Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support and as a cosponsor of H. Res. 1401, a resolution recognizing the important contributions of air traffic controllers in maintaining a safe and efficient aviation and airspace system.

Today we are honoring men and women who dedicate their professional lives to improve aviation safety and protect the traveling public. Air traffic controllers must perform their mission with perfection because mistakes put lives at risk. I think they do an outstanding job.

In particular, I would like to recognize Ms. Jessica Hermsdorfer at the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Terminal Radar Approach Control facility. On November 14, 2009, Ms. Hermsdorfer calmly helped guide back to the airport an aircraft that had hit multiple birds and experienced engine trouble, directing other aircraft out of the way and assisting the stricken flight to land safely. Her quick actions helped save the lives of the more than one-hundred passengers on board the aircraft.

As a Member of Congress and as a pilot, I am proud to honor and recognize the outstanding work of Ms. Hermsdorfer and all of our air traffic controllers across the nation. They truly provide a valuable public safety service.

Again, I rise in support of H. Res. 1401 and urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Richard J. Wilding. Richard will be retiring July 31 after 19 years on the Mid-Continent Public Library Board of Directors.

Richard has served as Director of Libraries for the past four years, providing the leadership and vision that has provided the Kansas City area with a fiscally sound library program and expanded the Mid- Continent Public Library system into the largest in the State of Missouri. Richard has also taken an active part in the construction and renovation of libraries throughout Clay, Jackson and Platte Counties throughout his many years serving as Business Manager, Assistant Director and Director of Libraries.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Richard J. Wilding for his accomplishments with the Mid-Continent Public Library System and in wishing him the best of luck in the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Leighton Stuart. Leighton 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 395, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Christopher Baker. 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 395, 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 contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project and earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Zachary Aulgur. Zachary 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 395, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nathan Schlaud. Nathan 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 395, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

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

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize the outstanding service of Mr. S. Preston Williams of North Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Williams has been awarded the Alexander Doniphan Community Service Award for carrying on Doniphan's legacy through a lifetime of service in the areas of military, law, conservation, and community involvement.

Mr. Williams proudly served our country in the United States Marine Corps during World War I. He served with the 3rd Marine Division in the South Pacific, seeing action in Bougainville, Guadalcanal, and Guam. Following his return to the United States, Mr. Williams continued to serve his country as an instructor at Camp Pendleton. He was released from service in December of 1945.

Mr. Williams is a distinguished leader in the legal profession. He is a former Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Clay County and served as Assistant Attorney General under Missouri Governor John Dalton. He strongly supports the development of the legal profession through his membership in several Bar Associations. In 1998, he served as president of the Clay County Bar and in 1999, he was honored as Dean of the Bar by the Missouri Bar Association.

Mr. Williams is also involved in the conservation of wildlife. He is an avid member of Ducks Unlimited and served in leadership roles from 1979 until 1986. In February of this year, Ducks Unlimited named Mr. Williams the first recipient of the S. Preston Williams Conservation Award.

Mr. Williams is a strong figure in his local community. He has served as councilman in North Kansas City and has been president of the North Kansas City Historical Society. He received the North Kansas City High School Alumni Hall of Fame award in 2004. He has also served as a member of the Mayor's Corps of Progress and the Law Alumni Board of the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in applauding Mr. S. Preston Williams for his selfless acts of generosity through volunteerism. I know Mr. Williams's colleagues, family, and friends join with me in thanking him for his commitment to others and wishing him happiness and good health in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Daren Woodward. Daren 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 1137, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Daren has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Daren 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, Daren has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Daren collected materials and renovated a fence for the City of North Kansas City, Missouri.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Garrett Hull. Garrett is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Civil Air Patrol and earning the most prestigious General Billy Mitchell Award.

Garrett has been very active with his patrol, participating in many activities. Over the many years Garrett has been involved with the patrol, he has not only earned numerous decorations, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Garrett has earned the rank of First Sergeant and attended the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi. Garrett has also contributed to his community by commanding his unit's color guard.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Garrett Hull for his accomplishments with the Civil Air Patrol and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of the Mitchell Award.

Mr. Speaker, everyone agrees it's critical to restructure the regulatory oversight of our Nation's financial sector to help prevent future crises. Unfortunately, not only does this conference report fail to achieve this most basic goal, it also creates harmful new hurdles for small businesses. As ranking member of the House Small Business Committee, I cannot support this legislation.

Some of my colleagues are quick to state publicly that small businesses are going to bring us out of this economic downturn, yet they turn their backs on small firms and promote policies that severely hinder their growth. Through this legislation, Congress is once again ignoring the voice of the entrepreneur.

The conference report includes a massive new government bureaucracy that supporters claim will protect consumers from overzealous sellers of credit. However, the breadth of the rulemaking authority is astounding and will likely affect millions of credit transactions between small businesses and their customers. Even if the new agency only controls credit offered by regulated financial institutions, the additional burdens will raise the cost of credit for small businesses.

Of further concern is the language in the current bill that makes commercial end users who hedge their exposure to risk susceptible to unnecessary margin requirements through the use of cash collateral. Forcing sophisticated end users to increase capital set-asides to cover margins will ultimately raise the cost of products purchased by small businesses. Given the state of the economy, raising the costs on small businesses is one of the worst things that can be done.

The adverse long-term consequences of this legislation is nothing short of startling. At a time when American small businesses need it most, this bill may seriously restrict their access to capital. Additionally, this legislation will negatively affect small business investment companies from allowing regulators to decide whether these institutions can obtain capital from banks.

In closing, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this ill-conceived conference report. If Congress expects small businesses to help turn around the economy, we have got to focus on developing legislation that helps them do just that.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Alexander Pyatt. Alexander is a very special young man who has proven the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by being selected to the People to People World Leadership Forum.

Since People to People International was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, the organization has been a leader in provide educational world tours. Acceptance into the World Leadership Forum demonstrates Alexander's academic excellence, community involvement, and leadership potential. This forum will help further provide Alexander the tools to become a leader for the next generation.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Alexander Pyatt for his acceptance into the People to People World Leadership Forum and for his efforts put forth in achieving this high distinction.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Martin Nevels. Martin is a very special young man who has proven the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by being selected to the People to People World Leadership Forum.

Since People to People International was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, the organization has been a leader in provide educational world tours. Acceptance into the World Leadership Forum demonstrates Martin's academic excellence, community involvement, and leadership potential. This forum will help further provide Martin the tools to become a leader for the next generation.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Martin Nevels for his acceptance into the People to People World Leadership Forum and for his efforts put forth in achieving this high distinction.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Daxon James Weaver. Daxon 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 401, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Daxon has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Daxon 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,

Daxon has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Daxon designed and constructed steps and handrails at his church to aid the older generations of his church to reach the pulpit to speak.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nancy J. Reed of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Nancy is active in the community and she has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Woman in Volunteerism.

Nancy is a truly outstanding individual and has been a volunteer and leader extraordinaire her entire life. She is respected for her leadership and passion for doing what is right for mankind. She broke ground in 1964 as a savvy political wife helping elect her husband to the Missouri House. She then participated in city, county, state and national elections. She was elected to the SJSD school board in 1976 and was president in 1980-1982. She served at a difficult time, closing four schools--including her own children's school. She has served for United Way, InterServ, the Planning and Zoning Committee, and the Francis Street United Methodist Church.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Nancy J. Reed. She has made an amazing impact on countless individuals in the St. Joseph Community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jennifer Soper of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Jennifer is active in the community through her work and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Emerging Leader.

As managing attorney for the local office of Legal Aid of Western Missouri, Jennifer leads the largest individual unit within the organization. She has dedicated her career to assisting the underprivileged and victims of abuse, and serves on several councils and committees that further the interests of the less fortunate and minority groups. Some of her accomplishments include developing educational brochures in multiple languages to inform clients of their rights and obligations, facilitating programs to disperse that information, teaching a course in family law, and recruiting interns.

Jennifer demonstrates excellence in her various roles as a volunteer. Her impact has been extensive, both to the individuals she is working to serve and to her co-workers whom she serves alongside.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Jennifer Soper. Her achievements and selfless acts of service have impacted countless individuals in and beyond the St. Joseph Community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.