Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to speak in support of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban. I support this legislation because I support life. I believe that life begins at conception and I will continue fighting to protect our unborn children.

Partial birth abortions are wrong. Under Federal law ``live birth'' occurs when a baby is expelled from the mother. During a partial birth abortion the baby is pulled out feet first until the head is the only part in the mother's body, then the baby is brutally murdered. Most partial birth abortions occur in the second trimester, when the child will actually gasp for air when removed from their mother.

As a father of three I support all pro-life measures. I understand how precious and beautiful life is, and I am dedicated to protect life at all stages of development. All children should be welcomed in life and protected by law, and as long as I am in a position to fight, I will continue to fight for life.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jared Kutz, a dedicated, loyal, funny, out-going and important member of my Liberty district office.

Jared has served in both my St. Joseph and Liberty offices for the last two years. As a constituent liaison he visited the northernmost counties of my district. His work keeping in touch with the people and the concerns of the sixth district was invaluable to me and my office.

Jared's easygoing style will be missed by my staff and all sixth district constituents who came in contact with him. Never in his tenure did he have a bad word to say about anyone. His outgoing and down to earth style ensured that he was never among strangers. He represents the very best of what a congressional staffer should be.

I know Jared very well from our many trips across the district together. He has worked long hours and sacrificed many of his own priorities to help do the work of the people of the sixth district. I am proud and grateful of the work he did and will miss him dearly.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jared Kutz for his many important contributions to me, Missouri's sixth district and the United States House of Representatives. I also ask that you join me in extending to him our very best wishes for continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Kimberly Sue Athie, a very special young woman who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership. She has been honored with the award of distinction as the first prize winner in the 2003 Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition for her paper ``Open Source Software Licenses: Tomorrow's Future? Are They Going to be Enforceable in Court?''

The competition is conducted to enhance interest in the impartial study and analysis of copyright and related laws and is sponsored by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

Kimberly graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in May 2003, and received her undergraduate degree from Truman State University. While attending law school, Kimberly established herself as a well-rounded student by serving as a Westlaw Student Representative, Editorial Associate for Urban Lawyer, Academic Enrichment Teaching Assistant, was a member of Phi Alpha Delta, and by making the Dean's List.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Kimberly Sue Athie for her many achievements and in wishing her the best of luck in her future.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jesse D. McCall, Jr., 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 692, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jesse has been very active with scouting, participating in many troop activities since starting in Boy Scouts in second grade. Jesse has earned 34 merit badges, and served as a scribe, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, tribesman, and a brave in the tribe of mic-o-say. He has also been involved in other activities, including student senate, youth group, sports, and band.

For his Eagle Scout project, Jesse painted 331 yellow striped lines and 8 handicap spaces for St. John La Lande Church parking lot.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jesse D. McCall, Jr. 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 Daniel Raymond Klco, 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 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Daniel has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the 13 years Daniel has been involved with Scouting, he has attended several camps, including Rota-Kiwan, Gerber, and D-BaR-A. Additionally, Daniel has held numerous leadership positions, serving as instructor, senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, scribe, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, and formed the position of webmaster. At the 2001 National Jamboree, he was appointed to the position of patrol leader and created the website for the Gerald R. Ford Council's Jamboree Expedition.

For his Eagle Scout project, Daniel designed and built two handicap access ramps for the shower house at Camp Shawnee, a Campfire USA Camp. These ramps will allow the camp to better facilitate disabled campers and allow the camp to become handicap certified through the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Daniel Raymond Klco 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 Mr. James Riley Titus Bond, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in national government.

Titus is a recent graduate of Rockhurst High School and will be continuing his education at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He has distinguished himself as an intern in my campaign office by serving the great people of the 6th District of Missouri. Through this internship, Titus has had the opportunity to observe firsthand the inner workings of National Government and campaign organization and has gained valuable insight into the process by which campaigns are run.

During his time as an intern in my office, Titus has successfully demonstrated his abilities in the performance of such duties as planning events, assisting in Lincoln Days, and assuming various other responsibilities to make the office run as smoothly as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Mr. James Riley Titus Bond for his many important contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives during the current session, as well as joining with me to extend to him our very best wishes for continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Megan Lefevour, a very dedicated and enthusiastic member of my Washington D.C. Congressional Staff.

Meg has served my office for nearly two years, as well as serving as an intern for the Speaker of the House Hastert. As a Staff Assistant, Systems Administrator, Legislative Correspondent, and Legislative Assistant, she has established a passion for working on the Hill. Meg holds dear the people she has worked with in her many roles as a Hill staffer.

I, and others, greatly value Meg's hard work and commitment. Constituents have grown to know her attention to detail, knowledge of many issues, and personal touch that should not go unrecognized. Her dedication to the Sixth District of Missouri has shown through over the past two years, which is evident by the appreciation of all she works with.

It is unfortunate for countless people that Meg will be leaving the Hill, as she has left her unique stamp on many. I, as well as my office, wish Meg the very best in her future career with education and wish her and Chris all the happiness in their life together.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Megan Lefevour for her many important contributions to myself, my staff, all those she has worked with on the Hill, and for all those she has served. She will be missed by many.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Daniel Tyler Griffen, 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 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Daniel has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the 10 years he has been involved in scouting, he has earned 31 merit badges. Additionally, Daniel has held numerous leadership positions in his troop, serving as Den Chief and Troop Guide. Daniel also has been honored for his numerous scouting achievements with such awards as the Arrow of Light Award and Fire Builder in the Tribe of Mic-o-say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Daniel led a group of teens and adults in the cataloguing of about 300 graves in the Little Shoal Cemetery. The catalogue was then donated to the Clay County Archives for the use by the general public.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Daniel Tyler Griffen 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 Wednesday, September 4, 2003, I was unavoidably delayed and thus missed rollcall votes Nos. 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, and 468. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on No. 463, ``yea'' on No. 464, ``yea'' on No. 465, ``nay'' on No. 466, ``nay'' on No. 467, and ``nay'' on No. 468.

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Mr. Houston Wales, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in national government.

Houston will be a freshman in the fall at the University of Missouri- Columbia and has distinguished himself as an intern in my Washington office by serving the great people of the 6th District of Missouri. Houston joined my staff for the 108th Congress as part of the House of Representatives intern program at the United States Capitol In Washington, D.C., a program designed to involve students in the legislative process through active participation. Through this program, Houston has had the opportunity to observe firsthand the inner workings of national government and has gained valuable insight into the process by which laws are made.

During his time as an intern in my office, Houston has successfully demonstrated his abilities in the performance of such duties as conducting research, helping with constituent services, and assuming various other responsibilities to make the office run as smoothly as possible. Houston has earned recognition as a valuable asset to the entire U.S. House of Representatives and my office through the application of his knowledge and skills acquired prior to his tenure as an intern and through a variety of new skills he has acquired while serving the people of Missouri and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Mr. Houston Wales for his many important contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives during the current session, as well as joining with me to extend to him our very best wishes for continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Ms. Stephanie McCray, a very special young woman who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in national government.

Stephanie is a senior public policy studies major and economics and religion minor at Duke University and has distinguished herself as an intern in my Washington office by serving the great people of the 6th district of Missouri. Stephanie joined my staff for the 108th Congress as part of the House of Representatives intern program at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., a program designed to involve students in the legislative process through active participation. Through this program, Stephanie has had the opportunity to observe firsthand the inner workings of national government and has gained valuable insight into the process by which laws are made.

During her time as an intern in my office, Stephanie has successfully demonstrated her abilities in the performance of such duties as conducting research, helping with constituent services, and assuming various other responsibilities to make the office run as smoothly as possible. Stephanie has earned recognition as a valuable asset to the entire U.S. House of Representatives and my office through the application of her knowledge and skills acquired

prior to her tenure as an intern and through a variety of new skills she has acquired while serving the people of missouri and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ms. Stephanie McCray for her many important contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives during the current session, as well as joining with me to extend to her our very best wishes for continued success and happiness in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Ms. Sarah Rice, a very special young woman who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in national government.

Sarah is a senior political science major at Northwest Missouri State University and has distinguished herself as an intern in my Washington office by serving the great people of the 6th District of Missouri. Sarah joined my staff for the 108th Congress as part of the House of Representatives intern program at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, a program designed to involve students in the legislative process through active participation. Through this program, Sarah has had the opportunity to observe firsthand the inner workings of national government and has gained valuable insight into the process by which laws are made.

During her time as an intern in my office, Sarah has successfully demonstrated her abilities in the performance of such duties as conducting research, helping with constituent services, and assuming various other responsibilities to make the office run as smoothly as possible. Sarah has earned recognition as a valuable asset to the entire U.S. House of Representatives and my office through the application of her knowledge and skills acquired prior to her tenure as an intern and through a variety of new skills she has acquired while serving the people of Missouri and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ms. Sarah Rice for her many important contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives during the current session, as well as joining with me to extend to her our very best wishes for continued success and happiness in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 426 I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Hefley

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

I rise in strong support of the King amendment. This is a very timely amendment as I held a small business hearing today in my subcommittee dealing with the Endangered Species Act and the problems arising from it.

When found in a recent court ruling, once again that ruling pushes common sense aside in favor of alleged endangered species headed toward extinction, and I refuse to sit by and watch

judges like those who wish to ban God from our Pledge of Allegiance push farmers and small businesses around. If we do nothing, we are soon going to be adding the American farmer to the list of endangered species.

This amendment inserts common sense where it is needed. Our courts act recklessly when they continue to place the concerns of animals and plants ahead of farmers and small businesses. I am taking the battle for common sense directly to the Endangered Species Act, and I welcome the gentleman from Iowa's (Mr. King) efforts to put common sense into the management of the Missouri River.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the life of Deputy Daniel James Percival. His life, though tragically cut short, was enriched by numerous accomplishments in his career, and a loving, caring family.

Daniel served the Elbert County Sheriff's Department with dignity and passion. He was a big guy, towering over most at 6'8'' tall with size 18 shoes and was fondly referred to as the ``gentle giant.'' He was recruited for a career with the NFL, however Daniel wanted a career where he could serve and protect people and this is a true testament to the type of person that he was. On October 31, 1996, Daniel was shot and killed in the line of duty, at the young age of 21.

Daniel is survived by his loving parents, James and Sharon, and his sister Erin. It is my hopes that his family will always remember how passionate he was about his job and how diligently he served the people of Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you help me in recognizing and remembering Deputy Daniel James Percival, his accomplished career, and the remarkable family he leaves behind. God bless them.