Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to recognize Gary Grunick for his distinguished career of service to our Nation and community. Gary served more than twenty years in the United States Air Force, attained the rank of Colonel, and is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. As a Judge Advocate, he served as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, Staff Judge Advocate, and Chief of Civil Law for the United States Air Forces in Europe. He later served as a military appellate judge on the Air Force Court of Military Review in Washington, D.C., where he authored more than 150 opinions.

Since retiring from the Air Force, Gary has continued his commitment to service through his legal practice and community involvement. He served as an Executive Board Trustee for LifeWay Christian Resources and as Chairman of the Lincoln County Republican Central Committee. In 2023, Gary joined my Military Academy Nominations Board, where he interviews prospective candidates and provides recommendations as I consider nominations to our Nation's service academies. Through this work, he helps identify and encourage the next generation of military leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Gary Grunick for his decades of dedicated service and his continued commitment to our Nation's young men and women. His service to the United States, the state of Missouri, and the people of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District is deeply appreciated, and I am proud to represent him in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to recognize Victor Hurlbert, a remarkable man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship, leadership, and service. After graduating from Oak Park High School, Victor attended the United States Naval Academy and served in the United States Navy as an intelligence officer. Following his military service, he became a financial advisor before joining Hurlbert CPS LLC, his family's business. Since 2019, Victor has served as Auditor of Clay County, Missouri, and he recently returned to military service as an intelligence officer in the United States Army Reserve.

Victor also continues his commitment to service through my Military Academy Nominations Board, where he interviews prospective candidates and provides thoughtful recommendations as I consider nominations to our Nation's service academies. Through his military and public service, Victor has demonstrated a deep understanding of leadership, citizenship, and duty.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask my colleagues to join me in commending Victor Hurlbert for his dedication and hard work throughout the Military Academy nominations process. His service to the United States, the state of Missouri, Clay County and the people of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District is deeply appreciated, and I am proud to represent him in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tyler Reed for his commitment to service and leadership. After graduating high school, Tyler attended the United States Military Academy and served our Nation in the United States Army. Following his military service, he joined Reed Automotive, his family's business, where he has distinguished himself as a successful businessman and community leader.

Tyler continues to serve his community through my Military Academy Nominations Board, where he interviews prospective candidates and provides recommendations as I consider nominations to our Nation's service academies. As a husband and father, Tyler exemplifies the values of service, leadership, and dedication while helping prepare the next generation of military leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Tyler Reed for his dedication and hard work throughout the Military Academy nominations process. His service to the United States, the state of Missouri, and the people of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District is deeply appreciated, and I am proud to represent him in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to recognize Dr. Don Cole, a remarkable man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship, leadership, and service through his years in the United States Navy and his continued service to our community. Dr. Cole served our nation in the United States Navy, where he also earned his medical degree and began a distinguished career dedicated to caring for others.

Dr. Cole continues his commitment to service through his work on my Military Academy Nominations Board, where he interviews prospective candidates and provides thoughtful recommendations as I consider nominations to our nation's service academies. A proud husband and father, Dr. Cole embodies the values of service, dedication, and leadership while helping identify the next generation of military leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask my colleagues to join me in commending Dr. Don Cole for his dedication and hard work throughout the Military Academy nominations process. His service to the United States, the state of Missouri, and the people of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District is deeply appreciated, and I am proud to represent him in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to recognize DiAnna Thimjon, a remarkable woman who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship, leadership, and service. After graduating high school, DiAnna attended the United States Military Academy and served our Nation in the United States Army as an intelligence officer. Following her military service, she entered the private sector, applying the leadership and analytical skills she developed at West Point to help businesses thrive. She currently serves as an Executive Partner at Garner, a leading information and technology research company.

DiAnna continues her commitment to service through my Military Academy Nominations Board, where she interviews prospective candidates and provides thoughtful recommendations as I consider nominations to our nation's service academies. A proud wife and mother, DiAnna has instilled the values of service and leadership in her children. Her son, Benjamin, has followed in her footsteps by serving our country.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask my colleagues to join me in commending DiAnna Thimjon for her dedication and hard work throughout the Military Academy nominations process. Her service to the United States, the state of Missouri, and the people of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District is deeply appreciated, and I am proud to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, on this day, I missed a series of votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 284 and YEA on Roll Call No. 285.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I missed a series of votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 282 and YEA on Roll Call No. 283.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Dan Fordice, a veteran, businessman, accomplished warbird pilot, and patriot, who devoted his life to serving others, preserving our Nation's military history, and honoring America's veterans.

Dan approached every chapter of his life with a strong sense of duty and purpose. His 13 years of service in the United States Army and Mississippi Army National Guard shaped the leadership and patriotism he later brought to his family business, the construction industry, historic aviation, and his work supporting veterans. Throughout his life, Dan remained guided by his faith, his family, and his commitment to giving back.

Following his service, Dan continued his family's legacy at Fordice Construction Company, serving as Vice President until his retirement in 2023. He followed in his father's footsteps by serving as National President of the Associated General Contractors of America from 2022 to 2023. His leadership brought people together throughout the industry and ensured contractors of every size had a voice.

As an accomplished warbird owner and pilot, Dan demonstrated his deep appreciation for aviation history through the operation and preservation of World War II-era and other historic aircraft. He served on the Commemorative Air Force General Staff Board of Directors, proudly flew his P-51D Mustang, Charlotte's Chariot II, and helped return the original C-47 That's All, Brother to Europe for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Through these remarkable aircraft, Dan helped bring history to life for countless Americans.

Dan's dedication to America's veterans extended far beyond the cockpit. He founded the Southern Heritage Air Foundation to preserve veterans' stories and educate future generations about their service and sacrifice. In 2013, he founded the Warrior Bonfire Program to support post-9/11 Purple Heart veterans through fellowship and opportunities for healing and recovery. Whether flying a historic aircraft, listening to a veteran's story, or leading the construction industry, Dan served others with conviction, compassion, and humility.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dan Fordice for his service to our country, his leadership in the construction and aviation communities, and his lifelong dedication to America's veterans. His legacy will live on through the historic aircraft and stories he preserved, the veterans he supported, the organizations he helped build, and the countless people he inspired. My prayers are with his family and all who knew and loved him. May Dan have blue skies.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a series of votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 250 and YEA on Roll Call 251.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a series of votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 234 and YEA on Roll Call No. 235.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a series of votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 212.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a series of votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 176, YEA on Roll Call No. 177, YEA on Roll Call No. 178, YEA on Roll Call No. 179, YEA on Roll Call No. 180, and YEA on Roll Call No. 181.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a series of votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 182, NAY on Roll Call No. 183, AYE on Roll Call No. 184, YEA on Roll Call No. 185, and AYE on Roll Call No. 186.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 157.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th birthday of Rear Admiral Wayne E. Meyer, United States Navy Retired, who is considered the Father of AEGIS, the greatest maritime Integrated Air and Missile Defense System in the world today. With nearly a hundred ships, this fleet is the longest warship construction program in our Nation's history and is the direct result of Admiral Meyer's singular leadership and pursuit of excellence.

Admiral Meyer's life began far from the sea, in Brunswick, Missouri, in 1926, the oldest child of Nettie and Eugene Meyer. During World War II, he enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 and was immediately sent to the University of Kansas to earn a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He eventually earned a graduate degree in electrical engineering, a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics, as well as numerous other diplomas and certifications.

Upon receiving his Navy commission, he spent his early Navy years on extensive sea duty assignments. Over 20 years, he served on seven ships and on fleet staffs, gaining invaluable experience with guided missiles newly being installed in Navy ships. He served in the Special Navy Task Force for Surface Missile Systems, leading the effort to transition the Navy's Air Defense Fleet from analog to digital. He then served as the Chief Engineer at the Navy Surface Missile Systems Engineering Station in Port Hueneme, California.

Ordered to Washington in 1970, he was the founding Project Manager for the AEGIS Weapon System Project, a major Research and Development program. In 1977, he became the first AEGIS Shipbuilding Project Manager, tasked to build the cruisers and destroyers that would take the AEGIS Weapon System to sea. All of this came at a time when Soviet cruise missiles and aircraft threatened to make our naval forces, especially aircraft carriers, irrelevant. AEGIS reversed that. His vision, initially designed for Fleet Air Defense in the open ocean, evolved to include operations in the littorals and ballistic missile defense, and was critical to our Navy's recent successes in defeating missile raids in the Red and Eastern Mediterranean Seas. Today, heavily armed, fast, multi-purpose AEGIS ships dominate the oceans as part of the United States' battle force.

Rear Admiral Meyer was famous for his zeal, unyielding principles, and unparalleled communication skills. Mantras such as, ``build a little, test a little, learn a lot,'' ``act like you're in charge,'' and ``what's the price of failure?'' are part of the DNA that he instilled into his AEGIS engineering staffs and exist today in the current AEGIS program offices and industry partners.

Retiring in 1985, Admiral Meyer stayed involved. He chaired numerous Navy advisory boards, the Ballistic Missile Defense Advisory Committee, and remained a valuable counselor as the ``Father of AEGIS.'' In 2006 the Navy named an AEGIS Destroyer, DDG 108, the USS Wayne E. Meyer in his honor.

While Rear Admiral Meyer passed away in 2009, his legacy lives on through the most capable Air and Missile Defense warships that cruise the world's oceans, to include DDG 108, the USS Wayne E. Meyer, a ship named in his honor. I would like to recognize him on the centennial of his birth, for his service to our Nation, and the legacy he left to the United States Navy, the most powerful Navy in the world. Godspeed Rear Admiral Meyer.