Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Juan Arredondo for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Juan Arredondo is a 12th grader at Vantage Point High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Juan Arredondo 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 Juan Arredondo for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's birthday.

As our third President, a Founding Father, and the main author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was a formative voice in our nascent American democracy. Jefferson championed the ideas of religious tolerance, human rights, and liberty for all. He considered democracy, along with a free press and robust public education system, to be the embodiment of a thriving, successful society. These indelible notions continue to be fundamental to our country today.

On his 278th birthday, I extend my deepest thanks and respect to Thomas Jefferson for his commitment to the ideals of democracy and his stringent belief in the strength of the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud John Faczak for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

John Faczak is an 11th grader at Bennett High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by John Faczak 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 John Faczak for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Uriah Henry for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Uriah Henry is a 12th grader at Legacy High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Uriah Henry 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 Uriah Henry for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jasmerae Martinez for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Jasmerae Martinez is a 12th grader at Mapleton Online and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Jasmerae Martinez 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 Jasmerae Martinez for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Faythe Williams for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Faythe Williams is an 11th grader at Legacy High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Faythe Williams 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 Faythe Williams for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jasmine Torres for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Jasmine Torres is a 12th grader at Vantage Point High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Jasmine Torres 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 Jasmine Torres for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Henry Leopold Strauss of Denver, Colorado who passed away on April 8, 2021.

Henry was born in Germany in 1927. As Hitler was rising to power his family fled for Spain, then ultimately Denmark. After immigrating to New York in 1937 Henry moved to Denver in 1939. A graduate of East High School and the University of Colorado, Henry obtained a real estate broker's license and opened Strauss Realty. Henry and his first wife, Florence, married in 1958 and spent nearly four decades together before Florence passed away in 1995.

Henry was a strong advocate of civic engagement and was active in Democratic politics and a number of community organizations including the Rotary Club and the Council on Foreign Relations. Henry also served for 22 years on the Metropolitan State University Foundation Board. An avid traveler, Henry was crossing the globe well into his 80s with his second wife, Joan. Henry had a particular appreciation for China and made a impressive total of 26 trips there over the years.

In 1995, Henry set up the Florence G. Strauss Indigenous Medicine Collection Fund to collect books related to complementary health practices and indigenous therapies around the world. This collection became Henry's greatest pride and joy over the past 25 years and currently contains over 4,000 columns.

Henry was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Joan, his son Andy, and daughters Pam and Mimi, and his grandchildren Abbie, Emily, Emma, and Edie. I am deeply grateful for his lifetime of service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Francisca Vasquez for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Francisca Vasquez is an 11th grader at Lester Arnold High School and received this award because her determination and hard

work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Francisca Vasquez 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 Francisca Vasquez for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Emma Arvizo-Aguirre for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Emma Arvizo-Aguirre is a 12th grader at MESA and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Emma Arvizo-Aguirre 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 Emma Arvizo-Aguirre for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Hajir Mohammed for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Hajir Mohammed is a 12th grader at Eagle Ridge Academy and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Hajir Mohammed 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 Hajir Mohammed for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Evelyn Anne Smith for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Evelyn Anne Smith is an 11th grader at Vantage Point High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Evelyn Anne Smith 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 Evelyn Anne Smith for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud James Torres for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

James Torres is a 12th grader at Vantage Point High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by James Torres 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 James Torres for winning the Adams County

Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Faith Walker for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Faith Walker is a 7th grader at Bennett Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Faith Walker 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 Faith Walker for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1528) to require the Securities and Exchange Commission to carry out a study of Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1528, the Promoting Transparent Standards for Corporate Insiders Act, is a bill introduced by Chairwoman Maxine Waters for several Congresses to strengthen confidence in our capital markets by ensuring everyone plays by the same rules.

This bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the last Congress and is designed to promote strong enforcement against financial fraud by ensuring corporate executives cannot indirectly or illegally trade on material nonpublic information they know about their companies.

The Securities and Exchange Commission, the SEC, prohibits insider trading as a fraud that hurts investors as well as the integrity of our capital markets. Those accused of illegal insider trading sometimes defend themselves using the SEC's rule for trading plans and claim any trades that occurred while they possessed inside information were made pursuant to a preapproved trading plan. But the rule for trading plans has several shortcomings and loopholes that may allow corporate insiders to get away with insider trading.

This bill would require the SEC to study whether to amend its rule for trading plans to limit the ability of corporate insiders to, for example, adopt multiple overlapping plans or change their plans to indirectly take advantage of inside information. This bill would then require the SEC to report to Congress and revise its rules based on the results of the study.

This bill is needed to protect confidence in our markets. For example, last year, we saw numerous pharmaceutical executives profiting from conveniently timed announcements regarding the companies' progress toward a COVID-19 vaccine.

For instance, shortly after Moderna announced positive results for its vaccine, the pharmaceutical company's CEO altered his trading plan to increase the number of shares sold through the plan. Shortly thereafter, he sold shares for millions of dollars in profit.

Similarly, on the same day Pfizer announced positive data regarding its vaccine, Pfizer's CEO sold more than $5 million worth of shares as part of his trading plan.

This bill is supported by investor and consumer advocates, public pension funds, and State securities regulators, including the California Public Employees' Retirement System, the Council of Institutional Investors, and the North American Securities Administrators Association.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

In closing, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1528, which will help prevent corporate insiders from using inside information to rig the game in their favor at the expense of investors and the integrity of our markets.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.