Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Alexander Meyer Blackburn. Alexander 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 1393, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Alexander has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Alexander 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, Alexander has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Alexander built a fire pit for Heartland Presbyterian Center, a conference and retreat facility in Parkville, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Alexander Meyer Blackburn 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 Braedyn Hausdorf. Braedyn 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 174, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Braedyn has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Braedyn 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, Braedyn has led his troop as the Senior Patrol Leader and become a member of the Order of the Arrow. Braedyn has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Braedyn coordinated and constructed a quarter-mile walking trail within a park in Canton, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Braedyn Hausdorf 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 Pugh. Danny 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 177, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Danny has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Danny 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, Danny has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Danny cleaned and cleared a city lot near the town square in Bowling Green, Missouri, that had been abandoned for a decade.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Daniel Pugh 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 Missouri Arboretum at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, on their 20th anniversary of being recognized as the official Missouri Arboretum by the Missouri State Legislature.

Northwest Missouri State University's tradition of tree management extends back towards the earliest days of the school. Groundskeepers brought a mixture of beauty and shade to the campus by mixing tree species, which continues to this day with over 125 different species and more than 1,300 trees on campus. This commitment to biodiversity and care for the trees earned the Arboretum the 2000 Communitree Award from the Missouri Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council and the Missouri Department of Conservation. The City of Maryville has also maintained an active Community Forestry program and earned the designation as a Tree City USA in 1998.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me, along with the great State of Missouri, in recognizing the Missouri Arboretum at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, on their 20th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who is being posthumously inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians on April 16th.

Dr. A.T. Still is best known for his work with osteopathic medicine. Dr. Still traveled throughout Northern Missouri to spread his drugless, manipulative medicine that was officially named ``osteopathy'' in 1885. Finding he had more patients than he could handle, Dr. Still founded the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri in 1892. It was estimated that on any given day, over 400 people would travel to Kirksville to be treated.

While Dr. A.T. Still may be known as the father of the osteopathic profession, this is not his only accomplishment. Dr. Still was deeply embroiled in the fight over whether Kansas would be admitted to the Union as a slave State or free State, helping it be admitted to the Union as the latter. Dr. Still also fought in the Civil War, serving as a hospital steward. His outfit helped repel the Confederate forces advancing on Kansas City. Also, with his medical school and practice firmly established, Dr. Still was able to focus on mechanical inventions. He patented an improved butter churn, a smokeless furnace, and many other machines.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me, along with the great State of Missouri, in celebrating the life of Dr. Andrew Taylor Still as we induct him into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Troy Spring. Troy 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.

Troy has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Troy 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, Troy has earned the rank of Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, become a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and led his troop as the Patrol Leader. Troy has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Troy led a team in removing and replacing more than 300 feet of fencing at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. The fenced area houses a Cars Ministry facility, which provides basic car maintenance for single mothers and low-income families.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Troy Spring 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 Spencer Daugherty. Spencer 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.

Spencer has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Spencer 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, Spencer has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Spencer installed landscaping for the Northland Therapeutic Riding Center in Holt, Missouri, which provides equine activities for people with special needs of all ages and abilities.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Spencer Daugherty 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 Donald Allen Kandlbinder. Donald 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.

Donald has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Donald 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, Donald has earned the rank of Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, become a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and led his troop as the Quartermaster. Donald has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Donald cleaned and stained a wooden pathway and eight wooden benches in the outdoor recess area at Liberty Early Childhood Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Donald also led his troop in building 28 plexiglass iPad easels for the preschool center.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Donald Allen Kandlbinder 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 Gordon Philip. 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 360, 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 earned the rank of Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Hank has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Hank built three hardwood benches that were placed in the vestibule of the Church of the Annunciation in Kearney, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Henry Gordon Philip 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 Behee. 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 1138, 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. Kaleb built a set of heavy-duty tables for the Blue Springs High School Golden Regiment Marching Band in Blue Springs, Missouri.

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

Mr. Chair, on Friday, April 4, I missed a rollcall vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on No. 160.

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Cicilline

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, April 1, I missed 3 rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on Nos. 149 and 151, and ``yea'' on No. 150.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Byron Meador. Byron 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 135, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Byron has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Byron 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, Byron has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Byron constructed a set of stairs to the outdoor classroom at Hawthorne Elementary School in Kearney, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Byron Meador 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 Theo Rogers. Theo 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 125, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Theo has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Theo 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, Theo has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Theo built fire pits for a church camp in Far West, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Theo Rogers 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 Sid Reyes. Sid 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 135, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Sid has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Sid 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, Sid has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Sid completed necessary maintenance on the outdoor classroom at Hawthorne Elementary School in Kearney, Missouri.

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