- Record: Senate Floor
- Section type: Floor speeches
- Chamber: Senate
- Date: May 11, 2026
- Congress: 119th Congress
- Why this source matters: This section came from the Senate floor portion of the record.
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.
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.
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
will be sorely missed in the Show-Me State.