Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Charles Andrew Bishop, 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.

Charles has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the five years Charles has been involved with scouting, he has earned 31 merit badges and has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, and Den Chief. Charles is also a Tom-Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Charles built a hiking path at the Parkville Nature Sanctuary in Parkville, Missouri. The bridge will create an elevated walking platform that will not spoil the natural landscape.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Charles Andrew Bishop 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 Stephen Older, 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.

Stephen has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the six years Stephen has been involved with scouting, he has earned 28 merit badges and has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. Stephen is also a Tom-Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Stephen designed, implemented, and installed a stone retaining wall at the Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church. He oversaw almost forty scouts and adults during the month long project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Stephen Older 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 Thomas M. Reedy, 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 175, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Thomas has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the seven years Thomas has been involved with scouting, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Troop- Patrol Leader and Instructor. Thomas is also a Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and participated in High Adventure.

For his Eagle Scout project, Thomas built, stained, and installed sturdy oak bunk ladders for the Rotary Camp in Lee's Summit, Missouri, where Thomas went on his first official campout as a Boy Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Thomas Reedy 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 Travis A. Luethje, 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 175, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Travis has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the eight years Travis has been involved with scouting, he has earned 29 merit badges and has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, and Chaplain Aid. Travis has also participated in High Adventure and is a Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Travis re-striped the parking lot of St. Peter United Methodist Church, including handicap spaces and new turning lanes.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Travis A. Luethje 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 Christopher Dodson, 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 376, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Chris has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Chris has been involved with scouting, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Chaplain's Aide, Librarian, Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. Chris is also a Brotherhood Member in the Order of the Arrow and a Tom-tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Chris served on staff at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation during the summer of 2003, and has earned a total of 33 merit badges.

For his Eagle Scout project, Chris lead a group of Boy Scouts on a work project at the New Hope Retreat Center in Holt, Missouri. For the project, they built two fences around dumpsters, cleared land around the entrance to the camp, leveled out the area, and replanted flowers and shrubs.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Christopher Dodson 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 Matthew Fish, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Royal Rangers of Northern Missouri and in earning the most prestigious award, the Gold Medal of Achievement.

Matthew has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the 10 years Matthew has been involved with the Rangers, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Patrol Guide and Senior Patrol Guide. He also was involved in Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship, Fine Arts Youth Department, and elected as National Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Matthew Fish for his accomplishments with the Royal Rangers and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Gold Medal of Achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Andrew Stafford, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Royal Rangers of Northern Missouri and in earning the most prestigious award, the Gold Medal of Achievement.

Andrew has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the 11 years Andrew has been involved with the Rangers, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Patrol Guide and Senior Patrol Guide. He also was involved in Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship and Fine Arts Youth Department.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew Stafford for his accomplishments with the Royal Rangers and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Gold Medal of Achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jason Brewer, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Royal Rangers of Northern Missouri and in earning the most prestigious award, the Gold Medal of Achievement.

Jason has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the eleven years Jason has been involved with the Rangers, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Patrol Guide and Senior Patrol Guide. He also was involved in Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jason Brewer for his accomplishments with the Royal Rangers and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Gold Medal of Achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Karl Cullen, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Royal Rangers of Northern Missouri and in earning the most prestigious award, the Gold Medal of Achievement.

Karl has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the 10 years Karl has been involved with the Rangers, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Patrol Guide and Senior Patrol Guide. He also was involved in Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship and Fine Arts Department Youth at the National Level.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Karl Cullen for his accomplishments with the Royal Rangers and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Gold Medal of Achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Michael Kinchelo, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Royal Rangers of Northern Missouri and in earning the most prestigious award, the Gold Medal of Achievement.

Michael has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the eleven years Michael has been involved with the Rangers, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Patrol Guide and Senior Patrol Guide. He also was involved in Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Michael Kinchelo for his accomplishments with the Royal Rangers and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Gold Medal of Achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of President Bush, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and our country's efforts to bring peace and stability to Iraq. I also rise in support of the Pence amendment. This amendment would ensure that we will recoup some of our investment as we work to stabilize Iraq's future.

We supplied our troops with the tools they needed to free Iraq from the Hussein regime. Now we must supply our troops with the tools they need to complete the Iraqi reconstruction and return home. Iraq is in the middle of an international terrorism hotbed. If we fail to support our troops and their efforts, Iraq may regress, and the sacrifice would be for naught. I cannot, and will not, let this happen. Our troops have fought too hard to liberate Iraq.

Just as our troops make sacrifices for a successful Iraqi government and secure Iraqi economy so must we, the American taxpayers, make a financial sacrifice to invest in the future of a free Iraq. A stable Iraq strengthens the safety of our own homeland, and this security is worth the price. This investment is an investment in the future of democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Michael Richards, 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 412, 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 9 years Michael has been involved with scouting, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Troop- Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, librarian, and Troop Guide. Michael is also a Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow where he is a Brotherhood member.

For his Eagle Scout project, Michael built picnic tables and hitching posts for two rest areas on the horse and hiking trail around Smithville Lake. His project will be enjoyed by many visitors and horseback riders.

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

Offered By: Mr. Graves

Amendment No. 38: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Grant Stanley, 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 354, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Grant has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the nine years Grant has been involved with scouting, he has held numerous leadership positions, serving as Troop- Patrol Leader, Bugler, Assistant Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. Grant is also a Brave in the Tribe of Mic-o-Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Grant built a practice pitching mound at the A.J. Wilson Sports Complex in Kansas City North. This involved negotiations with the head of the sports complex, obtaining donations of materials from several sources, drawing up the plans, materials list, project plan, soliciting leaders and boys to help, and supervising the construction. This mound will be used by many baseball teams during practices and games.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Grant Stanley 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 today to urge the Small Business Committee to continue working to restore the eligibility for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants to venture backed biotechnology start-up companies. Under the SBIR program, a specific percentage of all Federal research and development grant monies are reserved for small business applicants. These funds provide critical ``seed'' money to new business innovators.

However, recent changes in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) interpretation of eligibility standards for SBIR grants now disqualify many start-up biotechnology companies with venture capital backing. Specifically, SBA regulations require that, in order to be eligible for a grant, a small company must be at least 51 percent owned by one or more individuals. Recently, the SBA has interpreted ``individuals'' to mean only natural persons, resulting in the disqualification of companies with venture capital backing from the SBIR program.

Home to a burgeoning biotech industry, Missouri relies on the SBIR program to fund early-stage companies. In addition, venture capital plays a vital role in the financial support of the very companies the SBIR program has been designed to benefit. However, this interpretation will prevent the most innovative small biotech companies in Missouri from participating in SBIR grant programs, resulting in an adverse impact on the industry as well as the economy.

Clearly, this new interpretation threatens an important funding source for Missouri's start-up biotech companies. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge the Small Business Committee to restore the eligibility for SBIR grants to venture backed biotechnology start-up companies so Missourians can take the first steps in this new century to secure a sustainable and beneficial future in the biotechnology industry.