[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 170 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING JOSEPH H. BOER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2015

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joseph H. Boer, 
owner of Lake Ozark Missouri's Blue Heron Restaurant, for his service 
to our nation and entrepreneurial spirit, which has broadened the 
economic foundations of his community.
  Born in Holland, Boer attended culinary school and apprenticed in 
distinguished restaurants including the Hof Ragaz Spa Hotel in 
Switzerland before becoming a sous chef at the Belgian Embassy in Den 
Haag, Netherlands. He was later drafted for service in the Dutch Armed 
Services where he became skilled in cooking for entire battalions of 
anti-aircraft personnel.
  After surviving World War II and qualifying to be included with a 
special quota for displaced persons, he immigrated to the United States 
of America in 1956. Upon his arrival, he worked in Littleton, Colorado 
but soon moved to Kansas City, MO. There, he went on to work at the 
Terrace Grill at the Muelbuch Hotel and the Colony Steak House before 
earning his U.S. citizenship in 1961.
  After gaining citizenship, Boer served two years in the U.S. Army. He 
spent time in Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Smith, Fort Devens, Puerto Rico, 
and West Point. Because of his knowledge of the German language, he was 
selected to be a part of the NATO exercise ``Crescendo'' in Germany, 
which demanded his unique skills as a linguist.
  Through these experiences he gained the skill and confidence he 
needed to open his first restaurant, the Top Deck at Mai Tai, near the 
Lake of the Ozarks. He went on to work at Lefty's Little Chef Steak 
House and the Potted Steer Restaurant at Westgate Lanes in Jefferson 
City before buying the Potted Steer Restaurant at Lake of the Ozarks 
and purchasing what would become the Blue Heron Restaurant in 1984. 
Sitting atop the highest point above Lake of the Ozarks, the Blue Heron 
Restaurant has become known for providing fine quality cuisine as well 
as an elegant, romantic atmosphere since opening July 4th, 1984.
  Mr. Speaker, Joseph H. Boer deserves this body's utmost respect for 
his incredible life story and dedicated entrepreneurial spirit. I 
extend to him my deepest appreciation for his impressive efforts, which 
have contributed greatly to the Lake of the Ozarks community.

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