Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize James Hatler, 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 214, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

James has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years James 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 James Hatler 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 congratulate the Beverly Living Center in Maryville, MO, upon receiving the prestigious ``Ten Karat'' award, selected by Beverly Enterprise, to honor living centers that have consistently shown excellence through areas such as quality standards, employee retention, recognition and development.

The Beverly Living Center opened in 1977 as a 108-bed skilled nursing facility and in 1986 added an assisted living community consisting of 16 apartments known as ``Maryville Chateau.'' This facility excels in a wide variety of assistance and rehabilitation areas, including physical, occupational, speech and joint replacement therapy.

Also, I want to recognize the great leadership by the Executive Director Kim Bram. I also want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Beverly Living Centers employees as additional keys to success.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in commending the Beverly Living Center, an exceptional employer in Missouri's Sixth Congressional District for winning the ``Ten Karat'' award. The Beverly Living Center's commitment to excellence is inspiring, and I am honored to represent so many of its fine employees and officers in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize John Igo, 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 138, 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 Igo 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 rise to celebrate the life of one of Kansas City's legendary figures.

Lamar Hunt made a positive and lasting impression on Kansas City. He was a man who seemingly touched every life that crossed his path. He was known for his easy-going, engaging personality. He will be remembered not only for what he accomplished, but for the way he treated people.

Mr. Hunt was an innovator. He is credited with making the National Football League what it is today. He coined the term ``Super Bowl'', championed the 2-point conversion and brought American soccer into the mainstream. He was inducted into 3 different professional sports halls of Fame--football, tennis and soccer.

His beloved Kansas City Chiefs played in the American Football League and won the Super Bowl in 1969. The Chiefs are as much a part of Kansas City as barbeque and jazz, thanks to Mr. Hunt's leadership.

Mr. Hunt though was an innovator in other ways too. He built both Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun as state of the art theme parks in Kansas City. He also built the Subtropolis Office Complex in the limestone caves around Kansas City.

Mr. Speaker, simply stated, Lamar Hunt was a giant among men.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1505 designates the United States courthouse located at 131 East 4th Street in Davenport, IA, as the James A. Leach United States Courthouse. The bill honors Congressman Leach's dedication to public service.

Congressman Leach began his long and distinguished career of public service as a congressional staffer in the 1960s. He later served as a foreign service officer and as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.

In 1976 Congressman Leach was elected to the House of Representatives. He served in the U.S. House for 30 years, from 1977 to 2007. During his time in Congress, he chaired the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, and the Congressional Executive Commission on China.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham).

Mr. Speaker, I would love to stand with the gentleman from Minnesota and the gentlewoman from Texas in urging our colleagues to vote for this. He was a good individual.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1036, as amended, was introduced by Representative Don Young from Alaska on February 13, and it requires the Administrator of General Services to convey a small GSA property to the publicly owned Alaska Railroad.

The parcel of property is known as the Fleet Management Center. It is located in Anchorage, Alaska. It is currently being utilized as a GSA motor pool, but it is necessary for the planned expansion of the rail yard there in Anchorage.

H.R. 1036 requires the Administrator to sell the property at either fair market value or to exchange the property for a like valued piece of real estate. The value of the property will be determined by an independent appraisal commissioned by the GSA and paid for by the Alaska Railroad Corporation. This bill requires that all the proceeds from the sale be deposited into the Federal Buildings Fund.

Mr. Speaker, I support this measure, and I urge my colleagues to do so.

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

Mr. Speaker, I think the gentleman from Minnesota said it all.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

House Concurrent Resolution 123 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, which will be held June 8, 2007. This event is cosponsored by the U.S. Capitol Police.

The Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through athletics. The U.S. Capitol Police will host the opening ceremonies for the torch run, which will take place on the west terrace of the Capitol. Once lit, the torch will be carried to Fort McNair. An estimated 2,000 law enforcement representatives from more than 60 local and Federal law enforcement agencies will participate in this year's event.

Congress has traditionally supported this worthy cause by authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds. I encourage my colleagues to join the law enforcement community in supporting the Special Olympics and join me in supporting this resolution.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jeremy Allen Patania, 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 857, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jeremy has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Jeremy 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 Jeremy Allen Patania 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 celebrate the birth of Charlotte Kathryn Woodward. Charlotte was born on Thursday, January 11, 2007, to her proud parents, Travis and Sarah Woodward of Bowie, Maryland. Charlotte entered the world at 6:33 a.m. at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland, weighing a healthy 8 lbs. 11\1/ 2\ oz. and 20.8 inches long.

Charlotte also has proud grandparents, Lewis and Kathy Rice, of Maryville, Missouri, and Cheryl and Duane Farmer of Sidney, Nebraska, as well as Bruce Woodward of Maryville, Missouri, to spoil her. Charlotte is also the niece of Ryan and Kristin Woodward of Stafford, Virginia; Nathan Woodward of Maryville, Missouri; Robert and Sarah Rice of Chillicothe, Missouri; and Nathaniel Rice, of Maryville, Missouri.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in celebrating the birth of Charlotte Kathryn Woodward. I see great things in Charlotte's future considering her parents' and grandparents' great emphasis on family values, public service and patriotism. I wish Charlotte the best life has to offer.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Shawn Graybill, a very dedicated and enthusiastic member of my Congressional staff. My office and I greatly value Shawn's hard work and commitment. Constituents have grown to recognize his attention to detail, knowledge of many issues and personal touch. His dedication to the Sixth District of Missouri has shown through over the years, which is evident by the appreciation of all with whom he works.

A native of Tarkio, Shawn began his career within my office as an intern in June of 2002 while completing his undergraduate degree from Park University. He has served admirably whether it was working on constituent casework or as a field representative for Clay County.

Shawn also worked on my re-election campaign as my campaign manager. As anyone in politics knows, these types of jobs involve long hours and time away from your family. I appreciate his wife, Laura, for sharing her husband with me over the last 5 years.

Shawn will be leaving my office to serve as an Assistant Director for the American Truck Historical Society. In addition, Shawn and Laura are about to become first-time parents. It is my understanding that their daughter will share the name of my favorite President, Ronald Reagan.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in congratulating Shawn Graybill for his many important contributions to myself, my staff, all those he has worked with and for all those he has served. It is truly an honor to represent Shawn in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I would like to state for the record my position on the following votes I missed due to the death of my grandmother.

On Wednesday evening and Thursday May 2 and 3, 2007, I was granted an official leave of absence and thus missed rollcall votes 284 through 301. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall votes 288, 293, 296, 297, and 299 and ``yea'' on rollcall votes 284, 285, 286, 287, 289, 290, 291, 292, 294, 295, 298, 300, and 301.

In addition, on May 7th I missed rollcall votes 302, 303, and 304 because of flooding in my district. My services were being utilized in the district helping fill sandbags to prevent any further flooding. I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote 302 and ``yea'' on rollcall vote 303 and 304.

Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to recognize an outstanding individual, Christina Porrello of Kansas City, Missouri, who received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Art, a double major, from William Jewell College, on May 5, 2007.

The commencement ceremony was held at the Mabee Center for Physical education shortly after the graduating class observed the campus tradition of the last walk around the quad at approximately 1:45 p.m.

Christina has been very active in pursing her degree, while also participating in many Delta Zeta sorority activities. Christina intends to teach art or special education classes. Also, I want to acknowledge the support of her parents, Joe and Sandie Porrello, and her siblings Andrea, Connie Jo and Joe Jr.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in congratulating Christina Porrello on her achievement and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors. It is an honor to represent her in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to honor four outstanding individuals, Chris Avery, Clint Coffelt, Anh Nguyen, and Steven Yung who competed and finished in third place in the Ace Mentor/Construction Industry Round Table 2007 Design Competition Awards Program, representing Oak Park High School. The Oak Park team designed a small sports complex that would offer an opportunity for kids and young adults to escape the local streets.

The ACE mentor program was designed to help high school students who are interested in careers in architecture, construction, or engineering. Students are introduced to the various design professions and the role that each performs in planning, designing and constructing a project. Students in this program gain firsthand insight into the design industry by touring project offices, visiting active construction sites, and by working closely with their mentors on ``real world'' projects.

Also, I want to recognize the great leadership of the team including Amy Light, the math and science coordinator for the North Kansas City School District. It is also important to acknowledge the parents, family, mentors and friends who have helped these students succeed in their academic efforts.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating the Oak Park High School Ace Mentor Team on their achievements and wish them the best of luck in their future academic endeavors. It is an honor to represent this team in the U.S. Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Vicki Silkwood, a constituent of the 6th district of Missouri who recently was installed as President of the Missouri Federation of Business and Professional Women for 2007-2008. As President, she will preside over the Missouri Board of Directors and will serve on the Chillicothe Business and Professional Women's/USA Board of Directors.

The Missouri Federation of Business and Professional Women has approximately 1,000 members statewide and works on achieving equality for women in the workplace through education, advocacy and research.

Ms. Silkwood has been very active over the years with the Chillicothe Business and Professional Women's organization. She has held numerous leadership positions, beginning with two consecutive terms as President of the Chillicothe local and as District Director for the Missouri Federation of Business and Professional Women's Board. Ms. Silkwood has also served as Membership Retention Chair for the State Board, State Treasurer, and State First and Second Vice President and President Elect.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in congratulating Vicki Silkwood for her accomplishment of being selected as President of the Missouri Federation of Business and Professional Women for 2007-2008. It is an honor to represent Ms. Silkwood in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Philip William Isley, 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 376, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Philip has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Philip has been involved with scouting, he has earned 28 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Troop Guide, Chaplain's Aide, Assistant Patrol Leader, and Patrol Leader. Philip is a Brotherhood Member in the Order of the Arrow and a Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. His tribal name is Silent Crocodile of the North Shore.

Philip planned and directed the landscaping and remodeling of the entrance to the Mount Memorial Cemetery at William Jewell College. Philip has also added a bench and statue to the landscaping in the cemetery.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Philip William Isley for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.