Emanuel Cleaver

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the sesquicentennial of Higginsville, Missouri. For the past 150 years, Higginsville has served as the hub of Lafayette County and the home of a tight-knit, caring community. May it stand for another 150 years as a glittering example to other towns around the country. In 1869, the town was incorporated on land purchased by its namesake, Harvey Higgins. A post office was soon established, and the growth of the town took off from there. The first school was built in 1886 and enrolled 572 students by 1888. Powered by coal mines, manufacturing, and agriculture, the population exploded until it had over 2,500 people living there in 1910. To point the way to a bustling town, the yellow ``Welcome to Higginsville'' finger signs were installed on Highway 13 and US Highway 40 (now I-70) in 1924. These four iconic signs stand today as a sunny tribute to the hospitality of Higginsville's people. The 20th century and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal programs brought development and investment, including Fairground park, a swimming pool, and a new post office with a mural done by a student of the great regionalist painter Thomas Hart Benton. After World War II, further investment brought a golf course, additions to the park, a new city hall, new school buildings, and a municipal airport. In 1967, the Higginsville and Corder School districts were consolidated forming the Lafayette County C-1 school district. The school has grown to serve almost a thousand students and stands as a center of academic excellence. It was Accredited with Distinction in Performance by the State of Missouri for the 2009-2010 school year. The district's competent instructors, small class sizes, and abundant resources makes it one of the best schools in the county. Situated less than fifty miles outside of Kansas City and near I-70, Higginsville residents have the advantages of both easy access to city and country living. Jobs in Kansas City are easily accessible, and there are also good jobs in Higginsville. Lafayette County's top employer is the Higginsville Habilitation Center and Northwest Community Services. Higginsville also serves as the central police dispatch for Lafayette County, making it essential to keeping the whole county safe. Higginsville also has innumerable civil society organizations and churches that are the backbone of the community. From the Freemasons and the Odd Fellows to the Rotary and 4-H, the people of Higginsville are civically minded and active volunteers. These volunteers come together every September to put on the Country Fair, a bustling week of activities and contests that culminates in a bustling street fair and parade. Furthermore, Higginsville is home to some of the best retirement facilities in the area. Meyer Care Center and John Knox Village East (a not-for-profit retirement community) are cornerstones of the community and world-class homes for senior citizens. The quality schools, solid jobs, and caring retirement communities make Higginsville a good place to grow-up, work, and retire. Higginsville is successful because of its citizens' commitment to improving the community, through their community organizations, churches, and fraternal spirit. This commitment will never diminish, and Higginsville will continue to be a crossroads of Missouri and the center of Lafayette County. Madam Speaker, please join me, Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, and citizens across the nation in honoring the City of Higginsville for 150 years of community and growth.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Fortieth Anniversary of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City. As a leader in nonprofit homebuilding, Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to ensuring suitable and affordable housing for all. Since its creation, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City has improved hundreds of lives in six counties of the Greater Kansas City area and the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri. Wholly devoted to establishing stability and security in the community via improved housing, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City provides tools to build self-reliance and lightens the burdens many homeowners face. Through these programs, they create opportunities for families to invest in their future and thrive. John and Mary Pritchard founded Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City in March of 1979, now the seventh oldest branch of Habitat for Humanity International. In their first year, the Pritchards, with the aid of board members, local churches, and community groups, purchased seven properties which they turned into homes. The Middlebrooks, Habitat's first homeowners, moved to the corner of Linwood and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and were able to pay zero-percent interest on their mortgage for twenty years. The hard work of volunteers, families, and community members have allowed Habitat of Kansas City to continue building, renovating, and renewing over 700 homes in their forty years in the area. Building off their success in constructing homes, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City created ReStore, a retail store which sells donated home furnishings and construction material to families trying to renovate their homes at an affordable price. Additionally, they built their House of Abraham in 2003, an interfaith endeavor between the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities in the Greater Kansas City area. It seeks to promote understanding between faiths by having adherents work together to build and restore homes. Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City also established the HOPE financial literacy program which assists Habitat homeowners with long-term credit and budgeting. Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City is just one branch of an international organization, which aids people across all 50 states and 70 countries. Habitat International was founded in 1976 and has helped more than 22 million people due to their core belief that housing should be accessible to all. Habitat for Humanity constructs and restores homes, and then counsels families on investments and finances to help them keep their homes. When a family can afford a safe and stable home, they can then invest in other needs such as health care or the education of their children. Habitat for Humanity creates a ripple effect throughout communities, not only providing a safe shelter, but also a prosperous and strong future for families. They are champions for one of the core values of our country--opportunity for all, regardless of income or background. Madam Speaker, please join me, Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, and those around the nation in honoring the Fortieth Anniversary of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City. Their commitment to bettering the community through building and restoring houses for families in the region is admirable and worthy of our recognition.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed votes on Friday, July 12, 2019. I had intended to vote ``yes'' on vote 468, ``yes'' on vote 469, ``yes'' on vote 470, ``yes'' on 471, ``no'' on vote 472, ``yes'' on vote 473, and ``yes'' on vote 474.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to celebrate the 85th birthday of the Honorable Paul Rojas and to recognize his numerous contributions to Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. Mr. Rojas' life has been dedicated to the betterment of those around him and it is an honor to have the opportunity to recognize his service. Paul Rojas was born in 1935 in the Westside Neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Rojas is the youngest of six boys and a son of immigrant parents. Growing up, he and his family frequented Guadalupe Centers and relied on their services after the death of his mother. Their kindness and generosity showed Mr. Rojas the effect that a community organization such as Guadalupe Centers can have on a person's life. Community organizations provide not only tangible assistance, but they also teach the importance of helping one's neighbor. After attending Guadalupe Grade School, he attended De La Salle High School. He worked in the fields, as a busboy, on the railroads, in packing houses, and as a machinist for Wishbone and Honeywell. Each of these positions offered a unique point of view on the needs of the worker. This gave Mr. Rojas a clear view of the blue-collar community in Kansas City and the ways in which the lives of workers needed to be improved. From these experiences, a desire to serve and improve the lives of others was sparked within him. As a U.S. Navy veteran serving in the Korean War from 1952 to 1955, Paul Rojas joined the ranks of great men and women who defended the United States on the frontlines. Mr. Rojas continues to exhibit the commitment he showed in his service to the United States with his membership in the Korean Veterans Association, Veterans of Underage Military Service, and the American Legion. Within these organizations, he advocates for those who have served, are currently serving, and who wish to serve their country in the future. After serving in the Korean War, civic engagement remained a pillar of Mr. Rojas' life. He served on various boards and commissions at the city and county level before pushing to become the first Hispanic elected to the Missouri General Assembly. As a State Representative, Paul Rojas initiated national meetings of Hispanic elected officials, leading to the establishment of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Mr. Rojas also helped found the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC in order to help hundreds of Hispanic and minority owned businesses network and gain access to resources. After his service as a Missouri State Representative, Paul Rojas continued his devotion to service. He is now chairmen of Guadalupe Centers Inc., the organization that supported his family in their time of need. Guadalupe Centers provide training programs, education, after school activities, and family support programs. Mr. Rojas also advocates for the welfare of seniors as a member of the Kansas City Silver Haired Council. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, an organization dedicated to charity. Recently, through Guadalupe Centers Inc., Rojas championed the decision to repurpose a building and create a youth recreation center that provides students with a safe location for extracurricular activities and opportunities to keep them out of trouble. Throughout his life's work, Paul Rojas has served as a model of leadership and selflessness. His service in the U.S. Navy, his position as a Missouri State Representative, his chairing of the oldest Latino serving non-profit, Guadalupe Centers Inc., and his other leadership positions demonstrate his commitment to his community and his country. Mr. Rojas has made a unique contribution to each of these organizations, representing the reality of many underrepresented communities. His counsel empowers organizations to better make decisions about how to benefit those they serve. He continues to create a community that is well equipped to handle the issues it faces. It is a privilege to stand today and recognize the contributions and devotion of Mr. Paul Rojas. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Mr. Rojas' remarkable service to the people of the Greater Kansas City area and beyond.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th anniversary of MRIGlobal in Kansas City, Missouri. As World War II was ending, Americans were in awe of technology's role in ending the greatest global struggle in history. The quality of American science turned the tide of the war. In order to harness further scientific advancements, create amazing new technologies, and employ returning veterans, Kansas City civic leadership founded MRIGlobal, an independent, not-for-profit research organization. I am thankful that those civic leaders had the vision to create MRIGlobal and am pleased that Kansas City has remained its home. Through the years, MRIGlobal has attracted top scientific talent, worked across disparate specialties, and addressed some of the world's most challenging problems. Their research and development have impacted a wide array of endeavors including: defense; infectious disease and biological threat detection; human health; pharmaceutical science; energy, in-vitro diagnostics; global health; and transportation. MRIGlobal brings a significant share of Federal Research and Development investment to the Kansas City region. Since 2013, MRIGlobal has been awarded more than $495 million in applied R&D grants. Furthermore, MRIGlobal employs 288 dedicated individuals between its Plaza and North Kansas City campuses and 416 people nationwide. MRIGlobal is a strong and active corporate citizen. They partner with regional Missouri and Kansas Universities and Colleges to develop scientific talent and secure qualified employees. MRIGlobal has been and remains one of the strongest supporters of Kansas City's science, technology, engineering and math education programs. For example, it proudly serves as the Presenting Sponsor for the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair. MRIGlobal is also a key civic contributor, supporting such organizations as BioNexus KC, The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, KC Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Area Development Council, Union Station Kansas City, the Nelson-Atkins Museum Business Council, the Animal Health Corridor, and the National World War I Museum. Madam Speaker, I am honored to represent the employees of great non- profit companies like MRIGlobal. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating MRIGlobal on 75 years of progress and wishing them continued growth and success in the years ahead.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to rise today to celebrate Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church's 100th Anniversary and recognize it for its numerous contributions to the greater Kansas City area. I am truly honored to have this house of worship and pillar of faith in my Congressional District. Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church is in Kansas City's historic 18th and Vine District, a neighborhood critical to the life and development of the African American community. In the 1920s, 18th and Vine began to grow, becoming a creative hub of African American culture and shaping the future of Kansas City for the better. Founded in 1919, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church was crucial to this cultural renaissance. Churches throughout this period were centers of community and support. They provided members hope and encouragement in the face of seemingly hopeless challenges like inequality, discrimination, and segregation. For a century, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church has been a vehicle for social justice and change within Kansas City's African American community. Today, churches continue to be a keeper of cultural tradition, a center of storytelling, and the core of African American community. As writer Shauntae Brown White wrote, ``Storytelling that connects is an act of resonance that fulfills the second tenant of Afrocentric discourse, creating harmony in the midst of chaos.'' For the past 100 years, the congregation of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church has produced some of the brightest leaders, innovators, thinkers, and artists in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. Today, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church serves as a spiritual anchor within the Kansas City community. The church transforms the lives of its members for the better, unites people of all ages and supports them as they seek to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. For the past thirty-three years, Pastor L. Henderson Bell has led the church to be a house of hope for those facing adversity in the community. Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church not only is a center of spiritual development but a hub of service in its community, embodying James 2:17's assertion that, ``Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.'' The church serves the poor and marginalized members of the community by reaching out to them and providing educational opportunities, Bible study classes, health and scholarship trainings, and programs for music and dance. Mt. Pleasant Baptist has been and continues to be an advocate for the underserved and a champion of the faithful in Kansas City. Its century worth of contributions to the soul of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District are worthy of praise and recognition. Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating and honoring Pastor L. Henderson Bell and the congregation of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, both past and present, for achieving this milestone.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Marching Cobras. It is my distinct honor to congratulate this prestigious drill team on fifty years of success. Throughout my public life, I have been pleased to see this organization grow in number and recognition. In a time when Kansas City was experiencing a lull in our rich and vibrant music scene, the Marching Cobras provided vitality and energy by enthusiastically marching in the style of Mr. Willie Arthur Smith. They played a pivotal role in maintaining our city's reputation as a musical and cultural hub . It is my great pleasure to recognize the Marching Cobras' students and leaders, past, present, and future. Their dedication has made this organization what it is today. The Marching Cobras reflect the vibrant community they represent and add bright colors to the rich historical fabric of Kansas City. Concerned with the lack of productive activities available to students, Mr. Willie Arthur Smith saw an opportunity to provide his community with the means to both keep students off the streets and share his passion for marching. While teaching at Lincoln Junior High, Smith taught a group of his students a dance called the Madison Line for an all-student talent show. This simple act marked the birth of the Marching Cobras. Since 1969, the Marching Cobras have risen to a place of international recognition and continue their legacy of excellence. They have won national competitions and performed in events like the American Royal and the Cotton Bowl. They have even played prestigious venues from Nice, France to the White House. With every performance, the Marching Cobras act as ambassadors of Kansas City and represent our city with pride. The dedication of the students and leaders shows a devotion to constant, beneficial improvement. It is this demonstration of excellence that engenders a desire for progress in every community that the Marching Cobras touch. I look forward to seeing the Marching Cobras' legacy continue to grow. They provide students with a means for accomplishment and gaining valuable skills. If it were not for people like Willie Arthur Smith and other Marching Cobra leaders, hundreds of students would not have the ability to participate in this vibrant and meaningful experience. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the Marching Cobras' fiftieth anniversary of bringing music, pride, and recognition to the community. On behalf of myself and the entire Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, it is my joy to congratulate the Marching Cobras on this significant milestone and wish them even greater success in the years to come.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the planting of the Tree of Peace on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. This ceremony is dignified by the presence of Mr. Ross P. Marine, the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic to the Midwest United States and board member of the Czech and Slovak Club of Greater Kansas City. During his eighteen-year tenure as Honorary Consul, Mr. Marine has worked to strengthen the economic, social, and cultural ties between Slovakia and Mid-America, and this spirit of international cooperation is reflected by the Tree of Peace project. Since the dedication of the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Armistice Day in 1926, Kansas City, Missouri has been home to the country's foremost institution committed to preserving the history of the First World War. In the shadows of the Liberty Memorial--the most fitting location our country offers for this project--the Tree of Peace will convey a message of goodwill and contribute to the reflective nature of this consecrated site. Between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918, the First World War claimed the lives of nine million combatants and nearly eight million civilians. Another twenty-one million military personnel were wounded during the course of the war. In the United States alone, over 116,000 servicemen were killed, 204,000 were wounded, and 3,350 went missing. Among the American casualties, 441 were from Kansas City. To this day, World War I remains among the most costly and destructive wars in history. When the National WWI Museum and Memorial opened to the public in 1926, President Calvin Coolidge explained that the memorial had ``not been raised to commemorate war and victory, but rather the results of war and victory, which are embodied in peace and liberty.'' The Tree of Peace project, initiated by Slovak landscape architect Dr. Marek Sabala, serves a similar purpose. The Tree of Peace project is an international initiative that began in the Slovak Republic last year to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War's conclusion. Within four years, Dr. Sabala hopes to plant a Tree of Peace on every continent, a mission designed to champion a message of peace and the need to avoid armed conflicts. Each Tree of Peace also stands as a living tribute to all those who fought and perished in World War I, including those who lost their lives on unknown battlefields and who remain known only God. So far, eight Trees of Peace have been planted in four participating countries: Austria, Slovakia, Russia, and Poland. With the planting of a Tree of Peace at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on June 21st, the United States will join this international community in hopes of achieving a world free from global conflict. At a National Historic Landmark that has attracted over two million visitors since 2006, the Tree of Peace will establish its roots at one of the most treasured sites in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District and the nation. The motto of the Tree of Peace project, to ``make love the lifeblood of this world,'' articulates an ideal that is antithetical to the depravity of warfare. Visitors to the National WWI Museum and Memorial walk across a glass bridge above a field of 9,000 red poppies--each of which represents 1,000 combat deaths suffered during the War. Conversely, the Tree of Peace symbolizes belief in a future where war no longer inflicts senseless death on so many. World War I was described by many contemporaries as ``the war to end all wars.'' While the international community has repeatedly proven this description false--with graves all across the world bearing testament to the devastating consequences of armed conflict--the Tree of Peace expresses faith that we may, once and for all, see war come to an end. The Liberty Memorial Tower is flanked by two Assyrian Sphinx sculptures, known as Memory and Future. While Memory shields its eyes from the horrors of war, and Future shields its eyes from the uncertainty of times to come, the Tree of Peace affirms hope in a future that need not cause one to cover one's eyes in fear. The Tree of Peace project encourages each of us to recommit ourselves to the noble pursuit of perpetual peace--in which bullets, bombs, and bayonets are all set aside; hostility is replaced with civility; and antagonism gives way to amity. The Tree of Peace calls on nations to silence the beating of their war drums, cast away their rattling sabers, and pay no heed to war hawks. Only then will the ``just and lasting peace'' that is described on the north wall of the memorial become a reality. Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating the planting of the Tree of Peace at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. Let us recognize this occasion by reflecting on the values of friendship, harmony, and goodwill.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak today on my amendment. In recognition of the escalating severity of youth suicide rates in the United States and also in my congressional district, I propose a funding increase of $6.5 million for the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant to be used for youth suicide awareness and prevention with a corresponding reduction from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and this includes training school personnel and high school students on the signs of suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in America for young people between the ages of 15 and 19. Missouri statistics surpassed that of our Nation's average on almost every account, from every age group to race and ethnicity. The 2018 Missouri High School Principal of the Year, Jeff Meisenheimer, came to my office recently. His chief concern was that our youth today are in distress; that suicide rates are rising; and school personnel need resources to help these vulnerable students. Two years ago in his school, Lee's Summit North High School, which is located in my district, a hardworking, young woman with a contagious smile named Gemesha Thomas died by suicide in the school. She actually went in the girl's restroom and shot herself. My grandson was at the school at the time, and they evacuated the school. I was actually speaking with him by phone from here. He was outside trying to figure out what was going on. This is a tragedy. There is no other word for it, but we have got to do all we can to try to help prevent this. Disturbingly, this situation is becoming more and more common and we have to do something about it. These tragedies do not exist in a vacuum. According to the Jason Foundation, four out of five teens who attempt suicide give clear warning signs. Madam Chair, I want to applaud the committee's commitment on this issue and the increase in funding for youth suicide prevention in this bill. However, we must do more. This is why I propose an increase in funding for the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant program because it puts resources in the hands of those who are on the front lines of training for our future. Let's do everything within our power to reduce death by suicide and give our future leaders a fighting chance. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute a veteran of the U.S. Army from Independence, Missouri, for his heroism and dedication to a life long career serving our country. As a young boy in Hutchinson, Kansas, brave soldiers inspired Mr. Sutton to join the ranks of the millions of women and men serving in our military. A man of unwavering grit and tenacity, Mr. Sutton was not discouraged when his application to join the Army and Navy Air Corps was denied due to his color-blindness. He was studying at the University of Kansas when he was drafted into the Army in 1944. After his conscription, Mr. Sutton attended West Point and received his Bachelor of Science in 1949 from the Army Engineering school. This wealth of knowledge eventually led Mr. Sutton and his wife Dana to travel internationally to Germany with the Army. Using his engineering skills and personal fortitude, Mr. Sutton served the U.S. Army's Engineering and Transportation units in Germany. During his time there, Mr. Sutton worked with an all-black Engineering Battalion where he learned the meaning of service and brotherhood. To this day, Mr. Sutton cherishes the time he spent with that battalion. Years later, Mr. Sutton honored his time spent with the battalion by creating a course focusing on Black Men in the U.S. Army. Mr. Sutton eventually returned to the U.S. and furthered his education by receiving a Master's in Business Administration with an emphasis in Transportation Management. Shortly thereafter, he once again served his country as a professor of mathematics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for three years. Mr. Sutton took classes until he was once again sent to Korea in the 1st Calvary Division. Being both an energetic scholar and dedicated service member, Mr. Sutton eventually returned to Virginia to work for the Pentagon. At the Pentagon, he was an assistant to a three-star general, a position which led him to travel all around the world. For instance, this occurred when the U.S. Army sent Mr. Sutton to Vietnam, where he oversaw a battalion of 3,000 troops and spent countless days and nights living under the fear of an attack. Upon his return to the States, he became a Colonel and was sent to Pennsylvania for 3 more years. After teaching and serving in Germany and Fort Leavenworth, Mr. Sutton was ready to return home to care for his family and his elderly parents. As a retiree from the Army, Mr. Sutton began working at Park University first as the supervisor of their Military Extension Program and later as the Assistant Dean of the University. A man who pursues his passions and goals, Mr. Sutton received his private pilot's license and eventually bought his own plane. To this day, he flies his plane at Fort Leavenworth. Today, Mr. Sutton's extensive military history is honored at Veterans Hall in the Truman Memorial Building. In addition to his 35 years of active duty service, he has been married for 69 years of marriage with two children, his five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Though their travels have taken them all over the world, we are fortunate to have Mr. Sutton and his wife call Independence, Missouri, their home. Madam Speaker, please join me and all of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in congratulating Mr. Sutton for his 35 years of active duty service and outstanding accomplishments. It is with great respect that I urge all my colleagues and fellow citizens across the country to join me in showing our appreciation to Mr. Sutton for his unwavering strength and dedication to our country.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Grandview High School men's varsity basketball team and their 2019 state championship. This victory has earned the team the honor of being the Missouri Class 4 State Champions for the second consecutive year. This remarkable achievement is a result of strong leadership and dedication from both players and coaches. This is a significant achievement for Coach Reggie Morris, who was recognized this spring for his outstanding coaching with the Paul Lambert Coach of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. In 2018, Morris led his team to the school's first ever State Championship. Following that victory, many of the team's best players graduated and went on to play at the collegiate level. A mere twelve months later, Morris was able to rebuild his squad and return to Springfield to claim another State Championship. The new team was headlined by senior point guard DeAndre Sorrells who set the school record for 3-point baskets. With the leadership of Morris and Sorrells, the team cultivated an atmosphere of trust and hard work, establishing a tight-knit team chemistry both on and off the court. Their championship victory in Springfield as the penultimate reward for such a remarkable team and a fitting end to a season that saw them win twenty straight games. The many accolades of Grandview's basketball team are a testament to the program that they have built. In addition to winning the State Championship, the Bulldogs were the only team from Missouri recognized on the Super 25 Regional Rankings list. Furthermore, Coach Reggie Morris was named the 2019 Class 4 Coach of the Year, and DeAndre Sorrells was recognized as Hy-Vee's 41 Five-Star Athlete of the Week. The Grandview community rallied around the Bulldogs during the season as they progressed game after game towards their incredible victory in the State Championship. Now, the players look forward to enjoying fruitful careers in various athletic and academic fields after their graduation, and I encourage each of them to continue challenging themselves on and off the court as they move forward in life. Madam Speaker, please join with Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of the Grandview Bulldogs. It is my pleasure to congratulate each of the players and coaches that helped this superb team claim their title, and I am exceedingly proud to represent such exemplary student-athletes like those of the Grandview High School basketball team.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed votes on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. I had intended to vote ``yes'' on Roll Call vote 207, ``yes'' on vote 208 and ``yes'' on vote 209.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), managed by Honeywell FM&T. Since their founding in 1949, KCNSC and Honeywell established a strong presence within our community, fulfilling a national security need while engaging our local workforce. Today, their campus has expanded exponentially to provide quality jobs for over 4,500 members of the Fifth Congressional District. The Kansas City National Security Campus was created under the direction of then U.S. Senator Harry S. Truman to establish a centralized national defense operation that would be strategically located in the heart of the country--Kansas City. Seven years later, President Truman was pleased to see his vision come true when Kansas City's Bendix Corporation signed the contract to operate the local division of the Atomic Energy Commission. Growing steadily, Bendix expanded to employ 8,301 employees in the Kansas City community by 1963. Bendix became known for providing quality employment options for men and women of diverse backgrounds. As a new resident of Kansas City in 1968, I was actually employed at Bendix myself, so I am especially appreciative to this company for giving me my first opportunity in the city that I have called home for the past fifty years. Throughout their seventy years in service, KCNSC has consistently paved the way in providing innovative solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. State of the art facilities like the Electrical Products Manufacturing Building and the Flexible Manufacturing System exhibited the foremost technological advances available at the time. Beginning in 2013, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Honeywell FM&T contract embarked on one of their largest and most prestigious expansions yet--the relocation of the KCNSC campus. Since this expansion, the collaboration has remained steadfast as an integral pillar in the community. These $9 billion facilities have enabled the already thriving KCNSC to expand exponentially, providing secure and highly sought-after jobs to a plethora of Kansas Citians. Since the opening dedication of the new facilities on Botts Road in August 2014, hundreds of employees have been added to the KCNSC family, encouraging economic growth and investment in our city. KCNSC has grown their total staff from 2,500 employees in 2015 to 4,500 employees employed there today. As a testament to KCNSC's continued efficiency, throughout the entire relocation process, the highest standards of both safety and performance were maintained, giving this branch of Honeywell and NNSA national recognition and approval. Their work during the transition was described as ``better than flawless'' by Plant President Chris Gentile. Going forward, the KCNSC facility maintains the same standard of excellence and dedication to safety and sustainability as they did in 1949 while providing high quality jobs and employee satisfaction. It brings me great personal pride to have this institution located within our Fifth Congressional District of Missouri. Madam Speaker, please join me with Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in honoring the Kansas City National Security Campus, managed by Honeywell FM&T, for their remarkable achievements in our community and their contributions to the security, safety, and longevity of our nation during the past seventy years.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mr. Colin Garrison's three Olympic victories at the 2019 Special Olympic World Games. The achievement of such a distinguished title takes profound dedication and practice on the part of both the athlete, coaches, and the community. The immense accomplishments of individuals like Mr. Garrison make me proud to represent the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri in the United States Congress. Out of the 216 athletes competing in the 2019 World Games, Mr. Garrison was one of two participants representing the state of Missouri. Having participated alongside countless talented athletes in Missouri for many years, Mr. Garrison was honored to earn a trip as a top contestant. Mr. Garrison's awards in bocce ball, both silver and gold, at the 2019 Special Olympic World Games in Abu Dhabi are the culmination of years of hard work. Garrison overcame what might be perceived by others as obstacles in his life and turned them into blessings and triumphs. For the last 13 years, Colin has taken part in the Missouri Special Olympics, taking home titles in a variety of athletic categories. Furthermore, he has competed at the USA Games numerous times, including the 2010 and 2018 USA Games. Not limited to bocce ball, Colin competed in multiple sports such as basketball, softball, bowling, flag football, soccer, and more. Garrison says that he is not done competing and plans to continue training for future events. He hopes to once more join the American team at the 2023 Special Olympic World Games in Berlin. Through these athletic games and tournaments, Colin Garrison has traveled across the nation from Lincoln, Nebraska to Seattle, Washington, and now, he has expanded globally. Mr. Garrison enjoys visiting new cities and attending professional sporting events; however, his favorite part is meeting new people at each series of events. When Mr. Garrison is not competing, he is a crucial and beloved member of his family and his community. All those who know him feel blessed to have him in their life. His positive outlook and perseverance are two of his most defining traits. Working hard at two jobs, he always makes time for the rigorous practice schedule in a variety of sports. His coach and father, Mike Garrison, has said that he could not be prouder of his son and all that Colin has accomplished through his hard work and perseverance. Madam Speaker, please join me and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in celebrating the accomplishments of Mr. Colin Garrison. I encourage my fellow citizens and constituents to unite together under the same spirit of positivity, resiliency, and determination that Mr. Garrison has carried throughout his long and prestigious career.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Henry Bloch, the philanthropist, businessman, and beloved man who has helped shape Kansas City into the city that it has become. In life, Mr. Bloch carried a visionary spirit that transformed and encouraged the lives of everyone he met, including myself. Mr. Bloch's life and work are cherished and celebrated both in our Fifth Congressional District of Missouri and throughout the country. Mr. Bloch was born ninety-six years ago, in 1922, to an ambitious and hardworking mother and father in Kansas City, Missouri. From a young age, his family instilled within him a passion not only to excel individually, but for the good of all. Creating his own business model years later, Mr. Bloch always stayed true to this idea, doing his part to encourage startup businesses and individuals around the country to flourish. Growing up in a Jewish family that experienced firsthand the negative effects of discrimination, Mr. Bloch cultivated a spirit of kinship with others who had faced similar struggles. His dedication to Kansas City was evident in his own words when he thanked the city for all it had meant to him and his family. This week, the city joins together to celebrate their memories of Mr. Bloch and the resounding impact he made upon their lives. Testimonies of the ways in which Mr. Bloch impacted and touched the lives of so many have poured forth in recent days as Kansas Citians speak of how blessed they were to have met and known this remarkable man. Mr. Henry Bloch possessed an incredible spirit of determination and conviction. As a young man in the Army Air Corp during World War II, Mr. Bloch flew many missions on behalf of his country. After returning from the war, he opened a small business with his older brother, often working without pay so they could have enough money to pay the business's rent. Today, Mr. Bloch's business encompasses 12,000 offices around the country and employs around 70,000 employees nationwide. Mr. Bloch would often speak of luck and the fortunate opportunities he and his brother were given, forgetting to account for the long hours and sleepless nights that he put in without complaint during the early days of their business. Once H&R Block grew larger and more influential, this enabled Mr. Bloch to begin the true passion of his life-- philanthropy. A quiet and soft-spoken man, Mr. Bloch nonetheless commanded each room he walked into. The spirit of generosity that Mr. Bloch personified can be seen through his incredible legacies across the city and in the lives of so many who bear testament to it. Today, the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the beautiful Bloch buildings of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art both stand as some of the notable contributions Mr. Bloch made to Kansas City. Through these institutions, among other gifts, Mr. Bloch's mark on Kansas City will continue to positively impact lives for years to come. The Bloch family fittingly continues the spirit of his generosity as they ask that all condolence contributions go to the institutions and programs that meant so much to him and to our community. Madam Speaker, please join me, Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, and citizens across the nation in honoring Mr. Henry Bloch's life and his commitment to the betterment of his city. It is with love and respect that I share my deepest condolences and sincere gratitude for all that Mr. Bloch meant to me and the district that I serve. May he rest in heavenly peace.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor a dynamic woman in my district. On May 3, 2019, Mamie Currie Hughes will celebrate her 90th birthday. While turning 90 is a major feat in itself, it's what she has done during these years that makes her so special. Mamie Hughes has been a civil and women's rights champion in Kansas City since the 1950's. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Ms. Hughes graduated from Stanton High School at sixteen years of age. At that young age, she left Florida to attend Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee where she met her husband Leonard Hughes, Jr. Upon graduation in 1949, the couple married and moved to his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. Ms. Hughes taught elementary school upon arriving in Kansas City. By 1958, as a member of Community Committee for Social Action, she became part of a movement to abolish discriminatory practices of the major department stores in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. During the 1950's and 60's she continued to fight segregation while also raising a family, after giving birth to five children. Even so, her commitment to her community never wavered. From 1957 through 1975, Ms. Hughes served with women of all races on the Panel of American Women, an organization that gave presentations describing how discrimination, racism and bigotry affects lives. These community discussions were often held in areas that blacks and other minorities were not welcomed. In 1972, Ms. Hughes was the first black woman elected to the Jackson County legislature where she served two terms. During her time in the legislature, Ms. Hughes was the Chair of the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Board of Directors and its Commission on Aging. While at MARC, she assisted with the implementation of the 911 emergency assistance development and worked on the establishment of the Meals on Wheels program that provides food delivery for senior citizens. In 1978, my House colleague, Rep. John Lewis, interviewed Ms. Hughes and recommended her to President Carter, who appointed her the Regional Administrator to ACTION/VISTA, the predecessor of AmeriCorps VISTA and the United States government agency that serves as the federal domestic volunteer agency. The agency's responsibilities included the domestic volunteer programs established under the Office of Economic Opportunity including the Foster Grandparents programs and the Peace Corps. It also assumed logistical support responsibilities for the volunteer programs of the SBA's Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and the senior companion programs that later became the Senior Corps. After her federal service, Ms. Hughes' became President of the Black Economic Union (BEU) of Greater Kansas City, one of the country's oldest community development corporations. During her tenure at BEU, Ms. Hughes's efforts focused on the stabilization and preservation of buildings with historic significance. That work ultimately laid the foundation for the Cleaver Plan, which resulted in Kansas City's Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. In 1986, Ms. Hughes resumed her governmental service and became the City of Kansas City, Missouri's Ombudsman for the Bruce R. Watkins (BRW) Roadway. Her responsibilities included working on behalf of residents affected by the construction of the BRW Roadway. During her tenure with the city, Ms. Hughes' reputation as a fierce neighborhood liaison grew because of her tireless dedication to assisting those adversely affected. Over her lifetime, Ms. Hughes has received various awards and honors too numerous to mention here. Most recently, however, she was included in a special group honored by former First Lady Laura Bush and inducted into the University of Missouri at Kansas City's Starr Hall of Fame recognizing women who have made the Kansas City community a better place through impressive lifetime accomplishments. In 2016, Ms. Hughes penned her autobiography entitled Mamie Who? The Life and Times of a Colored Woman, chronicling her efforts against racism and championing women's rights. For over 70 years she has fought for equal rights for all and for the improvement of Kansas City as a whole. Because of her incredible service to our community, I would like to congratulate her on celebrating her 90th birthday and thank her for making Kansas City a better, more just place for all to live.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Labor- Management Council (LMC) of Greater Kansas City's fortieth year serving the Greater Kansas City Area. Since the LMC was founded in 1979, they have grown to include membership from eighty organizations, including corporations, unions, governments, and nonprofits within the local area. In 1979, members of the Kansas City business community who all cared deeply about the labor and management process came together to form the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City. During the ensuing years, Bob Jacobi Jr. provided steadfast and enthusiastic service as Executive Director of the LMC through his leadership and his passion for public service. It has been my honor and pleasure to partner with the LMC on various occasions as they sought to create an open and equal collaboration between local government and organizations of all sizes in our city. As a trailblazer in the Greater Kansas City area since their founding, the Labor-Management Council (LMC) has focused on providing the tools for employees to successfully negotiate with their employers for better benefits. The LMC developed the statuary framework of collective bargaining where employees could advocate for things like better healthcare and reduction of employment uncertainty. The LMC supported legislative proposals to provide relief via safety net hospitals for workers and Medicaid coverage for the newly unemployed and the uninsured. They continue to advocate for a system where every citizen can have their voice heard, and inclusion in the workplace becomes a reality. As a friend and collaborator with the LMC, I am inspired by the work they accomplished in the forty years since their genesis. My collaboration with the LMC has been one of the more rewarding aspects of my career, and I am honored to have served alongside this remarkable organization. Throughout the years, the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City has operated upon the pillars of their values and their dedication to a larger social responsibility. Refining the concept of collective bargaining, they used this tool of broad consensus to fight for equity and inclusivity in the larger economic and social issues present within our community. Together with their numerous partner organizations, the LMC provides a forum for community leaders and employees to work together on civic and economic issues. Examples of their noteworthy contributions to the community include their active support for accessible healthcare coverage, better public infrastructure, and broader citywide public transportation. Madam Speaker, please join with Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in honoring the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City for their achievement of forty years of service in the community and their indelible mark on our society. I urge all my colleagues and fellow citizens across the country to join me in showing our appreciation to Labor-Management of Greater Kansas City for their undeterred commitment to civic service and worker advocacy in our region.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to recognize and celebrate the 125th anniversary of Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas, a nonprofit organization whose core foundation is aimed at providing people with the necessary resources and life skills to become self-sufficient and successful individuals. After decades of commitment to assisting those in their communities, the organization now operates as a product of two combined agencies, the Helping Hand Institute and Goodwill Industries. Commencement of the organization's mission within the Kansas City area began in 1894 on Grand Boulevard with the Helping Hand Institute, an organization committed to providing shelter and employment resources to those in need. The Kansas City residents within the organization worked on the Helping Hand Institute's farm to feed the community or found employment salvaging waste material, breaking rock at quarries, and bailing paper in exchange for food and shelter. Along the east coast, an organization sharing a similar initiative arose in 1902 inspired by Reverend Edgar J. Helms, the social innovator behind Goodwill Industries. After witnessing innumerable immigrant families struggle to provide for themselves due to unemployment, Rev. Helms collected clothing and household items from wealthy families to be repurposed and resold at discounted costs. Using the revenue generated from those items, he funded his organization and employed a multitude of people in need of work to provide for their families. The organization quickly expanded across the nation, and in 1925, Goodwill Industries of Greater Kansas City opened their first establishment at St. Peter's Evangelical Church on Oak Street. In the 1940's, Goodwill Industries wished to further amplify their mission by making employment services like skills training and vocational rehabilitation available to the community. In 1978, after thoughtful deliberation, Goodwill Industries merged with the Helping Hand Institution to form the Helping Hand of Goodwill, now officially known as ``Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas''. Today, this remarkable nonprofit organization continues to carry out their mission by helping community members find employment. Their services and programs, subsidized by grants, financial donations, and revenue generated by their stores, allow the organization to continue their indispensable work without any expense to the public. Additionally, Goodwill manages and operates GoodWORKS Career Resource Centers across the Kansas City region and other neighboring areas. These centers are available to the public and equipped with the resources, services and programs needed to assist anyone with a genuine desire to enter the workforce. Their services and programs include employment listings, career exploration, an overview of the job application process, resume building, mock interviews, and computer training, along with guidance in goal-setting and identifying the steps necessary to reach those goals. Their support and guidance are all inclusive--helping those with physical disadvantages, mental health diagnoses, substance abuse histories, criminal backgrounds, and developmental disabilities. Furthermore, they seek to empower local job seekers with the confidence and skills necessary to aid them in their ardent pursuit of employment. Since its inception, Goodwill has served more than 600,000 people and secured more than 200,000 paying jobs. In 2017 alone, Goodwill served over 700 individuals, secured 155 jobs, and employed 536 new members with a total economic impact of 18 million dollars in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. Moreover, they receive over 20 million pounds of materials to be reused, resold, or recycled annually, which kept approximately 15 million pounds of items from ending up in landfills. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join all of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District as we proudly commemorate the 125 years of exceptional service and individual empowerment rendered to our community by the Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. Let us join in demonstrating our strong appreciation for the perseverance of this organization as it continues to offer essential services and programs that meet the needs of those in our community.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Missouri Class 5 State Championship won by the North Kansas City High School Lady Hornets basketball team. Such an achievement is the result of strong leadership and years of dedication by both players and coaches alike. It is truly an honor to recognize this exemplary group of athletes from the Fifth District of Missouri. Claiming the State Title was the culmination of years of discipline and hard work on the part of the entire Lady Hornets team. For the past three years the Lady Hornets were the District Champions, and for the last four years they were also the Suburban White-Division Conference Champions, unfortunately falling short in the State Playoffs. However, under the leadership of Head Coach Jeffery Lacy, this senior class was not content concluding their high school careers with anything short of a State Championship. The Lady Hornets' tremendous success this past season--with twenty-nine victories compared to a mere two losses--was the fruition of years of hard work and a ``never-give-up'' attitude cultivated by these remarkable athletes and coaching staff during their time at North Kansas City High School. It brings me great joy in saying that their hard work paid off with a sound victory in the State Championship on March 16, 2019. Coming to Jefferson City this year, the Lady Hornets were pegged as the underdogs to the high-scoring and hometown Jefferson City Lady Jays. Despite the doubts, the Hornets remained focused on their ultimate goal. They maintained a mindset of excelling, no matter the obstacle, and marched through the State Tournament with an ``us- against-the-world'' attitude. The Lady Hornets' road to becoming North Kansas City's first female State Champions is a journey that has been followed by the entire community, witnessing what is possible when a group of individuals come together and dedicate themselves in pursuit of a common goal. But, the great thing about athletics is they help to create opportunities in other aspects of life. The Lady Hornets' success has already paid off in a multitude of ways, opening doors for several players. A number of them will continue their basketball careers, and most importantly their education, at Division I universities such as the University of Kansas. Whether they know it or not, they will take with them the life lessons learned throughout their time at North Kansas City High School and as a part of this team. With the North Kansas City community, I look forward to seeing where each of these players will go and how future players will develop under the leadership of coaches like Jeffery Lacy and John West. Madam Speaker, please join with me in celebrating the North Kansas City Lady Hornets and the State Championship they have brought home to Kansas City.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed votes on Monday, April 1, 2019. I had intended to vote ``yes'' on Roll Call vote 137, ``yes'' on vote 138 and ``yes'' on vote 139.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I seldom come to this floor to stand in this well. To me, it is almost a sacred place where the great orators like Webster debated. But I have got to talk about this because it is something that is impacting thousands and thousands of people I represent in my district. In a recent letter from the President of the Missouri Soybean Association, farmers expressed their concerns regarding President Trump's ongoing statements on tariffs and the U.S.-China trade relationships, stating: ``Missouri farmers have invested time away from their farm, family, and millions of dollars in developing their foreign markets, and it's imperative that we don't jeopardize these investments. . . .'' At what point do we call on one another to address the inevitable detriment these farmers are routinely placed in under this administration? In Missouri alone, the restricted access to China, which is the number one trading partner for U.S. soybean farmers, has created a $2 drop in soybean prices, resulting in nearly $212 million in lost earnings, over 3,000 fewer jobs, and an estimated $726.6 million annual reduction in State and local economic activity--for the State of Missouri alone. Imagine the combined impact this has had on other States that are major producers and exporters. Using America's farmers as collateral in a trade war is wrong, and hardworking farmers, their families, and our communities deserve much better. Farmers in Missouri and across this country working to not only provide for their families deserve market stability and access to the opportunity to forge trade relationships abroad. They deserve to have the backing of a Federal Government that supports and advocates for their success. Simply put, farmers deserve not to be caught in the crossfire or become collateral damage in an imposed and impractical trade war. Farming is a risky endeavor, and Mother Nature may at any time bring drought, flooding, hail, and other disasters. The last thing farmers should worry about is a reactionary trade and policy decision made by the President, whom most of the farmers supported. Moreover, though farmers have been patient holding out for the situation to improve, each passing day that we fail to take into consideration the interest of American farmers only contributes to a mounting problem that we must not ignore any longer. Enough is enough. As the Representative of a geographically diverse district that encompasses several rural communities, I fear what a continued, retaliatory imposition of tariffs on China would mean for the farmers in my district: that this is going to hurt. Now, making a bad decision, Mr. President, is understandable, but not correcting it is untenable and unfertile. Last Friday, the President decided to hit below the belt with his threats to shut down the southern border with Mexico. A border shutdown would wreak havoc on the U.S. economy. I didn't say this. This comes from just about every major economist in the country. A border shutdown is not in the best interests of the Midwest or this country. This is another blow to our farmers, and they cannot afford it. They will be forced to tap out. Missouri farmers depend on foreign trade to market their crops. In my State, we have an $80 billion industry called agriculture. When it is disrupted, the whole State is disrupted. We have the largest export market, after China and Canada, to Mexico. The U.S. shipped $19 billion worth of agricultural products to Mexico in 2018. Mexico is our top market for corn and our third largest market for U.S. beef. Missouri pork producers cannot afford the loss of the Mexican market on top of all the financial losses from retaliatory tariffs from Mexico and China. The very threat of a border closure creates uncertainty and depresses the trade of $1.7 billion in goods and services, daily, that cross the border. Missouri's economy has a direct connection to Mexico through Kansas City Southern Railroad. Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by just saying we have a 2,000-mile border between the United States and Mexico. If we shut that down, we are shutting down the U.S. economy.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the National Community Development Association (NCDA). Since its genesis in 1969, the NCDA has been a pillar of support for cities and counties across the country, including the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri. The NCDA is a nonpartisan, national, nonprofit organization that was established to assist cities across the nation in administering the new U.S. Housing and Urban Development funds and programs created through President Johnson's Model Cities Program. In doing so, they rose to help address the great disparities in housing options and opportunities that had created racial and socioeconomic inequality in many of our great American cities. The NCDA represents cities on a federal level for programs such as the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships, among a myriad of others. Specifically, the NCDA has fought to improve local infrastructure and provide greater accessibility to safe, decent, and affordable housing, as well as greater economic opportunities. Through these initiatives, the organization has expressed a commitment to providing tangible services that will strengthen both families and communities across the country. Through the NCDA's prestigious John Sasso Award and Audrey Nelson Award for Best Practices in Community Development, they annually recognize and celebrate significant contributions and solutions to affordable and alternative housing projects through federal grants. Moreover, as an integral part of the NCDA model, they respect diversity and inclusion in leadership as a fundamental part of effective leadership. Throughout their fifty years of service, the organization sought to represent diversified backgrounds and individualized expertise. They continue to include a wide variety of organizations and individual voices as we collectively search for solutions to urban difficulties and discover ways to implement greater equity in housing as time moves forward. These voices are brought to national attention each year at the National Community Development Week hosted by the NCDA. This annual conference educates Members of Congress on the achievements of federal programs like HOME and CDBG so that these programs can continue to address a need for affordable housing and community development. Today, NCDA membership has grown to include over 400 separate cities and counties. The organizations and governments represented across that vast membership continue to carry out a centralized goal and purpose. As they have been since day one, the NCDA continues to serve as a united, national institution to provide services and support for local governments and policy makers as they work on critical federal community development and housing programs. Madam Speaker, please join with Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in honoring the National Community Development Association for their remarkable achievements over the span of fifty years across the nation and in our own community. We stand to celebrate their indelible mark on our society.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I regrettably missed votes on Thursday, March 14, 2019. I had intended to vote ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 125.