Floor Statements

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

The dedication demonstrated by Nick Hall 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 Nick Hall 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 Morgan Jewell for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Morgan Jewell is an 11th grader at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Morgan Jewell 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 Morgan Jewell 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 Nuvia Ramirez for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Nuvia Ramirez 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 Nuvia Ramirez 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 Nuvia Ramirez 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, this week is Teacher Appreciation Week. I rise to appreciate teachers, especially my wife, who is a high school math teacher; and my sister, who teaches gifted and talented students and English as a second language.

But mostly, I arise to really appreciate our teachers. I have three daughters. They have all received great educations, and it's thanks to the teachers who spend so much time, who care about our kids. And the investment we are making in our children through our teachers is the best investment America can make. We have to continue to build our education system and make it the best in the world and keep it that way.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank all of the teachers out there for the hard work that they do every day on behalf of our country, but especially our kids.

Article I, section 8.1:

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes,

duties, imposts, and excises to pay the debts and provide for

the common defense and general welfare of the United States.

Now Amendment 14, section 4:

The validity of the public debt of the United States . . .

including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties

for services . . . shall not be questioned.

But that's precisely what the Republican Party, the Republican majority, is doing today. I have many friends on the Republican side of the aisle whom I respect, but I've never been as disappointed in them as I am today.

``Pari passu.'' That means ``equal.'' The United States of America, for 235 years, has treated all of its creditors equally. If you're the landlord, if you get a salary, if you mow the lawn on the National Mall, you get paid at the same time that somebody who loans money to the United States gets paid. Everybody gets paid. That's how we treat it. We don't treat it that China or Wall Street or Saudi Arabia, because they've loaned us money, gets paid before the nurse working in one of our VA hospitals. That's not America. That is wrong. That is not how we run our country. It is unconstitutional.

I'd say to my friends that this short, little bill of yours to prioritize our debts is exactly the wrong thing to do. If I were a credit-rating agency, I'd say, if you're prioritizing your debts, you're getting ready to not pay somebody. Everybody is treated equally. If I were that credit rating agency, I would downgrade us today.

I'd say to my friends on the Republican side of the aisle, to the majority party: Don't do this. This is wrong. This is not our Nation.

We have built this Nation on equality, and that includes the equality of payment. Whether you're a landlord or if you work for the country or if you're a veteran, whatever it may be, you get paid. That's how we operate it.

We in this Congress have the ability not only to raise the revenue that's needed to do that but to manage our expenses, but we don't stiff anybody. So I'd say to my friends: Withdraw this bill now. It is bad legislation. It is wrong for this Nation. Get rid of it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and applaud Royda Kimball on her retirement from the Colorado State Capitol.

Royda began her career in 1974 when she was hired by Comfort Shaw, the Secretary of the Senate. Her journey at the Colorado State Capitol would take her from a Telephone Messenger to Chief Assignable Clerk. She is beloved by all who had the fortune to work with her over the years.

Royda kept the wheels of government greased by keeping bills and amendments up to date and organizing elected officials so they could do a better job for the citizens of Colorado. She was nicknamed fondly the ``Warden of the Senate.'' More importantly, Royda never let her own political beliefs get in the way. She treated both sides of the aisle with respect.

I had the good fortune to work with Royda Kimball during my time in the Colorado State Senate and I know she will be dearly missed. Once again, I congratulate Royda on her retirement. I have no doubt she will bring the same character, devotion and passion to all of her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and applaud Peggy Halderman for receiving national recognition for her efforts to feed the hungry in Golden, Colorado.

April 5, 2013 the White House honored twelve Rotary International members from around the country as ``Champions of Change.'' I am proud to say Peggy Halderman is one of the Rotarians to receive this honor.

When Peggy learned over more than nine hundred children participated in the Free/Reduced Lunch program in Golden area schools and did not have adequate food on weekends, she decided to do something. Collaborating with her Rotary club, the mayor and city council the Backpack program was born. In its fifth year it has grown to feed over five hundred and twenty children every weekend of the school year. Peggy is currently expanding the program to provide food year round.

Peggy Halderman truly exemplifies the Rotary Club Motto of ``Service above Self'.'' Her outstanding dedication to our community's children will pay benefits to our citizens for years to come.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Peggy Halderman for this well deserved recognition from the White House. 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 David Myers for being honored by the Jefferson Center for Mental Health for his outstanding service to our community.

David is President and CEO of Metro Community Provider Network. MCPN is a non-profit healthcare organization providing medical, dental, mental health, substance abuse, pharmacy and community based services to the underserved, uninsured and working families who cannot afford these services. Under David's leadership in fiscal year 2012, MCPN provided healthcare services to nearly 39,000 individuals.

David's dedication to healthcare for all is evident by his pivotal role in health insurance reform. He was one of the on the ground drivers, paving the roads ahead for the health care community. David navigates the complex issues surrounding healthcare with his dedication to partnerships and collaborations. The patients at Metro Community Provider Network are recipients of the fruits of his labor of love every day.

I am honored to congratulate David Myers on receiving this recognition from the Jefferson Center for Mental Health. I have no doubt David will exhibit the same dedication, passion and vision to all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Michelle and Jim Bartlett and their company, A Master's Hands, for receiving the Golden Rotary Ethics in Business award.

A Master's Hands adheres to high standards of business ethics and employs ethical behavior as a philosophy in daily business.

Co-founder Jim Bartlett is the principal source behind this philosophy and serves as a role model for the employee's at A Master's Hands. Leading by example from the top is demonstrated through commitment to hard work and excellence in everything they do.

Giving back to the community is something Michelle and Jim strive to achieve. Working with Jeffco Workforce Center and Jefferson County Human Services, A Master's Hands offers job skills trainings to help individuals find employment. The company has been known to do pro-bono work for families and provide discounts to others who needed their help, all of which has made a lasting impact in the neighborhoods in which they work.

I am honored to congratulate Michelle and Jim Bartlett and A Master's Hands for their commitment to outstanding ethics in business and receiving this very deserved award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Rita Schnidt for being honored by the Jefferson Center for Mental Health for her decades of outstanding service to our community.

Rita is a long time resident of Jefferson County and is a tireless and energetic volunteer for the Jefferson Center for Mental Health. She is a former Jefferson Center Board member and chair of the Jefferson Mental Health Foundation. Her other accomplishments are numerous. Jeanne Oliver states ``Combining her political savvy with her commitment to grass roots-level change, Rita remains a staunch advocate for battered women, low-income housing, those struggling with mental illness and alcoholism, and others who don't have any other voice.'' Her friends describe her as ``a force of nature'', ``the lady who knows how to get things done'', ``a dynamo of action!'' and ``always there when people need her.''

I am honored to congratulate Rita Schnidt on receiving this well deserved recognition from the Jefferson Center for Mental Health. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same passion, dedication and character in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Phyllis Reynolds Hebb for her commitment to early childhood education.

Phyllis's story begins when she enrolled her daughter in New Child Montessori School in Arvada and realized the potential of the Montessori Method. She resigned from her job at the United States Geological Survey and went to work at the Montessori school.

In 1983, the opportunity to purchase the New Child Montessori School presented itself. Phyllis bought the school, renamed it Cornerstone Montessori School and eventually moved the school to the Applewood area. In January of 1997, Phyllis purchased the property at 15970 West 50th Avenue and renovations to the buildings began. Cornerstone Montessori School moved to its current location at the end of May 1997.

Phyllis continued growing the school and extending into the community with a Toddler Program in 2004 and expanded the Spanish Language Program in 2005. Cornerstone Montessori School currently provides dual language Montessori classrooms for preschool and kindergarten aged children. Cornerstone has come full circle with three people on staff who attended Cornerstone as preschoolers and several students who are children of former preschoolers and kindergartners.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Phyllis Reynolds Hebb for thirty years of providing early childhood education to our future leaders. I have no doubt Phyllis will continue to provide adventure, learning and fun to all of her students.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Matt Lewis for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Matt Lewis 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 Matt Lewis 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 Matt Lewis 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 Marisol Rodriguez for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Marisol Rodriguez is an 11th grader at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Marisol Rodriguez 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 Marisol Rodriguez 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 Madahi Cabrera-Marquez for receiving the Arvada

Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Madahi Cabrera-Marquez is a 9th grader at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Madahi Cabrera-Marquez 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 Madahi Cabrera-Marquez 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 Linh Hoang for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Linh Hoang is a 12th grader at Arvada High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Linh Hoang 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 Linh Hoang 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.