[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1040
                      HONORING ROGER WILLIAM SWANK

  Mr. ALFORD. Madam Speaker, today we honor a true American patriot, 
Master Sergeant Robert William Swank as our August Veteran of the 
Month.
  He was born in Wichita, Kansas, and reared in Fort Scott. He answered 
the call to serve in 1967 and spent over 36 years in uniform, including 
time in Vietnam with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.
  Roger earned the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, and 
numerous other awards. He continued his service in the Missouri Army 
National Guard for more than three decades and retired in 2004.
  Off the battlefield, he was just as committed, serving as a mail 
carrier, a community leader, and a devoted family man. He was married 
to his wife, Linda, for 35 years, and together they have raised seven 
daughters.
  Even in retirement, Roger remains a pillar of his community by 
volunteering with the Red Cross, serving his church for more than 40 
years, and acting as assistant chaplain for the Disabled American 
Veterans organization.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Roger so much for his lifelong service to our 
country and our communities. He is an inspiration to us all.


                         Honoring Anne's Acres

  Mr. ALFORD. Madam Speaker, today we are proud to honor Anne's Acres, 
a generational family farm in Lincoln, Missouri, in the Fourth District 
as our July Small Business of the Month.
  Since 1999, Robert and Leslie Exendine, along with their three 
daughters and six grandkids, have cultivated five acres with nearly 
7,000 blooming blueberry plants. Say that 10 times fast. This vibrant 
farm named for the shared middle name of Leslie and their daughter 
Kadey is a cornerstone of our district.
  During its peak 3-week season from Father's Day to the Fourth of 
July, Anne's Acres welcomes over 200 visitors, including local school 
kids. The gift shop delights a lot of people with the aroma of freshly 
baked blueberry muffins and refreshing slushies. I am hungry now.
  Robert, a retired Air Force mechanic from Whiteman Air Force Base, 
and his family are now expanding, adding 8,000 strawberry plants for 
next spring.
  Congratulations to the Exendine family, including Kadey and her sons, 
for their dedication. I invite you all to go visit them in Lincoln, 
Missouri.


                   Honoring Dan & Jerry's Greenhouses

  Mr. ALFORD. Madam Speaker, today I rise today to honor Dan & Jerry's 
Greenhouses, a small business gem in Harrisonville, Missouri, in the 
Fourth District, our August Small Business of the Month.
  For years, Dan & Jerry's has been a cornerstone of our community. 
Their Farm Fresh Selects trial garden tests hundreds of plant varieties 
each year, making sure only the best make it to our gardens.
  Beyond their exceptional products, they foster community spirit 
through events like the Annual Arts & Crafts Fair, Fall Festival, and 
Plant a Flower for Mom on Mother's Day.
  These gatherings create lasting memories and strengthen our small-
town bonds. We are honored to be able to visit this phenomenal spot 
this August during our district work period.
  I thank them for their dedication to excellence and community. Let's 
get to Harrisonville and visit them, as well. Thank you to Dan & 
Jerry's Greenhouses for being our August Small Business of the Month.

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