Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it has come to my attention that a long and exceptionally distinguished career in public service is about to come to a close. Leona ``Kay'' Hutchison Williams will retire from her position as city clerk of Versailles on March 31, 2007. Leona ``Kay'' Hutchison Williams was born on July 12, 1943, to Leo and Erma McBroom Hutchison in Latham, MO. She is a graduate of Morgan County R-II High School and went on to take classes at CMC in Warrensburg and SMC in Springfield. Kay has performed many valuable and notable services for the community of Versailles. She has served as chairman of the Versailles High School Alumni Association in 1965, 2006 and 2007; is a member of the First Baptist Church; was appointed City Clerk in March of 1973; was appointed water clerk, was appointed purchasing agent; was appointed office manager; was elected city collector in April of 1974; is a member of the Central Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association; is a member of the Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officer Association; International Institute of Municipal Clerk's Board Member of the Missouri Municipal League; and a member of the Morgan County Historical Society. In addition, Kay is a member of the Women's Civic Club; a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association; a charter member of Missouri B-2 Gold Wing Riders Association; was awarded the B-2 Chapter of the Year Couple in 2000 & 2007; a member of West Central Riders; has served on the Chamber of Commerce Board and Old Tyme Apple Festival for 23 years; was chosen Citizen of the Year January, 1991; co-established the Adult Winter Volleyball league; a member of the 1986 Co-Ed Volleyball Team that placed 2nd in the Missouri Show-Me State Games; and Chaired the Committee to enter The Old Tyme Apple Festival into the Library of Congress for its Birthday Celebration. Leona ``Kay'' Hutchison Williams is a leader in her community. She was one of the first tellers at the Morgan County Bank in 1963 and has served as secretary for the National Farmers Organization. Ms. Williams has also served as city clerk, city collector, and deputy city clerk working with 7 mayors and 35 different aldermen. Outside of public service, her greatest joy is time spent with her husband, Lonnie Joe, their two daughters, and one step grandson. Madam Speaker, I wish Leona ``Kay'' Hutchison Williams all the best in her retirement and I know the Members of the House will join me in thanking her for her commitment to her community.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Doak of Stover, MO. Richard L. Doak was born on December 24, 1922, and was the second of seven children to the late Grace and Edgar Doak. Upon completion of high school, Richard became a student at the University of Missouri- Columbia. His college education was interrupted to volunteer for service in the United States Army in World War II. On August 19, 1944, he married Virginia Ray McClesky and soon after completed his undergraduate education, receiving a B.S. in Agriculture. He again served his country as an infantry platoon leader, 7th Division, 31st (Polar Bear) Regiment, Charlie Company, during the Korean War. In honor of his commitment to the U.S. Army, he was awarded both the Silver Star for gallantry in combat and the Bronze Star for meritorious service. After his service, the Doaks returned to Missouri where they would raise their four children on the family farm. Mr. Doak later earned a master's degree in Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and served as a teacher at Payne School and as an elementary school principal at Hallsville, Jefferson City, and Versailles, MO. In 1985, Richard retired from teaching and returned to work on his farm raising and showing Southdown sheep. Virginia Ray (McClesky) Doak was born on December 8, 1922, in King, Texas, to Estelle and Henry McClesky. Virginia graduated from high school in Gatesville and attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. After receiving her degree, Virginia taught school at Purmela and Plainview in Texas and Payne School in Missouri. On August 19, 1944, she married Richard Doak, a Missourian she had met while he was stationed at Fort Hood. While raising a family in Missouri, Virginia remained close to her family in Texas and looked forward to visiting them at Christmas and during the summer. Madam Speaker, Richard and Virginia Doak were great friends of mine and were valuable members of the Stover community. I know the Members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to their family.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of Adjutant GEN Charles Kiefner. General Kiefner was born on June 28, 1930, in Cape Girardeau, MO. Upon completion of high school, he attended Westminster College. Kiefner began his military career by enlisting in the Missouri National Guard as a private in Company F, 140th Infantry Regiment. On September 11, 1950, he entered active duty with Missouri's 175th Military Police Battalion. General Kiefner was commissioned a second lieutenant, Infantry, on December 21, 1951. He served as a platoon leader, company commander, battalion motor officer, battalion S-2, brigade adjutant and S-3, executive officer and logistics officer on the staff of the adjutant general. General Kiefner was appointed adjutant general by Governor Christopher ``Kit'' Bond on May 8, 1973, and would serve in this capacity until March 1977. As a member of the U.S. Army Reserve he served as a liaison officer to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, from 1978 to 1980. He was re-appointed to lead the Missouri National Guard by Governor Bond in 1981 and Governor Ashcroft re-appointed him in 1989. While serving in this position, General Kiefner served as president of the National Guard Association of the United States. General Kiefner retired from the National Guard in 1993 and was promoted to the grade of lieutenant general, Missouri National Guard Retired Listm, by Governor Mel Carnahan. His decorations and awards include: the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Department of Defense Identification Badge, Ranger Tab, the NGB and NGAUS Distinguished Service Medal, Missouri Meritorious Service Medal, Missouri Conspicuous Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal: Indiana, Minnesota, and Tennessee; Minnesota Medal for Merit, 1992 Distinguished Alumni-Award-Westminster College, Field Artillery Association Order of St. Barbara, Army Engineers Association Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal, and the Sons of the American Revolution Silver Good Citizenship Award. Madam Speaker, General Kiefner was a valuable leader who was respected by everyone who knew him. I know the Members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to his wife Marilyn and his sons, John and Keith.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, as a lifelong resident of Lafayette County, MO, it gives me great pleasure to introduce H. Res. 171, a resolution honoring the life of the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of his birth. Lafayette occupies a considerable place in the history of the United States. More than any one person, he symbolizes the assistance American colonists received from Europe in the struggle for independence from Great Britain. Lafayette was a man of considerable military skill who sympathized with American revolutionary fighters. After withdrawing from the French army and traveling across the ocean at his own expense, the Congress voted Lafayette the rank and commission of major general in the Continental Army. His military service during the Revolutionary War was invaluable to GEN George Washington, earning him the title of ``the soldier's friend.'' Lafayette's strategic thinking and dedication as a general officer serve as a model for present day military personnel. After achieving military victory, Lafayette returned to France, helping the U.S. to secure trade agreements and critical loans with European nations. He also became a prominent figure in the French Revolution, speaking out in support of universal freedom and human rights. Because of Lafayette's commitment to America, Congress honored him with awards of money and land. Congress was also presented a life-size portrait of Lafayette that hangs in the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives. The portrait is one of only two in the House Chamber. The other is of President George Washington, Lafayette's closest friend and role model. At the invitation of President James Monroe, Lafayette returned to the United States in 1824 and 1825. He embarked upon a triumphant tour, during which he visited 25 States, including Missouri, and he became the first foreign dignitary to address a joint session of Congress. During this visit and thereafter, various American leaders honored Lafayette by naming many cities, towns, and counties for him. Lafayette County, MO, which is my home, is named for Lafayette. As we take a moment this year to honor the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of his 250th birthday, let us remember how he helped secure American independence and helped establish the United States as an international presence. The values of democracy espoused by our Founding Fathers and by Lafayette have been the bedrock of U.S. domestic and international policymaking for generations. I urge all Americans and especially those in the military to study Lafayette as America pays tribute to him.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 47) supporting the goals and ideals of a National Medal of Honor Day to celebrate and honor the recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution now under consideration.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Today I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 47, which I introduced to recognize the extraordinary heroism and sacrifice of the Nation's Medal of Honor recipients and to increase America's awareness of the significance and meaning of the Medal of Honor among our American citizens. I want to thank my colleague on the House Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) for being here in support of this issue this afternoon. The Congressional Medal of Honor is our Nation's highest military award for valor in action against an enemy that can be bestowed on any member of the Armed Forces. Since the medal was created in 1861, more than 3,400 individuals who have served our Nation in uniform have been awarded the Medal of Honor. The first medal was established by the United States Navy to recognize sailors and marines who distinguish themselves in war. President Abraham Lincoln signed Public Resolution 82 into law, and thus the first medal of valor was created. The Army shortly followed in 1862 by establishing a Medal of Honor to recognize commissioned officers and privates who distinguished themselves by their gallantry in action. The Medal of Honor became a permanent decoration in 1863. The first award was given to Army Assistant Surgeon Bernard J.D. Irwin for his bravery in rescuing 60 soldiers at Apache Pass, Arizona, in 1861. It is very interesting, Mr. Speaker, that a Medal of Honor was awarded a Union soldier years after the 1861 Battle of Lexington, Missouri, my hometown, for his gallantry in helping to retake the Anderson House, which was the hospital at the time of that battle, September 18, 19 and 20, 1861. His name was Palmer. The current conflict in Iraq sadly has posthumously added two heroic and courageous individuals to the rolls, Sergeant First Class Paul Smith of the United States Army, and Corporal Jason Dunham of the United States Marines. These two individuals continue to epitomize the recipients of the Medal of Honor, whose uncommon valor and extraordinary bravery are standard characteristics. It is interesting to note also, Mr. Speaker, that in the history of the medal, 19 men received a second award. 14 of them received two separate medals for separate actions, and one was awarded to a woman. Of the more than 3,400 medals awarded, 266 of those were awarded for action during World War II, and 154 were awarded for action during the Vietnam conflict. Today there are only 111 living recipients of the Medal of Honor. America is rapidly losing its greatest and true heroes. It is also important to note that when Missouri's President, Harry Truman, awarded the Medal of Honor to a soldier at the end of the Second World War, he said he would rather have this medal than being president. The resolution before the House seeks to recognize the heroism and sacrifice of the Nation's Medal of Honor recipients, and to urge the establishment of a National Medal of Honor Day to ensure that all Americans continue to celebrate and to honor the contributions and ideals that the Medal of Honor recipients exemplify. Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are able to bring this resolution to the floor. It is highly important that we recognize those very special individuals who received the Medal of Honor and will bear the recognition throughout their lives, as well as their family receiving recognition should they be awarded posthumously.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 5 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota, the chairman of the Agriculture Committee, my friend, Mr. Peterson.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts, the chairman of the Financial Services Committee, Mr. Frank.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Massachusetts 30 seconds.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The question is, where are we today? We are looking at this conflict today and the consequences that it has upon tomorrow and tomorrow's military readiness. I spoke about the lack of readiness last summer. Others did as well. We had a hearing on it a good number of months ago, our committee responded, and we thank the gentleman from California for helping in that massive effort to re-equip our Army as was necessary, and hopefully we will be able to do more in the future. But where are we today? Yesterday regarding the issue of readiness of our Army, the Army Chief of Staff, General Schoomaker, said that the increase of 17,500 Army combat troops in Iraq represents only the tip of the iceberg and will potentially require thousands of additional support troops and trainers as well as equipment, further eroding the Army's readiness to respond to other world contingencies. In the last 30 years, there have been 12 military engagements, some large, some small, that our country has engaged in. The Pentagon says they would only need some 2,500 support troops for the 20,000-plus combat troops. The Congressional Budget Office says there is going to be a necessary 13,000 in additional support troops. But the issue of readiness is real, it is there today because of additional combat troops, and that is what we are debating today. That is exactly the issue today. The readiness of tomorrow is contingent upon what happens today. I yield, Mr. Speaker, 5 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to my friend the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), the chairman of the Budget Committee and also a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. SKELTON. The gentleman my friend, Mr. McKeon, raised a very interesting issue about who is really involved in this war in this country. My opinion is those in uniform and their families. All one has to do is to go to Walter Reed and the Bethesda hospitals, go to visitation or a funeral, and those are the ones, and the saying good-bye to the National Guard and Reserve units, the active duty units, the farewells and the welcome homes, those and their families are those that are involved. And I am afraid the gentleman is correct, that they are the only ones that are actually involved with this war.

Mr. SKELTON. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. SKELTON. Reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman. He reiterates what I have been saying, that it seems like the members in uniform and their families are the ones truly involved in this war. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 2 of House Resolution 157, and as the designee of the majority leader, I request that the time for debate be enlarged by 1 hour, equally divided and controlled by the leaders or their designees.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend, the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend, the gentlewoman from New York, the chairwoman of the Small Business Committee, Ms. Velazquez. (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 5 minutes to my friend from California, the gentleman who is also the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, Mr. Miller. (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)