[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 79 (Monday, May 11, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2196-S2197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING ART FILLMORE

  Mr. SCHMITT. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the late 
Arthur Fillmore II, one of Missouri's true champions. Throughout his 
entire life, Art's spirit was focused on those around him, as he 
continually searched for opportunities to protect and serve others. 
After graduating from the University of Missouri, he would receive a 
commission and join the U.S. Army, deploying first with the 25th 
Infantry Division in Vietnam, and later earning the rank of captain, 
serving in the Strategic Ammunition Support Command in Europe as a 
nuclear weapons adviser to American and Belgian forces. During his 
service, he earned multiple decorations for his outstanding work, 
receiving several Bronze Stars, several Air Medals, and an Army 
Commendation Medal and was awarded two Purple Hearts.
  Upon retiring from Active military service, Art graduated from the 
University of Missouri School of Law, beginning a remarkable career as 
an attorney. While practicing law, he also served on the Veteran 
Administration's Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of War Veterans 
and the National Security Advisory panel for the Central Intelligence 
Agency. In his free time, Art became a fierce community advocate, 
devoting himself to helping other brave veterans transition back into 
civilian life, founding the Heart of America Stand Down Foundation, and 
St. Michael Center for Homeless Veterans, cofounding the Kansas City 
Vietnam War Memorial, and serving on the board of directors for the 
Kansas City chapter of the Association of the United States Army.
  Art's charitable work was not limited to veteran advocacy. He spent 
several years in leadership roles with the University of Missouri-
Kansas City Athletic Association, the Kansas City Art Institute Board 
of Trustees, and the Kansas City Ballet, later working alongside former 
Senator Kit Bond as chairman of Heart to Heart International Airlift, 
which provides vital medical supplies and aid to those in need 
overseas. For his outstanding volunteer work, Art was honored with 
multiple awards, including the Harry S. Truman Silver Veterans Medal, 
Daughters of the American Revolution Lifetime Achievement Award, 
Vietnam Veterans Community Service Award, and was admitted to several 
Halls of Fame.
  Art was a devoted family man, a cherished father to three children, 
and a proud grandfather to six grandchildren. He was also a committed 
grill master and lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Art Fillmore 
was a deeply selfless man and lived a life defined by compassion and 
service to others. His remarkable drive to volunteer and dedicate his 
time to charitable causes

[[Page S2197]]

will be sorely missed in the Show-Me State.

                          ____________________