Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Benjamin Oas, 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 9, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Ben has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Ben has been involved in Scouting, he has earned 26 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Patrol Leader, Chaplain's Aide, and Quartermaster. Ben is also a Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Ben constructed a permanent cabinet to be used for storing valuables for the Community Clothes Closet in Warrensburg, MO. Ben has also earned the Ad Altare Dei special award.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Benjamin Oas 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 Scott Fagan, 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 9, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Scott has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Scott has been involved in Scouting, he has earned 24 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Quartermaster, Librarian, Patrol Leader, and Historian. Scott is also a Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Scott renovated the back area of an office building at Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, MO that can be used for meetings and socials for the Elmwood Cemetery Society. Scott has also earned the Mile Swim special award.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Scott Fagan 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 Mladen Kojic, 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 9, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Mladen has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Mladen has been involved in Scouting, he has earned 34 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Librarian, Assistant Patrol Leader, Chaplain's Aide and Quartermaster. Mladen is also a Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Mladen poured a concrete slab sidewalk and landing area in

front of the Methodist church's new elevator entrance in North Kansas City, MO. Mladen has also earned several special awards, including the 50 Mile Award and World Conservation Badge.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Mladen Kojic 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 yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3495, introduced by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown), creates a National Commission on Children and Disasters. First, I thank Chairman Oberstar and Chairwoman Norton for working with us to improve this legislation. I believe our bipartisan efforts were necessary to ensure a fair and balanced commission. I think it has resulted in a much better legislative product.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3495 establishes a 10-member commission to examine the needs of children and disasters. The commission is directed to report its findings and conclusions and recommendations to the President and the Congress, as Chairwoman Norton pointed out.

The bill specifically directs the commission to build upon the investigations of other entities to avoid an unnecessary duplication of effort. For example, last Congress the House created the Select Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina. Former Subcommittee Chairman Bill Shuster served on the select committee.

In its final report, the select committee made a number of findings with respect to children. In response to this report, we passed the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, which included provisions creating a national emergency child locator center and a national emergency family registry and locator center.

Finally, H.R. 3495 requires both State emergency managers and local emergency managers to be represented on the commission. This requirement ensures the representation on the commission of the people who may very well be responsible for implementing its recommendations.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, might I inquire if Chairwoman Norton has any other speakers.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Steven Michael Ashlock of Liberty, 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 180, 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 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 Steven Michael Ashlock 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 Ryan Daniel Foley of Gladstone, Missouri. Ryan 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 180, and 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 Foley 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 Bailey of Kansas City, 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 180, 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 Bailey 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 Chris Wilson of Kansas City, Missouri. Chris 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 180, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Chris has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Chris 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 Chris Wilson 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 Marc Huber of Kansas City, Missouri. Marc 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 180, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Marc has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Marc 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 Marc Huber 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 Mitchell Joseph Creagh, 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 303, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Mitchell has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Mitchell 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 Mitchell Joseph Creagh 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 would like to state for the record my position on the following votes I missed due to flooding in my county.

On Monday, October 15, 2007, I was tending to personal matters and thus missed rollcall votes Nos. 961, 962, and 963. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all votes.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Aaron Paul Gotzon, 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 260, and in 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 Paul Gotzon 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 Lee Michael Carpenter, 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 260, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Lee has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Lee 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 Lee Michael Carpenter 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 McEwen, 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 in 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 McEwen 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 Christopher Chase Parrish, 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 260, and in 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 Chase Parrish for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.