Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Andrew S. Carlisle, son of David and Susan Carlisle of Saint Joseph, MO. Andrew 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 31, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Andrew will receive his Eagle Award on October 2, 2005 at Saint Francis Xavier Parish Center.

Andrew has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the 5 years Andrew has been involved with scouting, he has earned numerous merit badges, honors, and leadership positions. Andrew has served his troop as assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, quartermaster, and troop guide. Andrew is a member of the Tribe of Mic- O-Say and completed Junior Leader Training. During his years in the scouts, Andrew spent 5 years at summer camp, and participated in canoe trips down the Niangua River. For his Eagle Scout project, Andrew did trail work at Bluff Woods Conservation Area.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew S. Carlisle 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 Dr. John R. Dixon of Brookfield, Missouri. Dr. Dixon will celebrate his 100th birthday on September 14th, and the town of Brookfield will be honoring Dr. Dixon's birthday with a parade among other festivities. It is my privilege to offer Dr. Dixon my warmest regards on achieving this important milestone.

Dr. Dixon was born on September 14, 1905. In 1931, Dr. Dixon opened his first medical practice as a physician and surgeon in Linneus, Missouri, a few miles northwest of Brookfield. In 1935, Dr. Dixon joined the Missouri National Guard which began a long career of patriotic service to our national through the Armed Services. Dr. Dixon served the United States of America with honor as a flight surgeon in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Dr. Dixon still maintains his license to practice medicine, plays golf once a week, and drives himself. He is an active, vibrant, and healthy member of the community.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Dr. John R. Dixon of Brookfield, Missouri as he begins his tenth decade. It is an honor to represent him in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Blaine Evan Steck of Kansas City, Missouri, 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.

Blaine has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities and earning numerous merit badges. I am especially proud of Blaine's accomplishment, because he received the Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge for his visit to my Washington office and the Communications Merit Badge after writing a letter to me about the California legislature's attempt to prevent the Boy Scouts from using public facilities.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Blaine Evan Steck 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 Jonathan Kemper, son of Howard and Linda Kemper of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Jonathan 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 31, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Michael will receive his Eagle Award on October 2, 2005 at Saint Francis Xavier Parish Center.

Jonathan has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the eleven years Jonathan has been involved with Scouting, he has earned numerous merit badges, honors, and leadership positions. Jonathan has served his troop as Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Historian, and Troop Guide. Jonathan holds the rank of Runner in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and participated in Junior Leader Training and was a member of the Junior Leader Training Staff. During his years in the scouts, Jonathan attended Camp Geiger and Philmont Scout Ranch. For his Eagle Scout project, Jonathan refinished a fence.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jonathan Kemper 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 Jason Robert Sten, son of Kathy Holmquist and Patrick Sten of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Jason 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 31, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Jason will receive his Eagle Award on October 2, 2005 at Saint Francis Xavier Parish Center.

Jason has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the 8 years Jason has been involved with Scouting, he has earned numerous merit badges, honors, and leadership positions. Jason has served his troop as Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Troop Guide. Jason holds the rank of Runner in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and earned the Mile Swim Award. During his years in the scouts, Jason spent 8 years at Camp Geiger and was a member of the Junior Leader Training Staff.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jason Robert Sten 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 Ryan E. Jones, son of Chris and Colleen Jones, of Saint Joseph, Missouri. 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 31, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Ryan will receive his Eagle Award on October 2, 2005 at Saint Francis Xavier Parish Center.

Ryan has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Ryan has been involved with Scouting, he has earned numerous merit badges, honors, and leadership positions including Patrol Leader and Troop Guide. Ryan is a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and spent almost every summer at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch.

For his Eagle Scout project, Ryan cleaned up brush and mowed at Happy Hallow Cemetery.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ryan E. Jones 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 Casey M. Dupree, son of Keith and Carol Dupree of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Casey 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 31, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Casey will receive his Eagle Award on October 2, 2005 at Saint Francis Xavier Parish Center.

Casey has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the six years Casey has been involved with Scouting, he has earned numerous merit badges, honors, and leadership positions. Casey has served his troop as Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. Casey holds the rank of Tom Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. During his years in the Scouts, Casey spent six years at Camp Geiger, and went on both the Canoe Trip and Katy Trail 50 Mile Bike Ride for three years.

For his Eagle Scout project, Casey stained flower boxes for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Casey M. Dupree 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 David Herring, son of Mary Kay and Leon Herring of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Michael 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 31, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Michael will receive his Eagle Award on October 2, 2005 at Saint Francis Xavier Parish Center.

Michael has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the 11 years Michael has been involved with Scouting, he has earned numerous merit badges, honors, and leadership positions. Michael has served his troop as Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, and Troop Guide. Michael holds the rank of Tom Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and participated in Junior Leadership Training. In addition to these honors, Michael earned the Arrow of Light Award, Pope Pius XII Unit Award, and the Ad Altari Dei and Parvuli Dei religious awards. During his 11 years in the scouts, Brandon attended Camp Geiger for six summers.

For his Eagle Scout project, Michael planted five red sunset maple trees at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Once fully grown, the trees will separate the parking lot from the playground.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Michael David Herring 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 Brandon Michael Lambert Beck, son of Kerry and Marilyn Beck of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Brandon 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 31, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Brandon will receive his Eagle Award on October 2, 2005 at Saint Francis Xavier Parish Center.

Brandon has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the twelve years Brandon has been involved with Scouting, he has earned numerous merit badges, honors, and leadership positions. Brandon has served his troop as Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Historian, and Troop Guide. Brandon holds the rank of Tom Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and participated in Junior Leader Training. Brandon has earned awards for snorkeling and marksmanship, as well as the Ad Altari Dei and Parvuli Dei religious awards. During his twelve years in the scouts, Brandon attended Camp Geiger for seven summers.

For his Eagle Scout project, Brandon constructed and installed shelves in the basement of the rectory of Saint Francis Xavier Church.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Brandon Michael Lambert Beck 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 today to speak in support of the Children's Safety Act of 2005. This legislation, if passed, will close the loopholes in the current system that allow sexual predators to evade law enforcement. It will enhance the current sex offender registration and community notification law. It will create a comprehensive national system for sex offender registration, improve information exchange between States when sex offenders move from State to State, and increase penalties for failing to comply with the registration law.

I would like to commend the Chairman for bringing this outstanding package to the floor today. I am very grateful that the Chairman has included several provisions from a bill that I introduced entitled the Sexual Predator Sentencing Act of 2005. These provisions would toughen several existing sentencing guidelines and keep sex offenders off the street.

Provisions incorporated from my bill will increase the criminal penalties and establish mandatory minimums for those that harm our children whether it is over the Internet or in person.

Strong laws that hold the criminal accountable are a vital component in the effort to protect children. Those who abduct children are often serial offenders who have already been convicted of similar offenses. Strong sentencing is an essential component in any effort to fight crimes against children.

This legislation contains many vital provisions in protecting our children from these violent predators. Our children must be protected against repeat sexual offenders. The Children's Safety Act of 2005 should be passed to keep sexual predators behind bars and our children safe.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Ian Lewis Henderson of Kansas City, Missouri, 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. Ian will receive his Eagle at a Court of Honor on September 18 at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Ian has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Ian has been involved with scouting, he has earned numerous merit badges and has served in leadership positions within his troop.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ian Lewis Henderson for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. It is an honor to represent Eagle Scout Henderson in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize two outstanding constituents of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District: Helen and Harry Danks of Grundy County, Missouri. Helen and Harry will celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary on December 23, 2005.

Helen and Harry Danks were married on December 23, 1945 in Memphis, Tennessee. At the time, Harry was serving our country at Millington Naval Air Station in Millington, Tennessee and Helen was working at the Oak Ridge Bomb Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Incidentally, Helen worked at Oak Ridge Bomb Plant at the same time that Fat Man and Little Boy were made.

Helen and Harry Danks have been outstanding citizens of Grundy County and Northwest Missouri. They have operated the family farm for over 50 years, and are dedicated and active members of their church and community.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Helen and Harry Danks. Their marriage of 60 years is inspirational, and I am honored to represent them in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Alex Q. Newmaster, 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, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Alex has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Alex 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 Alex Q. Newmaster 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 Robert Mohr, 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.

John has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years John 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 Project, John designed and built a wheeled oak cabinet for storing toys and a matching oak table custom built for small children for the daycare center at his local church, Saint James Catholic Church.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending John Robert Mohr 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 of Kansas City, Missouri, 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 will receive his Eagle at a Court of Honor on September 18 at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Jeremy has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Jeremy has been involved with scouting he has earned numerous merit badges and has served in leadership positions within his troop.

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. It is an honor to represent Eagle Scout Wood in the United States Congress.