Billy Long

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Trevor Logan on being awarded the Springfield Police Department's Citizen Service Medal and Terry Lambert on being awarded the Springfield Police Department's Citizen Service Commendation for their actions on the morning of August 2, 2015. On that morning both men witnessed an individual drag a woman into an alley and attempt to sexually assault her. Terry, believing officers were just down the street, quickly rushed to alert them of what he had observed. However, Terry was unable to locate any officers, so he returned to the alley. Before he had returned, Trevor had verbally confronted the suspect and the suspect began to flee. While Trevor continued to assist the victim, Terry followed the suspect and helped officers locate him. Trevor Logan and Terry Lambert stopped a crime in progress and assisted officers in apprehending and identifying the suspect. Through their actions, both of these men exemplified what it means to be a responsible, upstanding citizen. This example of selflessness and commitment to protecting one's community that these men have embodied is one which we should all strive for. Mr. Speaker, Trevor Logan and Terry Lambert deserve this body's utmost respect for heroic actions on the morning of August 2, 2015, and I extend to both of them my deepest appreciation for their dedication to ensuring the safety of their community. Their efforts have not only contributed greatly to the Springfield community, but have made me proud to serve the people of Missouri's seventh Congressional District.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Rudy Farber, Chairman of the Board of Community Bank and Trust in Neosho, on being awarded with the Neosho Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds for his contributions and service to the Neosho community. In 1957, at the age of 16, Rudy Farber began working in the bookkeeping department at the Bank of Neosho. He took over as president of the bank in 1979 and in 1997 he was appointed chairman of the board. He introduced an employee stock ownership plan in 1987 and unveiled a plan to make the bank entirely employee owned in 2012. Throughout his time at Community Bank and Trust, Rudy has worked diligently to forge the bank into a safe, stable, and valuable cornerstone of the local community. Rudy Farber has also accumulated a long list of achievements as a community leader. He has served as Chairman of the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce Industrial Development Committee and Chairman of the Freeman Southwest Family YMCA Finance Committee. He has served as board member on Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, multiple City of Neosho and Newton County Committees and is the former president of the Neosho Rotary Club, the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce, the Neosho Land Development and the Neosho Area Business and Industrial Foundation. Mr. Speaker, Rudy Farber deserves this body's utmost respect for his lifelong dedication to improving the Neosho Community, and I extend to him my deepest appreciation for his impressive leadership. His efforts have not only contributed greatly to Southwest Missouri, but have made me ever-prouder to serve the people of Missouri's seventh Congressional District.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joseph H. Boer, owner of Lake Ozark Missouri's Blue Heron Restaurant, for his service to our nation and entrepreneurial spirit, which has broadened the economic foundations of his community. Born in Holland, Boer attended culinary school and apprenticed in distinguished restaurants including the Hof Ragaz Spa Hotel in Switzerland before becoming a sous chef at the Belgian Embassy in Den Haag, Netherlands. He was later drafted for service in the Dutch Armed Services where he became skilled in cooking for entire battalions of anti-aircraft personnel. After surviving World War II and qualifying to be included with a special quota for displaced persons, he immigrated to the United States of America in 1956. Upon his arrival, he worked in Littleton, Colorado but soon moved to Kansas City, MO. There, he went on to work at the Terrace Grill at the Muelbuch Hotel and the Colony Steak House before earning his U.S. citizenship in 1961. After gaining citizenship, Boer served two years in the U.S. Army. He spent time in Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Smith, Fort Devens, Puerto Rico, and West Point. Because of his knowledge of the German language, he was selected to be a part of the NATO exercise ``Crescendo'' in Germany, which demanded his unique skills as a linguist. Through these experiences he gained the skill and confidence he needed to open his first restaurant, the Top Deck at Mai Tai, near the Lake of the Ozarks. He went on to work at Lefty's Little Chef Steak House and the Potted Steer Restaurant at Westgate Lanes in Jefferson City before buying the Potted Steer Restaurant at Lake of the Ozarks and purchasing what would become the Blue Heron Restaurant in 1984. Sitting atop the highest point above Lake of the Ozarks, the Blue Heron Restaurant has become known for providing fine quality cuisine as well as an elegant, romantic atmosphere since opening July 4th, 1984. Mr. Speaker, Joseph H. Boer deserves this body's utmost respect for his incredible life story and dedicated entrepreneurial spirit. I extend to him my deepest appreciation for his impressive efforts, which have contributed greatly to the Lake of the Ozarks community.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sherry Levesque of Springfield, Missouri, on her successful 40-year career of dedication to the growth of bowling in our community and to wish her a happy retirement. Since 1996, Sherry has worked at Andy B's bowling lanes in Springfield, but has been around the sport in many capacities since 1975. In the early part of her career, she became the first woman to ever tally a 300 score at Hazelwood Bowl and was featured on television in competition at the old Arena Bowl. While her career as a competitive bowler is remarkable, however, it is Sherry's dedication to bring others into the sport that makes her truly unique. After moving to Springfield in 1982, she began working at Walnut Bowl (now Lighthouse Lanes) building their junior bowling program. At that position, she also became the director of the Greater Springfield American Bowlers Congress and Greater Springfield Women's International Bowling Congress. Then, she started more youth programs upon moving to Century Lanes in 1987, which ultimately earned her a distinguished service induction into the Springfield Women's Bowling Association in 1994. Around the same time, she was named president of the Missouri State Youth Bowling Association. After being named General Manager of Andy B's in 1997, she continued cultivating the area bowling community and was named Manager of the Year by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America in 2012. Mr. Speaker, I extend my appreciation to Sherry for the invaluable positive impact she has made on so many young people in my district, and wish her a happy--and well-earned--retirement. The way in which she used her passion of bowling to touch so many lives for the better truly serves as an example of the human spirit we can all learn from and makes me proud to represent her and the rest of Missouri's Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Springfield ReManufacturing Corporation's (SRC) employee owners, who have recently earned their workplace's recertification as a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Star Site, making it their 20th consecutive year to be hailed with that commendation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA's VPP program encourages private industry and federal agencies to prevent workplace hazards by emphasizing better worker and management cooperation and analysis involvement. The program's goal is to achieve injury and illness rates that are below National Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for respective industries. A ``Star'' certification is the highest level of recognition OSHA offers, and denotes that a site has exemplary workplace standards and health management programs. The employee owners at SRC have worked for many years to achieve this goal, and will be formally receiving their award this Friday, November 6, 2015, at a celebratory ceremony and luncheon. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to help recognize SRC for this great achievement and wish its workers a joyous and well-earned celebration of their success. The corporation's employee ownership, ``Open Book Management,'' philosophy has clearly payed off. This commendation is proof that their employees have made Missouri's Seventh Congressional district a better place to work and, in turn, a better place to live.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of two publications in Missouri's Seventh Congressional District, which were honored with top awards at the Missouri Press Association's (MPA) annual convention this September. ``The Monett Times'' was distinguished with the State-Wide General Excellence Award, while ``The Cassville Democrat'' brought home the MPA's Gold Cup--the association's highest honor. For both ``The Monett Times'' and ``The Cassville Democrat''--who have been in circulation 116 and 144 years respectively--these top awards are believed to be the first that each community publication has won. In addition to these top honors, these prestigious small-town newspapers' staffs and reporters took home a plethora of more than forty other awards, including a total of 13 first place honors, at the September 5th ceremony. Mr. Speaker, this is a huge accomplishment all around for the Monett and Cassville communities in Southwest Missouri--whose citizens have been humbly and amply thanked by both ``The Monett Times'' and ``The Cassville Democrat'' for their support leading to their honors. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to these publications and their teams on their work, which makes me proud to serve the people in Missouri's Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Warden Linda Sanders, head of Springfield Missouri's U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (USMCFP), on her recent national recognition by the Federal Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) Agency for Excellence in Prison Management. This distinguished honor highlights outstanding wardens for overall management of staff, inmates, and efficient operations. In earning this award, Warden Sanders was evaluated on the impact of her innovative ideas on the institutional programs she oversees, her steadfast efforts to improve the USMCFP, and extraordinary leadership as the head of her team. Additionally, this honor is a testament to Warden Sanders' impressive career in our justice system. In 1987, she got her start as a correctional officer in a low-security facility in Sandstone, Minnesota. After proving her exemplary work ethic, she was eventually named Warden of Lompoc U.S. Penitentiary in California, where she was the first female warden and first African American warden. Ultimately, after vying for the opportunity to lead the USMCFP, she was assigned as the medical center's warden in 2012. Overseeing the USMCFP, Warden Sanders is responsible for upholding a renowned institution with a rich American history dating back to the Great Depression. At that time, Springfield residents gave 620 acres to the federal government for the construction of a hospital complex, of which the first buildings were completed in 1933. Since, the center has cared for the physical and mental ailments of federal prisoners from across the nation. The prison even hosted a handful of prisoners with infamous names in American justice lore, like John Gotti, Robert Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), and Larry Flynt--just to name a few. Mr. Speaker, Warden Linda Sanders deserves this body's utmost respect for her dedication to our justice system, and I extend her my deepest appreciation for her impressive leadership. Her efforts have not only made Springfield a better community, but have made me ever-prouder to serve the people of Missouri's seventh Congressional District.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of 7 volunteer electric linemen from White River Valley in Branson, Missouri, who traveled to Haiti this June and August to help provide sustainable seven-day-a-week electric service to Haitians. Cory Brandon Sanders, Raymond Roy, William Gyger, William Marr, Matthew Maggard, Mark Visnosky, and Jacob Kennedy donated their time and talents as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA) Haiti Rural Electric Cooperative (HREC) program. This project is the first formal privately owned and operated distribution utility in the country, which intends to demonstrate the feasibility of solar-diesel hybrid power generation for isolated rural mini-grids. The goal that these men worked toward making 1,600 connections within a grid to unite the underserved Haitian communes of Roche-a-Bateau, Coteaux, and Port-a-Piment. Mr. Speaker, these 7 selfless linemen from Southwest Missouri deserve our thanks and recognition for their dedication to the HREC's noble goal of bringing affordable and reliable power to the southern coast of Haiti. Stories like theirs make me ever-prouder to serve Missouri's Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate auto part manufacturer, Carlisle Belts of Springfield, Missouri, on reaching the milestone sale of its one billionth power transmission belt. As a staple of Springfield since 1959, this is not only a triumph for Carlisle, but for the entire community. Each of its belts is American made and represents a dedicated team of engineers, technicians, and craftsmen that take pride in their product. This rare achievement represents the sound efficiency of Carlisle employees through more than five decades, and is an example of exemplary hard work--commonplace among the people of southwest Missouri. On September 26th, Carlisle will celebrate this momentous occasion with festivities for workers--current and retired--and their families. It is my pleasure to help recognize Carlisle for this great achievement and wish its workers a joyous and well-earned celebration of their success. By creating jobs, delivering top-class products, and exhibiting exemplary work ethic for more than 50 years, Carlisle and its manufacturing team have made southwest Missouri a better place to live. It makes me proud to serve them, and all of Missouri's Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as Syringomyelia Awareness Month, with the hope that increased awareness of this disease will bring improved care to individuals bravely battling the disease and a cure. Syringomyelia is a progressive disease of the spinal cord and has no known cure at this time. Thousands of men, women and children all over the world are affected by Syringomyelia and they can suffer from chronic severe pain, widespread symptoms, paralysis and even death. It is imperative that we educate the public and medical communities in order to find a cure for this disease. I ask all my colleagues to join me and all those impacted with this rare disease, not just today but every day, in the mission to educate the world about Syringomyelia. With more research on the disease and developments of treatments and even a cure, we can decrease mortality for individuals all over the world.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Spencer Robarge of Springfield, Missouri on winning the 2015 United States Bowling Congress Junior Gold Championship National Title for the 12-and-under class. Nearly 3,200 bowlers played in the 2015 Junior Gold Championships this year. Spencer outscored a rival from New York State, 390-332, to take the gold. He won his class' competition at age 12, about a decade after rolling his first bowling ball down the lane at age two. He walked away from the competition with not only a win, but ranked third nationally in the Under 12 boys scratch division. He has also won a prize at every tournament he has played to-date this year. Years of practice and experience has led him to out-bowl the competition and roll faster toward success. I have no doubt Spencer is a bowler to watch as he strikes his way to the top and toward the big leagues. I am proud to have young people with such bright futures in Missouri's Seventh District.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, on July 16 of this year, I was away from the Capitol tending to a matter that required me to be in my home district that day. As a result, I was unable to vote on any legislative measures on the floor that day. On the amendment of Mr. Garamendi of California, Amendment No. 3 to H.R. 2898, Roll Call Vote #443, had I been present I would have voted no. On the amendment of Mr. LaMalfa of California, Amendment No. 7 to H.R. 2898, Roll Call Vote #444, had I been present I would have voted yes. On the amendment of Mr. Grijalva of Arizona, Amendment No. 8 to H.R. 2898, Roll Call Vote #445, had I been present I would have voted no. On Motion to Recommit with Instructions H.R. 2898, Roll Call Vote #446, had I been present I would have voted no. On Passage of H.R. 2898, Western Water and American Food Security Act, Roll Call Vote #447, had I been present I would have voted yes.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Branson High School Future Farmers of America Trap Team on their senior division championship win and overall third place victory at the 2015 Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation National Championship. The Senior Division team, made up of Kennedy Mattox, Kory Gray, Jacob Anderson, Gage Dixon and Colten Calvert, hit 974 of 1,000 clay pigeons to take first place in their division. During the competition, Kennedy missed only one target, placing him above 697 other shooters to earn third place in the individual standings. The Pirates' trap team earned a third place victory overall. It is the culmination of the Open Division team's fifth place victory, the Intermediate Advanced team's fourth place victory, the Intermediate Entry's third place victory and many other individual medals in sporting clays, handicap trap and regular trap. The 2015 Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation National Championship had a record breaking number of entries, further showing the team's sharp skill and national achievement. The program is designed to use shooting sports to teach valuable skills such as sportsmanship, responsibility and teamwork to young individuals. The Branson team, led by Coach Joe Henderson, has seen ample success in recent years and will compete at The American Trap Association's AIM Grand Nationals in August. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Branson High School FFA Trap Team for their accomplishments and hard work and in wishing them luck in their future endeavors.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Dr. James Cofer on receiving a renowned Fulbright Scholar award. Dr. Cofer, a Springfield resident and former Missouri State University president, was awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture and perform research at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. As a Missouri State University marketing professor, Dr. Cofer devoted his research efforts while in Brazil to studying college and university administration and developing models for the Brazilian higher education community. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program provides teaching and research grants to distinguished U.S. faculty and experienced professionals. Dr. Cofer has no doubt played a major role in spreading American ideas and contributions in Brazil. The Missouri State University community and Ozarks community at-large should be proud to have a scholar like Dr. James Cofer representing them abroad. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Cofer for his dedication to such significant research and for receiving this esteemed award.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Emma Shirey on receiving a renowned Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Grant for the 2014-2015 academic year. Emma, a native of Nixa, Missouri, was awarded the Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant to teach in Taiwan, where she has gained valuable career experience serving as an English Teaching Assistant. The award has allowed Emma to interact with young Taiwanese students and make valuable contributions to Taiwan's youth after her graduation from Truman State University with a degree in Sociology. A Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship allows individuals to teach English and serve as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. by being placed in a classroom abroad. In doing so, Emma has successfully played a big role in spreading the value of American ideas and education. I am extremely proud that talented, hardworking and dedicated individuals, such as Emma, represent the Seventh District of Missouri. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Emma Shirey for her service and for receiving this esteemed award.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Evan McCartney on receiving a renowned Fulbright Study and Research Award for the 2014-2015 academic year. Evan, a Nixa, Missouri, native and United States Air Force Academy graduate, was awarded the Fulbright grant to study the field of political science in Ukraine. There, he has learned the country's military aviation history and future through Ukraine's National Aviation University. Fulbright Study and Research grants allow recipients to design projects and work with advisers and foreign universities to pursue a particular field of study. Given the ongoing conflict in the region, I am certain Evan's bright mind and American military background has shed new light on the ongoing situation there. I am extremely proud that talented, hardworking and dedicated individuals such as Evan have great opportunities to represent the Seventh District of Missouri. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Evan McCartney for his scholarship and for receiving such an esteemed award.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Niki Kennedy on receiving a renowned Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award for the 2014-2015 academic year. Niki, a Marionville, Missouri, native, was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant to serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Germany. The award has allowed Niki to continue learning the German language and culture after graduating from Missouri State University, while at the same time serving the people of Germany. A Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship allows individuals to teach English and serve as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. by being placed in a classroom abroad. Niki's work through her scholarship has helped strengthen American ties with the German people and improve American relations with the country. I am extremely proud that talented, hardworking, and dedicated individuals such as Niki represent the Seventh District of Missouri. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Niki Kennedy for her service and for receiving this esteemed award.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Chairman, what an accomplishment it is to have this historic legislation on the House floor. I want to congratulate the chairman and my Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues for their hard work. We are much closer to moving American medical innovation into the 21st century. Part of that is to keep up with the ability to communicate in a modern way with patients. As the chairman knows, I have worked very closely with him and his staff during this past year to draft language to update the Food and Drug Administration's oversight of healthcare information on the Internet, especially on social media. Millions of people use the Internet to find critical health information on treatments and other health topics. Unfortunately, current FDA regulations do not help communicate accurate, meaningful information online about healthcare solutions, such as prescription drugs and medical devices. There is enormous potential to improve American lives if we can get the FDA to write workable rules and guidance to communicate information where people's attention is focused. After all, the FDA itself regularly turns to the Internet to announce its activities and inform the public, presumably in a safe and informative way. I have legislation to do this, and I hope to continue working with the chairman to modernize healthcare communications and, thus, help improve the lives of all Americans. I look forward to continuing to work with the chairman on the 21st Century Cures to make sure this monumental bill ultimately meets the President's pen and is signed into law.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Judge Dan Conklin's 29 years of service with Missouri's 31st Circuit Court in Greene County. Judge Conklin was elected Circuit 31, Division 3 judge in 2004 after serving as an associate circuit judge since 1987. The great work and contributions to the judicial system and community have not gone unrecognized, demonstrated with his 2010 re-election and getting 78 percent of the vote. Prior to his time with the 31st Circuit, Judge Conklin was the Republic, Mo., city attorney and worked as a partner in a private practice, Conklin, Holden and Wagner. Judge Conklin is known for his passion for the court, and he is respected far and wide for it. Colleagues and attorneys have all mentioned the humor he brings to the bench. He has been dedicated to improving the quality and speed of the legal system, putting in 45 weeks per year for jury trials. Judge Conklin has no plans of slowing down as he approaches his 70th birthday, and plans to continue his record of service with a transition back to private practice. I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking Judge Dan Conklin for his decades of service to Greene County and the State of Missouri. I wish him all the very best in his future endeavors.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kassie McKnight for her achievement in representing southwest Missouri at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Kassie is a Bolivar native and was an eighth grader at Bolivar Middle School during the time of the competition. She worked hard to get to the top, going through her local spelling bee in Bolivar to the Southwest Missouri Regional Spelling Bee at Missouri State University in Springfield. Kassie competed against 34 other spellers through 64 tough rounds at the regional competition, ultimately spelling ``exacerbate'' correctly to secure her spot at the 2015 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington. Kassie was one of 285 contestants to compete in the esteemed national bee. These accomplishments took a great deal of hard work, including hours of practice and completion of numerous spelling drills, not to mention the ability to spell many difficult words that are rarely used in everyday conversation. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Kassie on a job well done. It is great to represent in Congress such amazing talent found in the Missouri's Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Sarcoxie High School Archery Team on another Missouri state championship. This victory marks the Bears' third straight state title. The Bears competed against 88 other schools from across Missouri with nearly 1,400 contestants. The team took the high school division title with a total of 3,367 points. Sarcoxie's archery program also added to their success this year with the middle school team placing 3rd in the middle school division. Sarcoxie competed against schools of all sizes, from the tiny and rural to the massive and urban. This small southwest Missouri school has proven again that size does not matter when it comes to talent, dedication and perseverance. Individually, Sarcoxie's Zane White took second place in the state high school division with 293 points and Gavin Currey finished a close fourth with 290 points. Annika Johnson, Jordyn Kirby and Elizabeth Workman all finished in the top 15, further helping shoot Sarcoxie to first place. Coaches Kaycia and David Woolsey deserve praise for successfully aiming the team toward their bullseye--a first place finish. Much effort goes into teaching skills to go the distance. That shows especially this year, as many on the Sarcoxie team were first-year competing archers. Only five were on the previous championship team. In addition, Sarcoxie had their first national archery champion this year at the National NASP IBO 3D Challenge. Fifth grader, Max Wangler was the national champion from among 483 elementary boys. Max's teammate, Drake Acheson, placed third. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Sarcoxie High School Archery Team on a job well done. I look forward to seeing their continued success.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Noel Boyer and his team at All About Trees, LLC, in Springfield, Missouri, for being awarded the 2015 Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award. Noel, who is a board certified master arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture, took over the now 22-year-old business in 2005 and has grown it into the accomplished business it is today. For more than a decade, he and his well-seasoned team have been caring for Springfield's trees, further glorifying the Queen City's ``Tree City USA'' designation. All About Trees is a fine example of how careful, strategic planning and customer care leads to success. The business has not only improved the looks of Springfield area lawns, but has rooted itself as a mainstay in our local economy and community. I congratulate Noel Boyer and All About Trees for being awarded this prestigious honor. I look forward to seeing this small business continue its great work and quality service in Springfield for many, many years to come.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, - Friday, May 15, 2015 I was away from the Capitol to attend my daughter's graduation from the University of Missouri Medical School. Due to this event, I was unable to vote on any legislative measures on this date. On the amendment of Mr. Rohrabacher of California, Amendment No. 23 to H.R. 1735, Rollcall Vote No. 233, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Lamborn of Colorado, Amendment No. 27 to H.R. 1735, Rollcall Vote No. 234, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Blumenauer of Oregon, Amendment No. 32 to H.R. 1735, Rollcall Vote No. 235 to H.R. 1735, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Lucas of Oklahoma, Amendment No. 38 to H.R. 1735, Rollcall Vote No. 236, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Nadler of New York, Amendment No. 41 to H.R. 1735, Rollcall Vote No. 237 to H.R. 1735, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On Motion to Recommit with Instructions H.R. 1735, Rollcall Vote No. 238, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On Passage of H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, Rollcall Vote No. 239, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate four outstanding students from Springfield, Missouri's, Greenwood Laboratory School. Luke Ellickson received a National Merit Scholarship Commendation and Madelyn Stroder, Adam Brock and Matthew Woodward are National Merit Finalists. Upwards of 1.5 million students compete for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship. Of those, 50,000 are identified as high achievers and receive a ``commendation.'' 15,000 will be named as National Merit semi-finalists. Only 7,600 are chosen as National Merit Finalist. These students fall in approximately the top 3 percent of all high school students in the nation. These four students represent 10 percent of the graduating class at Greenwood Laboratory School. This is a testament to the quality of education they have received, as well as a testament to their own personal work ethic and academic abilities. These students' exceptional devotion to their academic careers should be an inspiration to us all. The Springfield community is justifiably proud of Mr. Ellickson, Miss Stroder, Mr. Brock and Mr. Woodward for all their accomplishments. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating them in this impressive achievement.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Hunter Yeargan of Willard, Missouri, for claiming the Missouri Class 3 high school wrestling title. Hunter entered the title match with a height and reach disadvantage against his opponent in the state championship match. His opponent kept a solid hold on him until the second period. He only needed one shot to come back, and that one shot is exactly what he got. With only five seconds left, Hunter overcame the odds to pin his opponent and win the championship match. Hunter had an amazing season with a record of 41-1. This is his second state placing after taking third in his class last year. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Hunter Yeargan for a strong finish to his season, and for bringing the state title home to Willard High School.