Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nicholas William Windhorst 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. Nicholas will receive his Eagle at a Court of Honor on September 18 at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Nicholas has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Nicholas 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 Nicholas William Windhorst 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 Windhorst in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Brandon James Mynatt 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. Brandon will receive his Eagle at a Court of Honor on September 18 at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Brandon has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Brandon 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 Brandon James Mynatt 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 Mynatt in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Gregory Allan Politte 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. Gregory will receive his Eagle at a Court of Honor on September 18 at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Gregory has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Gregory 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 Gregory Allan Politte 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 Politte in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Brent Traugott Saving 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. Brent will receive his Eagle at a Court of Honor on September 18 at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Brent has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Brent 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 Brent Traugott Saving 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 Saving in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Shawn Patrick Burt of Kansas City, MO, 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. Shawn will receive his Eagle at a Court of Honor on September 18 at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Shawn has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Shawn 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 Shawn Patrick Burt 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 Burt in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I pause today to congratulate Alan E. Michelson, principal of Cordill-Mason Elementary School in Blue Springs, Missouri on his recent election as President of the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Mr. Michelson has served the students, families and community of Blue Springs for a great number of years. He is a graduate of Tarkio College and received a Masters Degree from Central Missouri State University.

During his 27 years of service in the field of education, Mr. Michelson has been granted numerous awards in recognition of his outstanding skills and dedication as an educator. He was named one of the Heritage Who's Who in 2005. He received the Blue Springs School District Award for Leadership, Professionalism and Dedication in 2001. In 1993 he was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Parent Teacher Association. Rounding out his list of distinctions, he was named one of 10 Outstanding Missourians in 1982.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Mr. Michelson. I personally look forward to a continued relationship with him as both Principal of Cordill-Mason Elementary School and as President of the National Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday June 17, 2005 I was unavoidably delayed and thus missed rollcall votes Nos. 282, 281, 280, 279, 278, 277, 276, 275, 274. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Nos. 282, 280, 279, 278, 277, 276, 275, 274 and ``nay''' on No. 281.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Sue Wagner of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Ms. Wagner is a retired teacher of the Saint Joseph School District and in a few days will receive the Saint Joseph YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Women in Community Service and Volunteerism.

Although she retired from teaching, Ms. Wagner is still extremely active in the community. She regularly reaches out to and positively impacts students throughout the Saint Joseph area. Ms. Wagner currently serves as a student mentor, a Cotillion for Achievement committee member, and a volunteer docent for the Albrecht-Kemper Art Museum. Through her hard work, Ms. Wagner has touched the lives of over 500 students this year.

Ms. Wagner also serves as an affiliate director for Missouri Future Problem Solving, directing a competition program for the State of Missouri. She serves on multiple committees and organizations ranging from Community LINK, to SAGE, to Trails West, to the Landmarks Commission. In addition to all of these commitments, Ms. Wagner still finds time to serve as president of her local neighborhood association.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in congratulating Sue Wagner. Her commitment to the Saint Joseph community exemplifies the qualities of service and dedication. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Amanda Gumm. In a few days, Ms. Gumm will receive the Saint Joseph YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Future Leaders.

Amanda is currently a student at Benton High School and has served as Student Body President. As Student Body President, Amanda was responsible for reading the daily announcements to all of Benton High School; I've been told that one faculty member cited Amanda as quite possibly the best public speaker Benton has seen in years. She is also widely recognized for her positive attitude and dynamic personality, and motivates her peers to excel.

Amanda aspires to be the Governor of Missouri, and recently received the 2005 Missouri Award for Outstanding Achievement in Citizenship. Amanda will soon join the other recipients of the award and their families for a luncheon at the Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Amanda Gumm. Her commitment to excellence exemplifies the qualities of service and dedication. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Joshua Fisher of Weston, 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 249, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Joshua achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on October 14, 2004.

Joshua has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years that Joshua 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 project, Joshua organized the creation of a new welcome sign, the pouring of concrete slabs for picnic tables, and the installation of a new flag pole with lighting around t, all at Bless Park in Weston.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Joshua Fisher 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 Alexander J. McCurn 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 261, 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 J. McCurn 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 Paul J. Wilmes of Nodaway County, Missouri. Paul will soon retire from a 28 year career of distinguished service to the rural residents and communities of 22 counties in northwest Missouri. Although we wish that Paul could stay on at USDA, he has certainly given back to his community, his state, and his Nation, and well deserved retirement awaits him, though given Paul's reputation for being an active citizen in his community, I doubt this is the last we will hear from Paul Wilmes.

Paul was born on April 22nd, 1953 to Francis and Clara Wilmes of Nodaway County; a county I have been fortunate enough to represent since 1992 at the state and now federal level. Paul grew up in a devout Catholic farm home, and attended St. Gregory's Catholic elementary school, followed by Maryville High School where he was active with football and wrestling. Upon his graduation from Maryville High School, Paul enrolled in Northwest Missouri State University, where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity. He graduated from Northwest with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science.

On July 10, 1976 he married Robin Lamb. Today, Paul and Robin have two children, Meredith and Kyle, and they remain active in their local community in Nodaway County. Paul has served as a Trustee for the endowment for St. Gregory's School, Advisor to the Area Vocation Technical School, Committee Advisor for the Parents as Teacher Program, a Bantam League football coach, as well as many other church committees and the Finance Board at St. Gregory Barbarigo.

Paul began his career with USDA on April 18, 1977 working for the Farmers Home Administration. He was promoted to the position of County Supervisor in Nodaway County, and later advanced to the position of District Farm Loan Specialist within the Farmers Home Administration. Paul was selected as the District Director of that agency, and on April 30, 1995, Paul began his tenure supervising 22 rural counties in Northwest Missouri. Over the years, the agency has changed its name and refocused its mission, but Paul has remained constant as the leader and director of what is now known as Area 1 of USDA Rural Development.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Paul J. Wilmes, a remarkable citizen who exemplifies the qualities of dedication and service. While rural Missouri will miss his leadership, experience, and knowledge, I will still have the great honor of representing Paul in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jesse West of Weston, 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 249, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Jesse achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on August 4, 2004.

Jesse has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years that Jesse 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 project, Jesse designed and landscaped a ``Welcome to Weston'' sign at the edge of the school property.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jesse West 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 Hill of Weston, 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 249, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Jared achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on February 10, 2005.

Jared has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years that Jared 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 project, Jared organized the placement of park benches, tables, parking, and landscaping at Weston Bend State Park.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jared Hill 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 Arthur H. Schnuck of Cooper County, Missouri. Mr. Schnuck will soon celebrate his 97th birthday.

Arthur H. Schnuck was born on June 22, 1908 on the Schnuck Century Farm known as the ``Walnut Range Stock Farm'' to Henry E. Schnuck and Ida Vieth Schnuck. The Walnut Range Stock Farm is located in Cooper County, just east of Boonville in Saline Township.

Mr. Schnuck's early schooling took place at a one room school house at Highland. He attended Boonville High School, and after graduating in 1928, he went on to the University of Missouri. While at Mizzou, Mr. Schnuck competed on several judging teams. His main interests were grain farming and cattle. In 1952, Mr. Schnuck won a corn growing contest sponsored by a radio station in Kansas City; he won with 152 bushels of corn on a single acre in the senior division.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Arthur H. Schnuck of Cooper County, Missouri. Mr. Schnuck's livelong dedication to agriculture and his community is remarkable, and his accomplishments are commendable. It is an honor to represent him in the United States Congress. I offer him my warmest regards on this important milestone, and my best wishes for many more birthdays in the future.