Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jim Weidinger. Jim is retiring after over 30 years of service to the United States Department of Agriculture in Rural Development. A lifelong Missourian, Jim was born and raised on a farm in Vienna, Missouri, then after the completion of high school attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

Jim began his career with Rural Development on February 11, 1975 as an Assistant Emergency Loan Supervisor in the Union, Missouri, office. His career spanned 30 years at various offices and levels within the Rural Development Department. Toward the end of his tenure, Jim was crucial in the process of obtaining grants that have been critical to the growth and development of northwest Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Jim Weidinger of St. Joseph, Missouri. Jim's commitment to excellence is remarkable, and I am honored to represent him in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Kyle Austin Spangler, 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.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Kyle Austin Spangler 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 Trevor Don Roth, 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.

Trevor has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Trevor 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 Trevor Don Roth 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, on Monday, May 22, 2006 I was unavoidably delayed and thus missed rollcall votes Nos. 177 and 178. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both votes.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Alexander Steven Ortega, 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.

Alexander has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Alexander 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 Alexander Steven Ortega 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 Northwest Missouri State University. Established in the year 1905, Northwest Missouri State University has just marked 100 years of outstanding service in higher education.

Beginning as a two-year Normal School for teacher education, Northwest Missouri State University now is a nationally and internationally recognized university offering bachelor and master degree programs. Beginning in 1984, Northwest Missouri State University established a culture of quality and has won the Missouri Quality Award three times.

An innovative leader, the first electronic campus at a public university in the United States was founded at Northwest Missouri State University in 1987. Northwest Missouri State University is a national leader in alternative fuels, having put in place a wood pellet system that has produced the University's own heating and cooling for more than 20 years, and providing a significant savings to the University and the State of Missouri.

Among public colleges and universities, Northwest Missouri State University maintains one of the highest graduation rates at more than 60 percent. Students at Northwest Missouri State University consistently rank the university at the top of student satisfaction measurements. Realizing the need for more accessible education to all, Northwest Missouri State University established the American Dream Grant in 2004, the only program of its kind in the United States that provides students who qualify with free tuition, room and board, computer and textbooks.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Northwest Missouri State University, an exceptional institution in Missouri's Sixth Congressional District. The Northwest Missouri State University's commitment to excellence is inspiring, and I am honored to represent so many of its fine employees, students, and alumni in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Philip Shay Meeks, 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 many years Philip has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Philip has served in the leadership positions of assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader, among others. He is an ordeal member of Order of the Arrow and a tom tom beater in the Tribe of Mic- O-Say. For his Eagle Scout project, Philip planned and supervised the building of ladders for a storage area, donating money for shades, and painting the stage area at the Liberty Christian Fellowship Church Building in Liberty, MO.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Philip Shay Meeks 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 Daniel J. 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 167, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Daniel has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Daniel has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. In his service, Daniel was instrumental in the development of a basketball court in the Winston city park.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Daniel J. 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 Andrew Michael Grace, 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.

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

Andrew has served in the leadership positions of den chief, patrol leader, and troop guide, among others. He served on the staff of the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in the summers of 2004 and 2005, while being elevated to runner in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. For his Eagle Scout project, Andrew planned and supervised the renovation of railings, lamp posts, and light fixtures at the Second Baptist Church in Liberty, MO.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew Michael Grace 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 Jeremy Christopher Wood, 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 395, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jeremy has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. He has served as a patrol leader and assistant senior patrol leader and achieved the rank of Brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow and Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Over the many 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.

For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Jeremy designed and directed the installation of two specially designed firepit shelters at the Heartland Presbyterian Youth Camp in Platte County. These shelters protect the firewood that is used by the campers and visitors to have fun campfires while delivering their youth-oriented programs.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jeremy Christopher Wood 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 Brian J. Shryock, 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 66, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Brian has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Brian 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 Brian J. Shryock 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 Brett Ryan Huntley, 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.

Brett has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Brett 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 Brett Ryan Huntley 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 Kyle Thomas King, 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.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Kyle Thomas King 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 Troy Vincent Shoemaker, 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.

Troy has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Troy 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 Troy Vincent Shoemaker 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 Sean Adams Logan Heard, 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.

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