[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 153 (Thursday, September 18, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4416-H4417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE FUNKY BUFFALO COFFEE HOUSE AND TRADING COMPANY

  (Mr. Alford of Missouri was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I highlight a special place in Camdenton, 
Missouri, in the Fourth Congressional District of Missouri: The Funky 
Buffalo Coffee House and Trading Company, a weird name, but a great 
place. It is our September Small Business of the Month.
  Now, this just isn't an ordinary coffee shop. It is where community 
happens, families gather, students study, friendships are built, and 
real conversations are had like we used to do back in the day.
  We had the opportunity to stop by there and have some of their great 
coffee and see firsthand during one of our townhall tour stops in 
August. Yes, we actually did townhall tours. I know a lot of you are 
surprised by that. We got out there and listened to people.
  From seasonal fall specialty coffees to strawberry lemonade 
smoothies, the Funky Buffalo is always offering new drink recipes.
  The Funky Buffalo is run by Kendra. She is a wife, a mom of three, 
and now a bold small business owner. She and her husband, Chris, have 
poured their hearts into this place creating not just a business but a 
blessing for our district.
  Their family is directly affected by ``22 a day,'' the number of 
veterans who take their own lives each and every day. Uncle Ry, 
Kendra's husband's younger brother, was just 26 when he lost his battle 
to post-traumatic stress on U.S. soil. Ryan was a son, a brother, a 
best friend, and an uncle.
  This is why 100 percent of their shop's net proceeds of coffee, 
awareness bracelets, and awareness shirts are donated to suicide 
prevention programs and other veteran organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I am more than proud to recognize the Funky Buffalo as 
our small business of the month, and I thank them for investing in 
people, investing in our community, our district, and in the American 
Dream.


               September Veteran of the Month: Dale Karst

  Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, today, I am honored to recognize our 
September Veteran of the Month: Mr. Dale Karst.
  Dale proudly served in the United States Air Force, entering service 
on September 16, 1966. After basic training, he was stationed at 
Whiteman Air Force Base with the Air Police Squadron before deploying 
to Vietnam with the 377th Combat Defense Unit.

  He was stationed at Tan Son Nhut during the Tet Offensive, one of the 
most dangerous moments of that war. When he returned home, Dale was 
stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.
  Dale told me his most cherished memory of service was returning from

[[Page H4417]]

Vietnam to meet his newborn child and embracing his wife again, a 
moment he wasn't sure he would ever see.
  Today, Dale and his wife, Patty, enjoy time with their grandchildren 
and working on projects together. He reminds us of three things we must 
always honor: God, family, and country.
  Dale's got some health challenges right now, and I had the 
opportunity of visiting him at our VA Hospital in Kansas City a few 
weeks ago. Although, he is going through these challenges, he has a big 
smile on his face.
  I will tell Dale that we are praying for him. We are going to make 
sure he gets through this and that he gets the best healthcare possible 
through the VA system.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. Dale Karst, a true 
American hero, for his courage, his sacrifice, and his enduring love 
for the United States of America. I want Dale to know we love him.

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