[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 124 (Thursday, July 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E618-E619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL KEILHOLZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. VICKY HARTZLER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2020

  Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michael 
Keilholz on his years of devotion to the Vocational Agriculture program 
and its students. Mr. Keilholz retired from Pleasant Hill High School 
after 31 years of teaching agriculture.
  Michael Keilholz grew up in the small Catholic community of 
Frankenstein, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri and 
graduated in 1989. He had several different jobs before he began 
teaching at Pleasant Hill High School, where he remained for 26 years. 
Over the years he oversaw 77 American FFA Degrees, 113 State FFA 
Degrees, 7 State Stars in either FFA Star Agribusiness, Star Placement 
or Star Farmer with 1 State Winner in Agribusiness, 1 State FFA 1st 
Vice President, 85 State Qualifying Teams in Vo-Ag/FFA, 110 State 
Qualifying Proficiency Awards based upon FFA Leadership and SAE's (4 
State Winning Proficiency awards), 14 State Talent, 2 National Talent, 
1 National Band, 3 State Band, 25 State Chorus, 7 Student Teachers, 264 
District Vo-Ag/FFA Teams, Countless Scrapbook and Record Books 
displayed at state. In addition, he worked as an instructor for 28 
years.
  Throughout the years he has been recognized for his efforts by being 
awarded Top 6 Nationally--NAAE (State and Region IV Winner); Two time 
State Ideas Unlimited Winner, One time Regional Winner, two time 
National Presenter; 30-Year Service Award, Missouri Ag Teachers; 
Honorary American FFA Degree, National FFA Organization, 2011; 
Distinguished Service Award, Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers 
Association; Honorary State FFA Degree, Missouri FFA, 1999; Supervised 
Agricultural Experience Best Practices, National FFA, 1998; Region IV 
(U.S.) New Vocational Teacher of the Year, American Vocational 
Association, 1993; New Vocational Teacher, Missouri Vocational 
Association, 1993; Outstanding Young Member, MVATA, 1993; Outstanding 
Young Professional, University of Missouri College of Education Alumni 
Award, 1993; Teaching Ideas--District Winner, 1996; Instructional 
Materials Lab, Sold Copyright-Crop & Weed Plant ID, 1993.
  Perhaps the greatest achievement of all is the number of lives Mr. 
Keilholz has impacted over the years. Thousands of young people have 
been blessed by his tutelage as they have learned invaluable life 
lessons taught through agriculture, the leadership opportunities 
provided through FFA, and the work ethic instilled through student SAE 
projects. Mr. Keilholz's interest in every student, his encouragement, 
and personal example of character and commitment will leave a legacy of 
amazing future leaders in agriculture who will impact our nation and 
our world.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Michael Keilholz for his hard work and 
dedication, and I thank him for his years of selfless devotion to 
agriculture.

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