Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Robert Alan Wilbur, 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.

Robert has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Robert 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 Robert Alan Wilbur 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 James Miller, 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.

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

For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Andrew installed a fire ring and five benches at the Heartland Presbyterian Youth Camp for the use and enjoyment of all of the visitors.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew James Miller for his accomplishment with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honor today to recognize the life of Major Michael R. Martinez, who passed away on January 7, 2006 in Iraq while in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a husband, father, lawyer, and soldier, Major Martinez will be missed by many.

Major Martinez lived in Platte County, Missouri during a two year posting at Fort Leavenworth. Major Martinez most recently served as a lawyer in the Judge Advocate General Corps. The Major served with the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Riley and the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth. He was assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado as chief of legal assistance and went to Iraq with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

While in Iraq, Major Martinez served as a legal counsel to the troops. Major Martinez helped soldiers with wills, power of attorney, and provided legal guidance. Major Martinez's expertise gave soldiers a sense of comfort that all of their legal concerns would be addressed and that they had someone to talk to about their legal affairs.

Major Martinez was a good friend to many in the military and in the State of Missouri. He was very knowledgeable on issues pertaining to the law. He was an outstanding leader that will be missed. In 16 years of enlisted service to his country, Major Martinez developed a reputation as being a dedicated soldier that created a strong work environment and was a great person to work with.

I offer my condolences to his wife, Kelly, sons Alexander, Colby, and Benjamin, and step-daughters Kathryn and Samantha, and the rest of the Martinez family. In this time of sorrow, may the thoughts and prayers of friends and family comfort them and may his memory bring them peace.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Harry Fulghum, 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 155, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Harry has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Harry 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 Harry Fulghum 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 Charles Anthony Curtis, 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 8, and in 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.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Charles Anthony Curtis 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 Zachary Lee Wilson, a very special young who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 216, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Zachary has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Zachary 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 Zachary Lee Wilson 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 Hunter C. Gould, 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 288, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Hunter has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Hunter 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 Hunter C. Gould 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 J. Green, 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 288, 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.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew J. Green 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 Shawn Groves, 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 288, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Shawn has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Shawn 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 Shawn Groves for his accomplishment 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 Nolan R. Justus, 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 288, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Nolan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Nolan 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 Nolan R. Justus 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 Michael Kuba, 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 288, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Michael has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Michael 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 Michael Kuba 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, I rise in strong support of Mr. King's amendment.

As many of you know, earlier this month the Army Corps of Engineers decided to move forward with a spring rise on the Missouri River. I continue to remain strongly opposed to this policy because it significantly raises the chances of something adverse happening to the over 1 million Missourians that live along the river's flood plain.

Mr. Chairman, the spring rise is a huge gamble. We are gambling with the livelihoods of all the farmers, landowners, homeowners, and merchants along the river. All for what? To maybe trigger the spawning patterns of the pallid sturgeon. This is a risky science experiment to me, and I will continue to fight against this and future spring rises.

It's the farmer that we need to protect. I wish to remind this body how important farmers are to us three times a day when we eat. A spring rise substantially increases the chances of down river flooding and we cannot risk that potential damage to our agricultural community. Farmers play a critical role in America and to the countless countries that rely on them to feed their populations. We must protect our farmers and their livelihoods before we consider this unfounded experiment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment and encourage its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nicholas Giglio, 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 98, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Nicholas has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Nicholas 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 Nicholas Giglio 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 rise to salute the efforts of the Liberty School District, the Council of Parent Teacher Associations, the Parent Teacher Student Associations, students, faculty and staff in their ongoing efforts to support a national project known as Book Relief. Book Relief is an unprecedented, publishing industry-wide effort that will distribute at least five million new books to schools and libraries displaced and destroyed by the 2005 hurricanes. These books will help to replenish school libraries as they rebuild.

In New Orleans, 118 of 126 schools sustained damage; in Mississippi, 300 schools were damaged, 24 of them severely damaged or destroyed. Nearly 190,000 Louisiana students were displaced. As organizations start to rebuild the Gulf Coast, Book Relief will be there to supply them with new books as they reopen.

For every fifty cents raised by Liberty schools, one book will be contributed to the cause. Each school in the district has been actively participating in not only Book Relief, but also Hurricane Katrina relief. Liberty Schools have raised a collective $33,600 to go toward relief efforts. This accomplishment is nothing short of outstanding.

Liberty, Missouri has a rich history of great accomplishments in their school system. Today, I am proud to celebrate and recognize the continued dedication to community, both at home and in the Gulf Coast, of the Liberty School District and its network of staff, students and parents. Their work is truly a shining example of the great works happening in public education today.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Thomas Mershon, 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 98, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Thomas has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over any 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.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Thomas Mershon for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.