Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Justin Reynolds of Independence, 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 82, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Justin Reynolds 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 Saturday, November 20, 2004, I was unavoidably detained and thus missed rollcall votes Nos. 541 and 542. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 541, H.R. 5382, the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act; and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 542, H.R. 4818, the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Brad Knipp of Blue Springs, 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, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Brad Knipp 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 Eric Shupe of Independence, 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 82, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Eric Shupe 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 today to recognize two outstanding constituents of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District: Jeff and Rachel Lance. Jeff and Rachel will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on December 1, 2004.

Jeff and Rachel first met in the spring of 1979, when Rachel was working in a grocery store bakery that Jeff frequented. They soon fell in love, and were married December 1, 1979. On May 11, 1983 the Lance family grew as Jeff and Rachel welcomed their son Joshua into the family. Their daughter Kristen followed to complete the family on July 28, 1989. Today, Joshua is a senior at the University of Missouri- Kansas City and will graduate with a business degree next year and Kristen is a sophomore at Liberty High School. The Lance family has regularly attended Pleasant Valley Baptist Church since the early 1990s, and I know Joshua and Kristen feel fortunate to be raised in a Christian home by such fine parents.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in commending Jeff and Rachel Lance on their 25th wedding anniversary. Jeff and Rachel truly exemplify the qualities of commitment and dedication, and I am honored to call them my constituents and represent them in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nicholas John Ropchock of Blue Springs, 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 603, 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 the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Nicholas John Ropchock 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 Ann Schlueter, a dedicated member of my congressional staff who will be leaving my office on November 30, 2004. Her work ethic, professionalism, and dedication to Missouri's Sixth Congressional District will be sadly missed. I consider myself fortunate though, because Ann will soon start a new career as Atchison County Economic Developer, which means that my home county will continue to benefit from her expertise and commitment to service.

Ann has been affiliated with my office for over three years now, and has held just about every position available. She began her service as an intern in my Liberty, Missouri district office in 2001, and since then has held the positions of caseworker, scheduler, and field representative among others. In January of 2003,

she began working in my Saint Joseph, Missouri district office and I know her colleagues there will miss her just as much as I will. While she excelled at every task, in my mind the highlight of Ann's tenure on my staff was her organization of the Tarkio Fly-In on June 5, 2004.

Ann has also excelled outside of the office. She is a graduate of Tarkio High School and the University of Missouri--Columbia. Ann and her husband Matt currently reside in my hometown of Tarkio with their son Aaron, who was born in 2003.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ann Schlueter for her many important contributions to myself, my staff, and Missouri's Sixth Congressional District. Ann exemplifies the qualities of dedication and service and I am extremely proud of her accomplishments. While she is leaving my congressional staff, I am proud that I will still be able to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nathan Olson, 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.

Nathan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities and earning 30 merit badges. Nathan is an Ordeal member in the Order of the Arrow Camping Honorary and is a Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Nathan supervised the pouring of a concrete slab foundation for the bleachers at St. James Catholic Church baseball field. In addition, he supervised the pouring of two additional slabs for players and coaches to stand behind the backstop.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Nathan Olson 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 Geoffrey Kudlacz, 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 180, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Geoffrey Kudlacz 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 Spencer Cope, 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 180, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Spencer Cope 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 Lukas Johnson, 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 180, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Lukas Johnson 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. Dan Colgan, Saint Joseph School District Superintendent of Schools. Last Friday, October 8, 2004, Dr. Colgan received the Russell C. Hill Award at the 2004 Learning for Life Conference in Florida. The Russell C. Hill Award is the highest recognition for individuals and organizations making outstanding contributions to character education at the local, State, or national level. The award itself is named after Russell Clinton Hill, a Texas businessman who dedicated himself to the cause of character education.

Learning for Life supports schools and other youth-oriented organizations that strive to prepare young people to take on the complex issues that face our society and nation today. Learning for Life is such a successful program, because it encourages self- confidence, motivation, self-worth, and other positive personal values. A big part of the program's success in the Saint Joseph area is due to the participation of Dr. Colgan and his colleagues on the Pony Express Council of the Boy Scouts of America, a dedicated group of citizens committed to the principles of character development.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Dr. Dan Colgan, recipient of the Russell C. Hill Award. Dr. Colgan truly exemplifies the qualities of dedication and service to northwest Missouri, and I am honored to call him one of my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Matthew Scott A. Gallamore of Pleasant Valley, 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, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Matthew became an Eagle Scout on August 5, 2004 and he will be recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor in November 2004.

Matthew has been very active with his troop by participating in many Scout activities, earning over 40 merit badges, and serving in a variety of leadership positions. At age 9, Matthew joined the Cub Scouts. He advanced from Cubs to Webelos and then crossed over into the Boy Scouts at age 11, achieving the rank of Arrow of Light. Now 17, Matthew is described by his parents, peers, and community as exemplifying the qualities of citizenship: he is loyal, helpful, trustworthy, thrifty, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, brave, clean, and reverent.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Matthew Scott A. Gallamore 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 Robert Hill, 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. Robert achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on April 7, 2004 and will be recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor this November.

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 the respect of his family, peers, and community.

For his Eagle Scout Project, Robert organized a the clean up and repair of a facility used by law enforcement officers for training exercises at Weston Bend State Park.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Robert 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 the Liberty Safe School Task Force. The Liberty Safe School Task Force is a group of about 35 dedicated citizens, who work closely with the United States Attorney's Office, the Kansas City office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Liberty Police Department, the Missouri State Patrol, and Liberty Hospital to increase public awareness of the important issues facing our children today. One example of a successful past initiative organized by the Task Force was the ``Buckle Up'' campaign, which encouraged safety belt use. Without the Task Force, ``Buckle Up'' and countless other lasting and effective child safety oriented community initiatives would have been impossible.

The success of the Liberty Safe School Task Force has been so dramatic, that the program is now being used as a model for other schools. I am confident that thanks to the Safe School Task Force, Liberty's children will be better prepared to address difficult and complex issues as the future leaders of our communities, state, and nation.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in congratulating the Liberty Safe School Task Force. This group of fine citizens has demonstrated a truly outstanding commitment to the safety of Liberty's children, and I am proud to call them constituents of Missouri's Sixth District.