Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Greg Poulos for his service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence.

As founder and chairman of the Golden Schools Foundation, Greg continues to drive the organization to excellence through high performance rates and accountability in the Golden articulation area.

Greg portrays his commitment to the people of Golden through his surveys of the residents on their expectations and reviews of Golden schools, then employs these testimonials in strategic goals for the community. Greg aims to have 95% of Golden students enrolled in their neighborhood schools. With Greg's determination and diligence, this goal will undoubtedly be achieved in the near future.

Mr. Poulos is a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate him on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure he will have the same dedication and commitment in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Julie Kerwin for her service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence.

Julie transformed an unhealthy form of fundraising at Shelton Elementary, a local grade school, into a beneficial athletic and healthy fundraiser for the children. Rather than the yearly sale of candy and cookie dough, she created a 5K race to aid the school.

In preparation for the event, Julie founded a running club, in which 60 children eagerly joined to run for the event. The successful event has blossomed into a sustainable community event.

It is members of the community like Julie who show us through innovation we can create healthy lifestyles in our neighborhoods, while promoting education and enriching the community. Her unprecedented ideas shine as a beacon for all other community members in our Nation and Colorado.

Ms. Kerwin is a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate her on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure she will have the same dedication and commitment in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Mr. Marv Kay for his service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence.

Marv's story is one of long-term dedication to the community of Golden. Through great amounts of perseverance Marv has served the community as mayor, mayor emeritus, serving chair of the Blue Ribbon, honorary co-chair of the 2012 Jefferson County Schools Mill and Bond Campaign, as a member of the Golden Good Government league, a mentor of numerous civic leaders, and a valued Colorado School of Mines leader and guide.

Marv continues to serve Golden, regardless of the hat he wears each day. Through his pure selflessness, he is committed to leading the town in the right direction towards success. Each community could benefit from having a member such as Marv advocating in their streets.

Mr. Marv Kay has been a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate him on receiving the 2012 Mayor Award for Excellence. I am sure he will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ted Rains for his service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence.

Ted exemplifies a commitment to the community through innovation that is unprecedented. As captain of the Golden Optimists Bicycle Recycle Program, Ted repaired and distributed thousands of free bicycles to the residents of Golden and the metro area, as well as students of the Colorado School of Mines.

However, Ted did not stop with his mission in Golden. He has also rebuilt and donated bikes to Native American reservations and citizens of Mexico, Haiti, and Tanzania. Ted and Golden Optimists Bicycle Recycle Program have repaired and given a total number of over 9,000 bicycles around the globe and in Golden. Ted truly epitomizes the selfless nature of an outstanding community member and servant.

Mr. Rains is a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate him on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure he will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Kathleen Callender and Heather Callender-Potters for their service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence.

Kathleen, founder of PharmaJet, and Heather, chairman of the board of directors, transformed the way vaccines and liquid medications are delivered by developing and marketing a unique, efficient, affordable and life-saving needle-free syringe. These devices can deliver half a milliliter fixed dose of a liquid medication into the muscle where many vaccines are delivered, or into the subcutaneous layer between the skin and the muscle.

PharmaJet continues to serve communities around the world by creating a safer workplace with less exposure to needle stick injuries and reducing the amount of hazardous sharp medical waste in a way to better control the spread of bloodborne HIV and hepatitis from needle reuse.

PharmaJet's mission is to serve individual patients in the community and promote public health in all areas of the world. Their partnership with UNICEF eliminates many of the risks of unsafe injections, along with the 1.3 million deaths per year.

Ms. Callender and Ms. Callender-Potters are champions in the community and throughout the globe. I am honored to congratulate them on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure they will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Dan Dwyer for

his service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence.

Dan, an avid cyclist, made exceptional achievements in improving the health, fitness, and community spirit of Golden residents. He was a pivotal member of the community in organizing the Foothills Running and Biking Club, participating in the bikeability task force, serving on the board of Leadership Golden, and working to make the Golden stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

Dan was one of the organizing committee's co-chairs responsible for the staging of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Golden. This was the second year the community enjoyed 135 of the world's best riders as they raced over 518 miles through the beautiful scenery of Golden and much of Colorado. Dan used the race to continually engage sponsors and the community in cycling year round.

Above all, Dan exemplifies what it means to live healthy through exercise, while enjoying the community and scenery of Golden.

Mr. Dwyer is a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate him on the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure he will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all his future endeavors.

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

Faye has served Jefferson County as Treasurer, Clerk and Recorder and was most recently reelected as County Commissioner for District 1.

Faye is extensively involved in multiple community initiatives. Currently, Faye serves on the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Board, is a council member for the Head Start Policy Council and Rocky Flats Stewardship Council, as well as the E-911 Board and Noxious Weed Advisory Board. Faye is on the Boundary Control Commission, the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, the Criminal Justice Strategic Planning Committee and the C-470 Corridor Coalition.

Among Faye's many accomplishments and board duties, she was the driving force behind the Child and Youth Leadership Commission and pioneered the statute to establish the commission. She is currently serving on the Child and Youth Leadership Commission board.

I extend my deepest congratulations to my friend Faye Griffin for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County and thank her for her many contributions to our 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. Melinda O'Rourke for her outstanding service to our community.

Dr. O'Rourke is a community-minded business owner who has leveraged her success to reinvest in the community. She sits on the Red Rocks Community College Foundation Board of Directors and Northwest Eye and Essence Laser & Wellness which support 25 local charities.

Melinda gives her time and talent to provide the underserved in our communities the eye care they need. She has volunteered for numerous eye surgeries in Latin America with the Vision Health International (VHI) group whose mission is to provide vision care services and sight- restoring services free of charge. Also, Melinda donates her time to the Stout Street Clinic by performing pro bono ophthalmic and optometric care to the homeless.

I extend my deepest congratulations to my friend Dr. Melinda O'Rourke 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 Ms. Tracy Evanko, for her service to the community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence.

Tracy was a founding member of the Golden Resource for Education, Arts, and Theater (GREAT). This organization was responsible for the very successful nights of movies and music in the park of Golden, Colorado. GREAT's mission to enhance, promote, and enrich the culture of the community of Golden has lead to great expansions in the cinematic and performing arts.

Along with GREAT, Tracy was essential in paving the way for the city of Golden in purchasing the 14-acre Bachman parcel at West 4th Avenue and Heritage Road to be used for open space in December of 2010. Her commitment to the environment and culture of Golden offers as a model for others in the community.

I am honored to congratulate Tracy Evanko on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure she will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all her future endeavors.

Would the gentlelady yield for one more comment?

I just wanted to echo Mr. Hoyer's comments. You and I have served together on the Financial Services Committee. We have worked together on legislation that I was proposing and that you were proposing, and working with you was always a pleasure and an honor. I always appreciated the knowledge you would bring to all of these different discussions; and the fact that you were willing to work with me in such a fashion, that helped bring me along as a Member of Congress. I think you definitely brought legislation to the country that was of value, and I just want to thank the gentlelady from Illinois.

If the gentlelady would yield to me one more time, as to Mr. Platts and to yourself, I mean, the word that has come to me as I'm sitting here and always has struck me is ``respect.'' You both have respect on both sides of the aisle. You listen, you work, you have energy, you want to make this country a better place for all of us. And I just want to thank you for the service to the Nation. It's been an honor to serve with both of you.

And I would say to my friend, Mr. Platts, he introduced me to about a half a dozen military installations in the Far East on the fastest moving trip I have ever been on; and that was a year and a half ago and I'm still tired from how quickly and how much energy he put into this trip to expose me to the needs of our troops throughout the Far East.

Again, your respect on both sides of the aisle is well known. Your energy is well known. And thank you for your service.

Thank you.

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

Joni Inman has been a leader of the Denver community for decades. Most recently, Joni consults for ActionCOACH which helps her clients grow their businesses and create new jobs. Joni also owns her own consulting firm for lobbying, strategic and business planning, small business support for federal regulations and public relations.

Prior to her consulting career, Joni served as the Deputy City Manager for Lakewood where she pioneered the city's communications and sustainability programs. As Deputy City Manager, she oversaw Lakewood's economic development and was the city's legislative lobbyist.

Joni was a behind-the-scenes force in the development of Colorado Mills at Belmar and the St. Anthony Hospital Campus in Lakewood.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Joni Inman 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 Leah Varnell for her outstanding service to our community.

In 2000, Leah Varnell was a leader in the creation of the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties (CASA Jeffco/Gilpin). Its mission is to recruit, train and manage community advocates who act as officers of the court for the best interest of children that are abuse and neglect victims.

Since its inception, Leah's success with CASA Jeffco/Gilpin has led to a 110% increase in revenue and 60% increase in staffing, which enables the program to serve more

children. In addition, Leah's has been successful creating numerous partnerships with courts and human services to better utilize CASA volunteers.

In 2010, Leah was selected as the Staff Person of the Year by the State Association of CASA programs in Colorado. She also serves on numerous boards including Rewired, Inc., Leadership Jefferson County Alumni Association, Jefferson County Good News Coalition, Jefferson County Best Practice Court Team, and the Emancipation Court Steering Committee.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Leah Varnell 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 Dot Wright for her outstanding service to our community.

Since 2008 Dot has served as President and CEO of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. Her successes have led to significant growth in the chamber's membership and outreach efforts. In addition, Dot has worked tirelessly to create a better trained workforce for jobs of the 21st Century.

In 2011, Dot created the Jefferson County Business Education Alliance (JCBEA) which partners business owners and students with educational opportunities such as internships and job shadowing. Her vision led to a full-time position with the Jefferson County Department of Human Services tasked with expanding this successful program county-wide.

Dot is also involved with many community organizations. She serves on the Arvada Colts Board of Directors, Arvada Economic Development Association, Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis Club, the Arvada--Wheat Ridge Ambassadors for Youth and the Historic Olde Town Arvada Board of Directors. She also serves on my Small Business Advisory Committee.

I extend my deepest congratulations to my friend Dot Wright 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 Senator Cheri Jahn for her service to our community.

Colorado State Senator Cheri Jahn is a single mother of three and small business owner in Wheat Ridge. For 30 years, Cheri has proudly owned and operated Colorado Housekeeping Services, LLC, which she has grown into a cornerstone of the community.

While raising three children and running her business, Cheri earned her Paralegal degree from the Community College of Denver. Cheri uses her business acumen in her position as a Colorado State Senator.

Her successes in the business world led to her most recent accomplishment as a State Senator. By striving to aid other local businesses, Cheri passed legislation to save small businesses hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in unemployment insurance premiums.

It is with extreme gratitude that I commend Cheri Jahn 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 Kathy Hodgson for her outstanding service to our community.

As Lakewood City Manager, Kathy Hodgson's efforts have bolstered the city's financial

reserves to an historic level. Her successful leadership has led her team to entice new businesses to locate in Lakewood.

Kathy's collaborative nature was demonstrated when she spearheaded an effort to save a Lakewood middle school from closure. Now, that school is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and home to Jefferson County's first Boys and Girls Club.

Among her successes, Kathy is president of the Metro City and County Management Association and sits on the Jeffco Schools Capital Asset Advisory Committee. Also, Kathy was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to the Red Rock's Community College President's Advisory Council.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Kathy Hodgson for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County and to thank her for her commitment to our community. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.