Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to recognize the outstanding service and leadership of James C. Duddy on the occasion of his retirement after more than 50 years of service to the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department.

James began his career as a firefighter in 1955, and rose to Assistant Chief Fire Marshal. Over the years, James has earned many awards including Firefighter of the Year and the Medal of Honor.

James has also been instrumental in assisting several other organizations. He has assisted the Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on several occasions, and served as President of the Kansas City Arson Task Force for many years.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in commending James C. Duddy for his dedicated service to ensuring the safety of the people of Kansas City, Missouri. I know James' colleagues, family and friends join with me in thanking him for his commitment to others and wishing him happiness and good health in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the outstanding achievement of the Hamilton Hornets Girls High School Basketball team on defeating the Westran Hornets by a score of 46-39, to win the Class 2A girls' basketball state championship. The Hornets finished their incredible season by posting an unblemished record of 32-0 this season in Class 2A girls' basketball. This team is the second team in the school's history to have an undefeated season.

The Hornets consist of 15 remarkable young women, including Jordan Esry, Lacy Jones, Micah Brown, Taryn Bruce, Ashley Flook, Eileen Greenwood, Shelby Dickey, Carissa Conger, Brooke Flook, Lindsay Vollmer, Katie Jones, Emily Schieber, Angie Dalton, Katie Rasmussen and Kelsey Schieber.

Also, I want to recognize the great leadership of the team, including Head Coach David Prather, who was assisted by Christy Prather and Sara Lasher. I also want to acknowledge the work of school administrators, Superintendent Steve Yost, Principal Tim Schieber, and Athletic Director Troy Ford, as additional keys to success.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating the achievement of the Hamilton Hornets Girls High School Basketball team on their perfect season and state championship. It is an honor to represent this team in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Rodney Alexander Ames, 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 134, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Rodney has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Rodney 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 Rodney Alexander Ames 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 Joshua Tyler Boydston, 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 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Joshua has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Joshua 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 Joshua Tyler Boydston 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 Zachary James Buckner, 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 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Zachary has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Zachary 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 Zachary James Buckner 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 William Crooks, 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 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

William has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years William 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 William Crooks 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 Taylor Hall, 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 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Taylor has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Taylor 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 Taylor Hall 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 Brandon James Hellyer of Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Brandon 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 6123, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Brandon has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Brandon 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 Brandon James Hellyer 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 Aaron Joseph Foy of Liberty, Missouri. Aaron 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 1374, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Aaron has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Aaron 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 Aaron Joseph Foy 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 Patrick Wayne Guthrie of Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Patrick 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 1309, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Patrick has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Patrick 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 Patrick Wayne Guthrie 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 Casey Lee Fiddelke of Kansas City, Missouri. Casey 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 1247, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Casey has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Casey 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 Casey Lee Fiddelke 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 Joshua Daniel Piatt of Lee's Summit, Missouri. Joshua 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 1220, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Joshua has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Joshua 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 Joshua Daniel Piatt 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 Stanton Will Ragland of Liberty, Missouri. Stanton 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 1374, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Stanton has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Stanton 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 Stanton Will Ragland 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 Trevor Andrew Gauert of Kansas City, Missouri. Stanton 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 1447, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Trevor has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Trevor 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 Trevor Andrew Gauert 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 of Kearney, Missouri. Stephen 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 1376, and 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.