Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Alex J. Martin, 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 264, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Alex has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Alex 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 Alex J. 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 Trent Harrison, 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 692, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 195, I put my card in the machine but was inadvertently not recorded. I should have been recorded as a ``no.''

Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Sessions

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, I was traveling with the President of the United States to attend a meeting back in the district and thus missed rollcall votes #160 through 163. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall votes 161 and 162 and ``Nay'' on rollcall votes 160 and 163.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the outstanding achievement of the Benton Cardinals Girls High School Basketball team on defeating Farmington Knights, by a score of 52-37, to win the school's first ever state championship in girls' basketball.

The Cardinals finished their incredible season by posting an unblemished record of 30-0 this season in Class 4A girls' basketball and an overall amazing record of 77-6 over the past three seasons.

The Cardinals consist of 14 tremendous young women, including Chelsie Strong, Holly Switzer, Jenni Musser, Blair Brown, Alicia Bell, Nicole Wilkinson, Melissa McIntosh, Nicole Wilkenson, Charnelle Starling, Delissa Hall, Hannah Moore, Karli Sample, Meghan Curtis, and Claire Bowman.

Also, I want to recognize the great leadership of the team including Head Coach Brett Goodwin, who was assisted by Adam Willard. 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 girls High School Basketball team on their perfect season and state championship. It is an honor to represent this team in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Christian Andrick II, 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 603, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Christian has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Christian has been involved in scouting and has held numerous leadership positions. He has served as Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Troop Bugler. Christian is in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and in the Order of the Arrow.

For his Eagle Scout project, Christian completed a landscaping beautifications project in front of the First Christian Church in Blue Springs, Missouri.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Kenneth Lehman, 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 397, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Kenneth has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Kenneth has been involved in scouting, he has earned 40 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, OATR, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and is currently the Senior Patrol Leader. In 2006, Kenneth carried on the family tribal name started by his Grandfather Russell Lehman by becoming Brave Young Sure Footed Running Elk in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Kenneth is also a Brotherhood member in the Order of the Arrow. Kenneth has earned the God and Life Award.

For his Eagle Scout project, Kenneth planted 15 Northern Red Oak trees in front of and around Westbrook Care Center.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Kenneth Lehman 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 Muiller, 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 397, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Christopher has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Christopher has been involved in Scouting, he has earned 32 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Troop Librarian, Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. Christopher has earned numerous awards such as the Top Gun Award for being the best shooter in the Explorer Post and the H. Roe Bartle Heritage Award. Christopher is currently a Brave in the tribe of Mic-O- Say. His tribal name is ``He Who Walks Like Thunder.''

For his Eagle Scout project, Christopher painted fire hydrants for the city of Kearney, Missouri.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Christopher Muiller 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 Dmitry Brown, 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 397, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Dmitry has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Dmitry has been involved in scouting, he has earned 41 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Scribe, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Dmitry is a brotherhood member in the Order of the Arrow and a Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Dmitry has earned numerous awards such as the Leave No Trace Award, World Conservation Award, God and Life Award, and the Bartle Heritage Award.

For his Eagle Scout project, Dmitry constructed a sandbox and bench for the students of Dogwood Elementary School.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Dmitry Brown 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 Travis Weaver, 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 249 and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Travis has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Travis has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Travis's dedication to his school work at West Platte High School has been excellent. Travis has also contributed significantly to the community, through his planning and organization of a project for the Platte City Parks and Recreation department, which included the addition of a brand new picnic and playground area.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Travis Weaver 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 Ruoff, 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 60, 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 R. Ruoff 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, it is great that I got the opportunity today to work with the gentleman from Iowa. We have worked on several things, and I think this is a very fitting bill.

H.R. 478 designates the Federal building and the United States courthouse located at 101 Barr Street in Lexington, Kentucky as the Scott Reed Federal Building and United States Courthouse. The bill recognizes Judge Reed's service to the legal profession.

Judge Scott Reed graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law where he received many honors. Judge Reed's career as a jurist began in 1964, when he became Fayette Circuit Court judge. Five years later, he was elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, where he sat for over 7 years. During the mid 1970s, Judge Reed played an instrumental role in the recognition of Kentucky's judicial system, which created the Kentucky Supreme Court. Judge Reed was elected to serve as the first Chief Justice of Kentucky in 1976. His opinions from the Supreme Court of Kentucky have received national acclaim for their content.

In 1979 he was named U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and he served as U.S. district judge until he retired in 1990.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. This is a very fitting individual and a fitting tribute to him.

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

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.

H.R. 429 does designate the United States courthouse which is located at 225 Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn, New York as the ``Hugh L. Carey United States Courthouse.''

As the gentleman from Iowa pointed out, the Governor served in the United States Army during World War II and then received his law degree from St. John's University School of Law. In 1960 he was elected to represent the 12th Congressional District of New York in the 87th Congress and served until his resignation in 1974, when he was elected Governor of New York, and he served two terms as Governor.

I might also point out that in 1993, Governor Carey was appointed to the American Battle Monuments Commission to represent the United States at various ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Governor Carey is currently practicing law in New York City, as I understand.

Mr. Speaker, I think this is a fitting tribute to Governor Carey's commitment to public service, and I wholeheartedly support this bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, in addition to what the gentleman from Iowa pointed out, Judge Duberstein's tremendous contributions in law, I might also add to that, Judge Duberstein served in the United States Army. We have actually named a few courthouses over the last couple of months after individuals who are World War II veterans, and they are all just outstanding individuals.

Judge Duberstein did serve in the Army during World War II, and he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge. After the war he engaged in the private practice of law, where, again, his prominence as a bankruptcy attorney grew large.

The gentleman from Iowa pointed out his many contributions to law and obviously to the State of New York. This is another bill, Mr. Speaker, where I think it is a fitting tribute, to say the least, and I wholeheartedly support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I don't think I could really add much to Mr. Smith's accomplishments and what he has done, other than what Mr. Boswell has pointed out.

He did mention he was a bomber pilot, and I looked up his service record. He was awarded the Purple Heart, nine Battle Stars and the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters for his service, which is obviously a sign of a very outstanding individual. This obviously marks a long and very distinguished career. Obviously, he was one of us, a Member of Congress from Iowa; and I wholeheartedly support this.

Mr. Speaker, could I inquire of the gentleman from Iowa what Mr. Smith flew during the war.

Mr. Speaker, I do thank the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell) for the kind words that he said. Again, this gentleman was a pilot, and you can't get any better than that. I would wholeheartedly support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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