Floor Statements

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

Griffin McConnell is a student 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 Griffin McConnell 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 Griffin McConnell 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 Dave Murphy for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award.

Dave Murphy is a student at Drake Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Dave Murphy 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 Dave Murphy 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 honor Reverend John Anderson for receiving the 2017 Image from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Each year the Arvada Chamber recognizes Arvada's finest men and women for their involvement and dedication to the community. Rev. Anderson's positive outlook and impact has helped to shape a kind, giving and people-focused congregation and community. Through his work as the Reverend of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Rev. Anderson has helped bring the Arvada community together and address a variety of disparities, specifically as it relates to education.

Congratulations to Rev. John Anderson for this well-deserved award, and I thank him for his contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor John Beattie for being selected as the 2017 Man of the Year by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Each year the Arvada Chamber recognizes Arvada's finest men and women for their involvement and dedication to the community. John's outstanding community involvement, generosity and overall impact on Arvada is exemplified by the amount of time he has donated to the Arvada Food Bank helping to provide thousands of children, families, individuals, seniors and veterans with fresh food. His spirit of service and dedication to his community makes him a role model in the community and is why he was selected as the 2017 Man of the Year.

Congratulations to John Beattie for this well-deserved award, and I thank him for his contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor James Johnson for receiving the 2017 Arvada Young Professional Leadership Award from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Each year the Arvada Chamber recognizes Arvada's finest men and women for their involvement and dedication to the community. James is being recognized for his outstanding contribution and leadership in the Arvada community. James' professional and approachable demeanor helped make a difference while he served as the 2017 Arvada Young Professionals (AYP) Chair. James also has recently stepped up as Chair of the Two Ponds Preservation Committee.

Congratulations to James Johnson for this well-deserved award, and I thank him for his contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Anita Marcussen for being selected as the 2017 Woman of the Year by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Each year the Arvada Chamber recognizes Arvada's finest men and women for their involvement and dedication to the community. Anita's community involvement through many community activities, including the Arvada Historical Society, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada West High School Foundation and Arvada K-8 Elementary have helped to enrich the City of Arvada. Anita's spirit of service and true passion for giving to others is why she has been selected as the 2017 Woman of the Year.

Congratulations to Anita Marcussen for this well-deserved award, and I thank her for her contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor PICOCYL for being recognized as the 2017 Business Recognition Award winner by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC).

The Business Recognition Award shows appreciation for a local company who has shown exceptional growth in primary employment, sales and/or capital investments in the last year. PICOCYL designs, develops and manufactures very small compressed gas cylinders for drug delivery systems, self-injection devices, and the delivery of medical gases. Their patented pic-o cylinders feature accurate and consistent gas fill levels, extremely low puncture forces, and precision sealing surfaces. PICOCYL's proprietary manufacturing systems and processes have earned their position as the sole global provider of such components to the Life Sciences industry.

Congratulations to PICOCYL for this well-deserved award, and I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Pilatus Group for being recognized as the 2017 Business Recognition Award winner by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC).

The Business Recognition Award shows appreciation for a local company who has shown exceptional growth in primary employment, sales and/or capital investments in the last year. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Stans, Switzerland, The Pilatus Group is a leader in the world's aviation industry and known for its legendary aircraft. The company's North American operations were established in Jefferson County in 1996 at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport and is responsible for PC-12 and PC-24 marketing, sales and servicing activities across North and South America. About 70 percent of all PC- 12s that come off the production line in Switzerland are finished to customer specifications at its Jefferson County-based facility. Today, the company employs over 1,900 people worldwide.

Congratulations to The Pilatus Group for this well-deserved award, and I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Gina Rivas for receiving the 2017 Image Award from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Each year the Arvada Chamber recognizes Arvada's finest men and women for their involvement and dedication to the community. As the principal of Arvada High School, Gina has gone above and beyond to portray a positive, kind and community minded image in Arvada. Every day she works to change the story of Arvada High School and improve the outcomes for her students, which ensures a bright future for our families and our community.

Congratulations to Gina Rivas for this well-deserved award, and I thank her for her contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor SAS Manufacturing for being recognized as the 2017 Business Recognition Award winner by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC).

The Business Recognition Award shows appreciation for a local company who has shown exceptional growth in primary employment, sales and/or capital investments in the last year. SAS Manufacturing is an advanced manufacturing firm with more than a decade of experience providing cutting-edge solutions to aerospace, aviation, defense and energy organizations worldwide. Today, it is a 21st Century manufacturing facility capable of meeting the rigorous standards of clients in aerospace, defense, energy and many commercial industries where accuracy and precision are mission critical.

Congratulations to SAS Manufacturing for this well-deserved award, and I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the STEM Program at Wheat Ridge High School for being recognized as the 2017 Horizon Award winner by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC).

The Horizon Award recognizes an organization or program that is a rising star in the community and will contribute to the future economic vitality of Jefferson County. Established in 2014, Wheat Ridge High School's STEM Program focuses on taking science, technology, engineering & math taught in class and using it in a real-world application through the building of concept vehicles. Since it was created, it has expanded to 80 students. The cost to run the STEM program is approximately $50,000 per year and 80 percent of these funds are raised by the students themselves, expanding their learning opportunity into fundraising and finance. Participating students are responsible for all their own fundraising, marketing, social media and videography. The Wheat Ridge High School STEM Program gives students real world experience from concept to implementation and everything in between.

Congratulations to the STEM Program at Wheat Ridge High School for this well-deserved award, and I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Zimmer Biomet Spine for being recognized as the 2017 Business Recognition Award winner by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bandimere Speedway for being recognized as the 2017 Genesis Award winner by the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC).

The Genesis Award honors an individual, elected official, city, company or organization that has contributed to the economic vitality of Jefferson County through leadership, innovation, facilitation, and collaboration. A quarter-mile dragstrip located in Morrison, Colorado, Bandimere Speedway opened in 1958 and hosts the NHRA's Mile-High Nationals. Bandimere Speedway has shown their commitment to the community, families and education through its ``Race to Read'' program reaching more than 35,000 elementary age children each year. The program is now in its 22nd year and continues to find new and innovative ways to grow with support from racers and businesses.

Congratulations to Bandimere Speedway for this well-deserved award, and I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Rick Crandall, United States Air Force veteran and radio host of the ``Breakfast Club'' on KEZW 1430 AM, for his service to our country.

Rick made his radio debut while serving in the United States Air Force at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam before moving to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Rick is a dedicated champion of veterans and veterans' issues. He has served as the emcee for many veteran's events, created an annual Veterans Fair, Valentines for Veterans drive for the Denver VA Medical Center, worked with Regis University in their ``Stories from Wartime'' classes, and established the Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation. The Colorado Freedom Memorial is the first of its kind honoring all Colorado military members killed or missing in military action from the Spanish American War to the present.

Rick interviewed each of the Spann brothers about their military service as part of our Vietnam War 50th Commemoration series. The stories of the Spann brothers will be submitted to the Library of Congress (LOC) Veterans History Project (VHP), a congressionally chartered project to collect, preserve and make accessible personal accounts of American war veterans.

Rick's courageous service to our state and nation has charted the path for future generations of men and women to serve in the military and civilian community. I extend my deepest appreciation to Rick Crandall for his dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Sergeant Donald Keith Spann, United States Marine Corps for his service to our country.

Sergeant Spann served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964 to 1968, serving for one year, two months and twenty-three days in- country, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Spann's military awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal with one device, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal with the 60 device, and the Rifle Qualification Badges for the M-14 and 202 MM.

My office had the honor and privilege of getting to know Sergeant Spann and hearing about his experiences during a Vietnam War 50th Commemoration pinning ceremony in August 2017. In addition, Sergeant Spann's stories and that of his brothers will be submitted to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP), a congressionally chartered project to collect, preserve and make accessible personal accounts of American war veterans.

Sergeant Spann'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 Spann for his dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the United States of America.