[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 100 (Thursday, July 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO RETIRING INSURANCE AGENT WES LANGKRAEHR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 15, 1999

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that a 
distinguished career in the insurance industry has come to an end. Wes 
Langkraehr recently retired after 34 years as an American Family 
insurance agent.
  Mr. Langkraehr was raised and educated in the Concordia, MO, area. 
After short stints at the Sweet Springs shoe factory and working 
construction at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mr. Langkraehr left Concordia 
in 1953 to work at the Kansas City Power and Light Company (KCP&L). In 
1954, he joined the Army. Upon completion of his tour of duty as a 
soldier, he returned to KCP&L, where he worked for a total of 14 years.
  While working at KCP&L, Mr. Langkraehr also started working part-time 
in the insurance business. By 1964, he was making more money with 
insurance than he was in his full-time job at KCP&L. He quit KCP&L in 
1967 and began working full-time in the insurance business with 
American Family. In July 1969, he was selected as the Company Agent of 
the Month, boosting his confidence in his ability as an insurance 
agent. He never looked back.
  With his insurance business booming, Mr. Langkraehr began to buy, 
sell, and develop real estate. He formed Metro East Corporation in the 
early 1980's. With his retirement from the insurance industry, Mr. 
Langkraehr now has time to devote more attention to Metro East.
  Mr. Langkraehr is a full-time booster for the town of Concordia, MO. 
He remains active in the community, rarely missing meetings of either 
the Lions Club or the City Council.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the Members of the House will join me in 
extending our best wishes in the years ahead to Wes Langkraehr.

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