Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition for Athletic Director, Dr. James C. Redd. On February 10, 2008, Dr. Redd will be 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 3 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, MO, 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 on February 10, 2008, when he enters the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Nanna Marie Simone-Lackey of Gladstone, MO. Nanna will be celebrating her birthday on January 2, and it is my privilege to offer her my best wishes.

Nanna has raised three children in the Kansas City area, working day and night to send her kids to private school during their adolescent years. She has worked diligently over the past 10 years to become a small business owner and open her own insurance agency.

Nanna is the daughter of Tom and Betty Simone, and has been married to Frank Lackey for over 30 years.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent Nanna Marie Simone-Lackey in the United States Congress, and I wish her all the best on this birthday and many more in the future.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Christopher David Michael, 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 271 and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Christopher has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Christopher 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 Christopher David Michael 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 Luke J. Gilbert, 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 865 and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Luke has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Luke 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 Luke J. Gilbert 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 Gage Carter Herrington, 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 45 and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Gage has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Gage 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 Gage Carter Herrington 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 K. Hughes, 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 412 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 K. Hughes 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 Louis Relic, 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.

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 Relic 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 Justin Colby Schultz, 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.

Justin has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Justin 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 Justin Schultz 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 Tyler Evan Arthur, 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.

Tyler has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Tyler 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 Tyler Arthur 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 D. 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 and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Corey has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Corey 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 Corey D. 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 Zachary R. Walsh, 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.

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

I proudly pause to recognize Ryan K. Buehrig, 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.

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 K. Buehrig 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 Martin, son of

Bob Martin and Kelly Martin of Kearney, 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 374, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Alexander has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Alexander has been involved with scouting, he has earned 28 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions including assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, scribe, and assistant senior patrol leader. Alexander was also a past member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and earned his Brotherhood in Order of the Arrow.

For his Eagle Scout project, Alexander demonstrated his ability to effectively lead and organize by putting all that he learned into constructing a storage basement for his church rectory in Liberty, Missouri, with the help of his scout and adult helpers. Alexander spent more than 140 hours of diligently planning, designing, and installing two storage units in order to maintain supplies for important committees and organizations within the church.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Alexander Martin 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 Joseph M. Herman 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 earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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