[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 105 (Monday, June 8, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING ROBERT KOLAS FOR HIS THIRTY-ONE YEARS AS MAYOR OF 
                         HIGGINSVILLE, MISSOURI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2020

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to recognize Mayor 
Robert ``Bill'' Kolas for his 31 years of dedicated service to the 
community in his role as Mayor of Higginsville, Missouri. Having been 
steadfast in his commitment to the betterment of this small, close-knit 
community, Mayor Kolas undoubtedly leaves behind a legacy of 
unparalleled leadership.
  Mayor Kolas was born in Carrollton, Missouri, the son of William and 
Doris Kolas. Going into his 5th grade year, his family moved to 
Higginsville, Missouri and established themselves within the community. 
Mayor Kolas graduated from Higginsville High School in 1957 and went on 
to work in construction for two years before he joined the United 
States Navy in October of 1959. After proudly serving a four-year tour, 
Mayor Kolas returned to Higginsville before taking on a traveling sales 
position. For the next 20 years, Mayor Kolas represented livestock feed 
companies, encompassing a Midwest region of five states. In 1977, he 
made Higginsville his homestead for good, settling in with his beloved 
wife and daughter, and has remained an active force in the community 
since then.
  After a two-year term serving on the Board of Alderman, Bill sought 
the mayorship, successfully winning his election and serving a two year 
term. Dedicated to carrying out and directly shaping the community, 
Bill ran for mayor again in 1991 and has been leading Higginsville as 
mayor ever since. Mayor Kolas' list of accomplishments is expansive. 
Under his leadership, the Tax Increment Financing Commission was 
established, the power plant was expanded, the city took on a sewer 
improvement project and constructed 3 miles of sidewalks, and a \1/4\ 
cent public safety tax was passed, just to name a few. Moreover, in 
addition to mayor, Bill serves his community in many roles ranging from 
Founding Committee Member of the Lafayette County LEAD 2000 leadership 
program, Board Member, Vice President, and President of the Missouri 
Municipal League, Council Chair for the Pioneer Trails Regional 
Planning Commission, to the President of the Whiteman Airforce Base 
Community Council.
  Madam Speaker, please join me honoring Mayor Bill Kolas' 31 years of 
leading the Higginsville, Missouri community. On behalf of the people 
of Higginsville and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, myself 
included, I thank him for his dedicated service to the public. I wish 
him the best in this next chapter of his life.

                          ____________________