Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Rachel Sanchez for her creative and unique drawing, earning her third place in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition.

As a participant in the art show and student at Golden High School, Rachel created a work of art entitled, ``Father Figure''. The artwork is a charcoal portrait of her father.

Rachel spent countless hours and used numerous tools to learn new techniques and refine her painting skills and education in the arts. I appreciate her participation in the competition and the support provided by her teachers at Golden High School.

Congratulations to Rachel Sanchez for her hard work and participation in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition. I am certain she will exhibit the same dedication and character in her future accomplishments, and I wish her the best of luck going forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Zayne Yeager for his creative and unique drawing, earning him second place in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition.

As a participant in the art show and student at Ralston Valley High School, Zayne created a work of art entitled, ``#NoFilter''. It was created with colored pencils and is meant to convey a social-media- centric culture and its impact on an individual.

Zayne spent countless hours and used numerous tools to learn new techniques and refine his drawing skills and education in the arts. I appreciate his participation in the competition and the support provided by his teachers at Ralston Valley High School.

Congratulations to Zayne Yeager for his hard work and participation in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition. I am certain he will exhibit the same dedication and character in his future accomplishments, and I wish him the best of luck going forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Karly Venn for her creative and unique drawing, earning her the top mixed media award in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition.

As a participant in the art show and student at Lakewood High School, Karly created a work of art entitled, ``Temperance''. The artwork used mixed media, digitally-altered photography, and collage work to show the concept of balance and stability through symmetry.

Karly spent countless hours and used numerous tools to learn new techniques and refine her painting skills and education in the arts. I appreciate her participation in the competition and the support provided by her teachers at Lakewood High School.

Congratulations to Karly Venn for her hard work and participation in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition. I am certain she will exhibit the same dedication and character in her future accomplishments, and I wish her the best of luck going forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center for winning the Golden Rotary's 2022 Ethics in Business Award.

Each year, the Golden Rotary Club awards one for-profit company and one non-profit organization for their outstanding ethical behavior and leadership. The community is asked to nominate organizations whom they think display the highest standards of ethical business practices, integrity, and civic and social responsibility. Winners are then chosen by students in an Ethics class at the Colorado School of Mines.

As a longtime, local restaurant and cultural center in the heart of Golden, the Sherpa House has a history of welcoming residents and customers from across the region to discover the wonders of the Himalayas and learn about the history and customs of Sherpas. This establishment has served as an exhibition of the vibrancy and depth of Sherpa and Nepalese culture since 2009. Despite being a small company, they contribute substantially to the Golden community and have been a true ethical beacon for businesses. It's clear the Sherpa House owners and staff care deeply for the Nepalese community in Colorado and in Nepal and want to share that vibrant culture with the community.

Congratulations to the Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center on receiving this award from the Golden Rotary Club and I thank them for their ethical leadership and ongoing contributions to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize BlueStar Recyclers for winning the Golden Rotary's 2022 Ethics in Business Award.

Each year, the Golden Rotary Club awards one for-profit company and one non-profit organization for their outstanding ethical behavior and leadership. The community is asked to nominate organizations whom they think display the highest standards of ethical business practices, integrity, and civic and social responsibility. Winners are then chosen by students in an Ethics class at the Colorado School of Mines.

A non-profit organization, BlueStar works to recycle electronics and other materials and in turn create local jobs for people with autism and other disabilities. Their mission has enabled them to be successful while making a huge impact on our community. There are countless examples of BlueStar's positive impact in our community and high ethical and moral standards. The company boasts some of the lowest turnover, absenteeism, and lost-time accident rates in the industry. Testimonies from employees show a positive workplace environment and personal growth opportunities for all employees.

BlueStar has proven to be a highly successful organization which helps people with disabilities, provides an excellent return on investment for its customers while be environmentally-conscious and giving back to their community. Congratulations to BlueStar Recyclers on receiving this award from the Golden Rotary Club and I thank them for their ethical leadership and ongoing contributions to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Don Childears of the Colorado Bankers Association on his retirement.

For more than forty years, Don has served the Colorado banking community in his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Bankers Association. He got his start in public policy on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. and managed several successful congressional campaigns before joining CBA in 1975. During his time at CBA, Don navigated the adoption of branch banking in Colorado and was instrumental in creating the Executive Development Institute at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. He also worked with Congress on legislation such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, and federal legislation to protect banks and other businesses from liability surrounding Y2K issues. Don has been a national leader in helping banks navigate the conflict between state and federal cannabis laws, and he has been a strong supporter of the SAFE Banking Act.

In addition, Don has served on several boards and committees including BancInsure Board of Directors and Reinsurance Committee; Graduate School of Banking at University of Colorado; Trustee and Treasurer, Graduate School of Banking (University of Wisconsin- Madison); and Board Member of the American Bankers Association along with participation on several subcommittees and task forces. Don has a passion for education, and he teaches and lectures to many banking and law schools including the University of Denver, University of Colorado, and George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School. His vast presence and ongoing contribution to the banking community here and across the country earned him the Denver Business Journal's Pinnacle Award for The Most Admired CEO in November 2020. Don has also been recognized with industry awards including the Scarboro Award from CU's Graduate School of Banking.

In addition to Don's work professionally, he has served his community in other capacities. He has served on the Common Sense Institute board, Vice-Chair of Let Colorado Vote, and Chair of the Colorado Competitive Council, to name a few. He remains active on many other campaigns and initiatives, task forces, nominating committees, advisory boards, and charitable and political committees.

I have had the privilege of working with Don on many different occasions and always appreciate his advice and insight on many issues. His hard work and dedication to the banking industry is tremendous. I wish Don all the best in retirement and send gratitude for his service to our community, the State of Colorado, and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Cassie Tanner for her service to the West Metro Fire Protection District.

Cassie has served on the Board of Directors of the West Metro Fire Protection District for eight years. During her tenure, she has provided strong leadership through a number of significant changes and is currently serving as Board President.

During her tenure on the Board, Cassie oversaw the budget and policy decisions for the West Metro Fire District. In this role, she supported local firefighters who dedicate their lives to serving and protecting people, property and the and community at-large. Her background in banking, finance, employee relations as well as her common sense, problem-solving skills helped make her a valuable member of the Board.

I have known Cassie for many years and know her to be a hardworking, dedicated member of our community. I extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to Cassie Tanner for her service to the West Metro Fire District and to our local community. I know she will continue on to do great things in our community and I wish her well in all of her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Logan Wynes for earning the Best in Show--Honorable Mention Award in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge.

As a first-time participant in the challenge, Logan built an app entitled ``Carbon Calculators'' to create a calculator to track an individual user's weekly carbon output as a way to decrease individual carbon output and ultimately encourage a carbon-neutral footprint.

Logan, an eleventh grader from Golden High School, spent countless hours and used numerous tools to learn about coding and app development while developing new skills and further advancing their STEM education. Their perseverance and dedication to this challenge exemplifies the character and determination the faculty instills in the students at the school.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Logan Wynes for his hard work on this project. I am certain this student will exhibit the same dedication and character in his future accomplishments, and I wish him the best of luck going forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Aiden Boushie, Victor Ibarra, Makayla Clemons and Alex Guzman for earning the Rookie of the Year--Honorable Mention Award in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge.

As first-time participants in the challenge, this team from Northglenn High School built an app entitled ``School Club Finder'' to help students discover the extracurricular activities at their school.

The students spent countless hours and used numerous tools to learn about coding and app development while developing new skills and further advancing their STEM education. Their perseverance and dedication to this challenge exemplifies the character and determination the faculty instills in the students at the school and the students' commitment to being lifelong learners.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Aiden Boushie, Victor Ibarra, Makayla Clemons and Alex Guzman for their hard work on this project. I wish each student the best in all their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Sarah Siegel, Giovanni Rodriguez and Benjamin Lange for earning the Best in Show Award in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge.

As first-time participants in the challenge, this team from the Northglenn High School built an app entitled ``Pastelia Development'' which is a social media app that promotes positivity.

The students spent countless hours and used numerous tools to learn about coding and app development while developing new skills and further advancing their STEM education. Their perseverance and dedication to this challenge exemplifies the character and determination the faculty instills in the students at the school and the students' commitment to being lifelong learners.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Sarah Siegel, Giovanni Rodriguez and Benjamin Lange for their hard work on this project. I wish each student the best in all their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Nia Napuli, Kyra Jordan, Berlin Sandberg, and Vanessa Haggard for earning the Rookie of the Year Award in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge.

As first-time participants in the challenge, this team from Golden High School built an app entitled ``Peridos'' to assist and provide a safe space for female students to track their menstrual cycles as well as include other helpful resources and information for its users.

The students spent countless hours and used numerous tools to learn about coding and app development while developing new skills and further advancing their STEM education. Their perseverance and dedication to this challenge exemplifies the character and determination the faculty instills in the students at the school and the students' commitment to being lifelong learners.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Nia Napuli, Kyra Jordan, Berlin Sandberg, and Vanessa Haggard for their hard work on this project. I wish each student the best in all their future endeavors.

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

Karla Diaz Castaneda is a 12th grader at Vantage Point High School and received this award because their determination and hard work have allowed them to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Karla Diaz Castaneda 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 Karla Diaz Castaneda for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt they will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of their future accomplishments.

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

Rosalinda Cardona is a 12th grader at FutureForward Bollman and Northglenn High School and received this award because their determination and hard work have allowed them to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Rosalinda Cardona 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 Rosalinda Cardona for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt they will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of their future accomplishments.

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

Freya Archuleta is a 9th grader at Adams City High School and received this award because their determination and hard work have allowed them to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Freya Archuleta 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 Freya Archuleta for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt they will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of their future accomplishments.

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

Awnee Montano is a 12th grader at Northglenn High School and received this award because their determination and hard work have allowed them to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Awnee Montano 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 Awnee Montano for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt they will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of their future accomplishments.