Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Will Gorman, 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.

Will has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Will 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 Will Gorman 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 William C. Cross, a constituent of the 6th District of Missouri who recently added another prestigious award to his resume as he was named the Northlander of the Year by the Northland Chamber of Commerce at their annual banquet held January 27, 2007.

Dr. Bill Cross has lived one of the most admirable and distinguished lives any of us could hope for as he was a teacher, coach, and school administrator for 52 years. Bill Cross earned his bachelor's degree at Westminster College in Fulton, MO, while attaining his Ph.D at Kansas State University. Dr. Cross has been a mentor and role model for over 25,000 high school students and an additional 10,000 teachers in graduate programs. He has written and published multiple articles and authored books in the area of education. Dr. Cross has served as the sponsor for over 100 college students in the classroom practicum portion of their education major. He is frequently engaged as a speaker on the topics of business and education.

But that's not all, Madam Speaker, Dr. Bill Cross has served two terms as mayor of the great city of Gladstone, MO. He serves on the board of directors of the Mid-America Regional Council, the Missouri Municipal League, the Missouri Municipal League West Gate Division, Head Start, Teaching and Reaching Youth, Clay County Coordinating Committee, Shepherds Center of Kansas City, and is a committee member of the National League of Cities. Dr. Cross was a popularly elected member of the North Kansas City School District.

One special recognition I would like to address is that Dr. Cross is a fellow Eagle Scout, the tribe of Mic-O-Say. There is so much more that this great person has done and continues to do for his fellow man. If there ever was an example of a great person and one most deserving of recognition in the United States House of Representatives, it is truly Dr. William C. Cross. Teacher, civic leader, husband to Mary and father of three daughters and seven grandchildren, active member of North Cross United Methodist Church and valued friend and advisor to so many. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in honoring Dr. William C. Cross whose dedication and service to the people of the Sixth District of Missouri has been exceptional.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Grant Sampson, 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 314, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Grant has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Grant 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 Grant Sampson 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 Helm, 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.

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 Helm 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 Will Gorman, 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.

Will has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Will 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 Will Gorman 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 Phillip Belcher, 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 1433, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Phillip has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Phillip has been involved in scouting, he has earned 31 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Senior Patrol Leader and Den Chief for Cub Scouts. Phillip is a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and is in the Order of the Arrow.

For his Eagle Scout project, Phillip built concrete stairs at the Rolling Hills Community Church.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Phillip Belcher 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.

Though many have made light of the schedule we have had for the past few weeks, the grueling schedule of naming a lot of Federal buildings, it doesn't mean that any of these individuals are any less deserving or should not be honored.

Today in committee in the Transportation Committee, we named a courthouse in Missouri, my home State, after Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr., who practiced law in the State of Missouri for over 80 years and was highly revered. Today on the floor, we are honoring somebody that, going through his accomplishments and what he has done in life, is somebody that truly should be recognized.

H.R. 187, which was introduced by Representative Oberstar of Minnesota, chairman of the Transportation Committee, designates the Federal building and the United States courthouse and customhouse at 515 West First Street in Duluth, Minnesota, as the Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building and United States Courthouse and Customhouse. The building honors Judge Heaney's dedication to public service.

As the gentleman from Minnesota pointed out, he served with great distinction during the Army in World War II and acquired a law degree from the University of Minnesota law school after his time. Judge Gerald W. Heaney engaged in private practice then just after the war, from 1946 to 1966.

Judge Heaney's career as a judge began then in 1966 with an appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Judge Heaney had a reputation for championing equal justice for underprivileged and vulnerable citizens. Judge Heaney retired after 40 years of service on August 31, 2006.

I support this legislation, Mr. Speaker, and I 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, H.R. 238 repeals a 21-year-old prohibition on the use of Federal transit funds to tunnel in the San Fernando Valley area west of Los Angeles.

In 1985, an explosion of naturally occurring methane gas blew up a department store in the Wilshire Boulevard Corridor in Los Angeles, injuring 22 people. As the gentleman from Minnesota aptly pointed out, concerned about the safety of tunneling in the area of Los Angeles, the city council created a task force to investigate the explosion. The task force identified methane risk zones along the Wilshire Boulevard Corridor.

The fiscal year 1986 transportation appropriations bill included a legislative provision that prohibits the use of Federal transit funds associated with the Los Angeles project for tunneling in or through an identified methane risk zone. The appropriations provision was written very broadly, binding future funds provided by Congress and affecting all parts of the Metro Rail subway project, including future extensions. The prohibition prevented any transportation planners in the Los Angeles area from considering any transportation improvements that might involve tunneling in the very broadly congested Wilshire Boulevard Corridor.

For me, Mr. Speaker, the need for this bill to be passed simply highlights the dangers of legislating an appropriations bill. H.R. 238 undoes something that should never have been done in the first place. In November 2005, a panel of engineering experts reported that tunneling along the Wilshire Boulevard Corridor can be done safely if proper procedures and appropriate techniques are used.

This bill, H.R. 238, will repeal the current prohibition on tunneling in that corridor. This legislation was first introduced by Congressman Waxman in December of 2005 as H.R. 4653 and was passed by the House in September of 2006. However, the Senate failed to act on the legislation, which is the reason we are back here on the floor today.

I do support H.R. 238, and I urge its passage.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I would like to state for the record my position on the following votes I missed due to reasons beyond my control.

On Monday January 29, 2007 I had to tend to some family matters and thus missed rollcall votes Nos. 58, 59, and 60. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all votes.

Mr. Speaker, today we will be considering H. Res. 62, a resolution congratulating the Grand Valley State University Lakers for winning the 2006 NCAA Division II Football National Championship. And although I will be supporting this resolution out of respect for my friend and colleague, Congressman Peter Hoekstra, I would like to take a moment to recognize the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats.

This is the second consecutive year Northwest Missouri State University has made a run for the championship. Unfortunately, the football Gods were not kind to them at the championship game this year. However, the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats are an exceptional football team with great team spirit.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats football team for an outstanding 2006 season, and I look forward to cheering them on to the NCAA Division II Football Championship again next year.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jarrett Lowe, 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 495, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jarrett has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Jarrett 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 Jarrett Lowe for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. I am honored to represent Jarrett in the United States House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the Lee's Summit Journal in Lee's Summit, Missouri. This newspaper will be celebrating its 125th anniversary of publication this month. Over the past 125 years, this newspaper has provided valuable services to its readers in their local communities.

As a staple of the community for all these years, the newspaper went through growth and expansion along with the community it serves. From its humble beginnings of being a 4-page paper, to its current publication schedule of twice a week, this newspaper has been and continues to be a stabilizing force within the community.

Since its inception in 1887, the Lee's Summit Journal provided quality news coverage for its reading community. Even through tough times, such as a fire which destroyed the newspaper office, the Lee's Summit Journal continued to deliver quality and reliable news service to the community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing the Lee's Summit Journal. The services the outstanding staff of the Lee's Summit Journal have provided over these 125 years have been an essential part of the community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Douglas McLain, 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 351, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Douglas has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Douglas 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 Douglas McLain for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. I am honored to represent Douglas in the United States House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Tyler Sandoval, 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 495, 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 Sandoval for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. I am honored to represent Tyler in the United States House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jacob Klingensmith, 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 100, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jacob has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Jacob 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 Jacob Klingensmith for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. I am honored to represent Jacob in the United States House of Representatives.