Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Deklan Louis Kennedy of Blue Springs, Missouri. Deklan 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 1362, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Deklan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Deklan has been involved with scouting, he has not only 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 Deklan Louis Kennedy 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 Ellsworth Moore of Kansas City, Missouri. Garrett 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 1378, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Garrett has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Garrett has been involved with scouting, he has not only 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 Garrett Ellsworth Moore 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 Ernest Charles James Tarter of Blue Springs, Missouri. Ernest 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 1282, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Ernest has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Ernest has been involved with Scouting, he has not only 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 Ernest Charles James Tarter 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 Cody James Frizzell of Kansas City, Missouri. Cody 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 1354, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Cody has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Cody has been involved with Scouting, he has not only 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 Cody James Frizzell 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 Tyler Andrew Graef of Blue Springs, Missouri. Tyler 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 1362, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Tyler has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Tyler has been involved with Scouting, he has not only 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 Tyler Andrew Graef 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 Johnathan Shelby Stitt of Kansas City, Missouri. Johnathan 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 1333, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Johnathan has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Johnathan has been involved with Scouting, he has not only 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 Johnathan Shelby Stitt 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 Jackson Charles Leggett of Kansas City, Missouri. 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 1261, 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.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jackson Charles Leggett 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 Sean Charles Dobbins of Kansas City, Missouri. Sean 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 1271, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Sean has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Sean has been involved with Scouting, he has not only 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 Sean Charles Dobbins 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 Raymond Bukaty of Grain Valley, Missouri. 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 1332, 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 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 Raymond Bukaty 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 Matthew Aaron Gates of Platte City, Missouri. 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 1351, 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.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Matthew Aaron Gates 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 Joseph John McLain of Platte City, Missouri. 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 1351, 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.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Joseph John McLain 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 Pine View Manor for 30 years of service to the Stanberry community. This 70 bed not-for-profit home for the aging was connected for many years with the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society.

Pine View Manor has faithfully served this community since it's founding on September 17, 1978 after many years of planning by several business men, religious leaders and interested citizens.

Today, Pine View Manor is looking to the future by undergoing a renovation process that will provide an Assisted Living wing and is presently independently operated by a Board of Directors. Pine View Manor will hold a celebration on Sunday, September 28, 2008.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Pine View Manor and its 30 years of constant service. It is truly an honor to serve this fine organization in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Robert Pyatt, 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 31, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Robert has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Robert has shown an extraordinary commitment to Scouting as evidenced by earning over 30 merit badges. Robert is a recipient of Ad Altare Dei Religious Award Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic O' Say with his troop.

Robert's Eagle Scout service project consisted of constructing and installing Blue Bird houses at the Living Community Health Care Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. This project continues the long tradition of community service established by the Boy Scouts of America.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Robert Pyatt 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, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding appropriations I received as part of H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.

Requesting Member: Congressman Sam Graves.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

(1) Account: Procurement, Marine Corp.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: DTS Relia-Com Communications Systems.

Address of Requesting Entity: PO Box 8384, St. Joseph, MO 64508.

Description of Request: Missouri's Sixth District received an appropriation of $2,500,000 to improve communications for our armed forces. The project is fully funded by the appropriations acts providing funding to the Department of Defense.

(2) Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.

Address of Requesting Entity: Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, Independence, Missouri, in Jackson County.

Description of Request: Missouri's Sixth District received a $1,000,000 appropriation to test the performance of aluminum cartridges at the Lake City Ammunition Plant in Missouri. The project is fully funded by the appropriations acts providing funding to the Department of Defense.

(3) Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense Wide.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Inovatia Laboratories.

Address of Requesting Entity: 120 East Davis Street, Fayette, MO 65248.

Description of Request: Missouri's Sixth District received a $1,600,000 appropriation to further study multiple applications for agents that decompose and deactivate chemical and biological agents. The proof-of-concept effort was funded by an Air Force Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) research contract. Additional research was funded by support from the FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill (part of H.R. 4818). Finally, Inovatia Laboratories has strategically directed cash flows from its testing and consulting services to the development of this important and unique technology.

(4) Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy and Marine Corp.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Energizer.

Address of Requesting Entity: 25225 Detroit Road, Westlake, OH 44145.

Description of Request: Missouri's Sixth District received a $2,500,000 appropriation to further develop a high power lightweight battery for our soldiers. Energizer has invested significant internal R&D resources to this program.

(5) Account: FEMA Pre-disaster Mitigation.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: North West MO Regional Council of Governments.

Address of Requesting Entity: 114 West 3rd. St., Maryville, MO 64468.

Description of Request: Missouri's Sixth District received a $300,000 appropriation to facilitate the distribution of funding for emergency alert systems.

As evidenced by the deadly tornado outbreaks during Spring 2006 and Spring 2007, communities in northwest Missouri are lacking in emergency alert systems. Many of the communities do not have any type of warning system at all, and those that do often rely upon old, manually- activated outdoor warning sirens implemented during the height of the Cold War in the 1950s. Northwest RCOG is proposing to facilitate the distribution of funding for emergency alert systems, including warning sirens and reverse-911, throughout Atchison, Holt, Gentry, Nodaway, and Worth counties. A competitive award process would be used to assist as many communities as possible, with no one community receiving more than 20 percent of the total allotment. As a regional organization, Northwest can distribute funds in an equitable and efficient manner, impacting the greatest number of people with the least amount of public funds.

As a result of these funds, eleven communities and at least 20,000 persons will be fully covered by emergency alert sirens, likely resulting in saving the lives of northwest Missourians in the path of dangerous severe storms. Facing severe downturns in both sales and property taxes, these projects would not occur without federal assistance.

Total Proposed Funding: $300,000.

Proposed Recipients:

City of Tarkio, Atchison County.

Total Request: $17,000.

The City of Tarkio is home to nearly 2,000 residents, who rely on one storm siren to alert the populace to approaching severe weather. The siren is located near the center of town at city hall, and does not adequately cover all areas of the city limits. Tarkio is proposing to add one new siren, and relocate the current siren to ensure the entire community is covered.

City of Albany, Gentry County

Total Request: $22,000.

Albany is the county seat of Gentry County, and is home to over 1,900 residents. Recently, the city has experienced new growth on the northwest side of town, which has exceeded the alert range for the city's existing emergency alert sirens. In addition, three of the city's current sirens are several decades old, and require upgrades to their control mechanisms. Albany is requesting funding to install one new and repair three existing sirens.

City of Forest City, Holt County

Total Request: $17,000.

The City of Forest City is home to over 300 citizens, and uses one emergency alert siren to warn the population of severe weather. The siren is a relic from the 1940's air raid stock, and is in sore need of replacement. In addition, the city will install a method of remotely activating the siren (currently, the siren is manually activated).

City of Mound City, Holt County

Total Request: $39,000.

Mound City, population 1,200, sits along I-29 in Holt County, Missouri. Located in the Loess Hills Bluffs, the undulating geography of the community poses a challenge to emergency alert systems. As a result, the city's two current sirens do not cover the entire community. Mound City is proposing to replace one and install two new emergency alert sirens.

City of Burlington Junction, Nodaway County.

Total Request: $12,000.

Burlington Junction's 630 residents utilize one emergency alert siren for notification of impending severe weather. However, one siren does not encompass the entire community. As such, the town is requesting funds to purchase and install one new emergency alert siren.

Village of Guilford, Nodaway County

Total Request: $5,000.

The Village of Guilford currently has adequate storm siren coverage. However, the storm siren does not have any type of battery back-up system, rendering it useless during a power outage. The village is requesting funds to purchase a battery back-up system for their current siren.

City of Maryville, Nodaway County

Total Request: $60,000.

The City of Maryville is the largest community in northwest Missouri, having a population of over 10,500. The community is home to Northwest Missouri State University, and houses nearly all of the manufacturing in the region. Maryville is proposing to install or replace six storm warning sirens to cover the entire geographic extent of the community, as well as Mozingo Lake, a recreation and fishing destination for the region. The total project cost is approximately $173,000.

City of Pickering, Nodaway County

Total Request: $12,000.

The City of Pickering is home to 154 residents, and is seeking funding to purchase and install one emergency alert siren. Currently, the city does not have adequate coverage by a storm siren.

City of Skidmore, Nodaway County

Total Request: $12,000.

The City of Skidmore is home to 340 residents, and is seeking funding to purchase and install one emergency alert siren. Currently, the city does not have adequate coverage by a storm siren.

Village of Denver, Worth County

Total Request: $12,000.

The Village of Denver currently does not have any outdoor warning siren, leaving its inhabitants susceptible to approaching severe weather, particularly during the overnight hours. The city is requesting funds to purchase and install one emergency alert siren.

City of Sheridan, Worth County

Total Request: $12,000.

The City of Sheridan, population 185, currently does not have any outdoor warning siren, leaving its inhabitants susceptible to approaching severe weather, particularly during the overnight hours. The city is requesting funds to purchase and install one emergency alert siren.

Regional Projects, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth

Total Request: $80,000.

The remainder of the appropriation request will be utilized to fund regional projects, primarily at the county level. Many of the sirens located throughout northwest Missouri are manually activated, posing a risk to anyone who sounds the alarm. As such, these dollars would be made available to the county governments of Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth to help implement remote activation of sirens and/or increase siren coverage in populated, but unincorporated areas.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jeffrey Robert Cook of Missouri. 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 180, 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.

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