Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jason Scott Barmann of Platte City, Missouri. Jason 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.

Jason has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Jason 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 Jason Scott Barmann 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 Matthew Philip Shiner of Platte City, Missouri. Matthew 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.

Matthew has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Matthew 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 Matthew Phillip Shiner 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 E. Catton, 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.

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 E. Catton for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Yes, sir, in its current form, I am.

Mr. Speaker, the Republican motion to recommit on this legislation is as straightforward as it is reasonable. All you have to do is read it and see exactly what it does. As written, it would simply amend the legislation forthwith to give greater priority for housing decisions under the HOPE VI program to give men and women who have served our country on the battlefield rather than men and women who have acted in violation of our laws.

Mr. Speaker, under current law, public housing authorities may use discretion when determining whether or not it is in the interest of the community to provide public housing to certain felons, including those convicted of drug-related criminal offenses. This bill under consideration on the floor, however, incentivizes public housing authorities when applying for HOPE VI grant funding to give convicted felons preferential treatment.

There is absolutely, absolutely no reason why we should be encouraging local public housing authorities to place convicted felons at the head of the line, especially when so many, so many of the American veterans live today without adequate housing. We should be encouraging public housing authorities to assist these men and women first and foremost and in a manner that recognizes their tremendous service to this country.

Veterans have acute housing needs, Mr. Speaker. According to the most recent Veterans Affairs reports, there are over 310,000 homeless veterans. The frustrating part about this is we are talking about our veterans. These are people that served our country, were willing to give their lives for our country, and I think they deserve to be heard on this bill.

The National Association to End Homelessness estimates that veterans represent roughly a quarter of all homeless people in America. My home State of Missouri has an estimated 4,800 homeless veterans and ranks fourth in the Nation of the highest percentage of veterans that are homeless, according to a recent report.

Mr. Speaker, I can talk about figures all day long; I can go on and on about this and that. The bottom line is we are talking about veterans. These are

men and women who have served their country, and they served their country with great distinction. They are willing to put their lives on the line, and now they aren't at the front of the list? We would put somebody who has knowingly, knowingly violated our laws ahead of somebody who has stood up for this Nation?

To me, Mr. Speaker, it's very frustrating. The motion to recommit includes veterans in the category of those considered hard to house. It helps address the pressing housing needs of America's past and present heroes, Mr. Speaker.

There are some out there, Mr. Speaker, that hold our veterans in contempt. That is a fact. There are some that do it, but I don't, and we don't. We don't hold our veterans in contempt, Mr. Speaker, and they should be at the front of the line.

I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, because that is what it does. Towards that end, I encourage every one of us, every one of us in this Chamber to support this motion so that men and women who step forward in the service of our country and in defense of our freedom and in defense of that flag, Mr. Speaker, are the ones given preferential treatment. They should be the ones getting preferential treatment, not folks who have violated our laws. If there is any preferential treatment to be given, it ought to be given to those folks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I was having a hard time hearing what the gentleman was saying.

Mr. Speaker, we are after the veteran here. They will take precedence.

Mr. Speaker, it's going to give preference to that veteran. If they are a veteran, then they are going to get it. Vote for the motion and show the support for the veterans.

Mr. Speaker, they can still receive assistance; they won't get preferential treatment. Support the veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause an ask you to join me in recognizing Geneva Mae Smith of Gladstone, MO. Geneva celebrated her 100th birthday on January 9, 2008, and it is my privilege to offer her my warmest regards on achieving this important milestone.

Geneva Mae Richardson was born to Lille Mae and Lee Howard Richardson in Kansas City, KS, on January 9, 1908. Geneva was one of eight children born into the Richardson family. On October 11, 1924, Geneva married Chester Melvin Smith. Geneva and Chester had four children: Geneva Mae, Chester Melvin, Georgia Bea, and Frank Cooper. After Geneva's parents passed away, she also cared for and raised her baby brother Glenn.

Chester and Geneva remained active in the community during their marriage by participating in Chester's Masonic Lodge and American War Dads. For 12 years Geneva was the national pianist for the American War Dads organization. After Chester's death Geneva remained active in American War Dads and other community organizations.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Geneva as she celebrates her 100th birthday. It is an honor to represent Geneva in the United States Congress, and I wish her the best of luck in the future.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Conrad Becker of Platte City, Missouri. Conrad 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.

Conrad has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Conrad 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 Conrad Becker 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 Quintin Phillip O'Dell of Platte City, Missouri. Quintin 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.

Quintin has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Quintin 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 Quintin Phillip O'Dell 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 Boyd Heiser of Platte City, Missouri. Zachary 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.

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 Boyd Heiser 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 David Kyle of Liberty, Missouri. David 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.

David has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years David 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 David Kyle 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 Kevin Michael Wilbur of Platte City, Missouri. Kevin 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.

Kevin has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Kevin 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 Kevin Michael Wilbur 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 Kirk Holbrook of Platte City, Missouri. Zachary 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.

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 Kirk Holbrook 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 Donald Alexander Soper of Platte City, Missouri. Donald 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.

Donald has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Donald 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 Donald Alexander Soper 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 Traugott Henry Brune II of Kansas City, Missouri. William 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.

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 Traugott Henry Brune II 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, on rollcall vote 10, the S-MINER Act, I voted ``yea'' when I intended to vote ``nay.'' I apologize for any confusion and ask that the Record reflect my true intention.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend one of St. Joseph's premier radio stations, KFEQ 680 AM, for their civic-minded efforts in assisting local residents during a massive ice storm that struck northwest Missouri.

At home, KFEQ entertains and informs the Greater St. Joseph area with news, talk, sports, farm and severe weather coverage. However, during the week of December 10, when northwest Missouri residents experienced power outages, KFEQ broadcasted vital information to listeners with around-the-clock coverage for 4 days.

Staff members, many without electricity in their own homes, braved the bad weather with the aid of generators, candles and battery-powered flash lights to provide information and comfort to their listeners.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a remarkable regional resource, radio station KFEQ, in recognition and appreciation for serving the public.