[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING VICKI TURNBOW'S RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2024

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, it is with significant appreciation that I 
rise today to celebrate the distinguished career of Vicki Turnbow, who 
has served as the President of the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce in 
Raytown, Missouri since 2007. As a volunteer, member of the Board of 
Directors, and staff member, Vicki has worked diligently to promote 
economic development in Raytown while holding numerous positions within 
the Raytown Chamber. I ask that we take a moment to reflect on Vicki's 
abundant accomplishments and commitment to promoting economic growth as 
her retirement nears.
  Vicki's role as President of the Raytown Chamber of Commerce requires 
the oversight and leadership of two non-profit organizations, the 
Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building Foundation and the Raytown Area 
Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. The former owns the land and building 
of the Raytown Chamber`s office, while the latter works to provide 
year-long benefits to members. Vicki's diverse and robust skill set 
have set her up for success in this role, as she is tasked with 
managing advocacy, networking events, community engagement, business 
resources, and community resources and maintaining a balanced budget 
for the Raytown Chamber. Understanding the importance of collaboration, 
Vicki has been devoted to working alongside the City of Raytown to 
promote economic development in the area. She has also worked to 
continue developing relationships with other Chambers in the Kansas 
City metropolitan area, as well as with Jackson County and local school 
boards.
  The Raytown Chamber has immensely benefitted from Vicki's leadership. 
Vicki created an annual strategic plan to provide direction for staff 
members as they navigate the committee and board approval process. She 
has worked to establish the Tourism sector with the Chamber, redesign 
the Chamber's logo, and to partner with Jackson County for the Rock 
Island Shared Use Project. During times of economic hardship, Vicki's 
dedication to the Raytown Chamber remained steadfast. The Chamber 
continued to meet their goals throughout the beginning of the 2020 
Covid-19 pandemic due to her direction as President. Vicki also 
selflessly ran the Chamber's office as a one-person operation from 
November of 2019 until April of 2023. Under Vicki's leadership, the 
Capital Campaign was launched to remodel the Raytown Chamber of 
Commerce building. Vicki saw this project through to completion from 
2016 and 2023. I was honored to help secure the $200,000 needed through 
federal grants for a project so deserving of these funds.
  Vicki's compassion for and generosity towards the people of Raytown 
extends even beyond her role as President of the Raytown Chamber of 
Commerce. She serves on the Board of trustees for the Raytown 
Educational Foundation and is a member of the Raytown Rotary Club. 
Vicki's devotion to giving back to her community is apparent to all 
those around her. She has received numerous awards recognizing her hard 
work, including the Volunteer of the Year for the Raytown Chamber 
award, Raytown's Outstanding Woman Leader of the Year award, and the 
Raytown Citizen of the Year award. Vicki has also completed the Raytown 
Community Emergency Response Team training. Dedicating hours to serving 
her city, Vicki has demonstrated her passion for public service.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in applauding Vicki Turnbow as a thank 
you for leading the Raytown Chamber of Commerce as President and 
charitably serving her community. Her enthusiasm for improving the 
lives of others has earned her a joyous retirement. On behalf of 
Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, I want to thank Vicki for her 
leadership on behalf of the 118th Congress.

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