Jason Smith

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Clan ``Bud'' Proffer who has been a valuable asset to Cape Girardeau County for over 32 years through his dedication and work with the Sheriff's Office in the Patrol Division, as Captain of Field Operations. Bud has shown his commitment to law enforcement by attending many hours of training on Missouri laws, crime investigations, supervisory training, reporting crimes, and countless hours of continuing education. He was appointed to the Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad in 1983. Bud has served the community and his fellow employees as the Captain of the Field Operations Division for over 27 years. Bud has shown dedication and commitment to his profession by leading the Sheriff's Office in their endeavor to automate the operations of the Sheriff's Office by obtaining, installing and maintaining computer programs, software and equipment to keep the Sheriff's Office automated for over 25 years. Over the years, Bud has received numerous awards such as the Timothy J. Ruopp Award for Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer in 1987 and again in 2012. It is with the utmost respect and deepest gratitude that I recognize and thank Bud Proffer for his many years of service to the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office. I wish him health and happiness in his future endeavors and in his retirement. I am grateful that we have such caring members of the Cape Girardeau community; it is my pleasure to recognize his achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th Anniversary of the National Cooperative Extension Service. The Smith- Lever Act of 1914 created this educational partnership which began between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nation's land-grant universities. The Cooperative Extension Service grants state universities funds to produce significant research which is available for the use of the public across the nation. In addition, research based education programs have improved the lives of many through the advancements made in farming, business, health services, and emergency management. In the Show-Me State, the Missouri Extension Services have been fundamental to community development. Nearly seventy percent of Missouri's taxpayer funded research is produced by the land grant universities. This information is used to enhance vital industries like agriculture, business, and healthcare. The state of Missouri has benefitted immensely through the active role of the Extension programs which equip our communities with vital information and educational programs. For the advances made possible in Missouri and across the nation by the Cooperative Extension Service, it is my pleasure to recognize the 100th Anniversary of the National Cooperative Extensions in the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Ernest T. Nordman of Cape Girardeau, Missouri for his outstanding achievements and exemplary years of service to our Nation. Captain Nordman is being awarded the prestigious Manion Award for Officer Logistician of the Year. The award is named after 1st Lieutenant Travis Manion, a Marine logistician who was killed by enemy sniper fire in Iraq in 2007. This award honors outstanding leadership skills, exemplary actions and overall conduct. I would like to congratulate Captain Nordman for this distinguished achievement and his honorable service. I am tremendously grateful for the dedicated men and women who have dutifully served our country, and among them leaders such as Captain Nordman who have risen as admirable leaders. It is my pleasure to recognize his achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Norm Harty, who nearly 50 years ago pioneered the technique of using dynamite to clean the inside of a power plant boiler, in order to remove slag deposit. Power plants burning any type of fuel, except natural gas, eventually build ash that creates slag deposits on the tubes running through boilers. This build up can create inefficiency in the operation of a power plant, requiring more fuel to be used to reach the same output a clean boiler could produce, not to mention being a safety hazard as well. The advances Norm and his company helped create in boiler cleaning technology have made their mark. In 1964 Norm started his own business, N. B. Harty, and hired his first employee. Now 50 years and more than 4,500 jobs later Harty is still running his company which is regarded as the number one explosive cleaning company in the world. Norm has done business in all 50 states in the United States and in Canada, Mexico and Korea. In addition to his business achievements, Norm and his late wife Billie, have contributed much to their community of Dexter, Missouri. For the advances Norm and his company helped create in boiler cleaning technology, and his many other contributions to the community, it is my pleasure to recognize his efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Technical Sergeant Joshua Coomer of Summersville, Missouri for his outstanding achievements and exemplary years of service to our Nation. Technical Sergeant Coomer first enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in May of 1999. During his career he served in two deployments, his first to Kuwait in 2000 and then to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia in 2002. On August 1st, 2014, Technical Sergeant will retire from the U.S. Air Force after honorably serving for 15 years. Throughout his career he has been recognized on numerous occasions for his distinguished leadership and commitment to uphold standards. He was named Military Training Leader of the Year in 2005, 2009, 2011, and 2012 in different groups for his outstanding performance in preparing future military personnel. His superior officers speak very highly of him and I thank Mr. Joshua Coomer for his service to our Nation. It is my pleasure to recognize his achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. George Phil Wright of Rolla, Missouri for his years of exemplary service to his country through the United States Air Force. Mr. Wright's career as meteorological technician first began when he entered the Air Force as a weather apprentice in 1964. His active military service includes assignments in Illinois, Missouri, South Carolina and Turkey. Mr. Wright was a distinguished airman earning several awards including the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and Air Force Expert Marksman Ribbon. He also completed the Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership School at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. After ten years of active military service, Staff Sergeant Wright separated from the Air Force and was hired as a civil service weather observer at McEntire Air Force National Guard Base, South Carolina. He was later promoted to his most current position at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. At Fort Leonard he manages three weather technicians and provides weather support to 4th MEB, 1st of the 106th Air Assault Company, U.S. Army Engineer School, Military Police School, and the U.S. Army CBRN School. Mr. Wright has earned many awards and accolades during his time serving as a weather observer. On May 15, 2014 Mr. Wright will have completed 50 years of service to the United States Air Force Service. It is my pleasure to recognize his efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Russell House for its 20 years of service to South Central Missouri. Since its founding in 1994, the Russell House has provided a safe haven for victims of domestic violence. In addition to shelter, the Russell House provides a wide range of free services to both residents and non- resident families as they transition to a life free of abuse. The Russell House also educates the community on preventing violence and intervention. During the first years of service, the house could only shelter seven victims but thanks to the continued support of the Phelps County Family Crisis Services organization the Russell House now has the capacity to provide shelter for 64 people at any given time. Over the past 20 years of service to the community the Russell House has sheltered more than 2,000 adults and 1,800 children. I applaud the hard working staff and supporters of the Russell House for their hearts of service and dedication to the families of Missouri. It is my pleasure to recognize their efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to present this amendment to H.R. 3590 today, the Sportsmen's Heritage And Recreational Enhancement Act. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee, I couldn't be prouder of the work that we have done to continue to protect our sportsmen's ability to enjoy the outdoors. As such, I am honored to offer my amendment that would ensure that sportsmen will continue to be able to use motorized vessels in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a national park contained wholly within my congressional district in southern Missouri. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a popular destination in Missouri for fishing, gigging, and trapping. These activities have traditionally been undertaken by individuals and families for generations. An economy has arisen in my district selling boats, motors, and other products to folks who want to gig, fish, and trap within the rivers. Recently, the National Park Service has been discussing closing down areas of the park to motorized vessels and further limiting the horsepower of these vessels in other areas. The reduction of boat motor horsepower would limit the number of folks who could be on a boat and restrict access to families. Banning motorized vessels from areas of the park where they are currently allowed would further restrict the public's use and enjoyment of the park. Banning motorized vessels would also exclude groups from using the rivers that simply have no other options, like the elderly and disabled veterans. Why would the Park Service resort to such drastic measures to block activities that are currently allowed? One explanation is that they don't want folks to be able to utilize the river as they have for the past decades. My amendment would simply preserve the current park regulations as they are now and how they have been for the last five decades, preventing the Park Service from regulating sportsmen off the river. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways was created for the enjoyment of the public, and it should stay with the public.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Donna Jean Kirby of Doniphan, Missouri for her outstanding service and involvement in Ripley County. In recognition of her hard work in the community, Ms. Kirby is receiving the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award. Ms. Kirby has volunteered her time with Relay for Life in addition to chairing the Christmas decorating committee of Heritage Park and pitching in at Independence Day, Labor Day, Timberfest, and other holiday festivities. She is a sister of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and supports a variety of other interests in the community, including working with a committee of local citizens to keep a local hospital open. If there is an event taking place in Ripley County, chances are Donna Kirby is helping out to make it happen. She has made Ripley County a better place through her hard work and dedication. Ms. Kirby is also a mother of two and grandmother of four. I am grateful that we have such enthusiastic and committed members of the community, such as Ms. Donna Jean Kirby whose hard work makes a difference in so many lives. It is my pleasure to recognize her efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer Chuck Stratton of Poplar Bluff, Missouri for his exemplary service to his community through the Poplar Bluff Police Department. Officer Stratton first served our country in the United States Air Force, and began working for the Police Force in 1984 as a reserve officer. Over the next 29 years Officer Stratton served in a variety of positions within the Poplar Bluff Police Department, excelling in all. His work investigating narcotics began as a Canine handler before joining the SEMO drug task force in 1990. Towards the end of his career, Officer Stratton worked in the Evidence and Accreditation departments, and lastly as the Chief of Police and Director of Campus Safety for the Three Rivers College System. Officer Stratton has been an invaluable asset to his community throughout his long career, during which he served hundreds of search warrants. During his tenure at the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Officer Stratton supervised every single division of the department at one time or another. He obtained a grant to bring a Methamphetamine Laboratory Collection Station to the Poplar Bluff Police Department which is still in use today. He has been recognized many times by his own community and by larger institutions such as the FBI. I am grateful that we have such dedicated and hardworking members of the Poplar Bluff community, such as Officer Stratton whose hard work helps keep the community safe. It is my pleasure to recognize his efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, tonight southeast Missouri will welcome back Staff Sergeant Eric Summers for the last time. Sergeant Summers was tragically killed on November 13 while serving his country at Camp Pendleton in California. Summers served 13 years with the United States Marines and is a war hero. He served five tours of duty in the Middle East and was highly decorated, earning the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Without men like Sergeant Summers willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, our country could not survive. I would ask my colleagues and those watching to keep Sergeant Summers, his family, and all of our brave men and women in uniform in your thoughts and prayers.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, next week, the National Park Service will begin holding public meetings on its ridiculous plan to limit recreational activity on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri's Eighth District. I urge families and individuals across Missouri to attend these hearings and oppose the Obama administration's changes to the riverways. Let me reiterate what I have said to the Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, and the Director of the National Park Service, Jonathan Jarvis, that we adamantly oppose the proposal to appease environmentalists by limiting the public use and enjoyment of our riverways. This proposal would hurt small businesses that rely on the riverways and keep my constituents from enjoying the riverways that belong to them. Mr. Speaker, I urge my constituents to attend public meetings in Van Buren, Salem, and Kirkwood to show opposition to the Obama administration's Park Service's attempts to restrict our access to our rivers.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Angel Woodruff of Cape Girardeau, Missouri for her compassionate defense of others in her local community. Ms. Woodruff currently serves as the first assistant prosecuting attorney in Cape Girardeau County, and has become widely-known for her compassionate and diligent defense of victims of crime. She is known for encouraging victims to advocate for themselves, and to actively seek out the help of the law. Ms. Woodruff began her education studying English at Southeast Missouri State University, and continued on to earn a Law Degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She began working at the Cape Girardeau Prosecuting Attorney's Office in 1998 and specializes in violent crimes, drug crime, domestic violence, and sex crimes. She believes that her job is more than just what people see on headlines and in court rooms, and seeks to help victims whose daily lives are affected by her cases on a personal level. Ms. Woodruff reaches out to victims and shows them that they are not alone, and that she is willing to fight for them. In the words of the U.S. Attorney who hired her, Morley Swingle, ``A crime victim is lucky if she is assigned to the case.'' I am grateful that we have such caring and hardworking members of the Cape Girardeau community, such as Ms. Angel Woodruff. It is my pleasure to recognize her achievements before the House of Representatives and to encourage her to continue advocating for victims of crime.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Dolly Jewel of Cape Girardeau, Missouri for her achievements and impact in the community. For many years, Ms. Jewel has devoted both her time and her heart to the Alzheimer's Association in Southeast Missouri, to the great benefit of the community. Ms. Jewel hosts a monthly support group at the Lutheran Home, served on the Southeast Missouri Area Advisory Committee for Alzheimer's Disease, and has planned, coordinated, and implemented annual Walk to End Alzheimer's Disease events. Through these outlets she has sought to increase awareness of the disease, as well as raise money to fund medical research. Ms. Jewel's fight against Alzheimer's Disease became personal when she lost her husband to Alzheimer's in 1997, after an 8 year battle with the disease. Since then, Ms. Jewel is pleased that many advances have been made in the treatment of Alzheimer's, but she knows there is more work to be done. As well as making a strong public effort in her local community to fight Alzheimer's Disease, Ms. Jewel also works to help lend support to others experiencing the disease. She takes pride in encouraging others to be open about their own experiences with the disease and to not feel embarrassed about acknowledging the disease. She adamantly insists to others that they are not alone, and encourages them to seek social support. Ms. Jewel has provided support and inspiration for many families affected by Alzheimer's Disease, and I truly admire her strength and dedication to helping others.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today President Obama announced yet another delay to his health care mandate. The President is picking and choosing which parts of ObamaCare he wants to enforce. The President needs to stop picking winners and losers. ObamaCare is broken and cannot be fixed. Republicans led the fight against ObamaCare because we knew the mandate would cause individuals to lose their health care. We knew monthly premiums would skyrocket, and we knew the quality of the health care of Americans would suffer. For over 3 years, President Obama has made numerous statements to American families to sell his misguided health care law, and now he is asking Americans to trust him again. My constituents in the Show Me State are not buying it, President Obama. Mr. Speaker, ObamaCare cannot be fixed by delaying portions of the law. ObamaCare needs to be repealed.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, the National Park Service released a draft general management plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri's Eighth Congressional District. The general management plan seeks to limit my constituents' access to the rivers that they have enjoyed for generations. This plan from the National Park Service would shut down public access points to the rivers, eliminate motorized boat traffic from certain areas, further restrict boat motor horsepower in other areas, close several gravel bars, and propose additional areas to be designated as Federal wilderness. The outcry I have heard from my constituents is unanimous. They believe the Ozark National Scenic Riverways are already overmanaged and my constituents do not want the National Park Service to further intrude on their access to their public rivers. Mr. Speaker, I urge the park service to reject changing management practices on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways so that my constituents can continue enjoying their rivers.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today, the Secretary of Health and Human Services said to Americans that we deserve better than what we have gotten with ObamaCare. America sure does deserve better. This is the first time in the history of our country that American citizens have been forced to purchase a product that they do not want and which they cannot afford on a Web site that does not work. But let me say, it is not just the ObamaCare Web site that is broken. President Obama has repeatedly told American families: If you like your current health insurance, you can keep your coverage. Just this week, it was revealed that President Obama and his staff have known for over 3 years that millions of Americans will lose their current health insurance because of ObamaCare. Furthermore, families in my district and across the country are feeling the sticker shock from soaring premiums. They are seeing reduced benefits, and they are being forced to make difficult financial decisions. Mr. Speaker, my constituents and families across America do indeed deserve better.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Frances Gould of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Ms. Gould works as the Southeast Region Field Support Manager of the Missouri Division of Family Services, where she oversees adoption, foster care, and interstate placement of children. She is an active member of the Community Caring Council, Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Board of Directors, and Centenary United Methodist Church, among other organizations. Ms. Gould also advises the women of Alpha Delta Pi sorority at Southeast Missouri State University. Ms. Gould has enjoyed the opportunity to give back to her community and enhance the well-being of women and children. Although there are some heartbreaking stories, she is inspired by the many success stories she has helped create. I believe that Ms. Gould is a positive role model for the women she works with and is an incredible asset to our community.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Candice Davis of Jackson, Missouri for her outstanding achievements and service to our nation. Ms. Davis served in the United States Navy for nine years as a journalist and public affairs officer. Stationed abroad in Sicily, Bosnia, and Kosovo, she was a news anchor, radio host, and television travel show host. She then spent time in Jacksonville, Florida before reaching her final duty station in Denver, Colorado at the Navy Recruiting District. In this position, Ms. Davis excelled in marketing the Navy to the region and expanding recruitment efforts. She spearheaded efforts to get recruiters more involved in charity and community work. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Ms. Davis completed her education at Southeast Missouri State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She now works as a media specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, encouraging the community to discover the power of nature. She believes that those who participate in outdoor recreation experience less stress and are more confident and that individuals can truly go on to be anything they want to be. This is the message Ms. Davis imparts to interns in her office, in addition to sharing her military stories. I thank Ms. Davis for her service to our nation and I am impressed by her continued work to better our community.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Tameka Kyles, a College Access Coordinator for Southeast Missouri State University. Ms. Kyles works to educate and prepare underserved high school students and first generation college students for post- secondary education. She also provides financial literacy services to these students and their families. Another important aspect of Ms. Kyles' service is to reach out to at-risk and low-income students in the area and mentor them in job training. Receiving her Masters of Public Administration from Southeast Missouri State University, Ms. Kyles is working for a better future for the community's youth. She is also a member of the Gibson Recovery Center Board of Directors and the Cape Central Senior High School A+ Advisory Board. In the past, she has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau, mentoring young men and women. Ms. Kyles is especially proud that her job enables her to empower girls and women through education and employment. To further this goal, she co-founded the Sisters' Professional Network, which provides opportunities for professional women to share ideas, network, and enhance each other's personal and professional lives. I am impressed with Ms. Kyles' dedication to the local community and her proactivity in addressing local issues.