Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize, Ryan Daniel Salmon, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 376, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Ryan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Ryan has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ryan Daniel Salmon for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize, Colton R. Zirkle a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Colton has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Colton has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Colton R. Zirkle for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize, Alexander J. Eichstadt, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1138, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Alexander has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Alexander has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Alexander J. Eichstadt for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize, Robert Amsden a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 376, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Robert has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Robert has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Robert Amsden for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize, Stephen Lee Dodson a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 376, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Stephen has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Stephen has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Stephen Lee Dodson for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Andrew Nelson of Smithville, Missouri. Andrew is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1360, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Andrew has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Andrew has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew Nelson for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Charles Cassidy of Platte City, Missouri. Charles is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1351, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Charles has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Charles has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Charles Cassidy for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Brian Blanch of Liberty, Missouri. Brian is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1134, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Brian has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Brian has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Brian Blanch for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Steven Scott Swaney of Kansas City, Missouri. Steven is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 301, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Steven has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Steven has been involved with Scouting, he has earned not only numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Steven Scott Swaney for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I recognize the legacy of the Korean war veterans from the state of Missouri on the day of the groundbreaking of the Missouri Korean War Memorial.

Thousands of soldiers fought courageously in the Korean war and now these veterans and their families will finally receive the honor they have deserved for so long. Approximately 900 men and women from Missouri lost their lives to protect the Republic of South Korea between 1950 and 1953.

I would like to thank the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department for donating the land, as well as the individual donors who made this memorial possible. The memorial will serve as a beautiful site to pay tribute to the veterans of the Korean war and I look forward to 2010 when it is completed.

Madam Speaker, the dedication and sacrifice that these veterans gave in the name of freedom is humbling, and it is an honor to serve these men and women in Congress. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a very elite group of veterans from the great state of Missouri, and to congratulate the city of Kansas City on the groundbreaking of the Missouri Korean War Memorial.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Hedrick Medical Center for 120 years of caring for the citizens of Chillicothe and of the Greater Livingston County community.

Hedrick Medical Center has faithfully served this community since opening in 1888 and continues this service through an affiliation with Saint Luke's Health System. They will celebrate this constant service with a celebration on Friday, September 12, 2008.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Hedrick Medical Center and its 120 years of service. It is truly an honor to serve this fine organization in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Lance Corporal Jonathan R. Goodman, USMC, of Trenton, Missouri. Lance Corporal Goodman has recently returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom 8.1, deployed to Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq with the 2d Battalion, 24th Marines. As a marine, he has served his Country honorably and well.

I, his friends, and family are extremely proud of his service to our Country and welcome him home at a special meet and greet celebration on September 13, 2008 at the local VFW Hall #919 in Trenton, Missouri.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Lance Corporal Jonathan R. Goodman, USMC, who is a true inspiration for all that know him. It is truly an honor to serve Lance Corporal Goodman in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Ian Rondall Caley, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 100, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Ian's Eagle Scout service project consisted of building a scoreboard table for the Bethany Memorial Park Softball Field. Ian supervised other scouts, friends and family that assisted with this project. This project continues the long tradition of community service established by the Boy Scouts of America.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ian Rondall Caley for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the Prairie Creek Greenway in Platte County, MO. On September 8, 2008, the National Recreation Trail (NRT) Dedication and Tour of Missouri Watch Event is publicly announcing Prairie Creek Greenway as the only trail in Missouri to receive NRT designation this year. This distinguished award is one of the highest honors a local government can receive for a trail project.

I would also like to recognize and thank the Platte County Commissioners: Betty Knight, Jim Plunkett, and Tom Pryor. Due to their constant work and dedication, they truly made the Prairie Creek Greenway a success and an asset to the community. The creation of this trail in Platte County will help preserve the natural beauty of Missouri.

This honor for the Prairie Creek Greenway would not have been possible without the help of private partnerships between the county, developers, and homes association connected to the Greenway. I applaud the effort and devotion that has been put into this trail in Platte County, MO and commend the recognition of the Greenway.

Madam Speaker, due to personal reasons on Tuesday July 29, 2008 I missed rollcall votes 534, 535, and 536. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all three votes.