Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Samuel A. Brandt, 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 357, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Samuel A. Brandt 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 proudly pause to recognize Jared Malone, 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 357, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jared has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jared has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. It is with extreme pleasure that I commend the dedication Jared has shown.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jared 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 proud to represent Jared in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Robert ``Jason'' Schowengerdt, 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 357, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jason has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jason has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Jason holds the rank of fire builder as a Hardway Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. While achieving this rank, Jason has served the Maple Woods Community College community where he is still attending classes.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jason Schowengerdt 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 Jason in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Kyle Herndon, 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 357, and in 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. It is with extreme pleasure that I commend the dedication Kyle has shown.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Kyle 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 proud to represent Kyle in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Theodore Fetterling, 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 357, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Theodore has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Theodore has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. It is with extreme pleasure that I commend the dedication Theodore has shown.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Theodore 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 proud to represent Theodore in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Galt Christian Church in Galt, Missouri. This church will be celebrating its 125th year anniversary of service to the community on October 15, 2006. Over these past 125 years, this church grew to meet all the needs of its congregation.

As a staple of the community throughout the years, the church has gone through growth and expansion with the Galt community it serves. From humble beginnings, this church is a stabilizing force for this community. Originally, this church was borrowing space from a neighboring church.

The church buildings grew in concert with its congregation. Growing, even taking in two hundred new members in one afternoon, with a large baptism of faith. Finally in 1974, the church's current building was erected to house the growing congregation.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing the Galt Christian Church. The services which they have provided over these 125 years have been fundamental to the growth of this community. Let us use the Galt Christian Church as a powerful example of the lasting commitment to faith.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise in support of S. 1998, the Stolen Valor Act. I am extremely pleased that this body is able to consider this bill before we adjourn, because recent events in my district and across our nation have illustrated why Congress must act quickly to address the underlying issue of this bill.

Under current law, it is illegal to wear, manufacture, or sell military decorations without legal authorization. However, it is legal, but not ethical, to falsely represent oneself as having been awarded a decoration or medal of the United States Military.

This legislation will expand the prohibitions listed above to include conducting other transactions not already illegal without authorization, and falsely representing oneself as having been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces or any of the service medals or badges. It also increases penalties for violations involving a Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star, or Purple Heart.

Every year around Veterans Day--a day where we honor our Nation's heroes for their service and sacrifice--numerous individuals come out of the woodwork to claim military decorations that were not awarded to them.

This is wholly disrespectful to those who have been legitimately awarded these high honors in the line of duty, and dilutes the significance attached to each lawfully awarded decoration.

This issue was brought to my attention by veterans in my district, upset about two recent cases of ``stolen valor'' in the state of Missouri. In this instance, a man spoke before a group at a Veterans Day event in Chillicothe, Missouri--in my district--and claimed a Navy Cross that he had not been awarded. A short while later, a man was arrested at a Marine Corps League meeting in Saint Louis, Missouri after claiming a number of decorations including the Navy Cross, which he was not awarded.

Mr. Speaker, the Stolen Valor Act provides a solution to address this growing fraud. One of the great privileges I have had in Congress is presenting veterans in my district with their rightfully earned honors and decorations. Many decorated veterans, when asked about their heroic actions, respond that they were just doing their duty. Mr. Speaker, it is our duty to protect the integrity of these decorations reserved to honor the heroic service and sacrifice of our nation's servicemembers. We cannot allow imposters to cheapen the value of these honors, and we cannot allow imposters to seek fame and fortune from falsehood. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of S. 1998, the Stolen Valor Act.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise in tribute to Staff Sergeant Kevin L. Zeigler of Braymer, Missouri. Sgt. Zeigler made the ultimate sacrifice for his country on August 12, 2006. As a tribute to his courage, valor, and patriotism, I would like to read a very moving poem that Sgt. Zeigler's uncle, G. Lamar Wilkie, Chief Petty Officer, United States Navy (Retired), wrote for his fallen nephew.

Final Trip Home

Staff Sergeant Kevin Zeigler

Friend of Liberty

Hero of an oppressed people Defender of faith in humanity

Who helped liberate a nation

He comes back a hero

Having given his life for

The noblest cause of all

Not of sickness or meek old age

But in defense of freedom

No more torture chambers

Or professional rape rooms

No poisoned villagers

Filling mass graves

At the hands of their own dictator

Brutally taken from us

By vicious cowards

Who attack from shadows and

Dare not show their faces

They live to die for death's sake

But the barbarians

Though they claim victory

With fear and destruction

Suffer terrible loss within

A defeat of the heart

Let the bells of liberty

Toll the passing of a champion

His race is won, his battle over

Let eternal love and gratitude guide

His final trip home.

Dedicated to my nephew, Army Staff Sergeant Kevin L.

Zeigler, of the 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat

Team of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood. He was killed

August 12, 2006 when an improvised explosive device detonated

near their dismounted patrol during combat operations near

Baghdad.

G. Lamar Wilkie,

Chief Petty Officer, USN (Ret).

Mr. Speaker, a grateful nation will never forget the heroism, patriotism, and devotion of Sgt. Zeigler. He sacrificed his life in the line of duty to protect the United States of America, and we as a nation will be eternally indebted to him for his service. I am truly humbled to have had the privilege to represent Staff Sergeant Kevin L. Zeigler--a genuine American hero--in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule and the underlying bill, S. 403--the Child Custody Protection Act.

For too long, individuals have exploited State borders to disrupt and undercut important parental involvement laws that have been enacted to protect minors.

A teenage girl needs a parent's consent to get an aspirin at school. The decision to kill an unborn child is life-altering, and often results in unintended psychological and physical problems. So, I find it unconscionable that an individual would deliberately transport a minor across State lines for an abortion without a parent's consent. This type of exploitation has rendered State laws toothless, and in light of this situation, there is a strong demand for Congressional action.

In my home State of Missouri, we have a parental consent law that requires the involvement of a parent when a minor is seeking an abortion. Across the State line from my district is Kansas.

In Kansas, there is a parental notification law but not a consent law. This means that if the parent of a minor in Missouri denies permission for that minor to have an abortion in Missouri, that same minor--usually with the aid of a co-conspirator--can go to Kansas, notify that parent of the intention to have an abortion, and go forward against the will of the parent. In Illinois, it was reported that the mother of a 14-year-old from Missouri was denied the opportunity to even speak with her daughter as she waited for an abortion in an Illinois clinic just over the State line.

Congress must act to prevent the evasion of parental involvement laws. In Missouri, you can bring a civil action against any individual that assists a minor in evading the State parental consent law, but that is not enough, Mr. Speaker. Only a tough, Federal criminal statute will deter individuals from transporting teenagers across state lines in order to willfully violate the parental involvement laws of the teenager's home State.

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to support H.R. 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act when it was considered by the House in April of last year. This rule gives us the opportunity to restore an important provision that was not included in S. 403, specifically the provision that places responsibility on the abortion provider to give a parent or guardian 24 hours' notice of a minor's abortion decision.

I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution and the Child Custody Protection Act. It is time for Congress to take action against all those who assist minors in circumventing a parent's right of involvement in the most serious decision a minor can make.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jason Andrew Hejl, 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 633, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jason has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jason has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Jason held the principal leadership position of Venturing Crew President and has actively supported VFW Post 7356 in Parkville, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jason Andrew Hejl 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 proudly pause to recognize Jesse Cash, 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 633, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jesse has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jesse has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Jesse held the principal leadership position of Venturing Crew President and has actively supported the ministry of Heartland Presbyterian Center.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jesse Cash 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 proudly pause to recognize John ``Will'' Perkowski, 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 633, 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. Will held the principal leadership position of Venturing Crew Secretary and has actively supported recreational therapy programs within regional hospitals. Will has donated over 100 man-hours of concert time through his chorus and barbershop quartet performances.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending John Perkowski 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 proudly pause to recognize Thomas Williams, 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 633, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Thomas has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Thomas has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Thomas held the principal leadership position of Venturing Crew Treasurer and has actively supported VFW Post 7356 in Parkville, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Thomas Williams 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 proudly pause to recognize Byron Devlin, 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 633, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Byron has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Byron has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Byron held the principal leadership position of Senior Patrol Leader and has actively supported the ministry of Heartland Presbyterian Center.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Byron Devlin 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 proudly pause to recognize Christopher Dean, 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.

I join with your family and friends in expressing best wishes on your significant achievement. I commend you on attaining such a high honor and your superior contributions to your community. Showing particular dedication to the children at Children's Mercy Hospital, Christopher developed an activity for the patients. Being recognized for your remarkable achievement reflects both your hard work and dedication. I am sure you will continue to hold such high standards in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Christopher Ray Dean 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 Christopher in the United States House of Representatives.