Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud B J Hambleton for receiving the Ambassador of the Year award from the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

The West Chamber Ambassadors are the hospitality arm of the Chamber. They help members by inviting them to events, introducing them to each other and making new members feel a part of the West Chamber family more quickly.

B J has been an Ambassador since 2009, and when it comes to helping out, B J is the first person to volunteer. She is dedicated to helping members get the most out of their membership. You can find B J staffing the registration tables at most Chamber events, and she is known for her quick response to the many questions members ask.

I extend my deepest congratulations to B J Hambleton for her well- deserved honor from 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 Shiloh Home, Inc. for achieving 25 years of outstanding membership in the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

Membership in a Chamber of Commerce comes with commitment, dedication and contribution to community. Chamber members are leaders in the community mentoring other businesses, creating positive environments for business to thrive. The West Chamber serving Jefferson County is a strong and vibrant organization today due to members like Shiloh Home, Inc.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Shiloh Home, Inc. for 25 years of leadership and inspiration you provide in our community. I look forward to many more years of your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud St. Anthony Hospital for receiving the Large Business of the Year Award from the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

This award is given to an organization which exemplifies leadership, collaboration and gives back to the community.

St. Anthony Hospital moved to Lakewood, Colorado in 2011. In two years they have grown to 1600 employees and a campus at 90% capacity in the medical office buildings. They also bring substantial financial investment, vibrancy and first class medical care to our community.

I extend my deepest congratulations to St. Anthony Hospital for this well-deserved honor from the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I am proud to have this crown jewel in Colorado's 7th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery and Mortuary for achieving 25 years of outstanding membership in the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

Membership in a Chamber of Commerce comes with commitment, dedication and contribution to community. Chamber members are leaders in the community mentoring other businesses, creating positive environments for business to thrive. The West Chamber serving Jefferson County is a strong and vibrant organization today due to members like Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery and Mortuary.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery and Mortuary for 25 years of leadership and inspiration you provide in our community. I look forward to many more years of your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Mayor Steve Burkholder for receiving the first annual Steve Burkholder Diamond Legacy Award from the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

The award is given to an individual who is recognized as a ``shining star'' due to their leadership and contributions in making Jefferson County a better place to reside.

Mayor Burkholder spent his adult life contributing to the betterment of Jefferson County and their residents. Steve's accomplishments are many. They include serving as past President of the Colorado Municipal League, a member of the Metro Mayors Executive Committee and serving as fellow of the Institute on the Common Good at Regis University.

Steve's latest quest is making sure every two and three year old from high risk or vulnerable families are preschool ready through the Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP). Steve is a founding member of the PCHP Jeffco Advisory Group. Their mission is to positively impact school readiness and long term learning.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Mayor Steve Burkholder for this well-deserved honor from the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt Mayor Burkholders's commitment to community will be felt by Jefferson County residents for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud John B. ``Jack'' Newkirk for his induction into the Jefferson County Business Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding area businesses, individuals, organizations and civic leaders from the past and present that have significantly impacted and contributed to the Jefferson County community.

One of Jack's greatest contributions to our community is his medical device inventions. He and his wife, Carol, started companies that distributed life-saving medical devices. These medical devices have improved the quality of life for thousands of people around the world.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Jack for his outstanding contributions to the world of medicine and well-deserved recognition from the Jefferson County Business Community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Gary Wink for his induction into the Jefferson County Business Hall of Fame and for his outstanding career in the Golden business community.

Gary served for 22 years as an executive and President and CEO of the Golden Chamber of Commerce. During that time, the membership of the Chamber more than doubled. Gary expanded the Golden Fine Arts Festival into an event ranking in the top 50 festivals in the nation, and he developed the Golden Farmers Market, one of the finest in Colorado.

Gary's leadership at the Golden Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in securing a thriving business climate that Golden continues to enjoy.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Gary on his contributions to the Golden business community and his well-deserved honor from the Jefferson County Business Community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Dr. Cynthia Stevenson for her outstanding contribution to the Jefferson County School District and her induction into the Jefferson County Business Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame recognizes area businesses, individuals, organizations and civic leaders from past and present that significantly impacted and contributed to the Jefferson County community.

Cindy has been a part of Jefferson County schools most of her life as a student, a teacher, principal and superintendent.

As a result of her leadership, Jefferson County Schools thrived. Her dedication and commitment to providing the highest quality education to our kids will benefit our community for years to come. I am proud to call Cindy my friend and thankful for her public service.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Dr. Stevenson on her contributions and I am deeply grateful for the legacy of excellence she has given to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) for receiving the Non-Profit of the Year award from the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

For 50 years DDRC has been providing support and opportunities to people with developmental disabilities and their families in Jefferson County. From their humble beginnings in church basements, DDRC has grown to 550 employees and more than 200 volunteers who make a difference in the lives of more than 3000 individuals each year.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) for this well deserved honor from the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. Your dedication to our community enhances all of our lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Colorado State University Extension--Jefferson County for achieving 25 years of outstanding membership in the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

Membership in a Chamber of Commerce comes with commitment, dedication and contribution to community. Chamber members are leaders in the community mentoring other businesses, creating positive environments for business to thrive. The West Chamber serving Jefferson County is a strong and vibrant organization today due to members like Colorado State University Extension--Jefferson County.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Colorado State University Extension--Jefferson County for 25 years of leadership and inspiration you provide in our community. I look forward to many more years of your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Chase Bank Lakeside for achieving 25 years of outstanding membership in the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

Membership in a Chamber of Commerce comes with commitment, dedication and contribution to community. Chamber members are leaders in the community mentoring other businesses, creating positive environments for business to thrive. The West Chamber serving Jefferson County is a strong and vibrant organization today due to members like Chase Bank Lakeside.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Chase Bank Lakeside for 25 years of leadership and inspiration you provide in our community. I look forward to many more years of your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Colorado Community Media for achieving 25 years of outstanding membership in the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

Membership in a Chamber of Commerce comes with commitment, dedication and contribution to community. Chamber members are leaders in the community mentoring other businesses, creating positive environments for business to thrive. The West Chamber serving Jefferson County is a strong and vibrant organization today due to members like Colorado Community Media.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Colorado Community Media for 25 years of leadership and inspiration you provide in our community. I look forward to many more years of your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Charles Church McKay for his induction into the Jefferson County Business Hall of Fame.

Charlie is an outstanding member of the Jefferson County Business Community where he manages the development of residential and commercial real estate projects. His major ventures include the Rockwell International Training Center, the Church Ranch Corporate Center, the Smart Reservoir Expansion Project and the Candelas project in Arvada.

Additionally, Charlie serves on many community boards, offering his expertise to such organizations as the Jefferson County Economic Council board, the Northwest Metro Chamber of Commerce and Transportation Management Organization. He is the Chairman of Denver Boulder Corridor Marketing Coalition, the Historical Mandalay Community Center, Inc., the Broomfield Economic Development Council and the Founder and Chairman of Jefferson Center Metropolitan District.

Charlie and his family celebrate a rich Colorado legacy dating back to 1857, and I am pleased to see him continue a tradition of excellence. I extend my deepest congratulations to Mr. McKay for his well-deserved recognition from the Jefferson County Business Community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Bandimere Speedway for achieving 25 years of outstanding membership in the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

Membership in a Chamber of Commerce comes with commitment, dedication and contribution to community. Chamber members are leaders in the community mentoring other businesses, creating positive environments for business to thrive. The West Chamber serving Jefferson County is a strong and vibrant organization today due to members like Bandimere Speedway.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Bandimere Speedway for 25 years of leadership and inspiration you provide in our community. I look forward to many more years of your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud 240 Union for achieving 25 years of outstanding membership in the West Chamber serving Jefferson County.

Membership in a Chamber of Commerce comes with commitment, dedication and contribution to community. Chamber members are leaders in the community mentoring other businesses, creating positive environments for business to thrive. The West Chamber serving Jefferson County is a strong and vibrant organization today due to members like 240 Union.

I extend my deepest congratulations to 240 Union for 25 years of leadership and inspiration you provide in our community. I look forward to many more years of your service.