WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) last week made remarks in the U.S. House of Representatives to congratulate Neal E. Boyd and Blake DeWitt for their accomplishments.  Boyd has been immensely successful on the television show, “America’s Got Talent,” and DeWitt is a promising rookie exceeding expectations for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Southern Missouri has a lot of talented people, and Neal and Blake are just outstanding young men with bright futures,” Emerson said.  “I think it is important to recognize their accomplishments and congratulate them in a national forum.  You know, urban areas don’t have the market cornered on the arts or on athletics.  We have a lot to offer in Southern Missouri, and the work ethic and creativity to back up our talents.”

The text of Emerson’s remarks, published in the Congressional Record, follows:


September 27, 2008

MADAM SPEAKER, I rise today to recognize the tremendous accomplishment of a young man from my district, Mr. Blake DeWitt, who with hard work and determination has earned a valued place in the starting lineup of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In baseball, Mr. DeWitt is making good on the promise he showed with Sikeston High School, where he batted .558 his senior year.  He has been singled out with numerous awards, earning recognition as a member of the all-state first team each of his four high school years, and ultimately being named to Baseball America’s High School All-America first team.  At the professional level, Mr. DeWitt began playing in 2004 – working his way up to the major league club.

Mr. DeWitt’s athletic achievements would lack meaning without the solid character behind his athletic ability.  He has been lauded by his coaches Joe Torre and Larry Bowa for his unshakable focus and demeanor.  He is recognized both on the field and off to be a natural leader.
 
Baseball has a special place in the hearts of all Americans, and Mr. DeWitt is fortunate to be able to play professionally – even with all of the hard work and the many sacrifices it has taken to get him to the major leagues.  In Southern Missouri’s Cardinal Nation, where you will find a local radio station (KRHW-AM) which is proudly part of the Dodgers Radio Network, we are lucky to have a young man committed to serve as an ambassador of our community wherever his considerable talents are on display.

I’m very proud to commend Mr. DeWitt to this Congress and to congratulate him on all of his success in this, his first season in Major League Baseball.  We should all look forward to much more of his success on the field.





September 26, 2008

MADAM SPEAKER, I rise today to pay tribute to a young man who has inspired Americans in my congressional district and across our great nation.  Mr. Neal E. Boyd is from Sikeston, Missouri, in the Eighth Congressional District and, in him, I am lucky to represent one of the most talented singers of opera in our country.  Mr. Boyd has risen to national prominence in recent weeks, but we in Southern Missouri have long known about his superior ability as a singer.  Whether he is singing Puccini or our National Anthem, Mr. Boyd does so with such rare emotion and sensitivity that it brings tears to many more eyes than my own.

I am also fortunate to know Mr. Boyd personally.  He is a caring person who has always put the interests of his family and his community ahead of his own.  He is shy, but he is not shy with his gift.  He is modest, but his voice is brazen and strong.  He is selfless with his art, with his time, and with his heart – and he is unfailingly kind.

Through hard work and dedication to his craft, Mr. Boyd has shown the cliche to be correct: that dreams do come true.  I have never once known him to complain, to become defeated, or to give in – even when he has been forced to put his first love of music on hold.  Today, I am very glad that Mr. Boyd is able to put his amazing gift first now and for the forseeable future.  He has earned every bit of the success we are celebrating for him in Southern Missouri this month.

I am very proud to congratulate Mr. Neal E. Boyd on all of his successes, and I am humbled to thank him for the contributions he has made to Missouri over the years and is still making today.  Mr. Boyd is most deserving of recognition in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I am fortunate to know him well enough to stand here today and declare him a true national treasure.