Floor Statements

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.

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

Mr. Speaker, shockingly, the U.S. has the highest rate of maternal mortality among developed nations in this entire world. What is worse is that the mortality rates for women of color are exponentially higher than those of the general population. Black women die from pregnancy- related causes at rates at least three times those of White women, and that is irrespective of socioeconomic status or income.

It is appalling that this statistic has emerged from data collection by State maternal mortality review committees. Congress affirmed its support for these committees in February by reauthorizing my bill, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act.

Thanks to this enduring bipartisan commitment, we have identified the problem, that 649 women died of maternal causes in the U.S. in 2024. Now that we have identified the problem, we need to work together to solve it.

Mr. Speaker, 80 to 84 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The IMPROVE Initiative at NIH investigates the leading cause of these deaths, supports the development of interventions to prevent them, and importantly identifies factors that contribute to disparities in maternal health. We must not let this critical program lapse.

I thank Representatives Underwood and Fitzpatrick for their undying and wonderful leadership on this bill, as well as my friend and colleague Robin Kelly, who has been a leader on this issue for more than a decade.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in passing the bill today because no pregnancy-related death is acceptable in the richest nation in the world. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood), the sponsor of this legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, about 5,000 Americans are diagnosed with ALS every year. It is a disease that causes the nervous system to stop working and die, leading to muscle weakness and eventually paralysis. Essentially, when someone gets the diagnosis, it is a death sentence.

I am all too familiar with this disease and its rapid progression because in 1996, I lost my father-in-law to ALS.

The original Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act passed in 2021 and unleashed incredible Federal resources to improve our understanding of this relentless disease in search of a cure. It revolutionized the way FDA uses real-world evidence to foster the development of ALS therapeutics and gave patients a chance to try investigational drugs for rare neurodegenerative diseases.

We have the opportunity today to ensure ALS patients can continue to access promising new therapies, and our preeminent biomedical research institutions can continue to work towards a cure. This reauthorization will provide the continuing statutory basis for the great work that the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act began, and it couldn't come at a better moment.

We have seen immense research progress in the 5 years since passage. Health Subcommittee members here today heard from Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya in our hearing on this bill a few months ago when they told us with no uncertainty how important it is for people facing down this cruel disease that we keep this momentum going.

Brian and Sandra are an inspiration to all of us and to people everywhere who are seeking cures for these terrible diseases.

I want to tell Congressman Mike Quigley that his unwavering leadership on the original Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act and this reauthorization is saving and improving lives. I thank them for putting us on the path of finding a cure for ALS.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley), who is the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the University of Denver's men's hockey team, who just won their 11th NCAA national championship--their third in five years--extending their lead as the most decorated program in college hockey history.

As a proud Denverite, I have had the distinct pleasure of witnessing six of those eleven championships during my time in Congress, and this one is no less special.

Head Coach David Carle won his third championship with the school at just 36 years old. The standard at Denver is unlike anywhere else in college hockey, and this team met it.

The final game was a testament to the Pios' grit. Coming from behind in the third, DU had been outshot 25-6 when three NHL prospects changed the story. Garrett Brown and Kristian Epperson helped Rieger Lorenz tie the game with just the seventh shot on the Badger net. Less than seven minutes later, Brown found his second point of the night, getting the puck to Boston Buckberger, whose shot toward the net allowed Kyle Chyzowski to redirect in the tournament's final goal.

The Pios were backstopped throughout by freshman phenom Johnny Hicks--who stepped into the starting role in January after the team's No. 1 goalie went down to injury and never looked back. Named Most Outstanding Player after making 29 saves in the final, he had previously turned aside 49 shots in the double overtime semifinal win against Michigan. He went undefeated in regulation, finishing his debut season 16-0-1.

Saturday's championship capped a tournament run that included a 5-0 shutout of Cornell, a 6-2 dismantling of defending champion Western Michigan, and that unforgettable double-overtime battle with Michigan.

The championship reflects not just extraordinary talent, but the hard work, teamwork, and dedication that define this program--a team that finished 29-11-3 and ends the season on top of the college hockey world.

I am happy to recognize Coach Carle, the DU men's hockey team, and the entire DU community for this well-deserved achievement. These young athletes have bright futures ahead, but no matter where their careers take them, I hope they never forget the feeling of fighting for Denver.

They have not only made Colorado proud but made history in college hockey, and I look forward to celebrating many more championships to come.

I congratulate again the 2026 NCAA men's hockey champions--the University of Denver Pioneers. Or, as we say in Denver, ``Go Pios.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American, a dear friend, and one of Colorado's most cherished citizens--John Sie, who is celebrating his 90th birthday.

John likes to say he lives by four C's: Curiosity, Connectivity, Comprehension, and Concentration. Those four C's are the story of his life--and what a life it has been.

Born in Nanjing in 1936, he survived Japanese occupation as a child, fled Communist China on one of the last boats out of Shanghai, and arrived in the United States with his family at age 14, speaking no English. His first American home was a Catholic orphanage on Staten Island. He arrived with nothing but curiosity, a Chinese-English dictionary, and a fierce determination to make something of himself. He went from struggling student to top of his class, earning a full scholarship to Manhattan College and later a master's degree in electrical engineering.

He would go on to change American television forever. As an executive at the cable giant TeleCommunications, Inc. (TCI), John saw what others could not--that America's future was digital, at a moment when the entire industry was ready to follow Japan into an analog world. He was laughed out of the room. He went to Congress and the FCC week after week until on the final day of the standard-setting process, the only all-digital standard came through. Every high-definition television in America today is a testament to his conviction. Later, when HBO passed on his idea for a new movie channel, he asked TCI for $5 million and a chance. That bet became Starz. And throughout his career, he has championed independent film--ensuring that the stories others overlooked found the audiences they deserved, including through Denver's own Sie Film Center, a cherished home for the Denver Film Festival.

John Sie has given back to this country with the same intensity with which he built it. When their granddaughter Sophia was born with Down syndrome, he and his beloved wife, Anna, encountered a broken system. Rather than accept it, they built something better. As founding donors of the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the first academic home for Down syndrome research in the United States, and founders of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, they have transformed what it means to receive a Down syndrome diagnosis.

That same devotion to a better world led John and Anna to invest in Colorado's future--including a new building at the University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, where the next generation of American diplomats are being trained. For a man who survived occupation, fled revolution, and built a life from nothing, there is no more fitting legacy than shaping how this country engages the world.

When asked what it means to be American, John said simply: ``If you work hard, you overcome difficulties, you succeed. The American dream truly exists.'' Then, with characteristic humility, he added: `'I am the example.''

I wish a happy 90th birthday to John. Our country and our state are better because of him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Denver South High School, a remarkable institution that has shaped generations of students and holds a special place in my heart as an alumna.

While South High School was officially established in 1926, its roots stretch back to Denver's earliest days. Originating from the Grant School, which first opened in 1883 to serve the growing south side of the city, South's history reflects the evolution of Denver itself. From its beginnings as part of Denver City's Union School system, to its transformation into South Side High School, and ultimately its place in the City Beautiful movement, South has long been a cornerstone of education and community.

Its iconic building stands proudly along Washington Park--a symbol of tradition, excellence, and the enduring Raven spirit.

I am a proud legacy South alum. Following in my mother's footsteps, my sisters and I graduated from South. We even shared some of our favorite teachers with her. I know firsthand the profound impact this school has on its students. South is a vibrant, diverse community where students come together to learn, grow, and prepare for the future. It is a place that challenges young people to think critically, embrace next perspectives, and strive for excellence.

Through rigorous academic offerings--including Advanced Placement, honors courses, and concurrent enrollment programs--along with Career Connect pathways in fields like engineering, business, health sciences, and the arts, South equips its students with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing world. Its Multilingual Education Program and commitment to inclusivity ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

But what truly makes South special is its spirit. From the classroom to athletics to extracurricular activities, the Raven community fosters a sense of belonging, pride, and purpose that stays with students long after they graduate. I carry that Raven pride with me to this day.

As we mark this centennial milestone, we honor a century of history and a legacy of excellence, diversity, and opportunity. Here's to 100 years of the Ravens and to many more years of inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Representative Jason Crow, to congratulate our friend, Rabbi Joseph R. Black on his retirement and elevation to Rabbi Emeritus of the Temple Emanuel congregation in Denver.

Over his 43-year rabbinical career, crossing the country from Minneapolis to Albuquerque to Denver, where he served for 14 years as Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Black has exemplified what he calls the sacred work of ``connecting tissue''--bringing people, text, tradition, and time into focus for his community. This same spirit of connection has made him a vital bridge between faith and public service in Colorado.

An award-winning songwriter and nationally recognized musician, Rabbi Black has recorded seven albums of original music and published two songbooks, becoming one of the most popular Jewish contemporary artists in the United States. Music has always been central to Jewish spiritual life, transmitted through voice, rhythm, and song long before prayer was fixed on the page. Rabbi Black brought this tradition to life with a thoughtful blend of music, storytelling, creativity, and Jewish learning that made ancient wisdom accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.

His musical ministry transcends entertainment--it is activism set to melody. As he sang in the title track of his most recent album, Praying with Our Feet: ``we will not stand idly by, and watch our values die. When we heed the call for justice, we are praying with our feet.'' These words embody the essence of civic engagement--that faith without action rings hollow, and that true spiritual leadership requires translating values into public service.

Rabbi Black's commitment to civic engagement reaches far beyond the recording studio or the synagogue walls. For 14 years, Rabbi Black has delivered opening prayers at the Colorado House of Representatives, offering lawmakers spiritual grounding as they undertake the ``holy'' and consequential work of governance. His message to legislators was to see beyond partisanship, remember their duty to all constituents, and find the divine spark in every person they serve.

Even in retirement, Rabbi Black continues to provide moral leadership on issues of justice and human dignity. His voice has been a beacon of moral clarity, calling out the forces of intolerance and defending the vulnerable against collective punishment.

As Rabbi Black has shown us through four decades of service, the work of repairing our world's ``connecting tissue'' is never finished--it passes from generation to generation, from community to community, and from those who sing justice into being to those who carry the melody forward.

Mr. Speaker, Federal immigration agents are out of control.

President Trump and Secretary Noem have turned ICE and border patrol into masked paramilitary forces that are terrorizing our neighborhoods. They are operating outside the law, terrorizing our communities, violating court orders, and shooting and killing immigrants and American citizens alike.

I cosponsored Articles of Impeachment against Kristi Noem, and I voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security to hold this administration accountable.

ICE must be defunded and dismantled. I am working to take the $75 billion that Republicans gave to ICE in the big, bad bill and invest the money where it belongs, which is in expanded healthcare and affordable housing. Every taxpayer dollar is better spent doing virtually anything other than funding this brutality.

Mr. Speaker, I won't stop fighting until the families in Denver and across the country are safe from these thugs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of James ``Dr. Daddio'' Walker, a legendary Denver DJ, radio station owner, mentor, and community leader whose voice shaped Colorado's airwaves and whose impact will be felt for generations to come. He passed away in late January 2026, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of service, faith, and unwavering commitment to Denver's Black community.

Dr. Daddio was a visionary and broadcaster. In 1989, he became the owner and operator of KDKO Radio, AM 1510, a historic Black-owned radio station that long served as a cultural and civic cornerstone for Denver. Known for its rich blend of R&B, soul, blues, and community- focused talk programming, KDKO was a trusted platform where music, news, faith, and civic engagement came together.

Dr. Daddio made history as the first Black owner of an urban radio station west of the Mississippi River--a milestone recognized by the Denver Public Library when it inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2008. His work ensured that Black voices, stories, and accomplishments were heard, celebrated, and remembered.

Through his voice and leadership, Dr. Daddio opened doors for countless Black radio professionals, mentoring generations of broadcasters and community leaders. He stood proudly for unifying our communities while amplifying the fight for civil rights across Colorado and beyond. He used his microphone as a platform for advocacy, civic engagement, and change.

Dr. Daddio was also deeply committed to strengthening democracy. He consistently encouraged voter participation and community involvement, believing that informed and engaged citizens are the foundation of a healthy society. I had the privilege of appearing on his show on numerous occasions to witness firsthand his passion for empowering people through information and dialogue.

Above all, Dr. Daddio was a man of faith, family, and love. His family described him as a ``visionary voice in media'' who used that voice to uplift culture, amplify community voices, and mentor others. He now rests reunited with his beloved wife, Pat, and leaves behind a family and community profoundly shaped by his example.

Denver and the state of Colorado have lost a trailblazer, a connector, and a champion for justice and unity. As we remember Dr. Daddio, may we also honor his legacy by continuing to uplift one another, amplify voices too often unheard, and work toward a more just and inclusive community for all.

Mr. Speaker, right now, we have a chance to protect Americans from going broke.

On January 1, families across this country were hit by the largest healthcare cost increases we have seen in more than a decade. Millions of Americans watched their premiums more than double overnight. A family of four making $128,000 a year--teachers, nurses, small business owners--just got slapped with an average $14,000-increase in their silver plan premiums.

As the senior Democrat on the Health Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, I have been raising this issue, along with my colleagues, for many months now. Despite the warnings, President Trump and congressional Republicans did nothing. They could have had a vote in December, yet they blocked Democratic efforts to extend the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits. They looked Americans in the eye and said no.

We have an opportunity to fix this right now. This week, we can pass the bill that would extend the ACA's premium tax credits for 3 years. This extension will cut premium spikes by 80 percent, on average. It will wipe out increases for lower income families. It will save over 5 million Americans from losing their insurance.

This is the solution. We have it in our hands.

While this is a straightforward fix for the short term, we know that our entire healthcare system needs to have reform so that we can control costs.

I was part of the original team that negotiated and passed the Affordable Care Act. While we were forced to accept less than the universal healthcare plan we wanted, we secured protections that have since saved tens of thousands of lives, ending discrimination against people with preexisting conditions, letting parents keep their kids on their insurance policies while the kids start their careers, and guaranteeing that every plan covers basic essential care.

The majority, since that time in the last 15 years, has tried to destroy it. They have voted more than 70 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act and always with no replacement. They subjected the ACA to death by a thousand cuts, offering nothing but snake oil alternatives like high-deductible plans and health savings accounts that would leave families high and dry.

When we passed the ACA on this floor, I said this is just a start to affordable universal healthcare. Democrats have worked to improve the ACA. That is why we passed the tax credits in the first place. Millions of people signed up, and they were able to sleep without worrying about one hospital visit bankrupting their families. My colleagues on the other side want to rip that away, the reason for which I have no idea.

This crisis has shown that the only solution is ultimately universal healthcare. I have been a cosponsor of the Medicare for All Act since day one because I know it will guarantee a healthy nation. Unfortunately, my colleagues across the aisle have made it crystal clear: They have no appetite for meaningful reforms like Medicare for All.

Here is what we need to do right now: We need to extend the enhanced tax credits. They are the only thing standing between millions of Americans and complete financial devastation.

In my State of Colorado, we did the right thing. The State stepped in with our own tax credits, but not every State is Colorado. Americans in States like Florida and Texas will be out of luck, and in Colorado and every other State, we can't afford to take this burden on forever.

We need a nationwide solution. We have the votes for this fix. Four Republicans joined us in the petition to bring this bill to the floor.

We must pass it. We must bring it to the floor, pass it in the House, and send it over to the Senate this week. President Trump must sign it into law. If we don't, here is the reality: Families will drop health coverage to put food on the table, gambling with their lives. Medical debt will bury them bill by bill, week by week. They will keep waiting for the Trump healthcare plan that will be promised but will never come.

For anybody at home sitting there asking: Do the Republicans know what they are doing? The answer is, sadly, yes, they do.

Americans are watching. They know that the Democrats are fighting like hell for them and for their healthcare. Now, they are waiting to see if the majority has any conscience left.

It is time to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Chairman, I am a strong proponent of elimination of unnecessary regulations and of permitting reform, but this bill doesn't streamline permitting. It blindfolds the agencies meant to protect us and our natural resources.

Under this legislation, the agencies could not consider new science, even from the project applicant; conduct new environmental reviews; or assess indirect, let alone cumulative, impacts.

This anti-fact, anti-science administration would rather live in denial than understand the full impact that these projects could have on our health.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled on a case in my home State of Colorado. A 100-mile crude oil train route along the Colorado River was approved despite local objections and Federal estimates that spills would occur once every 5 years. The court said that agencies did not need to consider these downstream impacts.

This ruling alone is alarming, but the bill goes farther by outright preventing agencies from considering those factors.

This law says that ignorance is bliss. That is why I offered an amendment to widen the scope of review to ensure that agencies weigh all relevant facts and subsequent consequences. If we have information, then we should use it. Republicans refused to accept that amendment in the Rules Committee.

Rather than supporting agencies with the funding and staffing they need to process applications faster, Republicans just want them to look the other way.

Most Americans believe any job worth doing is worth doing right, even if it takes a little more time. However, cutting corners today means that we are going to have to clean up disasters tomorrow, and those costs won't fall on us, Mr. Chairman. They will fall on the communities we are supposed to protect.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 150th anniversary of the YMCA of Metro Denver. This is an extraordinary milestone for an organization that has shaped the lives of countless Coloradoans and helped build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities for a century and a half.

The YMCA of Metro Denver was founded in 1875, shortly before Colorado became a state. Since then, the Y has been committed to meeting the needs of a growing and changing city, offering a supportive environment for all who need it.

Over the past 150 years, the YMCA's success has been driven by the people who bring its mission to life, including its members, volunteers, donors, and staff. Every achievement, every milestone, and every moment of progress reflects their dedication, compassion, and belief in the power of community. This anniversary is, above all, a celebration of them.

Guided by its core values of respect, caring, honesty, responsibility, and innovation, the Y continues to evolve to meet the needs of our Mile High community. Their programs are focused on supporting youth development, promoting healthy living, and advancing social responsibility.

It is a place where families find support, where neighbors connect, where children learn and grow, and where people of all ages and backgrounds discover a sense of belonging. Whether through wellness programs, early childhood education, mentoring, swim safety, or community partnerships, the Y is fostering relationships, inspiring achievement, and promoting equity and well-being across our region.

The YMCA of Metro Denver has been woven into the fabric of our community for 150 years. As we celebrate this remarkable anniversary, we honor its proud history and its bright future, one where the YMCA will continue to uplift, empower, and strengthen our community for generations to come.

I congratulate the YMCA of Metro Denver on 150 years of transformative impact and thank all those who have contributed to its enduring mission.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colorado Legal Services on its 100th anniversary and to honor its enduring commitment to justice for all Coloradans.

Founded as the Legal Aid Society of Denver in February 1925, Colorado Legal Services has been a lifeline for low-income individuals and seniors in every county across our state--providing free, high-quality civil legal assistance to those who need it most. As a former trial attorney, I understand how critical legal representation can be when everything is at stake.

Whether it's helping someone keep their home, secure child support, access health care, or find safety from abuse, Colorado Legal Services delivers life-changing support that strengthens families and communities across our state.

Their work extends far beyond the courtroom--offering clients the stability, emotional support, and community resources they need to move forward.

In August of this year alone, Colorado Legal Services opened nearly a thousand new cases to help Coloradans facing housing insecurity, domestic violence, and other urgent challenges. That's the kind of quiet, vital work that keeps our communities strong and resilient.

I want to congratulate Colorado Legal Services on a century of unwavering service and express my deepest gratitude to its staff, volunteers, and supporters for their tireless dedication to equal justice under the law.