Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 8, 2004, I was unavoidably detained and thus missed Rollcall No. 229 and No. 230. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 229, expressing the profound regret and sorrow of the House of Representatives on the death of Ronald Wilson Reagan, former President of the United States of America, and ``nay'' on Rollcall No. 230, on approving the journal.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise with my friends and colleagues today to pay tribute to a man who inspired a Nation and a generation. His America was a strong Nation, where opportunities were limitless.

His list of accomplishments is long and distinguished. He won the Cold War, he brought back our confidence, he cut taxes and grew the economy. He was an outstanding leader throughout the world.

I did not have the pleasure of knowing President Reagan personally; but like millions of Americans, I marveled at his abilities. He comforted us after the Challenger disaster, he stood tall against communism, and he made it morning again in America.

Ronald Reagan's enduring legacy, though, will be that he was a people's President. His concern for every American was genuine. He spoke with a twinkle in his eye and always had a story that illustrated his point perfectly. He was for us, because he was one of us.

America will soon say goodbye to one of our greatest Presidents. Mr. Speaker, his courage, humor, and grace will be missed by all of America. The shining city on the hill will continue, but for now with a heavy heart.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 857.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today still afraid for our Nation's security. Not because of terror alerts, but because our borders remain porous. The enforcement of our immigration policy is impotent, resulting in a continued flood of illegal immigrants across our borders.

It is time for the federal government to stop letting unchecked mass immigration undermine the wages, safety, and benefits in one occupation after another. It is time for the federal government to moderate immigration and to treat American workers, citizen and immigrant, with the respect they deserve.

Our constituents did not elect us to help cheapen the quality of their lives by importing foreign workers at six to eight times the historical average. There is no getting around the fact that when we cheapen labor with unchecked illegal immigration, we cheapen our neighbors, both citizens and immigrants alike.

If we moderate immigration in the context of an historical average, we will remain the most open society in the world, and begin to halt America's slide from a middle class, to a poverty class, society.

I call on my colleagues to join me in working to reform our immigration policies and to halt the cheapening of America's citizen and immigrant workers. Without real immigration reform, our borders will not be safe and our citizens will be at risk.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Alex Stephen Eckard, son of Stephen and Linda Eckard of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Alex 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 45, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Alex has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the eight years Alex has been involved with scouting, he has earned 51 merit badges and 21 special scouting honors. Alex has participated in such major scouting activities as a Venture Trip to Quetico, Canada, New York, the Bimini Islands, Durango, Colorado, and a Junior Leadership Camp where he served on staff.

Alex helped preserve natural, botanical, and historic Saint Joseph, Missouri for his Eagle Scout project. In conjunction with Mount Mora Cemetery, Alex located, mapped, photographed, and identified all bushes and shrubs in the cemetery. Mount Mora has been working to produce a brochure detailing all trees, shrubs, and bushes in the cemetery.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Alex Stephen Eckard 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 Major General Roger E. Combs, former Assistant Adjutant General/Air of the Missouri National Guard, Deputy Commander of the Missouri Joint Forces Headquarters, and Air National Guard Assistant to Commander, First Air Force, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Major General Combs was recently promoted and re-assigned to a most prestigious position as Director, J-5, at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, DC.

The General has been a member of the armed services since 1968 when he attended Officer Candidate School in the United States Marine Corps. Having served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, he is an aircraft commander and has earned ratings as a Naval Aviator and Senior Army Aviator even though he holds no United States Air Force rating. General Combs is nationally recognized for his expertise in long range and strategic planning and is a former member of the ANG Director's Committee of Advisors serving on two committees at the national level. In 2002, he was appointed to the Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee. Major General Combs is a former member of the 139th Airlift Wing located in St. Joseph, MO.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending the career as well as the future of Major General Roger E. Combs, who exemplifies stellar qualities of dedication and service to Northwest Missouri and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Greg Grounds, Mayor of Blue Springs, Missouri from 1990 through April 2004 and former Alderman of Ward 1. Greg's community involvement has always been extensive whether it be in public office or in volunteer work. In the past, he has served in such capacities as the Mid-America Regional Council Board of Directors, Chairman of the Jackson County Suburban Mayors Association, and worked with the National League of Cities' Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Policy Committee. Greg is also a past Co-Chair and Member of the Eastern Jackson County Betterment Council and a past President of the West Gate Division of the Missouri Municipal League.

Greg's efforts as Mayor and Alderman contributed heavily to the development and successful growth of Blue Springs over the past fifteen years. Greg has helped lead many important projects such as the development of the Adams Dairy Corridor that included the construction of the Adams Pointe Golf Club and the Adams Pointe Conference Center, construction of several new parks and recreation facilities for the community including Wilbur Young Park, the Hidden Valley Park Sports Complex, and Vesper Hall, and residential and commercial development valued in excess of $310 and $140 million respectively. In addition, his leadership resulted in the addition of 980,000 square feet of new retail space and the annexation of 2,000 acres in south Blue Springs for which Greg helped to develop a South Annexation Plan in preparation for its future growth.

Greg is a fine asset to the city of Blue Springs and the entire Sixth District of Missouri. Through his rich career in community, volunteer and public service, he is the epitome of an ideal citizen. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending the career, as well as the future of Greg Grounds, who exemplifies stellar qualities of dedication and service to Northwest Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jared Saleski, son of Paul and Elizabeth Saleski, a fine young man who has exemplified the optimum qualities of citizenship and leadership by actively participating in the Boy Scouts of America and earning the most prestigious award, the Eagle Scout. He is scheduled for his Eagle Court of Honor on May 25, 2004.

Jared has been very active with his troop from the age of six, participating in many Scout activities. In that time, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Patrol Leader, Den Chief, Troop Guide, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He progressed through the rank of Tenderfoot Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life. Jared has earned forty-one merit badges in his career with the Boy Scouts. Besides these achievements, he has earned the religious emblems presented from the Catholic Church of Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius VI. Jared is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, Chapter Seven and a Fire-Starter member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He has attended camp at Camp Naish and six sessions at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in Osceola, Missouri, as well as a Packard High Adventure Camp in Salida, Colorado. Jared's Eagle Scout Project was to construct a concrete driving slab for the barn at the Immacolata Manor Home for women in Liberty, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jared Paul Saleski 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 Nathaniel Stitt, 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 333, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Nathaniel has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities and earning numerous merit badges. He has held such leadership positions as Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. Nathaniel has also been on staff at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation for the past four years. For his Eagle Scout project, Nathaniel built drying racks for the Volunteer Fire Department at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Nathaniel Stitt 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 Adlard, son of Mark and Laura Adlard, 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 846, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Eric has been very active with his troop, participating in numerous scout activities. Over the years Eric has been involved with scouting, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Troop Historian, Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. Eric holds such special scouting honors as Arrow of Light, Faith in God, On My Honor, Order of the Arrow, Foxman in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and World Conservation Award. Eric holds twenty-six merit badges.

For his Eagle Scout project, Eric built three concrete pads for the baseball bleachers at Cecil Baker Memorial Field in Buckner, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Eric Damon Adlard 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 James Parker Southworth, 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 135, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

James has been very active with his troop for the past seven years, participating in numerous Scout activities. Over the years James has been involved with scouting, he has held numerous leadership positions such as Patrol and Senior Patrol Leader, five-year camper at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, and Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He has also earned thirty Merit Badges. For his Eagle Scout project, James organized a project to teach tree pruning techniques to other Scouts and Leaders and then pruned the trees around the four mile walking trail in Kearney, Missouri.

James will be serving the United States of America by enlisting in the Marine Corps and will be leaving by the end of this month for his induction.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending James Parker Southworth 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 Seth Thomas Johnsen, 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 135, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Brian has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the 4 years Brian has been involved with Scouting, he has earned 26 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Patrol and Senior Patrol Leader, 4-year camper at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, and as a Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O- Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Tommy organized the Scouts and Leaders into teams for the purpose of cleaning and painting fire hydrants in the City of Kearney to the color of safety yellow.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Seth Thomas Johnsen 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 Justin Myers, 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 320, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Justin has been very active with his troop by participating in many Scout activities, earning numerous merit badges, and serving in a variety of leadership positions. He has held such positions as Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader, as well as Troup Guide. Justin has attended camp at Saukenauk Scout Reservation as well as Camp Maumee and Polar Bear Camp. He has also attended a High Adventure in Elk Horn, Colorado and a National High Adventure in the Northern Tier Bissett. Justin's dedication is quite impressive as he has been a member of four separate Councils through his career in the Scouts. For his Eagle Scout project, Justin organized the materials for him and his fellow Scouts to construct a safe and enjoyable playground area for the children of the Clay County Christian Church.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Justin Myers 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 G. Anderson, 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 1024, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Eric has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities and earning a number of merit badges. For his Eagle Scout project, Eric built a one-hundred fifty-foot vinyl fence at the Earnest Shepard Center in Liberty, Missouri. Eric will be graduating from Liberty High School this month and will begin his college career next fall at the Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Eric G. Anderson 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 Ms. Brittany Sanders of Kansas

City, Missouri. Ms. Sanders has been named one of the two top youth volunteers in Missouri for 2004 in the ninth annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. This is an extraordinary honor; more than 20,000 young people across the country were considered for recognition this year. The Prudential Spirit of Community Award was designed to emphasize the importance our Nation places on service to others, and to encourage young Americans of all backgrounds to contribute to their communities.

Brittany was nominated by St. Charles. Borromeo Parish School in Oakview, Missouri. As a seventh grader at St. Charles Borromeo Parish School, she organized a youth service club in honor of her best friend who died from brain cancer. Brittany began with small projects on her own, donating her birthday and Christmas gifts to sick children, cleaning up her block, collecting canned goods for a food pantry, and volunteering. ``Kristin's Kids Club'' has grown from 10 to 400 members, and has undertaken a wide range of community service projects.

Brittany developed a newsletter and Web site to support the club's activities, and is now spending a lot of time and effort starting similar groups in other cities and States. She has raised thousands of dollars for a variety of causes, such as the poor children of Afghanistan.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending this exemplary young lady for her dedication to community. Brittany is an outstanding role model and an exceptionally fine asset to the Sixth District of Missouri. I am proud of her and wish her well in any future endeavor she chooses.