Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Austin Van Black. Austin 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.

Austin has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Austin has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned 121 merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Austin has led his troop as Senior Patrol Leader, attended the 2010 National Jamboree and 2011 World Jamboree in Sweden and earned the rank of Warrior in the Tribe Mic-O-Say and became a member of the Order of the Arrow. Austin has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Austin completed 137 service hours for Hillcrest Transitional Housing, a homeless transition and education ministry, in Liberty, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Austin Van Black 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 Jordan Paul Nazario. Jordan 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.

Jordan has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Jordan 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, Jordan has led his troop in various positions including Patrol Leader and Quartermaster. Jordan has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Jordan built a shed for his church's garden ministry, allowing the church to safely store hoses, wheelbarrows and other necessary garden equipment.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jordan Paul Nazario 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 Ben C. Mays. Ben 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.

Ben has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Ben 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, Ben has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Ben erected a 25-foot flagpole on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church of Liberty, Missouri, to honor the veterans of the United States military.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ben C. Mays 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 Nils Haugen. Nils 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.

Nils has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Nils 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, Nils has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Nils built two picnic tables and two benches at the Northland Therapeutic Riding Center in Holt, Missouri, which provides equine-based therapy for people with special needs.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Nils Haugen 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 Dayton R. Zirkle. Dayton 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 216, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Dayton has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Dayton has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned 68 merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Dayton has led his troop as Senior Patrol Leader and earned the rank of Tom-Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Dayton has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Dayton built a migration tower and nesting habitat for the Chimney Swift at Helen Davis School in St. Joseph, Missouri, providing much-needed habitat for a bird population in need of support.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Dayton R. Zirkle 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 Austin Lee Cable. Austin 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 376, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Austin has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Austin 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, Austin led his troop as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, became an Ordeal Member of the Order of the Arrow and earned the rank of Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Austin has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Austin designed and supervised the construction of an outdoor seating area at Harmony Vineyard Church in Kansas City, Missouri, complete with a cedar pergola, two cedar benches and finished with Missouri River Rock landscaping.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Austin Lee Cable 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 Hunter Samuel Bentch. Hunter 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 376, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Hunter has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Hunter 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, Hunter led his troop as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and attended the Colorado and Philmont High Adventure Camps. Hunter has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Hunter designed and constructed a five-foot high, 46-foot long, fence along a section of the Trail of Heroes at the Kansas City Missouri Police Academy where the trail had a sharp drop-off.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Hunter Samuel Bentch 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 Troy Iske. 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 138, 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 contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Troy led a team in refurbishing and painting benches and cleaning the shooting ranges at the Pigeon Hill Conservation Area in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Troy Iske 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, March 19, I missed 3 rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on #79, 80, and 81.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a rollcall vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on No. 82.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Samuel Daly. Samuel 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 601, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Samuel Daly 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 Tulipana. 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 601, 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.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending John Tulipana 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 Jackson Ismert. Jackson 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 601, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jackson Ismert 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 Joseph Parisi. Joseph 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 601, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Joseph Parisi 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 Gordon. Thomas 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 601, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

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