Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the Arc Thrift Stores for receiving the Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Award.

The Ethics in Business Award was established by the Golden Rotary to honor for profit and not for profit businesses. The recipients of this award must maintain integrity, conviction and demonstrate high ethical standards, demonstrated by treatment of customers, employees, community and the environment.

The Arc Thrift is a 45 year old non-profit, with 21 stores across Colorado employing over 1,200 people. They are one of the largest integrated employers of people with disabilities in Colorado. The Arc Thrift Chapters provide the disabled community with help finding jobs, housing, medical assistance and services in schools. Also proving they are good stewards of the environment, last year the Arc Thrift organization diverted 20 million pounds of merchandise from Colorado landfills.

I congratulate the Arc Thrift stores for being the recipient of this well-deserved honor by the Golden Rotary. I thank all the employees of the Arc Thrift for their continued commitment to the people they serve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Trimble Navigation for being honored with the Business Recognition Award given by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Business Recognition Award is given to a Jefferson County company which shows growth in employment, sales and capital investment in the last year.

Trimble Navigation is a leading provider of advanced location based solutions found in everyday products from commercial vehicles, construction equipment to cell phones. Their products reach over 150 countries around the world. Trimble Navigation recently invested in a $22 million 125,000 square foot campus in Westminster, Colorado, creating an additional 100 high paying jobs.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Trimble Navigation for receiving the Business Recognition Award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your commitment to innovation, high standards and quality products.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Yeti Cycles for being honored with the Innovative Technology Award given by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Innovative Technology Award is given to a Jefferson County company that is on the forefront of new and advanced technologies.

Yeti Cycles, headquartered in Golden Colorado, is a leading mountain bike manufacturer with decades of experience in product development. The company created many patented technologies and consistently pushes development to the next level.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Yeti Cycles for receiving this prestigious award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your innovation, high standards and quality products.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Wadsworth Control Systems for being honored with the Business Recognition Award given by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Business Recognition Award is given to a Jefferson County company which shows growth in employment, sales and capital investment in the last year.

Wadsworth Control Systems is a family owned and operated company and is one of the oldest and reliable environmental control companies in North America. The company manufactures climate controls, energy curtains and vent automation for greenhouses around the world. Wadsworth Control Systems is constantly innovating to produce the best product for their customers.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Wadsworth Control Systems for being honored with the Business Recognition Award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your commitment to high standards, innovation and quality products.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Tallgrass Energy for being honored with the Business Recognition Award given by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Business Recognition Award is given to a Jefferson County company which shows growth in employment, sales and capital investment in the last year.

Tallgrass Energy provides natural gas transportation and storage services for customers in the Rocky Mountain region through its pipelines and natural gas processing assets. Tallgrass Energy is committed to public safety, monitoring their pipeline operation 24 hours a day every day. The company recently added 58 high paying jobs in 2013.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Tallgrass Energy for receiving the Business Recognition Award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your commitment to innovation high standards and delivering quality products.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Outlast Technologies LLC for being honored with the Business Recognition Award given by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Business Recognition Award is given to a Jefferson County company which shows growth in employment, sales and capital investment in the last year.

Outlast Technologies LLC, located in Golden, Colorado, was founded on technology developed by a group of NASA researchers. The company develops temperature controlling technology that can absorb heat and reduce moisture in products such as ski jackets, socks, blankets and mattress pads. Outlast Technologies LLC owns over 96 issued patents and 59 pending patents related to thermally adaptive materials. They continue to explore medical, military, furnishings and other markets.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Outlast Technologies LLC for receiving the Business Recognition Award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your commitment to innovation, high standards and quality products.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud SpotXchange for being honored with the Business Recognition Award given by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Business Recognition Award is given to a Jefferson County company which shows growth in employment, sales and capital investment in the last year.

SpotXchange is a digital video advertising technology company connecting thousands of publishers with trusted demand sources. Each month SpotXchange video inventory reaches over 200 million visitors in more than 80 countries. Their advanced transparency and unmatched customer service around the world is a testament to their success. SpotXchange hired 48 engineers and is poised to expand rapidly this year.

I extend my deepest congratulations to SpotXchange for receiving the Business Recognition Award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your commitment to outstanding customer service, high standards and quality products.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Oz Snowboards for being honored with the Business Recognition Award given by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Business Recognition Award is given to a Jefferson County company which shows growth in employment, sales and capital investment in the last year.

Oz Snowboards manufacturer integrated aerospace design concepts into its construction by replacing heavy fiberglass with high

performance tri-axial grade carbon fiber to manufacture state of the art snowboards. In addition, Oz Snowboards is committed to maintaining its manufacturing operation here in Colorado.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Oz Snowboards for receiving this prestigious award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your commitment innovation, high standards and quality products.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Zachary Foulke for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Zachary Foulke is an 8th grader at Moore Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Zachary Foulke is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Zachary Foulke for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Yamile Hernandez for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Yamile Hernandez is an 8th grader at Wheat Ridge 5-8 and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Yamile Hernandez is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Yamile Hernandez for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Applied Research Associates, Inc. for being honored with the Business Recognition Award given by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Business Recognition Award is given to a Jefferson County company which shows growth in employment, sales and capital investment in the last year.

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an international research engineering firm that provides technical solutions to help solve problems of national importance. The company's philosophy incorporates a code of ethics and standard of conduct in everything they do.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Applied Research Associates, Inc. for receiving the Business Recognition Award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your commitment to our nation and the Jefferson County community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Zech Frye for

receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Zech Frye is a 7th grader at Mandalay Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Zech Frye is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Zech Frye for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Lakewood Brick and Tile Company for being honored with the Pioneer Award by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Pioneer Award is given to a Jefferson County company that provides standards for other businesses to follow and must demonstrate significant and sustained growth contributing to Jefferson County's economy.

Lakewood Brick and Tile Company has manufactured clay bricks in Jefferson County since 1932. You can find their products in everything from downtown residential lofts, school, libraries and the tallest skyscrapers in the world.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Lakewood Brick and Tile Company for receiving this prestigious award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your many years of service to the Jefferson County community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers for being honored with the Genesis Award given by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.

The Genesis Award is given to a Jefferson County company which contributes to the economic vitality in Jefferson County through leadership, innovation, facilitation and collaboration within and outside Jefferson County.

Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers, operating in Colorado since 1940, is a full service civil and structural engineering and surveying firm. The company experienced steady growth over the years and recently added 23 high paying jobs in Jefferson County, Colorado.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers for receiving this prestigious award from the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation. I thank you for your many years of service to the Jefferson County community.

Mr. Speaker, just give us a vote. Just give us a vote on comprehensive immigration reform.

The United States Senate passed a bill almost a year ago, in a bipartisan fashion, on comprehensive immigration reform. Americans want comprehensive immigration reform.

We have a bill, H.R. 15, which provides for comprehensive immigration reform. It would pass this House, but for some reason or another, the Republican majority will not bring it up. It will not allow the House to vote on it.

The Senate had the courage to vote on it. The House ought to bring this up and pass comprehensive immigration reform. It can be done this week or next week. Let's get it done. Just give us a vote.