[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 17, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO PHIL AND JODY SCHMIDT

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of Phil and 
Jody Schmidt, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming's 2019 
honorees.
  Since 1978, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming has committed 
itself to making a positive difference in the lives of children. Their 
mission is to inspire all youth, especially those who need them most. 
The goal is to help these children to reach their full potential as 
productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Their activities provide 
the children in our community a sense of dedication, purpose, and 
belonging.
  The Boys and Girls Club will host its annual awards and recognition 
breakfast on August 28, 2019. This event celebrates the outstanding 
efforts by individuals who have made remarkable and significant 
contributions to the Boys and Girls Club mission and to the City of 
Casper.
  Phil and Jody Schmidt will be honored at this year's breakfast. Their 
lifelong commitment toward bettering the lives of youth in the Casper 
community is remarkable. Their dedication to Wyoming's young people 
embodies the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming's charge to better 
the lives of children in Casper.
  Phil is a devoted family man, successful businessman, and selfless 
community member. After graduating from high school, Phil attended 
Black Hills State University, earning a bachelor's degree in business 
administration with an emphasis in accounting. Phil and Jody moved to 
Casper in 1982, immersing themselves in the community. Phil began his 
career as a CPA. In 1988, he became the president and owner of Greiner 
Motor Companies. Under his guidance, Greiner Motors grew from one 
dealership to three, employing almost 300 people. Phil received the 
Ford Motor Company's ``Salute to Dealers'' award in 2009. The award 
commends dealers ``exhibiting unparalleled dedication to their 
communities.'' Phil was one of six recipients, selected from almost 
6,000 dealers.
  Remarkably, Phil's hard work and contributions to the Casper 
community extend far beyond his business successes. Phil and the 
employees of Greiner Motor Companies led a cleanup effort of Casper 
Skate Park in 2004. Phil recognized a clean, safe park would give 
Casper youth an area where they could safely socialize and develop 
athletic skills. Greiner Motor Companies also helped to host the 
``Fill-A-Ford'' food drive, parking Ford pickups at various bank 
branches to collect canned good and donations for food banks. They 
raised $26,000 and collected enough canned goods to fill up three 
pickup trucks.
  Phil also devotes much of his time and energy serving on the boards 
of many outstanding organizations. Any group lucky enough to have Phil 
on its board is destined for success. The Boys and Girls Club of 
Central Wyoming, Casper Family YMCA, Wyoming Medical Center, Wyoming 
Auto Dealers, the Natrona County Library Foundation, and the Wyoming 
Transportation Commission have all benefited from his servant 
leadership. Phil credits Jody for his great success. Her support and 
strength during times of both hardship and good fortune allowed Phil to 
thrive with his ventures.
  Jody is a dedicated mother and caring wife. Raised in Fruitdale, SD, 
alongside five siblings, Jody learned the values of hard work and 
community involvement from her parents. They ran the family's 
beekeeping business, McIntire Honey. Her father, Russell, served on the 
board of directors for their local hospital, delivered Meals on Wheels 
to his neighbors in need, and served as a member and Grand Knight in 
their local council of the Knights of Columbus. Her mother, Betty, 
served in the local community club and was honored for her work as a 
hospital auxiliary volunteer. Their values of kindness and generosity 
were instilled in Jody, who then brought them to the Casper community.
  Jody also supports their neighbors and community with volunteer work 
and service efforts. She serves on the boards of the National Alliance 
on Mental Issues and Interfaith of Natrona County. She volunteers at 
Holy Cross Center with the food bank ministry and helps St. Anthony 
Tri-Parish School in countless areas, including coordinating charity 
runs and auction galas. Like my wife Bobbi, Jody is a strong, resilient 
breast cancer survivor. She is a pillar of courage and perseverance.
  Phil and Jody have been married 37 years and were blessed with six 
children: Allyson, Madelyn, Reid, Evan, James, and Nathan. The family 
persevered through tremendous pain; their sons Evan and Reid passed 
away at the ages of 11 and 29, respectively. In the wake of this 
tremendous personal challenge, Phil and Jody chose to continue their 
commitment to others. They looked past their pain, turning tough times 
into a means to assist and help care for those in need. They believe 
their difficult experiences give them the ability to come alongside 
others who face similar challenges. This mindset of perseverance 
demonstrates just how deserving they are of this award.
  There is no doubt the work and endless hours given by Phil and Jody 
will continue to shape and improve countless lives for years to come. 
Together, the couple represent Wyoming's characteristic strength, 
resilience and determination. Their generosity is exceptional. In the 
midst of enormous challenges the pair find the courage to not only push 
on, but to help others do the same.
  It is with great honor that I recognize these exceptional members of 
our Wyoming community. My wife, Bobbi, joins me in extending our 
congratulations to Phil and Jody Schmidt for this special 
acknowledgement.

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