[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE GRAND OPENING OF MID-MISSOURI ENERGY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2005

  Mr. SKELTON.  Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to announce 
the grand opening of Mid-Missouri Energy, Inc. Many Missourians have 
worked hard to create this farmer-owned ethanol production facility in 
Malta Bend, Missouri. Ground was broken on the facility on October 4, 
2003, and the facility was opened for business on June 3, 2005.
  From the time I was young, I was taught that a farmer's livelihood 
depends on two things: the weather and the markets. With the opening of 
Mid-Missouri Energy, farmers will have an additional market for their 
corn and will be able to get more bang for their agricultural buck. 
Missouri farmers, especially those who make the Fourth District home, 
will now have a facility that allows them to capitalize on the growing 
renewable fuel opportunities across the nation. Ethanol production is 
not only beneficial to the farmers of America, but to the American 
public at large. Ethanol is a renewable energy resource that, when 
utilized most effectively, will reduce America's dependency on imported 
oil and decrease pollution.
  The ethanol production facility in Malto Bend will also benefit the 
rural economy. Farmers will not only have an additional market for 
their corn, but Mid-Missouri Energy will employ rural citizens and will 
have a far reaching, positive impact on the local economy. Mid-Missouri 
Energy's founding fathers, especially Ryland Utlaut and Don Arth, 
deserve credit for making Mid-Missouri Energy a reality.
  As Mid-Missouri Energy opens and begins to produce ethanol, I know 
that Members of Congress will join me in honoring their outstanding 
work.

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