Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand here today in strong support of my bill, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act, to help drive down the cost of energy for Coloradans and Americans.

This is a straightforward piece of legislation that will help counteract shortsighted energy policies that States like Colorado have implemented for far too long to the detriment of my constituents and their wallets.

This commonsense bill would require State public utility commissions like the Colorado PUC to consider implementing policy that focuses on long-term energy reliability which, of course, helps affordability.

My constituents are facing an energy crisis in no small part due to the skyrocketing costs of utilities in Colorado,

and that has happened during the last 4 years under Democrat control both at the Federal and the State level.

Coloradans are paying 24 percent more in electricity now than they were just 4 years ago, and it is easy to see why. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission and statewide Democrats have been enacting one bad policy after another, from shutting down power plants that provide reliable baseload power to mandating so-called beneficial electrification which seeks to ban natural gas for residential heating by 2050. The results have been catastrophic. A nonpartisan report from earlier this year found the following:

``Driven by State policy mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electricity prices are projected to grow at more than three times the rate of inflation and nearly 13 times the growth rate from 2010 to 2020.''

That report goes on to project that by 2030, the average Colorado household will spend $390 to $504 more annually due to rates outpacing inflation and historic trends, all Colorado households combined will spend between $970 million and $1.25 billion more in electricity costs. The average electricity rate will grow by 56 percent, from 12 cents a kilowatt-hour to 18.4 cents a kilowatt-hour.

That is not partisan conjecture. Those are the cold, hard facts that my constituents have to face.

Americans are tired of partisan energy policies like the ones we saw in the previous administration, which is why my legislation takes a fair and balanced approach that supports a wide range of reliable energy generation from more traditional sources like natural gas to greener sources like nuclear and hydropower.

It shouldn't be a left versus right issue. If an energy source is reliable and drives down costs, it should be on the table.

I would remind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that financial stress induced by higher utility costs also increases negative health outcomes.

We need balance, not heavy-handed leftist mandates that harm the economy, increase costs, and increase poverty, which, again, increases negative health outcomes.

Madam Speaker, we know that energy demand is going up, not down. Nationally, demand is expected to surge by over 50 percent in the next 15 years. In States like Colorado, where we are leading in the AI race and the resurgence of manufacturing, it is even higher.

My local utility has projected energy demand will triple in the next 10 years. The three biggest cities in my district have cited power shortages as the biggest inhibitors to growth.

While my bill focuses on affordability, it is also about national security. If America is to onshore manufacturing capabilities and compete with China militarily and otherwise, we need reliable energy. As a former National Guardsman who has been deployed to a combat zone, that is of critical importance to me, as well.

Madam Speaker, in closing, this commonsense bill is simple. It helps bolster American innovation, keeps the lights on rain or shine, and helps reduce utility bills for the middle class. As a Representative of a district that is at the forefront of American energy dominance, I am proud to stand on the floor today and urge my colleagues to join me in voting for reliable energy and lower bills for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate our Nation's brave men and women and to recognize the High Plains Honor Flight Network, which conducts trips for veterans to Washington, D.C., to tour the monuments built to honor their bravery and service. The High Plains Honor Flight gave some of our fellow brave men and women the chance to visit our Nation's Capital. As a fellow veteran myself, I am pleased to honor the High Plains Honor Flight and to recognize the Korean War, Cold War, and Vietnam War veterans of Colorado who took part in it.

Mr. Speaker, the veterans who participated in this flight are as follows:

Veterans of the Korean War: Howard Kennedy and Robert Kinnison.

Veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars: James Myers.

Veterans of the Cold War: Marvin Clark and Charles Portz.

Veterans of the Vietnam War: Leron Allred, Albert Amen, Walter Anderson, Sammy Archer, John Babich, Clifford Baker, Virgil Barnhart, Weslie Bater, Selby Batty, Richard Block, Louis Branch, Jr., Miles Brekke, C. Brown, Charles Brown, John Bunning, Jens Burnett, Bruce Carlson, Daniel Carson, James Coleman, Bruce Conley, David Cook, Rhonda Corchado, Charles Cowan Jr., Daniel Cutler, Douglas Davenport, Steven Davison, Eugene Dorsey, George Dowell, Jerry Downie, Joseph Eddins, Richard Edens, Rodney Ellner, Bryan Ericson, Daryl Frank, Timothy Fulton, John Goodman, Michael Graff, Lester Greene, Duane Hahn, Gary Hausman, James Hawkins, David Hedgpeth, Joseph Heide, Jr., Larry Hobbs, James Hoefer, David Holm, George Horgan, Richard Horwat, Donnie Huff, Donald Huss, Larry Johnson, Martin Jones, Sidney Keller, Bruce Kemp, Michael Kennedy, Ronald Kessinger, Thomas King, John Knespel, Bruce Koerwitz, Michael Konshak, Robert Kronberg, John Kupfer, William Langridge, Gerard Lemke, Cecelia Long, Johnny Lorenzini, John Loth, Gary Marison, Karen Marison, Cisco Martinez, Harry Marxmiller, Rudolph Mazur, George McCambridge, Daniel McKinney, Maurice Mertens, Allan Miller, Dean Nelson, Ron Nelson, Wesley Nelson, Joseph Novak, Stephen Olt, Cameron Paterson, Kenneth Pearce, Paul Piper, Thomas Redmond, Randolph Reed, James Rippeth, Rolando Romo, James Ronk, Sylvester Roubideaux, Gail Rowse, Steven Sample, Donald Sanchez, Lyndel Saxbury, Kenneth Schossow, Earl Seahorn, Barry Sittlow, Richard Skinner, Richard Steedley, Marion Stille, Harry Stordahl, Ashley Sumerford, Robert Tramp, Raymon Valdez, Gerald Vargo, Daniel Warren, Floyd Watson, Jr., Larry Weickum, Donald Weightman, James Widlar, Linda Wingate, David Wining, Juan Zavala, Joe Zavala, Jr., Donald Zeidler.

It is my honor and privilege as a veteran and the United States Representative of the 8th District of Colorado to recognize the sacrifice and service of these men and women and all other members of our Nation's military. I thank them for their bravery and service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a solemn heart that I rise today to honor the victims and first responders of United Airlines Flight 629, and to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of one of Colorado's most heartbreaking tragedies.

On the evening of November 1, 1955, United Airlines Flight 629 departed Denver's Stapleton Field bound for Portland, Oregon. A short time later, the aircraft exploded in midair over Weld County--land now encompassed within my district, killing all thirty-nine passengers and five crew members on board. The cause of that explosion was later revealed to be a bomb--placed in a passenger's suitcase by her son, in an attempt to collect her life insurance benefits.

The wreckage rained down across farms near Longmont, where residents, law enforcement officers, and volunteer firefighters rushed toward the flames, with the hope of saving lives. Among them were local family farmers, whose land bore the brunt of the explosion, and community members who did not hesitate to serve in the face of unimaginable devastation.

In the days that followed, Weld County saw both deep sorrow and remarkable compassion. William ``Clayton'' Bearly, the longtime manager of Johnson's Corner, witnessed the explosion that night and immediately stepped forward to support first responders, investigators, and National Guard personnel. His quiet service stands as a reflection of the strength and kindness that Colorado communities show in times of crisis.

The Flight 629 tragedy would go on to leave a lasting imprint on Colorado and on the Nation. It became a turning point in aviation security and a somber reminder of the fragility of life. But above all, it revealed the courage of ordinary Coloradoans who responded with extraordinary grace.

This year, as we reflect on the tragedy of that night seventy years later, the Denver Police Museum, together with History Colorado, Wings Over the Rockies, the CELL, the University of Denver, FlyteCO Tower, and the Weld County Flight 629 Memorial Committee, will unveil permanent memorials in both Denver and Weld County to honor those who were lost as well as those who answered the call.

Mr. Speaker, every passing year does not diminish the pain of this tragedy, nor does it lessen our duty to remember. Today, we honor the forty-four innocent lives who perished aboard Flight 629 by including their names into the Record, that they may never be forgotten:

F.E. ``Jack'' Ambrose, Samuel Arthur, Bror and Irene

Beckstrom, John Bomelyn, Frank Brennan, Louise Bunch, Brad

and Carol Bynum, Thomas Crouch, Barbara Cruse, Carl Deist,

John Des Jardins, James and Sarah Dorey, Gurney and Elizabeth

Edwards, Helen Fitzpatrick and son James, Lee Hall, Virgil

and Goldie Herman, Elton Hickok, Jacqueline Hinds, Marion

Hobgood, John Jungels, Daisie King, Gerald and Patricia

Lipke, Lela McClain, Stewart and Suzanne Morgan, Peggy

Peddicord, James Purvis, Herbert Robertson, Harold Sandstead,

Sally Scofield, Jesse Sizemore, James Straud, Clarence Todd,

Ralph and Minnie VanValin, Donald White, and Alma Winsor.

Mr. Speaker, may we remember each of these forty-four souls with reverence, and may we honor the first responders and citizens who ran toward danger that night with gratitude and respect. Their courage, compassion, and resilience continue to define the spirit of Colorado.

May their memory be eternal, and may God grant peace to the families who still carry this loss, knowing that their loved ones are remembered by a grateful state and Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and service of Detective Paul Gesi--a hero whose dedication to the ideals of justice and the protection of his community spanned more than four decades.

Paul devoted 41 years of his life to public service through law enforcement, 39 of them with the Northglenn Police Department, where he served as the department's Homicide Detective. That noble work is demanding in every sense--it calls for skill, persistence, and deep compassion. Paul brought all of those qualities to the job and more. He passionately pursued the truth and justice in the cases that he worked to honor the victims of serious crimes. When families in our community grappled with the grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one, Detective Gesi was a gentle presence and steady hand to help comfort those suffering unimaginable pain.

But Paul's service was not confined to his career. He served as a teacher at the Citizens' Police Academy, spoke with students in local schools, and was a trusted friend to many in the community. He lived out his faith in Christ every day, and he was a devoted single father to six children, raising them with the same love and strength he projected in the force.

Last week, after a long battle with post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by the burdens of his work, Paul left us. The loss of this titan in the Northglenn Police Department is a sobering, painful reminder of the unseen wounds that can come with a life spent protecting others. During their career, the average police officer will experience 178 life-threatening situations; the average citizen will experience three.

Detective Gesi leaves behind a deep void--in his family, among his fellow officers, and across the City of Northglenn. Yet his example of courage, integrity, and selfless service will endure. As we, alongside his family and the City of Northglenn, make our final goodbyes, we do so with gratitude for his life and with a renewed commitment to care for the first responders and protectors who bear the weight of protecting our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Detective Paul Gesi for his service, for his sacrifice, and for the countless lives in my district made better by his work. May we remember him always, and may God grant comfort and peace to all who mourn his loss. May he rest easy. We have the watch from here.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of my bipartisan bill, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act.

Mr. Speaker, this is a critical piece of legislation that will help bolster American competitiveness in the face of increasing economic aggression from the Chinese Communist Party, all while helping to create jobs in my home State of Colorado and all across the Nation.

First and foremost, I extend my gratitude to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Kelly) for helping to introduce this bill with me. I am proud to work with her in a bipartisan fashion to advance this bill first through the Energy and Commerce Committee and now onto the House floor.

In Colorado alone, there are more than 126,000 workers that are the direct result of foreign direct investment. Of these workers, 31 percent work in manufacturing roles. These jobs, like other good, blue- collar jobs in my district, provide stable, good-paying careers to constituents to help provide for their families. Oftentimes, these jobs are obtainable to folks with a high school degree after a quick and affordable career technical education course.

My bill tasks the Secretary of Commerce with conducting an interagency review to help create a more favorable environment for foreign direct investment, ultimately boosting our economy and benefiting American workers.

International companies are beginning to recognize what most of us have known for decades. The American worker is among the most talented in the world. Whether it is energy, technology, or chemicals, Americans produce some of the highest quality products in the cleanest, most efficient, and socially responsible ways possible.

With the resurgence in America's manufacturing industry, global investors are now clamoring to pump money into emerging industries in the U.S. Congress needs to ensure that we as a Nation are striking the right approach in courting international companies and facilitating responsible investments.

This legislation doesn't just help create good-paying jobs. It also helps to ensure that America remains competitive with the Chinese Communist Party by retaining our technological advantage in research and development.

International employers in the U.S. account for more than $80 billion in research and development. With this bill, Congress can take a major step in seeing this number increase over the coming years.

This isn't just something that we should consider doing. It is necessary. In the face of increasingly unscrupulous tactics from the Chinese Communist Party such as rampant intellectual property theft, corporate espionage, the use of slave labor, and environmentally reckless energy practices, it is imperative for the United States to leverage every available tool to bolster American industry, such as this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Global Investment in American Jobs Act to maintain Americans' competitive edge, invest in our domestic talent, bring more jobs home, and drive innovation to usher in the next era of manufacturing dominance in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution to denounce the anti-Semitic terrorist attacks that occurred in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025.

First and foremost, let me say my heart goes out to the Jewish community, who were peacefully advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas. This anti-Semitic terror attack was disgusting, and this type of hate has no home in Colorado. As we have heard, this man yelled anti-Semitic language while harming innocent people who had peacefully gathered.

We stand in strong opposition and denounce this attack, but this attack was not an isolated instance. It is part of a surge in anti- Semitism that is going unaddressed. Whether it is the Pennsylvania's Governor's mansion; a couple in Washington, D.C.; or peaceful protests in Boulder, Colorado, these attacks should not happen, and it is a tragedy that they continue to happen.

I can speak directly to that as a cop and a soldier for 22 combined years. I spent the better part of a year in a combat zone deployed in support of the global war on terror. I have responded and helped with tragedies in Boulder, Colorado, both as a National Guardsman fighting wildfires, putting together the crews, and deploying the aircraft. I also served as a police officer on the honor guard who has stood with our colleagues in Boulder when they lost an officer in 2021 in an active shooter event.

I am focused on making sure that we have a conversation around how do we prevent this from happening again. Unfortunately, in sanctuary States like Colorado, local law enforcement is prohibited from sharing information with their Federal counterparts, Mr. Speaker. This terror attack in Boulder is an example of why these sanctuary policies are dangerous to the safety and well-being of Americans.

As a former police officer, I know that law enforcement must be able to work with authorities to keep Coloradans and Americans safe. In this particular case, the attacker was an illegal immigrant who was granted a driver's license by the State of Colorado. He had multiple contacts with law enforcement prior to the attack, most notably when he tried to buy a gun and failed a background check. This is on top of publicly espousing support for an organization that is known to have jihadist problems and jihadist leanings.

Colorado's refusal to allow law enforcement to share basic information with Federal immigration authorities highlights the danger of these policies, and it is a contributing factor to the rise in crime rates which are impacting the life and safety of all Coloradans. Colorado now ranks second in the Nation as the most dangerous State. Without Colorado's sanctuary laws, this attack might have been prevented.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand in defense of American values and join me in passing this resolution, which is focused on keeping Americans and Coloradans safe, and having the discussion around the solution to have the policies to accomplish that.

Mr. Speaker, I, unfortunately, had other engagements that had been scheduled.

The resolution was introduced to, again, focus a component of the dialogue. Of course, our thoughts and our condolences go out, but we need more than thoughts and condolences. We need to have the conversation about how to prevent this from happening again. We need to have the public safety dialogue. That is what the resolution does.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Center for Combat and Battlefield Research (COMBAT) and the Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. I honor their commitment to improving the health of our military, veterans, and first responders.

The MIBH is a global leader in brain injury research and health care delivery, providing individualized, innovative brain health care for our nation's heroes. To this date, MIBH has served more than 1,200 of our nation's heroes, including over 1,000 veterans, establishing a course of treatment for physical, emotional, and cognitive changes that can accompany trauma to the head for these individuals. In 2025, the MIBH is expected to serve 300 patients, including active-duty military and first responders.

Since its founding in 2019, the CU COMBAT Center has grown into the largest military medicine-focused research center, charged with solving our warfighters' toughest medical challenges through high-impact research, education, and innovation. Due to their work, the military has updated 14 clinical practice guidelines, including defining optimal oxygen delivery targets. It is continuing to lead efforts in clinical trials to identify, test, and evaluate autonomous medical devices for prehospital use, such as autonomous oxygen titration, to improve military medical capability and capacity. Not only does the COMBAT Center drive innovation to improve outcomes following physical injury and trauma, but it is also a national leader in advancing psychological health and readiness. COMBAT investigators have contributed to federal and DOD policy, instructions, and programs to reduce suicide among service members, first responders, and their families.

As a veteran and former first responder, I know that the research, innovation, and clinical work that the COMBAT Center and MIBH conduct are critical for caring for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and first responders who risk their lives daily for their communities. I am proud to honor the care and medical research being led by the CU COMBAT Center and MIBH and thank them for their service to Colorado and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the winners and honorable mentions of Northglenn High School's annual Congressional App Challenge. This competition has allowed high school students to recognize and encourage STEM talent across the Nation, as well as in my Congressional District. This year, I'm proud to recognize the following individuals for their talent and ingenuity in this year's Congressional App Challenge.

Payton Dollens developed an app to help high school students get involved in school activities by creating incentives through prizes and competitions. Her app addresses the importance of school involvement and giving students an opportunity to participate in our community. As a result of her ingenuity and creativity, her app won Best in Show in the Open Division.

Honorable mentions to highlight are Brayden Green, Bryan Korsen, and Desmond Reynolds. This group created an app that shares the negative effects of pollution on our oceans. The app both educates users about what needs to be cleaned out and shares how that can be done. With the combination of education and animations, this group earned an Honorable Mention in the Open Division.

Alongside those from our Open Division are winners from this year's Rookie Division. The four students I would like to recognize for winning Best in Show are Lena McLaughlin, Hailey Fredrickson, Magdalena Herron-Skretta, and Kaylee Reinhardt. They developed an app that helps others learn how to cope with different emotions. By utilizing games, educational material, and informative tips, their app provides helpful insight on how to better handle emotions.

Finally, I would like to recognize Gus Blackham and Ila Locke for earning an Honorable Mention in the Rookie Division. Their app teaches about the negative effects of plastic on our oceans. The duo did this by developing a game to educate users about the consequences of plastic on ocean wildlife and help spread awareness about keeping our oceans clean.

Once again, I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions in this year's Congressional App Challenge at Northglenn High School. I am proud of the hard work and dedication they have put into their projects and am excited to see what they will achieve in the future.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), a fellow former law enforcement officer, who

served in the Duluth Police Department.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for those words. It is truly meaningful.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ellzey).

Honoring Captain Bruce ``Puppy'' Fecht

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for those incredibly moving tributes and for the words, the memories, and the recognition.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the 23rd District of California (Mr. Obernolte), a fellow member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Tribute to Officer Seth Franklin and Officer Shaun Jarvis

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Baird), himself a veteran of our United States military.

In Memory of Fred Fislar and Brandon Schreiber

Madam Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week in strong support of the law enforcement community and the men and women I served with in my former career as a police officer as we all worked together to protect our communities.

Police service runs deep in my blood. In fact, both of my grandfathers were proud veterans. One of them, my abuelito Cuauhtemoc Chavez, earned his citizenship in World War II along with two Purple Hearts.

My other grandfather, Gregory Evans, was a career naval aviator. He believed that service to this country wasn't just an obligation; it was a privilege. That belief has shaped who I am today.

From a young age, I was taught that truly loving this country means being willing to serve, to protect, and to sacrifice for it. That lesson has stayed with me and led me to serve 12 years in the U.S. Army and the Colorado Army National Guard, and later to my 10 years of service with the Arvada Police Department.

Wearing the uniform teaches you so much about leadership, resilience, and responsibility. It gives a deeper understanding and respect for the men and women who put themselves in harm's way for others. These are the people who don't just talk about courage and service; they live it.

During my first term here in Congress, I have made it a priority to defend and honor our law enforcement officers, especially those who have given everything in the line of duty.

The very first bill I introduced as a Member of this House was about defending and uplifting our State and local law enforcement, the UPLIFT Act.

This bill is about empowering law enforcement officers to do their jobs and keep our communities safe by extending hold harmless protections to officers who work with Federal law enforcement to remove people who are illegally present in our communities and who are committing other crimes.

In fact, I found out just today that a friend of mine had lost a daughter, Kaitlyn Weaver, to an illegal immigrant who was driving over 90 miles an hour in a 45-mile-an-hour zone and created a fatal traffic accident.

Unfortunately, the State that I represent, Colorado, continues to prioritize the protection of illegal immigrants who commit crimes over the safety of innocent American citizens like Kaitlyn.

While Colorado has been a sanctuary State for nearly 6 years, the State legislature continues to handcuff police officers from cooperating with their Federal law enforcement counterparts. Colorado also severely restricts local police officers from being able to even safely and orderly transfer a criminal to Federal custody, which jeopardizes officer safety and results in our police officers being assaulted.

My bill, the UPLIFT Act, would help fix this problem. As a former cop, I will never stop advocating for the protection and well-being of law enforcement.

While my first bill focused on defending law enforcement, my most recent one focuses on honoring law enforcement. As someone who has worn the badge, I know firsthand the sacrifice and commitment that the job requires.

Law enforcement isn't just a profession. It is a calling. It takes a special kind of person to wake up every day knowing the risks, knowing the dangers, and knowing that that might be their last day, and they still put on the uniform and go to work

John 15:13 talks about the greatest love that someone has as being willing to lay down their life for their friends. Police officers across our country embody that kind of love every single day when they go out and protect our communities.

When I think about this fundamental principle of law enforcement, I think about officers from my district. I think about folks like Weld County Sheriff's Deputy Sam Brownlee.

A devoted husband, father, and stepfather, Deputy Brownlee was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty in 2010 during a struggle with a gang member. He served with distinction for 5 years with the Weld County Sheriff's Department and was always committed to protecting his community.

Deputy Brownlee's story is one that should never be forgotten. His sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the risks that our law enforcement officers face every day and the courage it takes to wear the badge. That is why I am proud to announce that, this week, during National Police Week, I introduced a bill to rename the Evans Post Office in Weld County after Deputy Brownlee to ensure that the community that he loved is able to properly honor and remember his courage, his service, and his enduring legacy.

In a time when law enforcement officers across this country face growing threats and far too little appreciation, we must do more to recognize their bravery, their sacrifice, and their families.

This bill is a tribute not just to Deputy Brownlee, but to every officer who has laid down their life in defense of their community and the families that they left behind.

I look forward to continuing to build support for this bill with the Colorado delegation and working to get it signed into law.

Part of my passion in doing this comes from one of these specific assignments that I had when I was a police officer. I served in a variety of capacities, but one of the most meaningful was serving as a member of, a sergeant of, and the lieutenant for our Honor Guard.

The Honor Guard is the agency within a police department that is responsible for conducting a variety of ceremonies. They do the flag postings at civic events, but one of the most sacred responsibilities that they have is honoring the fallen officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.

I served in that role for several years with my agency and, unfortunately, I have buried more officers than I can remember starting with Heath Gumm of the Adams County Sheriff's Department and ending with Eric Talley from the Boulder Police Department.

There are two officers that I had to bury that I will specifically mention. The first was my friend and coworker for almost 10 years, Officer Gordon Beesley of the Arvada Police Department.

Gordon was a school resource officer. He was one of the nicest people that you would ever meet. In fact, before his ambush and murder, he actually was making the news because of his work as a school resource officer who took the time to personally ride his bike to school with a kid who was having some trouble at that school.

Officer Beesley truly embodied what it meant to serve your community, to protect your community, and to work alongside your community to make sure that everyone gets the best possible outcome that they possibly can. He had a life motto and his life motto was: Find the good. Find the good in every person and in every situation.

Even though he was a police officer and had to sometimes do things like put handcuffs on people and hold others accountable, Gordon Beesley lived by those words every single day. He was a pillar in the community who truly worked to find the good in every situation.

Another officer from my agency was Officer Dillon Vakoff. Dillon was actually an Air Force veteran. He served for several years in the United States Air Force before he became a police officer. Dillon was actually an officer on one of the units that I commanded. He was one of my mobile field force officers. I remember training him to be able to go out and do the requirements of that special assignment.

Dillon was, unfortunately, shot and killed on September 11, 2022, while he was responding to an altercation that turned deadly.

Dillon also had a motto that he lived by. I can't say it on the floor of this House, but the acronym for it is NFQ. It means never quit.

Dillon was somebody who never quit. He never quit in his commitment to his country. He never quit in his commitment to his State. And Dillon never quit even when he was called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice and lay down his life in defense of his community.

In many ways Dillon embodies what it means to be a police officer. Having served for 12 years in the Army and another 10 years in law enforcement, I often compare military and law enforcement service to being two sides of the same coin or to use police terminology, two sides of the same perimeter.

In law enforcement, whenever we have a dangerous situation, we have to contain that situation to keep the public safe, so we set up what is called an inner perimeter. We also want to make sure that the rest of the community does not go into that perimeter.

While you have an inner perimeter of officers who are containing the situation and who are focused inward, you have an outer perimeter of officers who are making sure that the innocents stay away from a potentially hazardous situation or area.

That is how I see the military and law enforcement. Law enforcement is the inner perimeter. They protect us in our homes, in our communities, in our schools, in our parks, and on our roadways. The military protects us from external threats, but they are two sides of the same coin.

When folks like Dillon or Gordon or Heath Gumm or Eric Talley or so many others are called upon to make that sacrifice, they are making that sacrifice from the exact same motivations as the broader community of military and law enforcement and first responders who are out to make sure that we stay safe.

At a law enforcement funeral, which, again, I have unfortunately been to too many of, we honor those sacrifices, and we make two solemn promises. The first promise is to never forget. We honor that promise by doing things like what we are doing tonight. We honor that promise through memorials and through speeches and through memories, through carrying the actual lives and stories of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Dillon and Gordon are no longer with us, but as long as we talk about them, as long as we talk about how they lived their lives, as long as we carry on their mottos, never quit, find the good, in a small way they are still with us and their memories, their examples, their courage, their commitment, and their service lives on through them as long as we never forget.

There is a second promise that we make at law enforcement funerals. We have the watch from here. Law enforcement is like the thin blue line, individuals may come and go, but the thin blue line itself never sleeps, never grows tired. It doesn't fail. It cannot fail. The thin blue line is what keeps our communities, our country, and our way of life safe from the threats and the harms and the chaos that would exist if just for a single day police officers didn't put on the badge and the uniform and go to work. Individual officers come and go, but the thin blue line never does.

We make a promise to the fallen who gave the ultimate sacrifice. They are no longer able to continue in that watch. We do a final radio call, but then we make a promise. We have the watch from here. For everyone within the sound of my voice--for the police officers, for the citizens, for everyone else, that is the action item, that is the takeaway from this speech. We have the watch from here.

For the police officers, for the first responders, for the families who serve right alongside their loved ones, know that we will not forget and that we will stand by you to the absolute utmost of our abilities because that is what having the watch from here means.

It means that the sacred requirement to protect our communities will not end. It means that those of us, the living, and particularly the living who are in this great self-governed society that

we call the United States of America, it means that we have the responsibility to work with, to support, to empower, and to protect our law enforcement officers as they go out into the community and they put their lives and their families' future on the line to protect us.

As someone who has made those sacred promises too many times at funerals, it is my honor to stand here today on the floor of the United States House of Representatives on May 15, police day in police week, to reaffirm and to challenge all of us to continue with those two sacred promises: never forget and then go out, be a good citizen, be a member of a community, support the law enforcement officers, and the men and women who themselves are physically every day putting on the badge and the uniform and who are keeping that watch from here.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill, H.R. 1682, the Benefits that Endure for Lifetimes Of Service Act, or BELO'S Act, named after Marc Belo, a fellow veteran, aviation legend, and friend with whom I had the great honor of serving.

This bill would honor our Nation's fallen heroes and their loved ones by expanding free access to national parks to the families of veterans who pass away from a service-related illness or accident.

As a former Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot, I had the blessing of serving with countless men and women across the Active-Duty, Reserve, and National Guard components of our Armed Forces. During that time, I took on many roles, from supporting wildfire fighting efforts to deploying as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Mr. Speaker, any soldier or veteran will tell you that service to the Nation takes many forms, but that also means sacrifice does, too.

When I learned that, under existing law, only the families of soldiers who died in Active-Duty combat operations were eligible for free lifetime national parks passes, I immediately thought of my friend and fellow veteran, First Sergeant Marc Belo.

I served alongside Sergeant Belo for a decade in the Colorado Army National Guard. Belo was already a senior sergeant and crew chief when I was a young lieutenant. He took me under his wing from day one. Whether it was a domestic operation, including fighting fires and conducting search and rescues, or whether it was deployment overseas to the Middle East as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Marc and I were in it together.

He was the heart and soul of our company, Alpha Company ``Wolfpack,'' and the 2-135th General Support Aviation Battalion ``Blackjacks.'' An amateur photographer and a true patriot who was a 9/11 first responder and who gave his life to his Nation for more than 30 years, the passage of this bill could not come at a more timely, if tragic, moment.

Unfortunately, 1 year ago this week, Marc passed away from cancer related to his military service. His family, friends, and all who served with him were devastated.

Mr. Speaker, a friend you served with being taken far too soon by a service-related illness or injury is a story that, unfortunately, sounds all too familiar to veterans all across our country. The circumstances of their deaths can never minimize the magnitude of their sacrifice.

That is why I am so proud to sponsor the bipartisan BELO'S Act, along with the gentleman from California (Mr. Panetta). This ensures that the families of servicemembers who die in circumstances not related to combat, like training accidents or service-connected illness, are still honored with free lifetime passes to enjoy America's beautiful national parks.

While this will benefit military families from coast to coast, it will especially make a difference for the military families in my district, who are blessed to live so close to some of the most beautiful public lands and national parks in the country. It is truly the least that we can do to thank these veterans' families for serving right alongside their loved ones.

Veterans and military families often find solace, peace, and healing in the great outdoors. Whether it is coping with PTSD, undergoing physical training, or coming to terms with the loss of a loved one, national parks play a vital role in their health and well-being.

It is my sincere hope that this bill can play a small role in helping military families, like the Belos, find peace in their loss and honor their loved ones who are taken from them too soon.

This week marks 1 year since Marc left us, but his legacy lives on and is now helping other veterans to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring American heroes like Marc Belo and their families by passing this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, of which I am an original cosponsor. The stakes for our national security, constitutional freedoms, and the future of American innovation could not be higher.

My 12 years of service in the Army provided me with a deep understanding of the criminal transnational activities of the Chinese Communist Party. CCP intellectual property theft is not a distant threat. It is actively happening, and it is targeting military readiness and the very foundations of American competitiveness.

In my district, where energy production, manufacturing, and agriculture are paramount, we know the looming threat of the Chinese Communist Party on jobs and national security.

Mr. Speaker, as you have heard from my colleagues, the CCP has also systematically expanded its influence throughout Confucius Institutes and affiliate programs on U.S. colleges and campuses. These programs, often cloaked in the promises of language and cultural exchange, have served as vehicles for espionage, intellectual property theft, and transnational repression.

We cannot allow these vulnerabilities to persist. Today, House Republicans are taking action. Our Nation's most innovative breakthroughs have been developed at U.S. universities, while conducting vital research related to defense, energy sciences, and other sensitive industries. Many colleges and universities have accepted CCP funding, hoping to simply expand their foreign language learning. They have, unfortunately, opened the doors for our biggest foreign adversary to exploit breakthroughs for Chinese strategic advantage.

This bill protects our institutions of higher education from the dangers of the CCP by prohibiting American universities that receive Department of Homeland Security funding from continuing relationships with Chinese entities of concern.

Today, foreign language and cultural exchange programs thrive in my State of Colorado, without the influx of CCP dollars, enhancing students' global knowledge and growing our Nation's vital national security workforce.

Congress needs to send a clear message to the CCP that we will not allow foreign powers to erode national security, steal intellectual property, or threaten our immigrant population.

This Congress, I have partnered with my colleagues on other legislation in this area. My bill, the bipartisan Countering Transnational Repression Act, continues this important work by stopping Chinese Communist Party surveillance and intimidating Chinese nationals on U.S. soil.

We have also introduced the Global Investment in American Jobs Act. We must now come together to restrict the infiltration of the Chinese Communist Party onto our college campuses by passing the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand in defense of American values and support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate our Nation's brave men and women and to recognize the High Plains Honor Flight Network, which conducts trips for veterans to Washington, D.C., to tour the monuments built to honor their bravery and service. The High Plains Honor Flight gave some of our fellow brave men and women the chance to visit our Nation's capital. As a fellow veteran myself, I am pleased to honor the High Plains Honor Flight and to recognize the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans of Colorado who took part in it.

Mr. Speaker, the veterans who participated in this flight are as follows:

Veteran of World War II: Richard Chubb.

Korean War Veterans: Dale Bellinger, Elmer Dillman, Donald

Garcia, Robert Golden, Donald Mayfield, David Mourisse.

Veteran of both Korean and Vietnam War: Darwin Dow.

Vietnam War Veterans: Anthony Aragon, Robert Archuleta,

Dennis Argo, Clarence Axtell, Thomas Bacon, William Baker,

Alfred Barthelemy, Larry Beck, Kenneth Beckstead, John Bona,

Dallas Bowles, Robert Bowser, James Brinks, Richard Brown,

Henry Castillon, Richard Clampitt, Dennis Clermont, Thomas

Corrick, Kenneth Cosby, Manuel Covarrubias, Duane Crapser,

Gary Cummins, Milo Cushman, Herbert Davis II, Arthur Dehn,

Jr., Ben Delahay, David DeMars, Manfred Dorth, William

Dundas, Robert Eatman, William Eckert, Donald Eddy, Darrell

Einspahr, Teddy Emmons, William Farr, Daniel Frodsham, Sylvio

Gamache, Leslie Gardinier, Melchor Garza, Frank Gower,

Delbert Hammond, George Hampton, Edward Hansen, Larry Hanson,

Stanley Hanson, Delbert Hawkins, Harlow Hill, John Hoelscher,

Robert Holt, III, Alfred Homan, Lowell Hummels, Jerome

Jaworski, David Johnson, Jonnie Johnson, Korwin Johnson,

Clifford Jung, Leonard Juranek, William Klingman, Richard

Kotch, Homer Kurtz, Jr., Richard Laingor, Steven Lamon, Jim

Lantis, Peter Lederer, Robert Lindsey, James Ling, Larry

Luckow, Ronald Macaluso, Karl Magnuson, Russell Maher, Edward

Messer, Philip Mollendor, Jr., Robert Mygatt, Robert Neal,

John Neill, Jr., James Nelson, Richard Nenno, Michael Nissen,

Merlin Otteman, James Pelster, Jonathan Platt, Lloyd

Poindexter, Peter Raube, Ronald Ring, James Roof, Jr., John

Ross, John Schieler, Carolyn Schneider, David Schneider,

William Schumann, Larry Seems, Jerry Severidt, Bryon Shapiro,

William Sipe, Carl Smith, Danny Smith, William Stanley, Jr.,

Lawrence Starck, Richard Steely, Ronald Stine, William

Sturgeon, Jerry Tausz, Allen Thomsen, Carlton Thygesen,

Antonio Trujillo, Edwin Visconti, Wilton Webb, William

Williams, Michael Young, Richard Yurkus.

It is my honor and privilege as a veteran and the United States Representative of the 8th District of Colorado to recognize the sacrifice and service of these men and women and all other members of our Nation's military. I thank them for their bravery and service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the HALT Fentanyl Act.

This critical bill would enable law enforcement to get dangerous drug traffickers off of our streets by permanently and responsibly classifying fentanyl analogues as schedule I narcotics.

Last year, DEA's Rocky Mountain Division seized a record 2.7 million fentanyl pills, enough to kill everyone in my district 1\1/2\ times, or 1.3 million people. We must do more to stop this drug from infiltrating our communities, and that starts with empowering law enforcement.

As a Colorado cop for 10 years, I witnessed firsthand how not supporting law enforcement enables traffickers and the flow of fentanyl into our communities.

This bill, of which I am a proud original cosponsor, gives cops the tools that they need to bring traffickers of this poison to justice.

Since 2020, illegal drugs like fentanyl have claimed over 7,000 lives in Colorado, twice the death toll of September 11.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.