Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize James Ryan Joe Turner, 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 215, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

James has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. James started his journey with the Boy Scouts as a tiger cub. Over the years James has been involved in scouting, he has earned 27 merit badges, and also completed the achievements for his Bronze Palm. For his Eagle Scout project, James installed handrails at McMurry United Methodist Church.

Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not mention the strong family foundation James has supporting him. His proud parents Rochelle Fee and James Kelly Turner, as well as his grandfather Robert Axtell who was the most influential person in James' scouting life.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending James Ryan Joe Turner 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 rise today in recognition for Athletic Director, Dr. James C. Redd. On February 10, 2008, Dr. Redd was enshrined into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Jim excelled as a student athlete throughout high school and college, thereby earning First Team Defensive Lineman and Second Team Offensive Tackle awards at Northwest Missouri State University. After graduating with a double major in Physical Education and Social Science, Jim returned to the sidelines, this time as a graduate assistant at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Before returning to his alma mater as head coach of the Bearcats in 1976, Jim earned a master's degree in Physical Education and School Administration. Within three years he was selected as the MIAA Coach of the Year.

In 1986, Jim decided to take a sabbatical from a 17-year coaching career and return to school, this time completing his doctorate in education from Oklahoma State University-Stillwater.

Upon graduation, Dr. Redd returned to Northwest Missouri State to coordinate the graduate program in Health and Physical Education, and eventually to serve as Director of Athletics for Northwest. In 2001, Dr. Redd retired from Northwest State University. However, by May 2002 he was appointed Director of Athletics and Physical Education Chair at William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri, a position he still holds.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. Jim Redd, as he will be forever remembered for his athletic and educational achievements as a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, February 6, 2007 I missed rollcall votes 29, 30, and 31 due to inclement weather in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all votes.

Madam Speaker, on Thursday, February 7, I missed rollcall votes 32, 33, and 34 due to a delay in my flight. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on 32 and 33 and ``yea'' on 34.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Melissa Boosman, a very special young woman who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Girl Scouts of America, Troop 1262, and by earning the most prestigious Gold Award.

Less than 1 percent of all Girl Scouts in the United States earn this prestigious award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. It symbolizes outstanding accomplishments in the areas of leadership, community service, career planning and personal development.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Melissa Boosman for her accomplishments with the Girl Scouts of America and for her efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nicholas B. Hanser, 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.

Nicholas has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Nicholas 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 Nicholas B. Hanser 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 James Clifford Seward, 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.

James has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. He has earned many awards and has held many leadership positions including librarian, historian and assistant patrol leader. Not only has James had many accomplishments within his troop but he has also earned the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending James Clifford Seward 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 James Johnson of Chillicothe, Missouri. On February 3, 2008, James will retire as Chief Executive Officer of the Hendrick Medical Center in Chillicothe, Missouri.

Jim joined Hendrick Medical Center in 1998 as Chief Executive Officer and brings more than 35 years of health care experience to his position. While in Chillicothe Jim has been active in many community organizations as a leader, a volunteer and a board member. He was president of Rotary, Habitat for Humanity and the YMCA and is the current president of the Livingston County Community Foundation.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing James Johnson, whose dedication to Hendrick Medical Center and the city of Chillicothe has been truly inspirational. I wish James and his family the best of luck in the future and I am honored to serve him in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Joshua Aaron Dick, 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 Alex 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 Aaron Dick 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 Corey Dylan Jepson, 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.

Corey has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. He has held several leadership positions in the troop including Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader. Not only has Corey had many accomplishments within his troop, but he has also earned the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Corey Dylan Jepson 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 Gary Baumann, of Savannah, MO. On December 31, 2007, Gary retired from the United States Department of Agriculture--Rural Development with 21 years and 5 months of Federal service.

Gary started his career with USDA in 1975 as an Emergency Loan Assistant County Supervisor working for Farmers Home Administration in the Savannah, Missouri, office. Gary

made many moves across northwest Missouri with USDA during his tenure, working in the Savannah, St. Joseph, Maryville, Bethany, and Maysville offices.

On October 15, 1995, Gary was reassigned to Community Development Manager of the USDA--Rural Development area office in St. Joseph, MO, where he worked Community Development in a 5-county region consisting of Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton, DeKalb and Platte Counties. Gary worked in the St. Joseph Office until he retired at the end of 2007.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Gary Baumann, whose dedication to USDA and northwest Missouri has been truly exceptional. In my time in Congress, USDA Rural Development has been a great resource to work with, and it is people like Gary who have made that relationship between my office and USDA Rural Development what it is today. I am honored to serve him in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Sean Patrick Ashcraft of Holt, Missouri. Sean 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 494, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Sean has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Sean 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 Sean Patrick Ashcraft 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 Daniel Jesus Bermejo of Faucett, Missouri. Daniel 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 351, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Daniel has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Daniel 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 Daniel Jesus Bermejo 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 E. Cooper of Platte City, Missouri. Alexander 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 351, and 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 E. Cooper 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 Eric Michael Barmann of Platte City, Missouri. Eric 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 351, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Eric has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Eric 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 Eric Michael Barmann for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.