Sam Graves

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment which ensures federally funded public transportation systems are considered an essential service as Puerto Rico works to address its debt crisis. Mr. Chairman, public transportation services in Puerto Rico are provided by a fully automated rapid rail line known as Tren Urbano. The system serves 8.5 million customers each year, providing access to three universities, the main medical center in Puerto Rico, and major financial centers in its capital. Construction of Tren Urbano was funded by the United States Government through a Federal Transit Administration grant. In fact, of the total $2.2 billion price tag, over $800 million came from Federal grants, and another $300 million came from a TIFIA loan. These are taxpayer investments we cannot let go to waste, and this amendment is simply a fiscally responsible way to make sure that that doesn't happen. Failure to maintain Puerto Rico's mass transit system would cause Tren Urbano to fall into disrepair. We have seen just how disruptive those problems can be right here in our Nation's Capital. As the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I recently held a hearing on the safety and reliability of the Metro system here in D.C. Repairs to the Metro have added to congestion problems in this city, and it has caused an untold amount in lost worker productivity. We do not want to see the same problems in Puerto Rico. We want to make sure that that doesn't happen. We don't want to see those same problems, especially given the economic situation they are facing. Over the last several years, the Government of Puerto Rico has struggled to pay for Tren Urbano's operations. At times, outstanding debt for operations has exceeded $20 million. Nevertheless, with the aid of FTA preventive maintenance grants, revenues from passenger fares, and funds from the Puerto Rican Highway and Transportation Authority, Tren Urbano has been able to continue serving the residents of Puerto Rico. It is critical we ensure Tren Urbano is treated as an essential service so that we can protect the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that are already invested in the system. Mr. Chairman, this doesn't prioritize anything. It doesn't put anything at the top of the list. It just simply says that it is going to be a part of this process, so we do not lose that investment.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Kaelin Hagen. Kaelin 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 1099, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Kaelin has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Kaelin 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, Kaelin has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Kaelin Hagen for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Andrew H. Stewart. Andrew 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 1395, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Andrew has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Andrew 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, Andrew has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew H. Stewart for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nathan Wirt. 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 1099, 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 earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Nathan has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Nathan Wirt for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jacob L. Salsbury. Jacob 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 1395, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Jacob has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jacob 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, Jacob has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jacob L. Salsbury for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jacob Bruns. Jake 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 1099, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Jake has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jake 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, Jake has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jacob Bruns for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. C. Don Bateman, Corporate Fellow and Chief Engineer-Technologist for Flight Safety Systems and Technology at Honeywell Aerospace. As the man behind the first Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) and the revolutionary Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), Mr. Bateman is a true champion of safety for the aviation industry. Don has received a long list of accolades, including receiving the U.S. Presidential Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2011. Bateman also is in the National Inventors Hall of Fame, an Aviation Path Finder in the Museum of Flight, and a Royal Aeronautical Society Fellow. He received Aviation Week's Laurel for IT/Electronics and its Award for Lifetime Achievement, and in 2014 picked up the Elmer A. Sperry Award for enhancing the art of transportation. Over his 60 year career in the aviation industry, Don's intense focus on identifying, understanding, and addressing aviation safety risks has led to some of the most successful safety solutions in aviation history. He holds over 50 U.S. and 90 foreign patents related to a wide variety of safety-related avionics including Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems, Heads-up Display systems, Speed Control/Auto Throttle Systems, Stall Warning Systems, Automatic Flight Control Systems, Weight and Balance Systems, & Radar. Don is most well-known for his work addressing Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents. For decades, CFIT was one of the leading causes of fatalities in commercial aviation; it is considered a form of spatial disorientation, whereby the pilots cannot discern their position and orientation in proximity to the earth surface. These incidents were the leading cause of airplane accident loss of life having reportedly caused over 9,000 deaths since 1944. The technologies pioneered by Don Bateman have virtually eliminated what used to be the most common type of airplane disaster. Beginning in 1970, Don was instrumental in establishing global recognition of CFIT risk and the need for improved pilot training supported by advanced technologies and tools to prevent pilots in poor visibility from unintentionally flying aircraft into terrain or other obstacles. This led to the invention and subsequent introduction of the original Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) which used existing aircraft sensors such as the downward looking radar altimeter, to provide the pilot with advanced warning of impending impacts with terrain. In 1974, based on recommendations from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated that all large turbine and turbojet airplanes be required to install GPWS equipment. Over 35,000 GPWS were installed between 1971 and 1998. From its initial development and based on knowledge gained from accident and incident analysis and vigorous flight testing, GPWS was continually improved and new capabilities such as Wind Shear Detection & Annunciation were added. However, it was in 1994 that the GPWS technology took the most substantial leap forward with the integration of GPS technology. What would become the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), leveraged advancements in digital data storage and processing. Don began assembling a worldwide database of terrain, obstacle and runway data and used this data to provide pilots with both a forward look and improved situational awareness of any surrounding terrain. With this database and supporting alerting algorithms, EGPWS increased the pilot's warning time from seconds to minutes, a major advancement in the prevention of CFIT accidents. In subsequent years, Don evolved EGPWS to accommodate the unique operating characteristics of helicopters. There are now over 55,000 aircraft equipped with EGPWS and the technology is standard equipment on all commercial aircraft in production today. Expanding on EGPWS technology, Bateman and his team developed other safety products including Synthetic Vision, that displays EGPWS data in a 3-D format so pilots can literally ``see'' the hills and surrounding terrain with visual cues that give pilots a sense of how fast they are approaching potential obstacles. As Bill Voss, former president and CEO, Flight Safety Foundation, fittingly stated: ``Don Bateman has probably saved more lives than any single person in the history of aviation''. . . and the impact of his work will be felt globally for decades to come. I understand Don Bateman intends to spend his retirement enjoying his family, traveling, and staying involved with the avionics industry. I congratulate Don Bateman on his many accomplishments and years of outstanding service to the aviation community on this milestone occasion. He is truly an asset to those millions of passengers around the globe who are safe in the skies each year through the use of his technologies.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Joseph Robert Lee Sigrist. Joe is a man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship through his service in the United States Navy during the Second World War. Joe enlisted in the Navy in 1943 where he performed vital maintenance on naval ships throughout California, Japan, and the Pacific until he completed his service in 1946. After the war, Joe continued his important work by attending the Colorado School of Mines. He worked as a machinist and tool and die maker before moving to St. Joseph, Missouri to work at Goetz Brewery. However, it could be said that one of his most notable accomplishments is his over 50 year marriage to his wife Phyllis. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Joseph Sigrist for his service to our country--a service that preserved the freedom of his fellow citizens and the future of the United States of America.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nathaniel Campbell. Nathaniel 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 271, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Nathaniel has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Nathaniel 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, Nathaniel has led his troop as the Senior Patrol Leader, earned the rank of Tom- Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and become a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Nathaniel has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Nathaniel designed and constructed ``The Bear'', a laser-cut steel and powder-coated artwork depicting the school mascot for Briarcliff Elementary School in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Nathaniel Campbell for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on April 28 and 29, I missed a series of Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``YEA'' on Numbers 173, 174, 175, 176, and 177 and ``NAY'' on Numbers 178 and 179.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Preston Sivils. Preston 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 271, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Preston has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Preston 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, Preston has led his troop as the Senior Patrol Leader, earned the rank of Tom-Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and become a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Preston has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Preston designed, planned, and installed five agility obstacles for Waggin Tails, the new North Kansas City, Missouri, off-leash dog park. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Preston Sivils for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Hunter D. Hall. Hunter is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 324, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Hunter has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Hunter has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Hunter has earned the rank of Tom-Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Hunter has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Hunter collected items for care packages and sent them to members of the United States Marine Corps deployed overseas. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Hunter D. Hall for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Chase Folsom. Chase 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 271, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Chase has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Chase 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, Chase has led his troop as the Senior Patrol Leader, earned the rank of Shaman in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and become a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Chase has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Chase designed and constructed the Briarcliff Elementary School `Veggie Patch,' which included constructing six planter boxes and a six foot chain link fence around the garden. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Chase Folsom for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th anniversary of the National Association of Chemical Distributors' Responsible Distribution program. I want to congratulate NACD and its members for their commitment to continuous performance improvement in every phase of chemical storage, handling, transportation, and disposal. Chemicals are the building blocks of our modern world. They make most aspects of our lives easier, safer, and better. Chemical distributors formulate, blend, re-package, warehouse, transport, and market the chemical products produced by large-quantity manufacturers. In my district, 15 chemical distribution facilities, including Douglas Products and Packaging Company, have a total economic impact of more than $18 million and provide more than 112 high quality jobs. Throughout the country, the chemical distribution industry accounts for close to $15 billion in economic impact. In December 1991, the member companies of NACD embarked on their most important mission--the inception of Responsible Distribution. Responsible Distribution is a mandatory, third party verified environmental, health, safety, and security program. Responsible Distribution provides a proven framework for the health, safety, environment, and security aspects of handling storing, and delivering chemical products and is mandatory for all NACD members, who represent 90 percent of all chemical distribution industry sales. NACD and its nearly 450 member companies are vital to the chemical supply chain, providing products to more than 750,000 end users in industries as diverse and essential as construction, healthcare, electronics, pulp and paper, water treatment, and many others. With Responsible Distribution, NACD members deliver 80 tons of product every minute, maintain a safety record that is nearly twice as good as all manufacturing combined, and pursue continuous improvement in every phase of the chemical distribution process while demonstrating sensitivity and responsiveness to public concerns. I am proud of NACD member companies for the commitment to Responsible Distribution and for their contributions to the economy in Missouri and throughout the U.S.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Logan James Palmer. Logan 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 247, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Logan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Logan 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, Logan led his troop as the Senior Patrol Leader, earned the rank of Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and became a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Logan has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Logan constructed a duck house at Shiloh Springs Golf Course outside of Platte City, Missouri, to provide shelter for an endangered species of duck. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Logan James Palmer for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Clayton Breshears. Clayton is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 376, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Clayton has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Clayton 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, Clayton led his troop as the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, earned the rank of Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and become a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Clayton has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Clayton painted a precise outline of the United States on the Lewis and Clark Elementary School playground in Liberty, Missouri, giving teachers at the school another tool to teach their students basic geography. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Clayton Breshears for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Brett Christian Mason. Brett 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 247, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Brett has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Brett 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, Brett has earned the rank of Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and become a Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow. Brett has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Brett constructed two benches for a sitting area in the foyer at Gracemor Christian Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Brett Christian Mason for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Frank Gustav Reinsch. Frank 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 247, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Frank has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Frank 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, Frank led his troop as the Senior Patrol Leader, earned the rank of Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and become a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Frank has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Frank installed a flag pole and laid a textured patio around the pole at Platte Ridge Park, north of Platte City, Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Frank Gustav Reinsch for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Michael Fletcher. Michael 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 412, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Michael has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Michael 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, Michael led his troop as Den Chief and as the Patrol Leader. Michael also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Michael collected donated materials from area businesses and led a team to construct 25 dog beds that were donated to three local animal shelters in Smithville, Liberty and Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Michael Fletcher for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jacob Dean Beeson. Jacob 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 1417, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Jacob has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jacob 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, Jacob contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Jacob built two cello and two bass racks for the Liberty North High School Orchestra. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jacob Dean Beeson for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, March 17, I missed a series of Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``YEA'' on Number 127, 128, and 129.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark Van Tine, Vice President of Digital Aviation for The Boeing Company and Chief Executive Officer of Jeppesen, who is retiring after 35 years with the company. Mr. Van Tine is a true champion of the aviation industry and an inspiration to young people considering an aviation career. Since 1981, Mr. Van Tine has held numerous positions at Jeppesen, including serving as its Chief Information Officer, before being named CEO in 2002. In 2012, he added responsibilities as the leader of Boeing's new Digital Aviation organization. In recent years, Mr. Van Tine took on the tremendous challenge of overseeing Jeppesen's digital transformation, moving the entire global aviation industry to electronic charts. This process reduced from 2.5 billion sheets of navigational paper for the worldwide aviation and maritime industries annually to around 475 million sheets annually today. He leads more than 3,800 employees at Jeppesen, headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, who serve four key customer markets--general, business, military, and commercial aviation--of which there are more than 100,000 customers. In his role with The Boeing Company, Mr. Van Tine oversees more than 4,400 employees in developing and delivering cutting-edge information solutions. Mr. Van Tine is also an active contributor to the general aviation community. He sits on the boards of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). In 2009 he served as GAMA's Chairman and has since chaired the association's Security Issues Committee for five years. In this capacity, he skillfully testified before the House Homeland Security Committee's Transportation Security Subcommittee in 2011, offering the general aviation industry's perspectives on reauthorization of the Transportation Security Administration. His greatest passion, however, is instilling a love of aviation in young people and encouraging them to become the next generation of aviation leaders. A naturally gifted mentor, Mr. Van Tine devised a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) competition for high schoolers with an annual prize being a two-week build of a Glasair Sportsman airplane. This June marks the third year Mr. Van Tine will join students to assemble an aircraft in the GAMA/Build A Plane Aviation Design Challenge. He also chairs the Jeppesen Aviation Foundation, which honors the legacy of Captain Elrey B. Jeppesen by supporting educational institutions, organizations, and students in the aviation community. In addition, he helps to teach character, leadership, and life skills to urban youth as a Board member with Colorado UPLIFT, a non-profit youth service organization. I congratulate Mark Van Tine on his many accomplishments and years of outstanding service to the aviation community on this milestone occasion. He is truly an asset to the people of Colorado and to those millions of passengers around the globe who are safe in the skies and at sea each year through the use of his navigation services.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, March 16, I missed a series of Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``YEA'' on Numbers 124, 125, and 126.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Kyle Anthony Downes. Kyle 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 261, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Kyle has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Kyle 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, Kyle contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Kyle refurbished several terrace steps on the White Tail Trail in the Parkville Nature Sanctuary, making the trail safer for hikers. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Kyle Anthony Downes for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jeffrey Alan Mackey, Jr. 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 1309, 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. Most notably, Jeffrey has earned the rank of Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and become a Brotherhood Member of the Order of the Arrow. Jeffrey has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Jeffrey coordinated the reconstruction of a large retaining wall in the resident's courtyard at the Excelsior Springs Convalescent Center in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jeffrey Alan Mackey, Jr., for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.