Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Pastor George Morrison and his wife, Cheryl Morrison, for their service and dedication to their community and the Faith Bible Chapel.

As devoted servants of the Lord, Pastor George Morrison has served the Faith Bible

Chapel with faith, devotion and integrity for 33 years. Under his leadership, and with Cheryl by his side, the church has grown in membership and expanded in the community to meet the needs of every age group. Prior to joining Faith Bible Chapel, Pastor George Morrison served as a lay pastor and owned a construction company in Arvada, Colorado.

Cheryl Morrison has also inspired many throughout her work in the community and at Faith Bible Chapel. She has served as a mentor to individuals in the community, and has been very involved with Christians United for Israel including leading a group of 37 pastors from the U.S. who will be visiting Israel with Pastor George Morrison in 2017.

Together, they also serve in various leadership capacities across a variety of local organizations. They have spoken at numerous leadership conferences both in the U.S. and overseas, and Pastor George Morrison authored a book entitled, If It's Not Broken, Break It. In addition, Pastor George and Cheryl have both received numerous awards, citations and commendations in both the secular and Christian communities for their service.

I extend my deepest appreciation to Pastor George and Cheryl Morrison for their service and dedication to the Faith Bible Chapel congregants and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Localworks for being honored with the Nonprofit of the Year Award by the West Chamber of Commerce.

Initially incorporated as Wheat Ridge 2020, the organization was renamed in 2015 to better reflect their purpose. Localworks connects residents and businesses in order to create a vibrant and more engaged community. Through programs like Harvest and Active, Localworks brings residents together to learn about urban farming, attend local fitness classes or learn more about canning fruits and vegetables. In 2016, Localworks held more than 60 events aimed at connecting residents through common interests and activities.

Each year, Localworks hosts seven events to attract people to the Wheat Ridge business district. In 2016, more than 19,000 people attended events on Ridge at 38 such as the Criterium and Brewfest, Ridgefest, Trunk or Treat, Friday Night Live and the Holiday Celebration.

In 2016, the organization also offered bus tours of Wheat Ridge and hauled away more than 1,000 cubic yards of junk from local neighborhoods through a partnership with the Wheat Ridge Police Department. They also provided loans to residents and businesses for property improvements and were recently awarded a very competitive three-year ``Active Living Neighborhood'' grant through Kaiser Permanente and The Denver Foundation. These contributions to the Wheat Ridge Community are made possible by volunteers who contributed more than 2,000 hours to the organization.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Localworks for this well- deserved honor from the West Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize AdWest Consulting, Inc. for being honored as the Woman-Owned Business of the Year by the West Chamber of Commerce.

AdWest Consulting was founded in Jefferson County in 1986 by Nancy Crego. AdWest delivers multi-media branding, community marketing and publications through video, film and magazines. The AdWest team is local and collaborates with more than 400 Colorado clients to promote their businesses and messages. It currently publishes the West Chamber's Best of Business magazine and the award-winning Wellness Living Magazine. AdWest also publishes the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce directory and magazine.

Nancy's career spans four decades of serving her community and understanding the needs of women who own companies as they balance family and career. She has worked with dozens of nonprofit associations and business groups. Currently, she volunteers for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Guild, Plan Jeffco, and Mount Vernon County Club Metro District Financial Planning Committee.

I extend my deepest congratulations to AdWest Consulting for this well-deserved honor from the West Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mitch Morrissey as he completes his tenure as the Denver District Attorney. I would also like to thank Mitch's wife, Maggie, for lending her husband to the Denver community for so many years. During his time in office, Mitch made it his mission to protect the public, advocate for victims of crime, and respect the rights of the accused. He worked tirelessly to promote stronger relations between law enforcement and the Denver community.

For 11 years, Mitch has been the chief prosecutor for the Second Judicial District. Prior to his election, he worked in the Denver District attorney's office for 20 years, 10 of which he served as the Chief Deputy D.A. In his role as D.A., Mitch was responsible for thousands of felony and misdemeanor prosecutions each year, supervising over 70 attorneys and 120 staff members, all while prioritizing victims' needs. Mitch led an invaluable team of Victim Advocates with a particular focus on those in under-served areas and communities. He is nationally known for his expertise in DNA technology, applying it in criminal prosecutions and working to ensure DNA science is admissible in our courtrooms. In addition, Mitch's relationship with and support for Colorado's law enforcement community has been exceptional. Thanks to his hard work, Mitch is also the recipient of numerous awards, including ``Prosecutor of the Year,'' by the Colorado District Attorneys Council and the ``Patriot Award,'' by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Mitch is also a true son of Colorado. He is a Denver native, a graduate of the University of Denver College of Law, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Mullen High School.

I congratulate Mitch for his achievements. I applaud his dedication, leadership, and commitment to justice for Colorado's citizens. I am proud of the work he has accomplished and wish him all the success and happiness in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ron Slinger for being honored by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce with the Chairman's Choice Award.

The Chairman's Choice is selected annually by the Chairman of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to recognize a member of the community who has shown leadership and outstanding support to the Arvada Chamber.

Ron's extensive involvement, leadership and contributions in Arvada have resulted in a significant and long lasting impact in the community. His sense of humor and kindness bring positive energy and perspective to any opportunity he undertakes. Ron is a true advocate for the Arvada Chamber and has fully dedicated himself to the betterment of the community.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Ron Slinger for this well- deserved honor from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud La Patisserie Francaise for being honored by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce as Business of the Year.

To be honored as the Business of the Year by the Arvada Chamber, businesses must have established a reputation for providing a superior level of customer service, using ingenuity and innovation to overcome challenges, and be an active participant and supporter of community activities.

La Patisserie Francaise is well known for their extraordinary leadership and heartfelt commitment to the city of Arvada. The owner, Sadie Russo, goes above and beyond in her commitment to the community through her donations to local organizations as well as serving as an advocate for the City of Arvada.

I extend my deepest congratulations to La Patisserie Francaise for this well-deserved recognition by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the Jefferson Center for Mental Health for being honored by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce as the Non-Profit of the Year.

To be honored as the Non-Profit of the Year by the Arvada Chamber, a non-profit must show how they support Arvada through their programs, services and involvement. These non-profits are known for their ingenuity and innovation to overcome challenges as well as their active and effective work with the local business community.

The Jefferson Center for Mental Health is one of these non-profits. As a community mental health center that looks to inspire hope and improve the lives of the members of their community, their incredible work and innovative approach has helped to serve those in our community who often have nowhere else to turn. In addition to receiving this recognition, Jefferson Center for Mental Health has also been named a Top Workplace for four straight years by the Denver Post.

I extend my deepest congratulations to the Jefferson Center for Mental Health for this well-deserved recognition by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ethan Clewell for being honored by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce with the Behind the Scenes Award.

The Behind the Scenes Award recipient is selected by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce staff to recognize an individual who has gone above and beyond to support the efforts of the Arvada Chamber.

Ethan Clewell is the epitome of an unsung hero. He works tirelessly behind-the-scenes to help ensure the success of many community and chamber events. In addition, Ethan dedicates his time and has helped make significant contributions to Leadership Arvada and Arvada Young Professionals. The Arvada Chamber team can always count on Ethan to go above and beyond.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Ethan Clewell for this well- deserved honor from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Carol Hodges for being honored by the Arvada Chamber with the Chairman's Choice Award.

The Chairman's Choice Award is selected annually by the Chairman of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to recognize a member of the community who has shown leadership and outstanding support to the Arvada Chamber.

Carol Hodges serves the Arvada Chamber and her community with a sense of pride, energy and commitment. She is always willing to step up when called upon and works diligently to see each project through to the end. Carol's kindness and service has made a difference in Arvada and helped make it a great place to live, work and play.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Carol Hodges for this well- deserved recognition by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mitch Morrissey as he completes his tenure as the Denver District Attorney. I would also like to thank Mitch's wife, Maggie, for lending her husband to the Denver community for so many years. During his time in office, Mitch made it his mission to protect the public, advocate for victims of crime, and respect the rights of the accused. He worked tirelessly to promote stronger relations between law enforcement and the Denver community.

For 11 years, Mitch has been the chief prosecutor for the Second Judicial District. Prior to his election, he worked in the Denver District Attorney's office for 20 years, 10 of which he served as the Chief Deputy D.A. In his role as D.A., Mitch was responsible for thousands of felony and misdemeanor prosecutions each year, supervising over 70 attorneys and 120 staff members, all while prioritizing victims' needs. Mitch led an invaluable team of Victim Advocates with a particular focus on those in under-served areas and communities. He is nationally known for his expertise in DNA technology, applying it in criminal prosecutions and working to ensure DNA science is admissible in our courtrooms. In addition, Mitch's relationship with and support for Colorado's law enforcement community has been exceptional. Thanks to his hard work, Mitch is also the recipient of numerous awards, including ``Prosecutor of the Year,'' by the Colorado District Attorneys Council and the ``Patriot Award,'' by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Mitch is also a true son of Colorado. He is a Denver native, a graduate of the University of Denver College of Law, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Mullen High School.

I congratulate Mitch for his achievements. I applaud his dedication, leadership, and commitment to justice for Colorado's citizens. I am proud of the work he has accomplished and wish him all the success and happiness in the years to come.

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

I thank the chairman and the ranking member, Eddie Bernice Johnson, for bringing this bill to the floor today. It has been a long time in coming.

I rise in support of H.R. 589, the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act. This bill would authorize important research and development at the Department of Energy to push the frontiers of science and find new ways to innovate and power our economy.

This bill would authorize comprehensive policy guidance for the DOE's Office of Science for the first time in its history. The Office of Science manages a portfolio, including research in supercomputing, materials science, nuclear physics, advanced biofuels, fusion energy, climate modeling, high energy physics, and a number of other areas across the spectrum of fundamental and applied research.

Additionally, the Office of Science is home to world-class user facilities used by private industry to collaborate with our national laboratories and provide our scientists with access to tools and resources to test the most pressing research questions in a variety of fields. The neutron sources, particle accelerators, and light sources, among many other Office of Science user facilities, are home to some of the most important scientific work conducted in America and represent some of the best partnerships our labs have with private industry. These activities and capabilities have never been given the proper statutory authority by this Congress, so this bill represents a landmark bipartisan effort.

H.R. 589 also includes the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, which I cosponsored again this year. By providing the tools and resources to nuclear scientists and engineers, this bill lays the groundwork for a future where reliable, clean nuclear energy is a major source of our electricity generation. This research could lead to advanced and safer nuclear reactors with the potential to use less nuclear fuel and produce far less waste.

H.R. 589 is not only bipartisan, but, as the chairman said, it represents a bicameral agreement that was reached last year during conference negotiations with the Senate on the comprehensive energy package. Given the urgent challenge of climate change and the growing competition around the world in many of these key research areas, we must keep working together with the Senate to get this bill signed into law this year.

I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson for working together to get this bipartisan legislation before us today, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I thank Mr. Knight and especially my cosponsor, Mr. Hultgren, for the work that they have done on this bill generally, but particularly on title I of the bill, the Laboratory Modernization and Technology Transfer Act.

As Mr. Knight said, on this committee, we find places where there is common ground and where there is an ability to advance the interests of the United States of America. Sometimes we argue, sometimes we debate, sometimes we don't agree, but often we do. I appreciate their work as well as the chairman's work on a number of subjects that face us. I was proud to work with my friend Mr. Hultgren of Illinois to introduce this bill, the Modernization and Technology Transfer Act, in the last Congress.

Title I provides important tools to accelerate the commercialization of new technologies that are developed at our national labs. It extends the Agreement for Commercializing Technology pilot program while expanding the range of companies that are eligible to participate. We also allow labs to use their technology transfer funds as an incubator investment for projects that are developed in-house which demonstrate potential commercial opportunities.

Additionally, the bill encourages the further collaboration between university researchers and our national labs by creating a pilot program to reduce the financial burdens on our universities. I hope this pilot program unleashes the talent at our universities, like the Colorado School of Mines, the University of Colorado, and Colorado State University, to discover the next successful technology.

Madam Speaker, one may remember I represent Golden, Colorado, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL is the premier energy efficiency and renewable energy lab in the world, and title I of this bill provides labs like NREL more tools to bring life-changing innovations to consumers by partnering with private industry.

When revolutionary research is harnessed by our entrepreneurs and business leaders, startups with one or two employees can grow into companies that can create hundreds of quality jobs. I am proud to support this legislation, and I am proud to have worked with Mr. Hultgren in giving scientists and researchers in both the public and private sectors the tools and the freedom they need to unlock a new wave of innovation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, so I am going to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH OF Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber), who is the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. It is the product of a lot of hard work over the last 3 years. It helps our laboratories and our private industry stay at the forefront of science. I thank Chairman Smith of Texas for bringing this bill to the floor.

I urge passage of this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on January 9, 2017 I was not present to vote on H.R. 315, the ``Improving Access to Maternity Care Act'' and H.R. 304, the ``Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications.''

Had I been present for roll call No. 24, I would have voted ``YEA.'' Had I been present for roll call No. 25, I would have voted ``YEA.''

Mr. Speaker, on January 10, 2017, I was not present to vote on H.R. 79, the ``Helping Angels Lead Our Startups Act.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 31, I would have voted ``YEA.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Edward C. McNamara for his many years of outstanding service with the National Ski Patrol.

The National Ski Patrol (NSP), the largest winter rescue organization, is a federally chartered nonprofit membership association dedicated to serving the public and the mountain recreation industry. For 75 years, the NSP has been on the forefront of safety and emergency care education programs.

Ed McNamara, a retired U.S. Army National Guard Colonel, has served on federal, state and local emergency medical and Homeland Security advisory committees. He is a nationally registered Paramedic and has been deployed with federal disaster medical teams responding to national emergencies.

Ed began his tenure with the NSP in 1979 when he became a patroller with the Watatic Mountain Ski Patrol in Ashby, Massachusetts. Over the years, Ed has held several leadership positions including Outdoor Emergency Care Instructor, National Outdoor Emergency Care Director and Board Chair of the National Ski Patrol. He recently received the prestigious Minnie Dole award. This award is one of NSP's most rarely given awards, which recognizes those exceptional few patrollers who exemplify the long-term dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice of the founder of the NSP, Charles Minot ``Minnie'' Dole.

Ed has worked passionately over the years to improve outdoor safety care which is reflected in his exemplary contributions as Chief Editor of the Outdoor Emergency Care Manual 5th Edition. This teaching manual provides a road map for national practices and procedures for outdoor safety care.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Edward McNamara for his dedication to the continuing education and safety of the snow sport industry.

``The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.

``No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.''