Floor Statements

Amendment IX:

``The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable achievement of the Orion spacecraft's first test flight. The project represents the next frontier for NASA's deep space exploration program.

Last Friday, December 5, Orion lifted off from Cape Canaveral, and by all accounts, it was a flawless mission. This test flight sent Orion 3,604 miles above Earth, traveling at over 20,000 miles per hour.

Orion and the Space Launch System are national priorities aimed at taking our astronauts to Mars and beyond. This exploration will inspire our Nation and capture the hearts and minds of young Americans.

More importantly, I am proud to say Colorado played an enormous role in making Orion a reality. Lockheed Martin and United Launch Alliance facilities played a leading role in this mission.

Other Colorado contractors that played an important role include Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Advanced Solutions Inc., Ball Aerospace, Deep Space Systems, Denver Research Institute, Erickson Metals of Colorado, ISYS Technologies, Red Canyon Engineering, SEAKR Engineering, St. Vrain Manufacturing Syzygx, Syzygx, and TTJ&B Inc.

Orion supports thousands of jobs all around the country and is an engine for innovation and space exploration in our State and the Nation. This is something that we all can be proud of as a Nation, and we look forward to further space exploration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Vicki Wagner for receiving the 2014 City of Golden Mayor's Award of Excellence.

The City of Golden honors Vicki for her achievements over four decades of ongoing and enthusiastic volunteerism. Vicki came to Golden in 1968 and soon began volunteering in the City. First in her children's schools, then on the newly-created Citizens Action Committee in the 1980's, the Golden Urban Renewal Authority, and the Farmer's Market since it opened in 2002. She currently serves on the Golden Visitors Center Board of Trustees and the Golden Good Government League. Vicki is primarily responsible for the beautiful landscaping at the Visitors Center and exemplifies the spirit that makes Golden great.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Vicki Wagner for this well- deserved recognition by the City of Golden.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Fran Baker for her tireless dedication and love for the community in Jefferson County.

As the founder and Executive Director of the Gold Crown Enrichment Program, a free program that serves 400 kids per year which focuses on art and technology, Fran has raised over $350,000 each year to keep the program running for free. Under Fran's direction, Gold Crown Enrichment was awarded licensing for an international after school program, The Computer Clubhouse, part of a global network of tech based after school programs. While dedicating herself full time to this program, she does not take home a paycheck. In addition to being a full-time volunteer for Gold Crown, she also works in Jefferson County for other causes that support children.

For nine years, Fran worked as a Title One Reading Teacher and Literacy Coach in Jefferson County. Fran has received the Jefferson Foundation Community Service Award and was named Channel 7's Everyday Hero.

I extend my deepest appreciation and congratulations to Fran for her positive impact in Jefferson County and for the numerous kids she has and continues to support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Heather Kapande for her outstanding service to our community.

While building her own successful small business in Jefferson County, Heather has positively influenced the small business community as a whole across the County. She began her professional career as a teacher and has continued with her legacy of serving others. Heather is an influential mentor in the community and goes the extra mile to deliver the absolute best she can to her family, friends, clients and community.

Since 1999, Heather manages Nick's Pro Fitness and has helped make it into the prosperous organization it is today. In 2003, Heather took on the additional role as an international event planner. She continues to run Nick's Pro Fitness, but also has a key role at The Bastian Group planning events for businesses in the corporate and entertainment arenas. Heather has a passion and drive that her family, friends, clients and the community all benefit from.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Heather Kapande for her well- deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Kay Miller for her outstanding service to the field of health and our community.

As the Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at St. Anthony Hospital, Kay is known for her dedication to her patients, staff and hospital associates. Prior to working at St. Anthony Hospital, she served as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland. Kay brings more than 30 years of experience in nursing, health care administration, and patient safety. Throughout her work at St. Anthony, Kay has been committed to enhancing the culture of the hospital through employee engagement and a continual focus on patient satisfaction.

Kay uses her passion to help inspire others, and uses her knowledge to mentor nursing directors and those aspiring to be at the nurse executive level. Her teams' accomplishments include the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for health systems, the youngest hospital to receive a Magnet Designation, the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence, two Lantern Awards for Emergency Nursing Excellence and Patient Satisfaction Overall Top Performer for five years. Kay is also a member of the Front Range Community College Area Advisory Council.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Kay Miller for her well- deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Kit Newland, Director of the Community Resources Department at the City of Lakewood, for her outstanding service to our community.

Kit has perfected the career of helping individuals stay active and fit and helped to improve the physical and emotional health of her community. She is the current Director of the Community Resources Department for the City of Lakewood. As recreation manager, she oversees Lakewood's parks, trails, open space, recreation and many aspects of human service provision, including early childhood and older adult services. Kit works tirelessly to advocate for the creation of programs and methods for those with chronic conditions to transition seamlessly from medical facilities to community settings in order to remain physically active and engaged with others.

One of Kit's biggest successes is the creation of the CancerFit Program, an exercise program designed specifically for cancer survivors. CancerFit is now a program that is available across the State of Colorado.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Kit Newland for her well- deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. The dedication Kit has for her community and her

family exemplifies her strong work ethic and character, and I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Lauren Evans for her outstanding service to business development and our community.

Lauren is the President of Pinyon Environmental, Inc., a company dedicated to fair and ethical business practices since it was founded 21 years ago. Lauren is committed to the advancement of the entire team and the business of engineering through mentoring of staff and interns. Since 2009, Pinyon has been honored as a Top 100 Woman-Owned business in Colorado by ColoradoBiz Magazine.

Lauren has an equally generous spirit outside of her business endeavors, and commits herself to many community non-profit organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for Socially Conscious Coffee and participates with Denver Animal Shelter, Sweat Equity, Water for People and Greenhouse Scholars. Lauren's work ethic and character shows her commitment to promoting the best interests of all.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Lauren Evans for her well- deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Lesley Dahlkemper for her outstanding service to education and our community.

As the current Vice President of Strategic Engagement and Communications for the Colorado Education Initiative, Lesley has an exemplary passion for public education and has made a huge impact in her field. Her experience spans from the Jefferson County Board of Education to award-winning national reporting for National Public Radio. Lesley brings her experience in public policy, politics and journalism to support the Jefferson County community.

Outside of her professional experience, she provides her time to many non-profits including the Action Center, CASA of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties and Colorado I Have A Dream Foundation. Lesley's leadership has impacted Jefferson County for the better.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Lesley Dahlkemper for her well-deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Elevations Credit Union as a recipient of the 2014 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. This award is the nation's highest Presidential honor recognizing excellence in innovation, improvement, and visionary leadership.

Elevations, based in Boulder, Colorado, is one of only four organizations in the U.S. to receive the honor this year. Even more impressive, Elevations is the first credit union ever to win this prestigious award.

Established in 1952, Elevations is one of the largest and most successful credit unions providing a wide range of exceptional financial products and services. Along with banking services, Elevations connects with its community by providing grants and giving programs, supporting educational opportunities, delivering affordable housing in the Colorado area, and protecting the environment. Since 1999, they have been recognized as one of Boulder County's top financial institution, underscoring their commitment to the community.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to congratulate Elevations Credit Union for their accomplishment as a 2014 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient and commend them for their dedication to providing extraordinary services to Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Erik Weihenmayer for receiving the 2014 City of Golden Mayor's Award of Excellence.

The City of Golden honors Erik for his inspirational pursuit of climbing, running, skiing, cycling, and kayaking challenges all over the world. Known for being the only blind man to climb Mount Everest, Erik co-founded an organization called No Barriers USA, whose mission is to encourage people to conquer barriers in their own lives. While in Golden, he dedicates his time to encouraging the community to live a No Barriers Life, giving speeches at Golden High School, the Mountaineering Center, Bent Gate Mountaineering, and the Buffalo Rose. He also donates his time to lead physically-challenged and underprivileged groups on outings.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Erik Weihenmayer for this well-deserved recognition by the City of Golden.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ted and Frani Bickart for receiving the 2014 City of Golden Mayor's Award of Excellence.

The City of Golden honors Ted and Frani Bickart for their service to the Golden community, specifically their support of Golden's culture, civics and students. Ted served as President of the Colorado School of Mines from 1998 to 2000. During that time and after, Ted and Frani devoted themselves to deepening the town-and-gown bond and to enriching Golden's quality of life. Today Ted serves as chair of the Golden Urban Renewal Authority and devotes time to high school and university education issues. Frani has been chair of the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra Board and the Symphony International Young Artists Competition, as well as a longtime volunteer for the Foothills Art Center, Golden History Museums, and Golden Fortnightly Club.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Ted and Frani Bickart for this well-deserved recognition by the City of Golden.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Heather Schneider for receiving the 2014 City of Golden Mayor's Award of Excellence.

The City of Golden honors Heather for her dedication to supporting and improving the Golden community. She is a Golden native and mother of three young children. In addition to working part-time at an engineering firm, Heather is also a graduate of Leadership Golden, a founding member of the Golden Young Professionals, and an enormous advocate for the Golden School Foundation where she has been instrumental in helping to raise money and awareness for the needs of our public schools through marketing the Golden Gallop.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Heather Schneider for this well-deserved recognition by the City of Golden.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Heather Geyer for her passion for local government and commitment to her community.

Heather started her career serving for seven years as the Assistant to the City Manager in Greenwood Village. She then moved to the position of Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Wheat Ridge in 2006. In her current position, Heather serves as the Administrative Services Director/Public Information Officer for the City of Wheat Ridge where she oversees the internal support services department including Human Resources, Information & Technology, Finance, Purchasing and Sales Tax. She celebrates eight years at the City of Wheat Ridge in December.

Heather is also a huge believer in mentoring the next generation of women in government and is a founding member of Colorado Women Leading Government. This unique group is dedicated to advancing the role of women in local government. Heather has received numerous state and national awards for all her work. She continues to dedicate her extra time to her community as the president and budget manager of the Foothills Animal Shelter Board of Directors and as a board member for the Wheat Ridge Optimist Club.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Heather for her tremendous work mentoring and giving back to her community. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Dr. Maryanne Bach for her outstanding professional work and passion for sustainability and mentoring women and minorities.

Maryanne has broken through the ``first woman barrier'' several times. She served at the Denver Federal Center as Director of Security, Safety and Law Enforcement, Director of Research and Development, and Director of Technical Services. Each of these positions were formerly never held by a woman. She was also the first female Executive Director of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Maryanne's professional accomplishments include working with legislative and executive branches of the federal government, and directing water resources infrastructure, policies and financial actions for nine states. In addition, her Master's in Botany and Plant Ecology has helped expand conservation efforts through North America.

In retirement, Maryanne has not slowed down and is giving back to her community in several capacities. She currently operates a private life coach business, serves as the Prayer Chaplain Coordinator for Unity of the Foothills at Red Rocks, and is a board member of the Evergreen Alliance for Sustainability.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Dr. Maryanne Bach for receiving this honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.