Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nicholas A. Delury, 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 395, 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 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 A. Delury 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 M. Crowe, 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 395, 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 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 M. Crowe 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 ask you to join me in recognizing Della E. Moses of Elmo, Missouri. Della celebrated her 99th birthday on July 10, 2007 and it is my privilege to offer her my warmest regards on achieving this important milestone. Della is a fine citizen of Missouri and the Elmo community. It is an honor to represent Della 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 Ian Morrison of Oregon, Missouri. Ian recently won the Tar Wars Poster Competition for the state of Missouri. He will formally receive the award in Washington, DC on July 16th.

Tar Wars is the tobacco-free education program for children sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians. The Tar Wars Program was established to provide youth with the knowledge to make positive decisions regarding their health and well being by remaining tobacco free. Every year middle school students create posters with creative and encouraging messages representing the many benefits of staying tobacco free. From these entries a winner from each state is chosen.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Ian Morrison of Oregon, Missouri. Ian's commitment to excellence is remarkable, and I am honored to represent him in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jordan Joseph Goss, 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 447, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jordan has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Jordan 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 Jordan Joseph Goss 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 Don Guess, 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 447, 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

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 Don Guess 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 John Nicholas Tremper, 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 447, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

John has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years John 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 John Nicholas Tremper 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 Corbin Alexander Gauert, 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 447, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Corbin has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Corbin 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 Corbin Alexander 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, on Monday June 18, 2007, I was tending to some family matters and thus missed rollcall votes 499, 500, 501. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all votes.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the outstanding achievement of the Benton Cardinals boys' High School baseball team on defeating the Sullivan Knights, by a score of 2-0, to win the school's first ever baseball championship.

The Cardinals finished their championship season by posting an incredible record of 24-3 in Class 3 boys' baseball and an overall amazing record of 61-7 over the past three seasons.

The Cardinals consist of 21 tremendous young men, including Kyle Becerra, Tim Brown, Zack Colwell, Tom Contreras, Johnny Coy, Cory Eckert, Austin Garton, Colton Garton, Scott Hedden, Cody Kirschner, Jake Kretzer, Kyle Mason, Justin Mattice, Trevor Moss, Ryan Pinson, Marcus Pritchett, Eli Reynolds, Josh Reynolds, Craig Wilburn, Ryan Winger and Josh Zuptich.

Also, I want to recognize the great leadership of the team including Head Coach Mike Musser, who was assisted by Greg Reynolds, Stephen Thatcher, Justin McCarthy and Ray Brown. I also want to acknowledge the work of school administrators, Superintendent Melody Smith, Principals Jeanette Westfall and Jeff Modis, and Athletic Director Mike Ziesel, as additional keys to success.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating the achievement of the Benton Cardinals boys' High School baseball team on their terrific season and state championship. It is an honor to represent this team in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the outstanding achievement of the Independence, Missouri school district on winning the Coalition for Community Schools' Award for Excellence.

Every year the Coalition for Community Schools honors communities and schools that are dedicated to the goal of the Coalition of bringing together the expertise of schools and their communities to help students succeed. Independence, Missouri is being recognized this year for their outstanding core principles. They are result-oriented, address real student and family needs, and engage students and school and community leaders.

The Coalition for Community Schools will honor Independence along with 2 other communities and 3 schools with a breakfast on Capitol Hill on June 14th.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in thanking the members of Independence, Missouri. Their dedication to the education of our youth is a credit to our Nation, and I am proud to represent them in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to join Borden as they celebrate their 150th anniversary.

For those who are not familiar with Borden, it was founded in 1857 by Gail Borden and was originally known as the New York Condensed Milk Company. Borden invented the

innovative process of condensing milk, allowing for the first time, milk to be kept pure and storable without refrigeration. This allowed for milk to be safely distributed over long distances. Borden's condensed milk played an intricate role in sustaining the Union Army during the Civil War.

Borden revolutionized the dairy industry again in 1900 with the ``Dairyman's Ten Commandments,'' which taught dairymen how to better care for the cows and the milk they produce. These methods formed the foundation for modern health regulations.

Borden's lovable spokesman, Elsie the Cow, was created in 1938 by David William Reid. Through appearances in magazines, newspapers and tours around the country Elsie gained popularity, rivaling Mickey Mouse, and she made her film debut in the classic Little Men. Today, she ranks in the top 10 advertising icons of the 20th century.

In 1995 Borden Inc. was sold to the investment firm of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Then, in 1997 the Borden brand and Elsie's image were bought by Mid-America Dairymen Inc., which would eventually merge with other cooperatives to form Dairy Farmers of America.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Borden on their 150th anniversary and their many accomplishments and contributions to the dairy industry over the years.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Tyler Frederick, 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 69, 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 Frederick 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 Charles T. Ortman, 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 1395, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Charles has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Charles has been involved in Scouting, he has earned 28 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, senior patrol leader, patrol leader, den chief, Order of the Arrow representative, and instructor. Charles is also a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Charles is also a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.

For his Eagle Scout project, Charles poured a concrete sidewalk around the side of Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Charles T. Ortman 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 Charles Crowe, 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 1395, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Charles has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Charles has been involved in Scouting, he has earned 33 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as assistant senior patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, quartermaster, and librarian. Charles is also a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Charles is also a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.

For his Eagle Scout project, Charles removed weeds and debris and planted bushes at a cemetery in Weatherby Lake, MO.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Charles Crowe for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.