[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 9452-9453] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO BOB REGNIER ______ HON. DENNIS MOORE of kansas in the house of representatives Thursday, May 15, 2008 Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bob Regnier, who recently was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Kansas City Council on Philanthropy. I was honored to attend a luncheon on May 9th at which he received this very well-deserved honor, which prompted me to consider Bob [[Page 9453]] Regnier's lifetime of service to Johnson County and the entire Kansas City metropolitan area. Bob is the living embodiment of the anonymous saying, ``Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.'' I have been privileged to know Bob Regnier for many years. He embodies the observation of leadership consultant Don Blohowiak: ``A balanced life is the centered intersection of your values, time and action. That's where integrity resides.'' Starting in 1970 as a safe deposit clerk and teller at Baltimore Bank in Johnson County, he rose within the Boatmen's Bank organization and, in 1989, he left that organization following a merger and founded the Bank of Blue Valley, meeting with his first customers in a doublewide mobile home. The Bank of Blue Valley developed from its initial asset base of $2,150,000 to an organization with total assets in excess of $700 million total loans in excess of $550 million and total deposits in excess of $550 million. Just as importantly, however, Bob Regnier has been a tireless volunteer and source of strength for the Kansas City metropolitan area. As he said in a 2006 column in the Kansas City Business Journal, ``There is no question that Kansas City is a good place to live and raise a family. The question for all of us is, will this be a `great' place to live? The choice is up to each one of us.'' Phrased differently by Dr. Seuss, the keystone of Bob Regnier's service to our community is based upon this idea: ``Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.'' Madam Speaker, a cursory review of the many, many ways Bob Regnier has served our Kansas City community as a dedicated volunteer simply would not do him justice. Below I've listed his past civic commitments and current civic activities, as well as the numerous other public recognitions he has earned over the years for his good works. I thank you and the U.S. House of Representatives for joining me in taking note of this distinguished history. civic--past commitments Heart of American United Way, 1977-1988, Member of Campaign Cabinet in 1987-1988; UMKC Banking Advisory Panel, 1986-2000; UMKC Bloch School Alumni Board, 1990-1996; Blue Valley Educational Foundation, 1993- 1997, Treasurer, 1994-1995; Health Partnership of Johnson County, 1994-1995, Treasurer, 1994-1995; Blue Valley School District Board, Member 1995- 2003, President 1998-2000; Blue Valley School District Bond Campaigns, Campaign Co-Chairman 1998, 2005; Johnson County Sales Tax for Benefit of Public Schools Campaign, Campaign Co-Chairman 2002, 2005; Menorah Medical Center Foundation, 1998-2003; Enterprise Center of Johnson County Board, 1998- 2006, Vice Chairman, 2002-2003, Chairman 2003-2005. Overland Park Chamber Research & Development Foundation, 2000-2004; Health Midwest Johnson County Board, 2001-2003; United Community Services ``Navigating the Future'' Task Force, 2002-2003; Salvation Army Christmas Campaign Chairperson, 2003; Honorary Co-chairman Ronald McDonald Hope Is Building Campaign, 2003-2006; Honorary Vice Chairman Avila College Capital Campaign, 2003-2006; Menorah Medical Center Board of Trustees, 2003-2007, Vice Chairman, 2005-2007; Menorah Legacy Foundation Board, 2003-2006; Co-Chairman of Development Committee, 2004-2006; Truman Medical Center Foundation, Co-Chairman, Capital Campaign for Behavioral Health Network, 2005-2007; Honorary Dinner Co-chair 30th Annual Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Committee Human Relations Dinner, 2006; Arts Council of Johnson County, Shooting Stars Gala, Honorary Chairperson, 2007. Civic--Present Commitments Johnson County Community College Foundation Board, 1996- Present, Some Enchanted Evening Scholarship Dinner, 1996- 2001, Executive Committee, 1999-Present, Some Enchanted Evening Chair Couple-2000, Chairman Technology Center ``Blue Ribbon Task Force''-2002, Chairman Business & Technology Center Capital Campaign, 2003-Present, Vice Chairman 2005- Present, Chairman 2007-Present; Kansas University Edward's Campus Board of Advisors, 2000-Present; Greater Kansas City Chamber Johnson County Leadership Council, 2001-Present, Chairman, 2004-2007; Community Foundation of Johnson County Board, 2002-Present, Vice Chairman, 2005-2006; Union Station Kansas City Board, 2003-Present, Vice Chairman, 2005-Present; REACH Foundation, 2003-Present, Secretary 2003-2006, Chairman 2006-Present; Greater Kansas City Chamber Board of Directors, 2003-Present, Co-Chairman of Annual Meeting, 2004, Vice Chairman & Treasurer, 2004-2005, 2nd Vice Chairman, 2005-2006 1st Vice Chairman, 2006-2007; Chairman 2007-Present. Civic Council of Kansas City, 2003-Present, Regional Infrastructure Task Force, 2003-Present, P-12 Education Task Force, 2004-Present, Board of Directors, 2004-Present, Vice Chairman, 2007-Present; Arts Council of Greater Kansas City, 2004-Present, Vice Chairman, 2005-Present; Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Board, 2005-Present; Midwest Research Institute, Board of Trustees, 2005-Present; University of Kansas Medical Center & Hospital Advancement Board, 2006-Present; United Way of Greater Kansas City, Board of Directors, 2007-Present, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Board of Trustees, 2007-Present; University of Kansas Hospital Authority, Board of Directors, 2007-Present. PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC RECOGNITION UMKC Block School Alumni Achievement Award, 1996; Ernst & Young Financial Entrepreneur of the Year, 1998; Overland Park Chamber of Commerce ``OP Award''-2002, 2004, 2005; Wayside Waifs ``Fur Ball'' Honoree, 2003; Johnson County Community College ``Johnson Countian of the Year,'' 2004; Johnson County Housing Coalition Sunflower Award for Community Service, 2004; Salvation Army ``Others Award,'' 2005; Jewish Family and Children's Services Alfred Benjamin Award, 2005. Safehome ``Jubilee Gala'' Honoree, 2005; Health Partnership of Johnson County ``Evening of Stars'' Honoree, 2006; Johnson County Community College ``Open Petal Award,'' 2006; Midwest Christian Counseling Center ``Ethics in Business'' Award Finalist, 2006; Baker University ``Distinguished Leadership in Business'' Award, 2006; NAACP, Olathe Branch Martin Luther King Legacy Award, 2007; Shawnee Mission Educational Foundation Patron Award Recipient, 2007; Volunteer Center of Johnson County ``Volunteer of the Year,'' 2007. ____________________