Diana DeGette

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Lynn Bartels, a dear friend and one of Colorado's most respected and influential journalists.

For more than two decades, Lynn chronicled the people, events, and decisions that shaped our state. She possessed an insatiable curiosity, a relentless pursuit of the truth, and an unmatched ability to connect with people from every walk of life.

Whether covering governors, senators, legislators, or local officials, she approached every story with tenacity, fairness, and integrity. She held public officials accountable without losing sight of their humanity. Colleagues and elected leaders alike admired her encyclopedic knowledge of Colorado politics, her sharp memory, and her remarkable network of sources. Yet beyond her professional accomplishments, it was her authenticity, warmth, and genuine interest in people that earned her widespread admiration and trust.

What set Lynn apart was her unwavering commitment to fairness. She did not play favorites, nor did she allow partisanship to shape her reporting. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents knew they would receive the same honest treatment from Lynn. Even those who found themselves the subject of a difficult story respected her because they knew she was guided by a steadfast commitment to the facts and to the public she served.

Lynn's influence extended far beyond the newsroom. After her distinguished career in journalism, she continued serving Colorado in state government, bringing the same intelligence, energy, humor, and dedication that had defined her reporting. She remained a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend to countless individuals across the political spectrum. Her unique ability to build relationships, foster understanding, and communicate complex issues made her an indispensable part of Colorado's civic life.

As we remember Lynn Bartels, we celebrate not only an exceptional journalist but also an exceptional friend and mentor who will be deeply missed. Her infectious personality, quick wit, compassion, and passion for public service touched generations of Coloradans. She leaves behind a legacy of excellence, fairness, and humanity that will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps. Although Lynn is no longer with us, her impact endures in the stories she told, the people she influenced, the leaders she held accountable, and the stronger, better- informed Colorado she helped build.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to Lynn's family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. May she rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4541, the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women, with 321,000 new cases and 42,000 projected deaths just this year alone.

While breast cancer is often thought of as affecting older women, younger women are often diagnosed too late, where treatment options are more limited and, frankly, outcomes are worse.

Approximately 16 percent of all new breast cancer cases occur in women under the age of 50. The importance of early detection simply cannot be overstated.

Women diagnosed at an early stage have survival rates exceeding 99 percent. However, that number can fall to 30 percent when breast cancer is detected at later stages. Despite these realities, younger women between the ages of 25 and 40 continue to face disproportionately high rates of aggressive breast cancers.

The EARLY Act has helped drive national progress in breast cancer awareness, education, and prevention. H.R. 4541 reauthorizes these critical efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), a fierce advocate and long-term fighter for early breast cancer detection.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, my bill with Representative Hudson, the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act, codifies the renaissance in Down syndrome research at NIH that was kicked off when the INCLUDE Project began in 2018. This bill sustains and encourages this critical research.

After being left behind by NIH for nearly 20 years, the Down syndrome community is finally seeing research advancements that will extend and improve their lives. What we learn from this research will not only help us better understand Down syndrome but also heart disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, and many co-occurring conditions.

I am so proud that much of this work is happening right in my home district of Denver, Colorado. The Crnic Institute for Down syndrome on the Anschutz Medical Campus leads more than 200 scientists at the largest Down syndrome research facility in the world. They see incredible breakthroughs every day.

This type of innovation puts science first and benefits not only individuals living with Down syndrome and their families but every single one of us because we are learning more and more about disease biology and just why some conditions work differently in people with Down syndrome.

It is why the bill passed the House last Congress with unanimous support. I am so happy that I was able to work for many years with my friend, the former chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, on this bill in the last Congress. I know it is a labor of love and deeply personal for her family and every family that has been touched by Down syndrome.

It has been an honor to also work with my constituent, Michelle Sie Whitten, the president of the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, a driving force for this bill, and a fierce advocate for her daughter and everyone with Down syndrome. It has also been an honor to work with my friend and colleague Representative Hudson, whose dedication to the Down syndrome community has been essential to push this bill closer to the finish line. I simply could not have had a better partner on this issue.

The INCLUDE Project Act will ensure that critical Down syndrome research continues to advance. This year, it must finally be enacted into law.

I urge my colleagues to join Representative Hudson and me to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko), another great advocate for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.