[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 129 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MISSOURIAN AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2013

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Bob Beine, 
Cheryl Burnett, Leon Combs, Charles Edwards, Dwayne Holden, Norm 
Ridder, Dr. Bharat Shah, Erick Taylor, Mike Williamson, Rudy Farber, 
C.J. Huff, and Glenna Wallace as this year's recipients of the 
Missourian Award.
  The Missourian Award recognizes Missourians who have positively 
impacted their communities, state, or nation through contributions in 
civics, arts, business, or politics.
  The late Charles Edwards was awarded for his many years of service at 
CoxHealth and Cox Medical Plaza. Bob Beine is the president of Beine 
Automotive Group and has served on the Ford Motor Co. National Dealer 
Council, the Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation board of 
directors, and the Springfield First Community Bank board of directors. 
Cheryl Burnett is director of development for Missouri State 
University, and served as coach of the Missouri State women's 
basketball team and is a member of two halls of fame. Leon Combs is the 
chair of the Skaggs Foundation and owner of the Beaver Creek Elk and 
Cattle Ranch.
  Dwayne Holden leads Custom Metalcraft Inc., a small business he 
started in 1977 that focuses on customized metal work. Norm Ridder has 
served as an advocate for children's issues, serving for eight years as 
Springfield Public Schools' superintendent. Dr. Bharat Shah has 
promoted health care innovation through his invention of four different 
medical devices. Erick Taylor is the president and CEO of Pyramid 
Foods, which operates 48 stores in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas and 
frequently holds charity events. Mike Williamson led Empire Bank for 26 
years and has held a number of leadership roles in the community.
  Glenna Wallace has been the chief of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe since 
2006. Rudy Farber has served as CEO and president of Community Bank and 
Trust and former chairman of the Missouri Highways and Transportation 
Commission. C.J. Huff was honored for his service as the superintendent 
of the Joplin R-VIII school district.
  Each of these recipients has served the community and nation in a 
unique way and made a positive impact for Southwest Missouri. The hard 
work and dedication to their respective fields and to the community 
displayed by these leaders is exceptional.
  I am proud of these honorees for each receiving the 2013 Missourian 
Award and even prouder to call them my neighbors; they make such an 
incredible positive impact on the Southwest Missouri community. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in honoring their achievements.

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