Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Elizabeth Kathyrn Stephenson. Elizabeth is a very special young woman who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 74G, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Elizabeth has been very active with her troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Elizabeth has been involved with scouting, she has not only earned 37 merit badges, but also the respect of her family, peers, and community. Elizabeth has also contributed to her community through her Eagle Scout project. Elizabeth cleaned the Nodaway County Community Building, she also primed and painted newly installed walls, sound boards, ceilings, doors and trim in all rooms at the facility.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize a very special member of the Tarkio Community. Joyce Ellen Springer is turning a very independent 90 on Sunday.

Joyce Davenport was born on her Mother Helen's Birthday in 1931 in Fairfax, Missouri. She grew up in Fairfax, graduated from high school, married her High School Sweetheart, Robert Hedrick, had two sons and built a family in Fairfax as well. When tragedy struck and Robert passed away, she displayed grit and self reliance as a true child of Northwest Missouri and the Great Depression. She picked herself up, dusted herself off and went from housewife to single working mother in a time when that was not the norm. Whether she was working for the High School Principal as a secretary, as the receptionist for the doctor's office or working at the Exchange Bank she always met challenges head- on and with a warm smile. She was blessed to find another great love in Bill Springer who she married in 1972 and was married to for 43 years until his passing in 2015.

It would be easy to dismiss Joyce's life as common or unremarkable. That would be a monstrous error. It would not account for the history that she has lived, the character and strength she has passed on or love she has both given and received. The legacy of Joyce Springer is one of her children, step-children, grand children and great grand children. Joyce has a legacy that anyone should be proud to have and it is undeniable proof of a life well lived.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in wishing Joyce Ellen Springer a wonderful 90th Birthday. I wish her all the peace, happiness and fulfillment that her heart desires, now and in the years to come. I am proud to represent her as a citizen of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Adrianna Ines Aley. Adrianna is a very special young woman who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 74G, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Adrianna has been very active with her troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Adrianna has been involved with scouting, she has not only earned 32 merit badges, but also the respect of her family, peers, and community. Adrianna has also contributed to her community through her Eagle Scout project. Adrianna improved the landscape at the First United Methodist Church in her town.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Ryan William Magee. 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 228, 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. Most notably, Ryan has held the positions of Patrol Leader, Quartermaster and Senior Patrol Leader for his troop. He is a member of both Mic-o-say Tribes, where he is a Hardaway Warrior at Camp Geiger and a Brave at Bartle. Ryan has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Ryan's Eagle project was renovating the Community of Christ Church flag plaza at Camp Farwesta campgrounds in Stewartsville, MO. He removed the single flagpole and replaced it with three new flagpoles, installed a border and added pea gravel. The added flagpoles allow flags to be flown that represent the different organizations that use the campgrounds.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ryan William Magee 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 A. Moburg. Charles 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.

Charles has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Charles 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 Charles A. Moburg 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 Cole R. Southard. Cole 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.

Cole has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Cole 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 Cole R. Southard 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 J. Pfannenstiel. 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 J. Pfannenstiel 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 Bennett J. Thomas. Bennett 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.

Bennett has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Bennett 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 Bennett J. Thomas 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 Kyle J. Siler. Kyle 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.

Kyle has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Kyle 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 Kyle J. Siler 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 July 12, 2019, I missed a series of Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on No. 461, 462, 472, and 474. I would have voted NAY on No. 459, 460, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, and 473.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Ian Wooldridge. Ian 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 1376, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Ian has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Ian has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Ian is a member of the Order of the Arrow and holds the rank of Firebuilder in the tribe of Mic-O-Say. Most notably, Ian has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. For his project, Ian constructed shelving units in the storage annex of the Second Baptist Church of Liberty, Missouri.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ian 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 pause to recognize M. Diane Hays, who passed away on June 20, 2019. It is both fitting and proper to reflect and recognize her life's accomplishments and for all of her efforts in serving the greater Independence, Missouri, community.

Russell and Diane Hays started the Coins for Canines program in 1997 after budget restraints barred the city from purchasing a replacement K-9 after its only working dog passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Hays raised funds by placing jugs at local businesses, presenting donation request letters to various groups, and lobbying the Jackson County Legislature for funds derived from the anti-drug sales tax. The funds were used to purchase K-9's, their training, and eventually repair and renovation of the Police Department's new K-9 training center. In 2002 Mr. and Mrs. Hays received the Missouri Peace Officers Association's Citizens of the Year Award. This couple embodies the spirit of volunteerism, and their support of law enforcement illustrates the model of exemplary citizenship.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in offering our condolences to Diane's friends and family, particularly her husband, Russell Hays, their daughters Kim and Lynda, their five grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed in Independence. I would also like to thank the Hays family for sharing Diane's heart and her commitment to our K-9 officers with the community for so many years.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Dr. Robert Vartabedian. Dr. Vartabedian is retiring as the President of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, after an exceptional career and distinguished tenure at Missouri Western State University.

Dr. Vartabedian has taught at universities across the country. While each was a very different institution, there was one common thread to each of them--Dr. Vartabedian has made each of them better. If you set foot on the Missouri Western campus during his time there, even if you somehow managed to not see it, you could not have helped but felt it. That unspoken `thing' where a new level is being achieved, a new standard is being set, a new normal is being cemented into place. Of course, you can point to Craig Field at Spratt Stadium, the Craig School of Business Center for Entrepreneurship, the Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator, the Walter Cronkite Museum, or the sea of red that comes with the Kansas City Chiefs training camp. While he deserves credit for those things and they will remain as reminders of his time here, they are not his true legacy. His true legacy is in his students. The next generation of entrepreneurs and thinkers. The new leaders for northern Missouri, the new educators who will carry along his legacy even further. Those students, those lives he has touched directly or indirectly are his true and lasting legacy.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Dr. Robert Vartabedian upon a well-earned retirement. I wish him the very best and a well-deserved rest. I am honored to represent him in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the Ladies Union Benevolent Association. The Ladies Union Benevolent Association is a very special employer who is being honored with the Employer of Excellence Award as a part of the St. Joseph YWCA's prestigious Women of Excellence.

For more than 120 years, the Ladies Union Benevolent Association, through the Noyes Home, has been a place where a child who is facing a family crisis feels safe, and can just be a child, until the family is able to get back on its feet. It's where a teen finds friendship, security, and a positive environment to continue attending high school if a parent has become incarcerated or is unable to care for them. Infants, children and teens can live at the Noyes Home for as long as needed while a family strives to find solutions, with service provided until a child turns 18. There is no financial obligation to the family. The Noyes Home is, above all, a home.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in congratulating the Ladies Union Benevolent Association for winning the Employer of Excellence Award. They are an exceptional organization in St. Joseph, Missouri, and I am proud to represent them in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Allyah Smith. Allyah is a very special woman and leader who is being honored with the Future Leader Award as a part of the St. Joseph YWCA's prestigious Women of Excellence.

To say that Allyah Smith is an exceptional young lady is a definition of understatement. Not only is she an award-winning poet, but she is an exceptional cross-country runner. Allyah has been recognized for her hours of volunteer service in the community winning the coveted Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

She has also participated in events to educate students on the dangers of impaired driving.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Allyah Smith for being honored as the Future Leader Award winner by the St. Joseph YWCA through serving St. Joseph, the state of Missouri and the Sixth Congressional District. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.