Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Christopher Michael Graves. Christopher 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 351, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Christopher has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Christopher has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Christopher has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Christopher Michael Graves 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 Jeffrey Ryan Reyna. Jeffrey 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 351, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jeffrey has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jeffrey has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Jeffrey has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jeffrey Ryan Reyna 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 Gary Michael Bruner. Gary 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 351, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Gary has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Gary has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Gary has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Gary Michael Bruner 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 Lawrence Knopp. Matthew 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 351, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Matthew has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Matthew has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Matthew has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Matthew Lawrence Knopp 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 Talan Lang. Talan 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 692, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Talan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Talan has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Talan has become a member of the Order of the Arrow and the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, while also serving his troop as Patrol Leader. Talan has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Talan picked up more than 100 bags of trash from the intersection of Interstate 70 and Adams Dairy Parkway in Blue Springs, Missouri. Talan also planted native grasses to beautify the intersection.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Talan Lang 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 Andrew Cunningham. Andrew 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 708, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Andrew has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Andrew has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Andrew has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew Cunningham 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 Logan Rodgers. Logan 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 708, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Logan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Logan has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Logan has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Logan Rodgers 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 Logan Garton. Logan 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 708, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Logan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Logan has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Logan has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Logan Garton 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 Dylan Lee Wisdom. Dylan 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 1900, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Dylan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Dylan has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Dylan has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Dylan Lee Wisdom 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 Andrew John Stockman. Andrew 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 394, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Andrew has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Andrew has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Andrew has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew John Stockman 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 a special member of my staff. After more than ten years of service, Melissa Joanne Roe will be leaving her post in my Kansas City District Office.

As a driven person and political leader in Jefferson City, Melissa began working in my District Office in 2004 and was immediately an important asset for my office. While with the office, she held many leadership roles and is ending her prominent career as my District Director. Melissa oversaw crucial issues such as transportation, river logistics and appropriations.

Melissa could be depended on to keep my offices running efficiently and represent me at meetings when I was away in Washington. Melissa has also been instrumental in helping the various towns in my district to grow and prosper through the dedication to the district. Through earmarks, she was able to successfully establish growing businesses, make roads safer and strengthen communities. Melissa was also tireless in making sure my offices worked together in serving the people of the Sixth Congressional District. Her outstanding work and immense knowledge is incomparable.

I have received many kind words from constituents praising the outstanding service Melissa has provided. Her professionalism and dedication to this office and my constituents was a great example of how government should work. She would often work nights and weekends, while time and again going beyond her job description, all without complaint. While I am losing a valuable member of my team, I am excited for Melissa to begin the next chapter of her life.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in thanking Melissa Joanne Roe for her many years of service to the people of the Sixth Congressional District. I know Melissa's colleagues, family and friends join with me in thanking her for her commitment to others and wishing her best of luck in all her endeavors and many years of success to come.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Andrew Lowell Crouse. Andrew 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 412, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Andrew has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Andrew has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Andrew has become a member of the Order of the Arrow and earned the rank of Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Andrew has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Andrew remodeled the Smithville Middle School Family and Consumer Science Room by repairing, building, and painting shelving for sewing machines.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in commending Andrew Lowell Crouse 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 John C. Manka. John 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 412, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

John has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years John has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, John has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. John worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to provide five additional handicap-accessible deer blinds for organized hunts at Smithville Lake.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in commending John C. Manka 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 Kaleb Wade Barber. Kaleb 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 249, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Kaleb has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Kaleb has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Kaleb has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in commending Kaleb Wade Barber 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 Tuesday, December 9, I missed a series of Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``NAY'' on #552 and ``YEA'' on #553.