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[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

TRIBUTE TO THE KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S CONGRESSIONAL 
                                 FORUM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
40th anniversary of the Congressional Forum luncheon group sponsored by 
the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce. Forty years ago in 
1968, this group was founded to be a link between the elected 
congressional representative and the business community served by the 
Third District of Kansas. It has continued to the present day, and 
shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
  At that time, Congressman Larry Winn represented the Third 
Congressional District of Kansas in the United States House of 
Representatives. Budgets for travel between Washington and Kansas were 
limited. Congressman Winn and his chief of staff, Dick Bond, wanted to 
find a way for Congressman Winn to return more often to his home 
district. The Congressional Forum luncheon group was founded to help 
cover those travel costs, and to give its members a monthly report from 
their Member of Congress.
  Even after Larry Winn retired, the group and its traditions have 
continued. For 40 years, the scheduled speaker at Congressional Forum 
has been the Member of Congress for the Third Congressional District, 
unless he or she was unable to attend. If that was the case, then the 
Member of Congress made arrangements for a substitute speaker.
  Although the representation of the Third District has changed over 
the years, the Member's commitment to this unique group has not. Every 
Member of Congress elected since 1968 has agreed to attend and speak to 
this group on a regular basis.
  Those Members of Congress include:
  Congressman Larry Winn, who served in Congress from 1967 to 1985;
  Congresswoman Jan Meyers, from 1985 to 1997;
  Congressman Vince Snowbarger, from 1997 to 1999;
  And me, Congressman Dennis Moore, from 1999 to the present.
  For some time, the group actually held their meetings across the 
state line at the Golden Ox Restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri, 
because a portion of the parking lot of that venerable restaurant was 
actually in Kansas City, Kansas. At the present time, the group meets 
once again in the heart of downtown Kansas City, Kansas, at the Reardon 
Convention Center.
  It is a testament to this group that an organization founded by 
Republican business leaders has continued even when a Democratic 
congressman like me was elected. I have found that this group gives me 
a great sounding board on the thoughts of my home district. While not 
every member of Congressional Forum supports me at the ballot box, I 
know they will express their views to me with candor and courtesy.
  For most of its history my good friend, Dr. Fred Bosilevac presided 
over the Congressional Forum luncheons as its President. For most of 
us, Dr. Fred remains the heart and soul of the Congressional Forum 
luncheons. Now age 92, Dr. Fred is still an active and interested 
member of Congressional Forum, although Bill Eppenheimer has taken over 
the gavel (or rather the cowbell) as President since Dr. Fred's 
retirement in 2006.
  It is a distinct honor for me to express my affection and high regard 
for this unique group. A copy of my remarks will be presented at the 
Congressional Forum's December meeting, which hopefully will include 
many former Members of Congress from the Third District, as well as Dr. 
Fred; Bill Eppenheimer; Cindy Cash, the current President of the Kansas 
City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce; and many other important 
leaders to this group and our community.
  Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to share the story of 
the Congressional Forum with our colleagues.

                          ____________________
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