Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Sergeant George J. Seader, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force, for his service to our country.

Sergeant Seader served in the Army Air Corps from March 11, 1942 to October 23, 1945 as an aircraft engine mechanic in the Air Forces in the European Theater of Operations. He performed maintenance and repair work on B-17 bomber motors, inspecting, testing and replacing parts in the motors and flight control systems of the bomber aircraft. During his service overseas, Sergeant Seader was stationed in England, France and Belgium with the 353rd Headquarters Detachment, 353rd Fighter Group. Sergeant Seader was awarded the Army Good Conduct, European- African-Middle Eastern Campaign and WW II Victory Medals.

Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Sergeant Seader returned to Colorado and worked as a farmer, in construction and as a truck driver. Sergeant Seader celebrated his 100th year birthday on June 30, 2018.

Sergeant Seader's courageous service has charted the path for future generations of men and women to serve in the military. I extend my deepest appreciation to Sergeant Seader for his dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the team from Red Rocks Community College on becoming a finalist for a fourth year in a row in the National Science Foundation's Community College Innovation Challenge. This program serves as an innovative way for community college students to partner with local industries to create pioneering STEM-based solutions for real world issues.

The Red Rocks team addressed the important challenge of helping the 250,000 Americans suffering with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury each year by designing BraceX, a low-cost solution to help patients stay mobile during recovery. BraceX is intended to reduce weight-bearing at the knee joint by using a passive spring system that bypasses the knee by transferring the weight to other parts of the leg during the walking cycle, helping patients quickly recover and return to their independence.

I congratulate the Red Rocks Team of Bradley Helliwell, Keegan Salankey, Logan Beford, Justin Nichols, Justin Troche, and their faculty advisor Liz Cox for their success. I applaud this group for their dedication to this important project and their leadership and commitment to STEM education. I am proud of the work Red Rocks Community College does every day and I look forward to seeing what the school and these students accomplish in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Katherine (Katie) Wood for receiving the Congressional Gold Award.

The Congressional Award is an award from the United States Congress for young Americans who demonstrate excellence in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration. It is awarded to young people who strive to challenge themselves and reach new goals.

Katie received this award because of her determination, hard work and achievements in these program areas. This year, Katie is being awarded the Gold Congressional Award--the highest honor and a tremendous accomplishment! In past years, Katie has earned two Silver Congressional Awards.

This type of achievement can only be attained with hard work and perseverance, both of which have been exemplified by Katie in this award process and in her day-to-day life. I applaud students like Katie who work to make the most of their education, commit to being lifelong learners and develop a work ethic and new skills which will guide them for the rest of their lives.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Katie Wood for winning the Congressional Gold Award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, on June 6, 2018, I was not present to vote on H.R. 8, the ``Water Resources Development Act of 2018'' or H.R. 3249, the ``Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018.''

Had I been present for roll call No. 238, I would have voted ``Yea.''

Had I been present for roll call No. 239, I would have voted ``Yea.''

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, I offer a simple amendment today to increase funding for DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's facilities and infrastructure account by $5 million.

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the chairman and ranking member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee for their support of the facilities account over the last few years.

As Chairman Hultgren knows, I represent Golden, Colorado, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL is the premier energy efficiency and renewable energy lab in the world. For more than 40 years, NREL has led the charge in research and design of renewable energy products affecting the way we utilize and secure American energy. Labs like NREL are working to bring life-changing technological innovations to the market so we can better power our Nation and reduce costs for our customers.

The facilities account supports NREL by funding operation of the Energy Systems Integration Facility, general operations, safety and security of the lab, as well as maintenance and replacement of infrastructure and equipment at NREL. This is the account that enables NREL to focus its research dollars directly into new research and technologies.

The bill in front of us today makes significant investments in infrastructure and equipment at many of DOE's other 16 national labs, including through the Office of Science. NREL has those same needs for modest investments in new equipment to stay on the cutting-edge and avoid losing American leadership in materials, research, high- performance computer modeling, and more.

Congress has supported DOE's national labs and science activities very well in the last 2 years, yet EERE's facilities account has remained flat.

This $5 million increase is needed this year to fund a growing list of equipment and maintenance needs at NREL, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

It takes $5 million from the administration account and adds $5 million to the facilities account.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment.

The facilities account at NREL has been held flat. We need to boost and improve some of the equipment there. So I think this is a needed amendment, and I would ask for an ``aye'' vote.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Margaret Agnew for receiving the 2018 Trivity Health and SilverSneakers National Instructor of the Year Award.

This award honors SilverSneakers instructors who put in tireless dedication and efforts into making their classes a great experience and encouraging members to get more out of life. Margaret was selected as the winner based on her experience and teaching style. She has more than 34 years of experience as an instructor and teaches nine different SilverSneakers classes at Apex Community Recreation Center in Arvada, Colorado.

Margaret's commitment to those she teaches is commendable and has helped many class members become inspired and motivated to live their best life.

Congratulations to Margaret Agnew for this well-deserved recognition by Trivity Health and SilverSneakers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Yadira Tiscareno Escalera for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award.

Yadira Tiscareno Escalera is a student at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Yadira Tiscareno Escalera 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 Yadira Tiscareno Escalera 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 honor Private First Class Ralph O. Frang, United States Army, for his service to our country.

Private First Class Frang served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945, serving in Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe during World War II. Private First Class Frang's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze battle stars and the Bronze Service Arrowhead, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Private First Class Frang started his military career training with the 10th Mountain Division in Colorado before transferring to the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper where he participated in the D-Day landing at Normandy Beach on June 6, 1944.

Private First Class Frang's courageous service has charted the path for future generations of men and women to serve in the military. I extend my deepest appreciation to Private Frang for his dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Colonel Warren A. Spaulding, United States Army, Retired, for his service to our country.

Colonel Spaulding graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1952. Upon his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, he served in the Air Defense Artillery branch, and later transferred to the Field Artillery branch of the United States Army. Colonel Spaulding served multiple tours of duty in both the continental U.S. and international tours in Japan, Korea, the Republic of Vietnam and Germany.

Colonel Spaulding's dedication to military education led him to serve as a professor of military science at the University of Colorado--Boulder, in the ``Golden Buffalo Battalion'' from 1973 to 1975. Colonel Spaulding was recently inducted into the University of Colorado's Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Golden Buffalo Battalion Hall of Fame for his untiring efforts as a military educator. Following his military retirement, Colonel Spaulding continued his work in education at the Colorado School of Mines--working to keep the ROTC detachment on the Colorado School of Mines campus.

Colonel Spaulding's courageous service has charted the path for future generations of men and women to serve in the military. I extend my deepest appreciation to Colonel Spaulding for his dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Philip Saharchuk for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award.

Philip Saharchuk is a student at Two Roads Charter School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Philip Saharchuk 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 Philip Saharchuk 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 Jacob Hernandez for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award.

Jacob Hernandez received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Jacob Hernandez 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 Jacob Hernandez 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Belen Tzintzun Chavez for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Belen Tzintzun Chavez is a student at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Belen Tzintzun Chavez 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 Belen Tzintzun Chavez 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 Emily Ogata for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award.

Emily Ogata is a student at Waren Tech North and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Emily Ogata 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 Emily Ogata 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 Josue Estrada for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. Josue Estrada received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Josue Estrada 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 Josue Estrada 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Riley Neary for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award.

Riley Neary is a student at Oberon Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Riley Neary 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 Riley Neary 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.