is with significant appreciation that I rise today to celebrate the distinguished career of Vicki Turnbow, who has served as the President of the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce in Raytown, Missouri since 2007. As a volunteer, member of the Board of Directors, and staff member, Vicki has worked diligently to promote economic development in Raytown while holding numerous positions within the Raytown Chamber. I ask that we take a moment to reflect on Vicki's abundant accomplishments and commitment to promoting economic growth as her retirement nears.

Vicki's role as President of the Raytown Chamber of Commerce requires the oversight and leadership of two non-profit organizations, the Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building Foundation and the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. The former owns the land and building of the Raytown Chamber`s office, while the latter works to provide year-long benefits to members. Vicki's diverse and robust skill set have set her up for success in this role, as she is tasked with managing advocacy, networking events, community engagement, business resources, and community resources and maintaining a balanced budget for the Raytown Chamber. Understanding the importance of collaboration, Vicki has been devoted to working alongside the City of Raytown to promote economic development in the area. She has also worked to continue developing relationships with other Chambers in the Kansas City metropolitan area, as well as with Jackson County and local school boards.

The Raytown Chamber has immensely benefitted from Vicki's leadership. Vicki created an annual strategic plan to provide direction for staff members as they navigate the committee and board approval process. She has worked to establish the Tourism sector with the Chamber, redesign the Chamber's logo, and to partner with Jackson County for the Rock Island Shared Use Project. During times of economic hardship, Vicki's dedication to the Raytown Chamber remained steadfast. The Chamber continued to meet their goals throughout the beginning of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic due to her direction as President. Vicki also selflessly ran the Chamber's office as a one-person operation from November of 2019 until April of 2023. Under Vicki's leadership, the Capital Campaign was launched to remodel the Raytown Chamber of Commerce building. Vicki saw this project through to completion from 2016 and 2023. I was honored to help secure the $200,000 needed through federal grants for a project so deserving of these funds.

Vicki's compassion for and generosity towards the people of Raytown extends even beyond her role as President of the Raytown Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the Board of trustees for the Raytown Educational Foundation and is a member of the Raytown Rotary Club. Vicki's devotion to giving back to her community is apparent to all those around her. She has received numerous awards recognizing her hard work, including the Volunteer of the Year for the Raytown Chamber award, Raytown's Outstanding Woman Leader of the Year award, and the Raytown Citizen of the Year award. Vicki has also completed the Raytown Community Emergency Response Team training. Dedicating hours to serving her city, Vicki has demonstrated her passion for public service.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in applauding Vicki Turnbow as a thank you for leading the Raytown Chamber of Commerce as President and charitably serving her community. Her enthusiasm for improving the lives of others has earned her a joyous retirement. On behalf of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, I want to thank Vicki for her leadership on behalf of the 118th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, this was supposed to be one of the great celebrations. We won the Super Bowl and probably had a million or so people at the parade. In a great tragedy that has befallen all of us over and over again, a shooter has ruined the lives of many people who attended and those who represent them. Amen.

Mr. Speaker, it is with immense pride that I rise today to honor a great Missourian, former Congresswoman Pat Danner (MO-6) on her 90th birthday. An experienced leader, innovative thinker, and dedicated professional, Pat serves as a prime example of a true public servant and moreover, a kind human being.

Born January 13, 1934, in Louisville, Kentucky, Pat grew up in Bevier, Missouri where she attended public schools and then graduated from Northwest Missouri State University Cum Laude with a BA in political science. On the pursuit to grow as a leader and further involve herself in public service, Pat went on to work as the District Administrator to Congressman Jerry Litton following graduation. As a testament to the unwavering commitment to her community and serving others, she was appointed to a sub-cabinet position in the Administration of President Jimmy Carter.

In 1982, Pat attained a momentous milestone in her career by securing a coveted position in the Missouri State Senate through a triumphant electoral victory over incumbent Senator Hardin Cox and was re-elected in 1986 and 1990. As a pivotal turning point, Pat successfully ran for Congress in 1992, defeating the incumbent Republican Tom Coleman and secured her seat in Missouri's Sixth District. She was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, 1996, and 1998.

Beyond her extraordinary career accomplishments, Pat's courageousness and resilience as she underwent breast cancer stand as evidence of her unshakeable willpower. As a proud breast cancer survivor, Pat has shared her positivity, vibrance and fearlessness to all those around her. Her dedication and love for her family has created long lasting bonds with a marriage of over 41 years with her husband Markt Meyer and four children, Stephen, Stephanie, Shane, and Shavonne. Their close- knit family made up of 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren have continued to serve as an important pillar in Pat and Markt's life, bringing them joy and fulfillment to their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District as we forever enshrine Pat's legacy and wish her the happiest of birthdays. On this special occasion, let us celebrate this milestone and Pat Danner's achievements throughout her distinguished career but most importantly, her impact as a lifelong friend, partner, mother and a proud Missourian.

Mr. Speaker, due to a death in the family, I regrettably missed votes on December 6 and 7, 2023. Had I been present, I would have voted accordingly:

YEA on Roll Call Number 698;

NAY on Roll Call Number 699;

YEA on Roll Call Number 700;

NAY on Roll Call Number 701;

YEA on Roll Call Number 702;

NAY on Roll Call Number 703;

YEA on Roll Call Number 704:

NAY on Roll Call Number 705; and

NAY on Roll Call Number 706.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the Kansas City Public Library (KCPL) for one hundred and fifty years of service and commitment to the community. For over a century, the Kansas City Public Library has served as a gateway for people to gain knowledge and wisdom. The library offers resources and services that cultivate a love and appreciation for reading and learning. On this momentous occasion, let us reflect on the irreplaceable assets the Kansas City Public Library, and all libraries, have given us.

In 1873, the Public School Library of Kansas City was established as an invaluable resource for fostering a love of reading, allowing all who visit the library to immerse themselves in new worlds. In times of extreme economic hardship, KCPL has stood as a beacon of hope and prosperity. The library offered a sense of culture and sophistication, thereby helping establish the foundation upon which Kansas City was built. This institution started with just a few books and has flourished into what we now know as the Kansas City Public Library, with ten branches, thousands of books, and an immeasurable amount of online assistance.

By offering a variety of children's books, novels, textbooks, and databases, libraries represent different things to different people. Synonymous with education, a library can fuel a student's love for learning, allowing them to better understand themselves, friends, family, and the world. Lending books allows prolonged access to knowledge that may not be available anywhere else. Catalogs and records help us learn from the past and recognize how it shaped our present and future. Libraries inspire creativity and imagination, creating an open space for people to share stories and engage with each other. A place unlike any other where all ages can come together, the Kansas City Public Library is not only a quiet place for students to study but also a place to make a friend, pick up a new hobby, access the internet, and attend educational events.

The Kansas City Public Library does more than just provide access to knowledge. The library system is keenly aware of the needs and hardships of many who enter their doors. Specialists throughout the branches help individuals with common issues that everyday people face, from taxes and budgeting to health and fitness. A safe haven is provided for those who enter any of the Kansas City branches. In 2016, the Outreach Team, alongside the AmeriCorps VISTAs, began ``Coffee & Conversations.'' These meetings invite people experiencing hardships and housing insecurity to have open discussions about their lives; ensuring they have food, emergency supplies, and the support needed to stay on their feet. Additionally, there is also an initiative to help those who just came to the United States. Refugee & Immigrant Services & Empowerment connects the immigrant community with opportunities, services, and resources to help immigrants gain citizenship and integrate into their new home.

Numerous awards and acknowledgements have been given to the Kansas City Public Library to recognize the extraordinary work being accomplished. Multiple five-star ratings have been given by the Library Journal because of program attendance, library visits, internet computer usage, and circulation. The library system received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2008 in recognition of children's programs and free events. There is no denying the outstanding performance of this library. The awards, ratings, and reviews for all the services this library system offers, proves KCPL is a premier library in the country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring the Kansas City Public Library on one hundred and any years of resilience and engagement within Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. I have no doubt they will continue to foster a love of reading and prove to be an invaluable resource for all visitors. It is fitting to celebrate this milestone and reflect on the significance of libraries in our community. Here's to another hundred and fifty years of the Kansas City Public Library being a shining light for knowledge, inspiration, and opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, each November, Americans commemorate Diabetes Awareness Month. This distinction comes after hundreds of medical advancements, thousands of tears, and millions of lives lost. Diabetes spares no one in its mission to disrupt lives. It feeds off our children as Type 1 diabetes and preys on adults and seniors as Type 2 diabetes, leaving one in ten Americans to contend with this condition.

Black Americans are 60 percent more likely to suffer this illness and its devastating complications, including heart, kidney, liver, eye, and neurological diseases. Healthcare accessibility, genetics, and food insecurity are strong determinants of health outcomes, and diabetes is no different. A community unable to access healthy food or preventative health care is severely disadvantaged.

All Americans with diabetes know the financial strain this disease brings. One dollar out of every $4 in US healthcare costs goes towards diabetes care, leaving the average American with diabetes incurring $12,022 in annual medical expenditures. Thankfully, Congressional Democrats recognize this crisis and passed the Inflation Reduction Act last year. The IRA took unprecedented steps to lower prescription drug costs and capped insulin prices at $35 for seniors on Medicare. Now, millions of Americans can rest easy knowing they have reliable access to their lifesaving medication.

We all live within one degree of separation from this illness. My grandmother had it, a member of my staff has it, and this year 38,000 Missourians will receive a diabetes diagnosis. While Diabetes Awareness Month educates millions across the globe, we must take further action and cure this disease. I'm proud of the work President Biden and House Democrats continue taking to bring this reality closer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jauqua Wilkins for her induction into the Black Achievers Society of Greater Kansas City. Jauqua is passionate about empowering the underrepresented, improving access to quality education, and strengthening diversity and inclusion efforts. She understands how systemic inequality disproportionately affects minority families by providing fewer opportunities for economic mobility. Consequently, she has devoted her time and energy to building a more just equitable world.

As a child, Jauqua and her mother attended events that celebrated Black culture in the United States. These events gave Jauqua a strong sense of belonging and a positive self-image. After earning a bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a master's degree in education at American International University, Jauqua began teaching biology and algebra in special education classrooms. She believes that educating her local community is a way to close wealth gaps, and her teaching experience includes work at Southwest Charter, Hickman Mills C-1 school district, the Economic Opportunity Foundation, and the Full Employment Council. While teaching at the Economic Opportunity Foundation, she was awarded the mentor of the year award for 2009-2010.

In 2013, Jauqua became a career development specialist at MINACT, Inc., where she assisted students in developing the skills needed to find meaningful job opportunities. Jauqua later served as the Vice President of Programs and Operations at the Urban League of Greater Kansas City from 2016 to 2021. She crafted policies and programs, set strategic goal-setting initiatives, and conducted evaluations within the Urban League. In 2021, Jauqua became the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program Manager II at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. In this position, she helped implement new programs and policies that highlighted disparities of accessibility and outcomes. Jauqua was promoted as the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at the Oracle Cerner Corporation. In addition to creating cultural and diversity programs, she now develops and implements procedures with an inclusive decision making process. Jauqua's experience as a Diversity and Inclusion officer will serve as a powerful asset not only to the Black Achievers Society of Greater Kansas City, but also to the greater Kansas City community.

Moreover, Jauqua has been a very active member within her community. Her service experience includes being a part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,--Mu Omega Chapter. She currently serves on the University of Missouri Extension and Engagement Advisory Committee. In this role, she serves as a catalyst by building connections between people, communicating the value of the committee's work, and receiving feedback from others on how to improve Missourians' lives. She was also a part of the KC Chamber Centurions Leadership Program and Steering Committee of the Apex Class of 2022. Jauqua served as a council member of the YMCA People Service Council and as a secretary of the Kansas City International School Board. In addition, Jauqua has been recognized by the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Societas Docta for her advocacy in Civil Rights. Jauqua has served in numerous leadership roles within the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Jauqua has shown time after time that she is a mission-driven and visionary leader who does exceptionally well while in leadership roles. There's no doubt in my mind that Jauqua is a great addition to the Black Achievers Society of Greater Kansas City. Mr. Speaker, please join me in applauding Jauqua Wilkins for all her contributions to our community and the great work that she will continue to do.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3564, the so- called Middle Class Borrowers Protection Act of 2023. The reason for my position is because this legislation does the exact opposite of what it purports.

The reality is this: The Financial Services Committee held a subcommittee hearing on this legislation on May 17, titled: ``Undermining Housing Affordability With Politics.''

My uncle used to say: ``I would kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.'' It is called irony, but that irony did not match the irony of the hearing on housing issues that had been hyper-politicized.

In my remarks, I mentioned that stations like FOX News have been providing a narrative of FHFA changes that almost all the experts in the field, and all that I have personally talked to, will tell you is untrue, but the complexity of housing finance lends itself to a lack of understanding.

Referring to FHFA pricing changes, which were largely required due to changes in GSE capital requirements and had not been addressed in many years as a socialist scheme, is simply wrong and is transparently political.

The committee then marked up legislation in a partisan way, and what was most surprising to me was the number of industry groups who have expressed issues with the politicization of FHFA loan-level price adjustment changes.

The FHFA in this process has been willing to provide information to Congress and much more information than would have been received by private entities before conservatorship.

I was pleased when FHFA listened to the concerns of Congress and outside organizations in rescinding a debt-to-income-based loan-level price adjustment that would have led to several problems. The bill we are debating today affirms that decision.

However, the bill we are debating today, if we look at what the CBO has said about the bill, is potentially expensive and not in the best interest of the American people. Given the politics of the issue, the American public should have no confidence that the end result would be any less politicized.

For example, requiring notice and comment process in all pricing matters and adjustments would reduce the GSE's ability to quickly respond to changing market conditions, thereby undermining safety and soundness objectives in times of market issues.

This would require the agency to delay implementation of pricing changes for an extended period. There are several alternatives that could be required that would complement the annual guarantee fee report FHFA is already required to publish.

Mr. Chair, I missed something because I didn't know that the Biden administration was involved in this debate or had any involvement at all with this discussion.

At the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to the bill.

My amendment would make the $3.2 billion surplus this bill generates available for Federal programs to assist homeless individuals and families. Instead of making housing more expensive for our constituents, we should be ensuring that every single American is able to live with dignity and comfort.

Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of the amendment.

At the end, add the following new section:

Mr. Chair, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit and opposing this sham bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor Mr. Bert Berkley for his decades of service to Missouri's Fifth Congressional District and to congratulate him on his most recent milestone: his 100th birthday. A fine example of what it means to dedicate your life to service. Bert spent his career finding ways to improve quality of life within his community and beyond.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Bert grew up surrounded by the entrepreneurial spirit epitomized by his family, which founded Tension Envelope, now known as Tension Corporation. The Kansas City- based company, which initially specialized in advertising novelties and business stationery, was established in 1886 under the direction of William Berkowitz and Maurice Berkowitz--Bert's grandfather and great uncle, respectively.

Bert was passionate about the family-owned business early in his career, preparing himself for future responsibilities by studying economics at Duke University. With World War II underway, Bert was deployed to the Philippines where he worked as a quartermaster, managing valuable equipment and supplies. After three and a half years, he was able to leave a day early if he signed up for the Army Reserves, which he did. On his return home, Bert fell in love and married his life-time partner and mother of his children, Joan, in 1948. Bert went on to obtain a Master's in Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1950 and was starting what would become a successful career when he was sent to active duty once again to serve in the Korean War. During these 17 months of service, Lieutenant Berkley led an infantry platoon and came close to losing his life in combat, an experience that would change his life forever. As a result of the hardships he endured in Korea, Bert made a promise that if he made it out of the war alive, he would dedicate his life to serving others and giving back to the community.

As life would have it, Bert returned to his family untouched and with a desire to transform his community for generations to come. Named the new president and CEO of the Tension Corporation in 1962, Bert helped transform the business into the empire it is today, expanding its horizons across the globe. By evolving along with the industry throughout his 27 years of service as CEO, Tension Corporation continues to be one of the most successful envelope makers in the world. Still, Ben's success and dedication go beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors. Indeed. it is his selflessness in serving the Kansas City community in order to find new ways to create positive change that truly makes Bert so special.

As an avid advocate of mail exchange, Bert served as the immediate past chairman of the Global Exchange Alliance, an international organization that focuses on the quality of global mail exchange. In this role, he visited various countries such as China, Taiwan, and Thailand to speak to postal service leaders to learn more about mail systems around the world and how they could be improved. Thanks to his exceptional leadership skills, Bert was able to lead many Kansas City organizations including the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce as chairman, and the Kansas City Civic Council.

Bert recognized the importance of providing equitable access to education and social services to children and families and made it his mission to be involved in whatever capacity to ensure he could help create positive outcomes for families in Kansas City. As a result, to his passion for education and bettering his community, he served as a board member of the Institute for Educational Leadership, based in Washington, D.C., which is a hands-on think-tank on K-12 education. Additionally, Bert was a member of the Dean's Advisory Council of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a member of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum Advisory Council, and a board member of Turn the Page KC, an organization focusing on achieving grade level reading by third grade. Most notably, his creation of the Local Investment Commission (LINC) in Kansas City speared a national movement in social services and public-private partnerships that put children and families at the forefront.

Bert envisioned the impact state localized resources could have on Missouri's families if they could land in right hands. After a roundtable meeting with Gary Strangler, the Department of Social Services director in 1989, Bert sought ways to improve the capacity of state departments while using their resources to fulfill the needs of communities. LINC's innovative ideas helped shape the welfare-to-work programs we see today and provided a breakthrough on how to use grant funds and state resources to invest back into local communities. The program was so successful that President Clinton even pointed to LINC as an inspiration for his efforts toward expanding welfare programs across the nation. The program grew to offer before and after school programming for Kansas City Public Schools and other districts, providing care for children of working families. His positive influence on generations upon generations is a testament to his compassion and desire to help others.

Mr. Speaker, please join me and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District as we forever enshrine our gratitude for the work of Bert Berkley and as we wish him the happiest of birthdays. Bert continues to be a local hero, a symbol of kindness, a considerate friend and companion, and a wonderful father, but most importantly, he is a kindhearted human being. On this special occasion, let us honor the legacy that Bert Berkley has given us throughout his distinguished career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense pride to recognize and celebrate the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation for their contributions and achievements in promoting Kansas City sports locally and nationally in order to create economic development and recreational opportunities to achieve a better quality of life for the Greater Kansas City area. Notably, they are responsible for the 2023 NFL Draft's selection of Kansas City, and most recently, the selection as a host city for the 2026 World Cup. It is through the advocacy, passion for sports and its benefits, and overall dedication to our community that the Sports Commission enables others to see the immense potential Kansas City has to offer that too often has been overlooked. I am truly honored to represent an organization who works selflessly for the improvement of their community.

The KC Sports Commission and Foundation first opened its door as a privately funded, nonprofit membership organization on January 12, 1966. With Ernie Mehl as the first chairman of the volunteer-led organization, the Sports Commission's primary objectives rallied behind introducing a new professional baseball team, growing the number of Chiefs season ticket holders, and campaigning for the construction of a sports complex through the public and private sector. Through their commitment and diligence to achieve these goals, the Sports Commission garnered the support of various city leaders including Ewing Kauffman, Ray Evans, and Earl Smith.

As a testament to their dedication, the Sports Commission helped bring the Kansas City Royals and pass bond funding that led to the creation of the Truman Sports Complex, all within two years of their founding. By 1989, the organization was restructured as a 501(c)3 organization with Kevin M. Gray as its first paid staff member and Executive Director. Throughout its tenure, the organization has been housed at the Mid-America Lubermen's Association, the Cancer Society and finally in 2000, landed at 1308 Pennsylvania Avenue where the office was renamed The McGuff Sports Center, where it is currently located.

Since its inception, the Sports Commission has operated events such as Kansas City's Big 12 Run, the Kansas City Marathon presented by Garmin, and the Kansas City Sports Awards Banquet presented by Populous among many others. Additionally, it has helped organize and facilitate events such as the MLB All-Star Game in 2012, MLS All-Star Game in 2013, Kansas City Royals World Series Celebration and Parade in 2015, and the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in 2019. Under the leadership of President and CEO, Kathy Nelson, a KC native and leader, the Sports Commission is reaching new milestones in 2023 with a diverse sports event schedule that includes the Big 12 Tournament for men and women, a NCAA regional and the NFL Draft. The KC Sports Commission & Foundation have reached new horizons than ever before, bringing the Greater Kansas City area into the national and international spotlight. It is without a doubt that the city and its residents will reel in the benefits that will come from these events. The NFL Draft will show patrons locally and nationally the enthusiasm and spirit of our community and exhibit itself as an exemplary example to follow in our cities. This years' experience is expected to break records for having the largest stage and biggest screens in league history, offering a never-before-seen experience. As locals and visitors gather for one of the biggest events of the year, we honor and recognize the hard work of the Sports Commission that led us here. In three years from now, when Kansas City welcomes fans from all over the world for the 2026 World Cup, everyone will recognize the love and faith this organization has in its community. Ensuring that Kansas City was placed on the international stage was not an easy task, but the Sports Commission persevered and secured a spot as one of the host cities in the United States that'll offer a home to those tuning in for the world's most watched soccer event. There is no doubt that this organization will continue to thrive in the years to come by striving to reach new goals to better our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the Kansas City Sports

Commission and Foundation for their tremendous accomplishments, milestones, and service to the Greater Kansas City area. Their enthusiasm for sports and recreation, mission in enhancing the quality of life and opportunities of all residents, and commitment to service is a model for all. I speak with the voice of Missouri's entire Fifth Congressional District as we say a heartfelt ``thank you'' to the KC Sports Commission and Foundation as we celebrate and congratulate them on all their current achievements and those to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of Mayor Leonard D. Jones, Jr., who has served as an elected representative of the people of Grandview, Missouri for 25 years. On this historic occasion, let us take a moment to reflect on Mayor Jones' illustrious career, which has come to be defined by dedication and distinction.

Having lived in Grandview, Missouri since 1970, Mayor Jones graduated from Grandview High School before earning his bachelor's degree in computer science at Grambling State University and his Master of Business Administration at Webster University. On top of these academic accomplishments, Mayor Jones has achieved the lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager designation. Mayor Jones and his wife, Michelle, have three daughters, three grandsons, and one great granddaughter.

First elected to the Grandview Board of Alderman in 1998, Mayor Jones served as Alderman Ward 1 for the next sixteen consecutive years, until becoming the city's mayor in 2014--a position he has maintained for nearly a decade. From the moment he took the oath of office, Mayor Jones began restoring trust in local government and public institutions, thereby earning the respect and admiration from residents on both sides of the aisle. Always putting the needs of the community first, Mayor Jones has been a tireless advocate for his constituents for a quarter century, forever focused on improving the lives of all those he serves.

Currently, Mayor Jones serves as a Board Member of the Mid-America Regional Council's Total Transportation Policy Committee, in addition to serving on the Board of Trustees of the Little Blue Valley Sewer District. Moreover, Mayor Jones has served on the Grandview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the ReDiscover Board of Directors, the Missouri Municipal League Finance Committee, the HENA Executive Committee, the Grandview Assistance Program Board of Directors, and the National League of Cities Service Line Warranty Committee. It goes without saying that Mayor Jones' commitment to public service is sincere and profound, and Grandview is

a better place to call home thanks to his championing of its people.

During his time in executive office, Mayor Jones has overseen significant population growth, the development of countless new housing units, a sharp increase in commercial activity, abundant construction, an uptick in revenue, and a decrease in crime rates throughout the City of Grandview. With a population of over 25,000 people, Grandview is well served by its insightful Mayor and the determination with which he approaches the challenges facing everyday people. From repairing streets and sidewalks, to revitalizing public parks, Mayor Jones has consistently delivered tangible results for the people of Grandview while acting as a faithful steward of the tax dollars to which the City is entrusted.

Beyond his responsibilities as Mayor and a member of several boards of directors, Mayor Jones retired from Sprint/T-Mobile after working in various positions within the company for 34 years. Mayor Jones is the recipient of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award from Metropolitan Community College-Longview and the 2019 Jane Bryan Distinguished Alumni Award. He has served on past and current ad hoc committees with the Little Blue Valley Sewer District Board of Trustees and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8100. Additionally, Mayor Jones served our country in uniform and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander as a Supply Corps Officer in the U.S. Naval Reserves. Grandview's mayor has never failed to lead by example, and his years of service to his community and our Nation will continue to inspire for generations to come.

On behalf of the 118th Congress, I applaud Mayor Jones for serving the good people of Grandview, Missouri for the last 25 years in elected office. Mayor Jones' outstanding record of public service should serve as an example for people throughout this great country, and I want to wish the Mayor all the best in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Russell Stover Chocolates, a beloved American company that has become synonymous with quality and tradition. Founded in 1923 by Russell and Clara Stover, this Kansas City-based business has been delighting taste buds and warming hearts for generations. On this special occasion, let us take a moment to reflect on the last one hundred years.

The history of Russell Stover Chocolates began in Denver, Colorado, when Russell and Clara Stover began making candy in their bungalow home. The newfound company, originally employing just seven individuals, was first known as Mrs. Stover's Bungalow Candies. Within one year, the Stovers were operating five stores in Denver along with locations in Kansas City, Missouri, Lincoln, Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, and St. Louis, Missouri. In 1928, with business rapidly expanding, the Stovers opened their first factory in Kansas City, where all company operations would be moved in 1932. Committed to using only the finest ingredients in their exquisite confections, Russell Stover was already setting the standard for excellence in the chocolate world.

Business continued to grow in 1934, when the Stovers opened a drive- in store, ice cream parlor, and ice cream factory in Kansas City. Nine years later, in 1943, Russell Stover led the Committee for the National Confectioners Association in Washington, DC, the same year that the company officially changed its name to Russell Stover Candies.

While Russell and Clara Stover passed away in 1954 and 1975, respectively, the chocolate company they had built from scratch honored their memory by continuing to bring joy and sweetness to millions of Americans. Having grown to one of the largest and most respected candy makers in the United States, with chocolates sold in thousands of stores nationwide, Russell Stover acquired Whitman's Candies in 1993. The following year,

the company received further attention when a box of Russell Stover chocolates was featured in the Academy Award-winning film Forrest Gump, in which the title character quotes his mother as having said, ``life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.'' Offering a piece of candy to a stranger sitting next to him on a park bench, Forrest Gump declared, ``I could eat about a million and a half of these,'' and viewers around the world agreed with the sentiment.

In 1998, Russell Stover launched a line of sugar free chocolates and quickly became the leading producer of sugar free candies in the United States. In 2002, Russell Stover was recognized for having the best- tasting toffee, chocolate covered cherries, fudge, truffles, nut bars, and sugar-free chocolates when the company was awarded six Gold Taste Awards by the prestigious American Culinary Institute. Wanting to ensure that all people could enjoy their delicacies, Russell Stover launched product lines for consumers with diabetes and those leading low-carb lifestyles in the early 2000s.

In 2014, Lindt & Sprungli--a manufacturer of premium chocolates worldwide--acquired Russell Stover Chocolates and Whitman's Candies. Since then, the company has remained dedicated to its founding principles of quality and craftsmanship, ensuring that each piece of candy is a testament to the Stovers' commitment to excellence.

On behalf of the 118th Congress, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Russell Stover Chocolates for having reached their centennial anniversary. Hand-crafting the finest chocolates in the heart of America, Russell Stover is an American success story worth celebrating on this historic milestone. Here's to another hundred years of delicious chocolates and sweet memories.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, I rise to celebrate the illustrious career of Tammy Edwards, who has served as the senior vice president of the Community Engagement and Inclusion Division at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City since 2019. As her retirement draws near, let us take a moment to reflect upon Tammy's professional accomplishments as well as her many contributions to the community she calls home.

Raised on the east side of Troost Avenue, the corridor historically used to divide Kansas City along racial lines, Tammy attended Kansas City Public Schools and graduated in the top 10 percent of her high school class. Tammy's academic prowess led to her acceptance into the INROADS program, which works to open up pathways to careers for ethnically diverse high school and college students all across the United States. While earning her Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Tammy's involvement in the INROADS program helped her land an internship at United Telecom, the predecessor to Sprint Corporation. Tammy continued her internship throughout her four years of undergraduate study, and after graduating in 1984, she accepted a full-time position with the company, where she would remain for over twenty-six years. In the early years of her career, Tammy went back to UMKC to earn an MBA, which she completed in 1986.

In 2008, Tammy became the vice president of the Community Development Division at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, which covers the 10th District of the Federal Reserve. The District includes Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, northern New Mexico, and western Missouri, where it promotes the public's interest by supporting economic and financial stability. By 2019, Tammy had worked her way up the ranks to become the Bank's senior vice president within the Community Engagement and Inclusion Division. Notably, Tammy also served as director of the Bank's Office of Minority and Women Inclusion and was a member of the Bank's Management Committee, which oversees the institution's strategic planning and policy direction.

Throughout her nearly 15 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Tammy helped develop a diverse and welcoming workforce and culture, led engagement initiatives for strategic stakeholders, directed programs aimed at addressing challenging community and economic development issues that affect underserved individuals and communities, helped advance women and minority bankers, and encouraged her colleagues to volunteer outside of work.

Always leading by example, Tammy serves on the board of directors for the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, the Full Employment Council, Kansas City Scholars, the Kansas City Workforce Investment Board, Kansas City Public Television, the Metropolitan Community College Foundation, and the Jacob and Ella Loose Foundation. Additionally, Tammy is actively involved at St. James United Methodist Church, the Greater Kansas City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and the Greater Kansas City Chamber's Executive Women Leadership Council. Tammy also frequently presents on various leadership, community and economic development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion topics. Indeed, Tammy has faithfully lived up to the words of Luke 12:48, ``From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.''

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Tammy Edwards for her years of service to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Tammy has spent her entire career using her influence to lift up others, and I wish her all the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Alise Martiny's service to the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction

Trades Council, and to congratulate her for becoming an International Representative with Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association (OPCMIA). Having served as the Business Manager and Financial Secretary for the Greater Kansas City Building and Trades Council since 2012, Alise has used her influence to make the construction industry more welcoming to women and minorities while safeguarding the interests of over 25,000 union members throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. As Alise prepares to assume responsibilities in her new position, let us take a moment to reflect on her illustrious career.

In 1980, following her decision to drop out of college, Alise heard an advertisement on the radio aimed at recruiting more women and minorities into the construction industry. Selected for a program funded by the federal government as part of an effort to diversify the trades, Alise completed a three-month pre-apprenticeship with the Kansas City Cement Masons' Local Union 518. From there, Alise became a Concrete Finisher Apprentice with Local Union 518, marking the beginning of a thirteen-year career working in the trade. Spending time at her family's firm, JJ Martiny Concrete Co. Inc., Alise became an expert decorative concrete finisher and a role model for other women pursuing jobs in the construction industry.

From 1993 until 1999, Alise served as the Apprenticeship Coordinator for the Kansas City Cement Masons before becoming Local No. 518's Business Agent. In 2012, Alise made history as the first woman ever elected to serve as the Business Manager and Financial Secretary for the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents sixteen construction trades in the Greater Kansas City area. Earning the trust and support of thousands of union workers, Alise was re-elected to this position multiple times. In a field dominated by men, Alise advocated endlessly for the recruitment of women and minorities into the construction trades, using her platform to draw attention to the high wages and strong benefits that unionized workers have fought to secure. Hoping to empower other women through jobs in the construction industry, Alise developed the Mentoring a Girl in Construction (MAGIC) program sponsored by the National Association of Women in Construction.

Thankfully, the profound contributions that Alise has made to the labor movement have not gone unrecognized. Last year, Alise was honored with the first ever Trades Women Build Nations Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American's Building Trades Union (NABTU) during a presentation at that year's Trade Women Build Nations Conference. Alise proudly represented the Cement Masons as a Jobs Corps Instructor, and has achieved 25 year, 30 year, and 40 year milestones within the OPCMIA. Always committed to giving back to the union that offered her an apprenticeship, Alise has served Local Union 518 as an Executive Board Member, Vice President, and President. In each position, Alise has worked to ensure that other women are welcomed into the construction industry and properly recognized for their skills and contributions.

Alise has earned an Associate of Arts degree in Labor Studies from Ivy Tech Community College, has worked as a journeyperson on thousands of jobsites, and donates her time to several community organizations, including the Kansas City, Missouri Construction Workforce Board, the Kansas Apprenticeship Council, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Economic Advisory Council, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City board of directors, the Kansas City, Kansas Chamber of Commerce President's Downtown Advisory Council, and the Labor-Management Council, where she served as Board Secretary for over a decade. As I read over this list, it becomes apparent that Alise's contributions to the construction industry, the labor movement, and the Greater Kansas City area cannot be overstated.

Now, Alise Martiny is preparing to lead her union on the global stage. As an International Representative with Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association, I have no doubt that Alise will continue the tradition of excellence that she established so early in her career. Alise will continue opening doors for others, advancing the interests of workers in the trades, and bringing pride to all who know her. Mr. Speaker, please join me in applauding Alise Martiny for all the good work she has done, and all the good work she will do.