Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Dalton M. Archer. Dalton 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 206, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Dalton has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Dalton 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, Dalton has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Dalton constructed a military honor board that will be a permanent fixture at Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri, to distinguish the graduates who have served or are currently serving in our nation's armed forces.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Dalton M. Archer 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 Henry Samuel Graves. Hank 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 714, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Hank has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Hank 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, Hank has become a Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say while also attending the National Youth Leadership Training, the 2013 National Boy Scout Jamboree and High Adventure at Philmont Scout Ranch. Hank has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Hank restored and documented the grave markers, some dating back to the 19th century, in a family cemetery outside of Edgerton, Missouri, that had been abandoned and neglected for years.

As Hank's uncle, I am proud of the young man he has become. As an Eagle Scout, I admire the determination he has shown in completing his path to Eagle.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Henry Samuel 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 Ian Fleming. Ian 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 1433, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Ian has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Ian 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, Ian has become a member of the Order of the Arrow and the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Ian has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Ian constructed and planted a water garden for visitors to enjoy in English Landing Park in Parkville, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ian Fleming 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 Terence W. McGarvey, IV. Terry 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 404, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Terry has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Terry 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, Terry has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Terry removed an invasive species, the Autumn Olive, from a three acre parcel of land in Thousand Hills State Park outside of Kirksville, Missouri, for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Terence W. McGarvey, IV, 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 Nolan Bright. Nolan 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 81, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Nolan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Nolan 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, Nolan has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Nolan Bright 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 Noah Welborn. Noah 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 360, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Noah has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Noah 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, Noah has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Noah built a fence around the community garden at Lillian Schumacher Elementary School in Liberty, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Noah Welborn 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 Tarkio First Baptist Church, which will commemorate the 125th anniversary of its founding in my hometown of Tarkio, Missouri on September 21st, 2014. Since 1889, the Tarkio First Baptist Church has served the community through its faith, fellowship and welcoming spirit.

From the first time they opened their doors until today, First Baptist has stood as a cornerstone of the Tarkio community. First Baptist has experienced wars and conflicts as well as times of peace and prosperity. It has served as a haven through many hardships of economic struggle and social change. Through droughts, floods, tornadoes, blizzards, as well as harvests both good and bad, this church has remained a constant source of comfort. It has served congregants by promoting faith in God, the Bible, prayer and the community itself.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing the Tarkio First Baptist Church. For 125 years, this church has supported Tarkio and its people come what may. It is truly an honor to serve this church and its congregation in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, November 12, I missed a rollcall vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on #516.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, September 15, I missed a rollcall vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on No. 497.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Captain Mary R. McCormick, a proud veteran of our United States Navy, on her retirement after 26 years of service.

After graduating first in her class as an Ensign in the JAG Corps Student Program from the Navy Justice School in 1988, Captain McCormick was released from active duty on June 30, 1992 and soon was affiliated with the Select Reserves. Captain McCormick has impeccable knowledge concerning military and civilian appellate criminal law. She has represented servicemembers from all military branches during her six- year civilian military appellate practice, and she has served five years as appellate counsel.

Captain McCormick served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado from October 1992 through June 1995 where she was lead appellate attorney. She was recalled to active duty from November 2010 through September 2013, to serve as Appellate Defense Counsel for Guantanamo detainees.

Captain McCormick was named Missouri's Elder Law Attorney of the Year for 2006 and she is author of the treatise Missouri Elder Law published annually by West/Thomson Reuters.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Captain Mary R. McCormick for her admirable service to our country as well as her passion for the law.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Matthew Barmann. 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 419, 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 Barmann 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 Alexander Lapp. 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 374, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Alex has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Alex 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, Alex has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Alex remodeled a loft at Liberty Christian Fellowship Church in Liberty, Missouri, repainting it and adding railings and other safety improvements as the church converts the loft from a space for teenage youth to a space for children to meet.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Alexander Lapp 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 Riley Tomlinson. Riley 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 419, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Riley has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Riley 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, Riley has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Riley Tomlinson 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 Takoda Lucker. Takoda 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 419, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Takoda has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Takoda 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, Takoda has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Takoda Lucker 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 Jamison Dunn. Jamison 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 1414, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jamison has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jamison 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, Jamison has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. After graduation, Jamison plans to continue a life of service by enlisting in the Armed Forces and serving our country.

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