Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month to commemorate a people, my ethnicity, who are crucial to the prosperity of this Nation. I want to encourage all my brothers and sisters across

America to participate in this celebration from September 15 through October 15.

America thrives on the cumulative efforts of all ethnicities working for the collective good, beginning with the annexation of Florida, Louisiana, and the northern part of Mexico. More than 100,000 Hispanic people became U.S. citizens in the 1800s to be followed by millions more over the next 200 years.

Today, the American-Latino population amounts to over 65 million people and roughly 20 percent of the total U.S. population. The name of my home State of Colorado comes from the Spanish phrase ``coloreado rojo,'' ``colored red.'' This name originates from the 16th century conquistadors who explored the area in search of gold over 400 years ago. Their journey paved the way for exchanges that continue to shape our society today.

In the late 1800s, following the end of the Civil War, 25 percent of New Mexico's Hispanic population moved to Colorado and established towns throughout. One of the most notable was the trading post of El Pueblo, which at the time was the border between the United States and Mexico. This area became a hub of commerce and culture, illustrating the vital role of Hispanic communities in our Nation's development.

San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado, was founded by Hispanic settlers who came to farm and raise livestock. These pioneers laid the groundwork for agricultural practices that are still necessary to our economy today. Then, in the early 1900s, Hispanic families moved to Greeley, Colorado, to work for the Great Western Sugar Company, which offered workers the chance to own a small home.

This opportunity allowed families to build a foundation for future generations, demonstrating the enduring spirit of resilience and hard work.

Some individuals in the Hispanic community have stood tall as leaders in Colorado, including Rodolfo ``Corky'' Gonzales, a boxer and poet who led the crusade for justice during the Chicano movement in the 1960s and 1970s fighting for the rights of the Hispanic community nationwide. His dedication to social justice continues to inspire community activists today.

Joe Trujillo, a good friend of mine that for years lived in Colorado, was an instrumental mentor not only to myself but to others to always be proud of our heritage, to always be proud of what we came from, and never forget our humble beginning.

You see, I come from humble beginnings. My mom and dad grew up working in the fields. My dad had a sixth-grade education and never learned to read and write. My mom has a tenth-grade education, and yet, I stand before you here in Congress as a true representation of what America offers the Hispanic community, and it is an honor to be an American.

Just 6 years ago, Kendrick Castillo, a young Hispanic boy attending a STEM school in Highlands Ranch, sacrificed himself for his classmates, when a shooter entered his school, saving their lives. His bravery serves as a reminder that any of us can have the courage to stand up for our communities.

These individuals exemplify the resilience, character, integrity, and passion that is the lifeblood of the Hispanic community. Moreover, the arts, the culture of the Hispanic community have enriched American life, influencing music, literature, politics, and businesses across the Nation.

Many of the Christian beliefs of our Founding Fathers constitute the pillars of the Hispanic community. Core values like family, faith, and freedom are instrumental to my culture and are essential to the success of a nation. These values unite us and provide a path for future generations to thrive as well.

For centuries, members of the Hispanic community have legally migrated into the U.S. for the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. The influx of illegal immigrants and criminals is damaging this crucial process and is unfair to those who have legally immigrated to America. It is imperative that we differentiate between those seeking refuge and opportunity and those who seek to undermine our laws.

The term ``Latinx'' is a derogatory term and when utilized is an insult to Hispanic Americans and should never be used. This term was invented to erase the male and female gender of the Hispanic community and culture. It is a perversion of the Spanish language and an insult to Hispanic heritage.

It is vital that we continue to uphold our values of justice and fairness, ensuring that the pathways to citizenship remain open for those who seek a better life. We must support comprehensive immigration reform that honors the contributions of immigrants while addressing security concerns.

In closing, let us celebrate the rich history and achievements of the Hispanic community, recognizing together we can create a future where all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, can contribute to the American story.

For my Anglo brothers and sisters, I leave you with this: If you like tacos, you are one of us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank the many responders, agencies, organizations, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to respond to the Alexander Mountain Fire, which last month ravaged 9,600 acres near Loveland, Colorado, and destroyed more than 50 structures, including 26 homes.

As with previous disasters, these people and organizations, such as Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS, Windsor-Severance Fire Protection District, Larimer County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management, and many others, rose to the challenge and kept the tragedy from being much worse.

We know from experience that when faced with adversity, the people will come together in the spirit of community during and after an emergency to respond vigorously and recover profoundly. We owe first responders and the families that support them a huge debt of gratitude.

Madam Speaker, we recognize these amazing efforts and know that if and when great challenges come before us in the future, we will conquer them and emerge stronger because that is what we can expect from the great people of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, Colorado native Jennifer Jaime is a testament and great example of the hardworking students Colorado has to offer. She is a first-generation student from metro Denver, and enrolled in CU Denver in 2017, and participated in the Marc U-Star Program--a scholarship program for students interested research careers and plan in pursuing their Ph.D's in behavioral and biomedical sciences. Through the MARC U-program Jennifer participated in a summer research program at Princeton University.

She graduated in 2019 with a BA in psychology and was admitted to the University of Michigan's competitive Neuroscience Graduate Program for her doctorate. Jaime received her PhD in May 2024 and has chosen to return to Colorado for her post graduate work at CU Anschutz where she started her post-doctoral fellowship in August 2024.

It is my distinct privilege as the United States Representative of the 4th District of Colorado to congratulate Jennifer for her hard work in achieving this accomplishment and I'm so glad she chose to return home to Colorado. Welcome home to Jennifer, and I thank her for her example and the research she is doing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Olympians and Paralympians from Colorado's Fourth Congressional District.

To compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games is one of the highest honors an athlete can achieve. It takes years of hard work, grit, and determination, and I am honored to stand here today to celebrate their achievements in Paris.

Anna Hall, Jessica Thoennes, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Derrick White have all dedicated their lives to advancing their sports, and to them, I say congratulations.

Each one of them has reached the top of their personal Everest. I hope that they feel incredibly proud when they reflect on their time in Paris and take a moment to celebrate their amazing accomplishments.

Each of them has had to persevere through injuries, defeats, and personal setbacks. The example they have set serves as an inspiration for future generations of athletes and is something they should be deeply proud of.

Mr. Speaker, Colorado's Fourth Congressional District was lucky to have such high-caliber athletes representing them this summer. They have made us proud, and I look forward to watching each of their careers grow.

Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to highlight the most disgraceful failure of the Biden-Harris administration with respect to our southern border.

The most important job of a President is to protect our borders from invasion of any criminal element that seeks to undermine the safety of American citizens, our communities, and our Nation. President Biden, in his misplaced wisdom, determined that the best person suited for that job was not himself but his Vice President Kamala Harris. He announced that as the border czar, Kamala Harris was competent and understood what needed to be done to protect our southern border.

Boy, was he wrong in making that decision. Perhaps Vice President Harris misread the memo that stated she was tasked with protecting our border, not surrendering it. Her incompetence has made every State in America a border State, leaving local governments to deal with violent criminal gangs, thugs, murderers, sex traffickers, and drug smugglers.

In recent weeks, I, along with the rest of the public, have watched the events in Aurora, Colorado, with horror. As Members of a violent Venezuelan prison gang commandeered multiple apartment complexes, gave the green light to kill cops, and wreaked havoc on small Colorado communities, this administration insists that our border is secure.

If this administration won't do anything about the vicious gangs running rampant in our country, I will. I have introduced a bill that would compel the Department of Homeland Security to quickly detain and deport all illegal immigrants with known gang affiliations. This is a commonsense public policy that will help keep our streets safe and free from the terrors being perpetrated by these animals. I would urge my colleagues to join me in this worthwhile fight. A failure to do so will inevitably result in more senseless pain and suffering for our people.

The presence of the gang we saw in Aurora is not limited to that town. This group has spread like a cancer throughout our country, with incidents in Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana, Chicago, Florida, Louisiana, and New York, among many others.

A recent CBP report showed that over 500,000 individuals have been flown in and paroled by this administration in a massive and largely unseen mass parole program.

Kamala Harris doesn't care about this crisis, and she doesn't care about the Americans that she is hurting. She never spoke to the past two Border Patrol chiefs who served during the Biden-Harris administration. She has only visited the southern border one time during the past 4 years. That is not leadership. That is not someone trying to solve a problem. That is someone who is trying to hide from a problem that she created.

This crisis has created real heartbreak and human cost. Many men, women, and children have been targeted and victims of abuse or trafficking. Something not often talked about is the mental health impact this has on the DHS law enforcement officers. In 2022, 17 members of the CBP committed suicide. The point is that something must be done.

We have a moral responsibility to right this wrong. We can start that effort by deporting the gang members that have been allowed to breed in our country. We should pass my commonsense legislation that ensures that illegal aliens with known gang ties are no longer allowed to live here and cause havoc.

I will fight every single day I am here to make that happen. I would urge all Members to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate yesterday's 237th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution. What began as a grand experiment in governance has culminated into the most free, productive, and powerful nation in the history of the world.

The wisdom that our Founding Fathers embedded into the U.S. Constitution has proven the test of time, and we must hold to it just as strongly today as we have through the centuries of intermittent war and economic depressions.

We live in a time of great social unrest, political polarization, and differing ideologies threatening to tear this country apart. However, if we hold steadfastly to the truth and guiding principles of our Constitution, we will

not only weather the storm of today's issues but all that follow them as well.

We remember that we are all Americans, and it is our collective pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness which unites us together. May the Constitution continue to remind us of this for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, today, a knock at the door will make the blood of families run cold. Today, armed prison gang members patrol the perimeter of an American community with their fingers on the trigger, waiting to dish out death and dread. Today, inhabitants will endure with gritted teeth, unable to ask for help for fear of reprisal, longing for a setting sun to cast shadows that will hide the brazen faces of foreign invaders.

Mr. Speaker, an outpost of hell has sprung up in the suburbs of Denver. Vicious thugs have descended on Aurora like a plague or a cancer. The government doesn't care. The police can't be found. The Governor says that it is all in their heads.

Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal gang started in a Venezuelan prison, has invaded multiple apartment communities with all the ferocity of wild dogs. TDA extorts residents, intimidates witnesses, and has received clearance from their leadership to shoot cops. The Biden-Harris administration encourages this with a senseless border policy that refuses to prioritize Americans' safety.

Will TDA be the first virus not to spread, the first cancer not to metastasize?

If we don't wake up, the next knock on the door will be for us.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

As we all know, today is September 11, and we all recognize and remember what happened to our Nation on that day. For most Americans, it is the day that terrorism was brought on to our shore, and it was the beginning of America fighting against terrorist attacks.

I want to talk today about what happened on August 26, 2021. That is the day of the unpardonable and disgraceful failure that was the Biden- Harris administration's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

When we look at what happened that day, as a veteran I watched and saw a Commander in Chief abandon America's sons and daughters. That is not a Commander in Chief. A Commander in Chief stands tall and never leaves a soldier behind, never leaves an American citizen behind. Yet, that is exactly what that administration did.

Who is lower than a thief who steals the honor of his countrymen?

Who is more abhorrent than a man who betrays their friends and gives comfort to his enemies?

President Biden and Vice President Harris fled a country we freed for two decades and left it in the grasp of merciless terrorists.

Why did we have to lose 13 brave American servicemembers? We didn't.

We lost them because there was no real plan on how to get out of Afghanistan. Any real, true Commander in Chief would know that you must plan accordingly, that you must plan every single step to make sure that there is no one left behind. When you don't have that experience, when you don't understand the conflict that you are in, you will fail like this administration did.

They say that if you want to test the character of a person, give them power. Well, we know the character of our Commander in Chief on that day, and truly the character shows that it was more important to deal with the optics politically than it was to protect the men and women in uniform.

I am here to tell you that I firmly believe, a lot of Americans believe, and a lot of veterans that I know, friends, sons of my fellow brothers and sisters that served, they truly believe that the blood of these Americans is on the hands of the President and Madam Vice President.

I talk to veterans that served in Afghanistan, and they talk about when they saw what was going on, when they saw it on the TV, it was a gut-wrenching thing to see because they had been there for years. They had deployed more than once or twice to stand tall and protect, and to see what happened tore them apart.

It is difficult to encourage the young men and women to serve in our military when we have a Commander in Chief that abandons them.

Billions of American taxpayer dollars in the form of advanced military weapons and equipment fell directly into the hands of terrorists to be used to target our allies and our troops, yet, they don't want to talk about that. They don't want to talk about the billions of dollars that were left behind.

And worse was the fate of our Afghan allies who dedicated their lives to the betterment of their country, only to be brutally murdered when we pulled out, and the Taliban came to power. I know individuals that helped America, and their families were left behind, and they asked me: Why did this occur? How can America allow this to happen?

I wish I had an answer for them, but the only thing I can tell them is it happened because we had a lack of courage.

It happened because we had no foresight. We had no means to understand what we were doing, and so we must change that.

Many of those Afghan allies and their families are dead today, and, once again, we know whom to blame for that. I watched the debate last night, and when the question was asked: Are there any regrets? there was silence on that question.

I am here to tell you, Mr. Speaker, that I understand why there is silence. It is because they don't have the courage to not only stand in front of those

family members who lost their sons and daughters, look them in the eye, and apologize for the mistake they made.

You see, Mr. Speaker, true leadership recognizes when mistakes are made. True leadership stands tall and makes sure that it never happens again. However, silence leaves everyone wondering: What will they do the next time that situation arises?

I hope that should there ever be another time, that we will have a different Commander in Chief, someone who truly understands how to protect, how to defend, and how to make America proud again when we send our sons and daughters into the battlefield.

Those mistakes will make America look weak on the world stage, and we know that they have. Our credibility with our allies and everyone we have ever made promises to has been severely damaged, emboldening our adversaries around the globe. Shamefully, our chaotic withdrawal has weakened the morale of our servicemembers and rightfully so.

When I served, I wore my uniform with honor. I wore it proudly because I believed in America, and I believed that the Commander in Chief would always have my back.

Today, I question that. I question where the loyalty is of those individuals who made those decisions on that day. You see, Mr. Speaker, those perilous days in August in 2021 will always remain a stain on that administration's legacy for the lack of leadership.

Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker. It is a stain on our flag. It is a stain that we must all endure only because they didn't have the courage and the understanding to do the right thing.

How do you explain to the family members that they lost their loved ones for no real reason?

How do you explain that?

This is why they refuse to even acknowledge the family members, because there is no explanation. President Biden and Vice President Harris cannot undo the damage and the pain that they caused, but they could speak honestly to the American people about the facts of this failure.

I urge them in the strongest terms to do that because the American people deserve the real truth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and dedication of local newspapers to the communities of Colorado's Eastern Plains. The Burlington Record, Burlington Plains Dealer, and Lamar Ledger have kept citizens of eastern Colorado informed for over 100 years. It is an honor to celebrate their achievements today. Sadly, all three newspapers will be closing their doors at the end of this week.

Established in 1888, 1905, and 1907 respectively, the Burlington Record, Burlington Plains Dealer, and Lamar Ledger have consistently provided plainspoken, accurate, and even-handed reporting and resources for their communities.

Upholding the highest journalistic standards, they have reported on some of the most influential moments in our country's history from the Great Depression to the world wars to 9/11, covering births, graduations, deaths, and local triumphs. They have covered 20 Presidential Inaugurations, watched 28 Colorado Governors take office, and existed before the district that I represent was even created. To say that these newspapers were ingrained in the local communities they served would be an understatement.

Local journalism has long served as the bedrock of American society. Responsible for not just educating their local community but highlighting local stories, they offer an experience more personal to citizens in Prowers or Kit Carson County. The closure of these institutions will certainly impact the communities of eastern Colorado.

I thank each talented staff member for their many years of service to their neighbors. The Burlington Record, Burlington Plains Dealer, and the Lamar Ledger will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of America's heroic veterans and to recognize the Honor Flight Network, which conducts annual trips for veterans to Washington, D.C., to tour the memorials built in celebration of their bravery. On April 28, 2024, High Plains Honor Flight gave many of our courageous veterans this extraordinary opportunity, flying them to our nation's capital. I am pleased to congratulate the April 28, 2024, High Plains Honor Flight and to acknowledge the Korean and Vietnam War veterans of Colorado who took part in it.

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

Korean War Veterans: Pasquale DeMarco, Paticia Gilmore, Kenneth Harvey, Howard Hoxie, Jerry Motooka, Wilbur Noffsinger, Richard Peterson, James Roppo, Terry Udell, Charles Wilson, Jesse Wilson, John Wolf, Wilbur Zeller

Korean and Vietnam War Veteran: Robert J Rea

Vietnam War Veterans: Dale Aagesen, Gene Acklie, Gene Anderson, Richard Barrett, Larry Bauer, Mark Bolin, Patrick Branigan, James Brompton, Patrick Calavan, Christopher Cameron, Terrance Carney, Clyde Chess, Timothy Clark, Theodore Coffelt, David Cole, James Cowman, James Curwood, Donald Darnell, Darrel DeGrofft, Dennis Dooley, John Dubler, Ronald East, Burton Eaton, Richard Ellin, Larry Erickson, Gilbert Espinoza, Donald Foster, David Franson, Jose Gonzales, Donald Greer, Louis Grill, John Grosvenor, Jr., Robert Hanzel, Randall Hayes, Thomas Herret, Jon Howdeshell, Lloyd Jacox, William Kaufman, Laurie King, Randall King, Thomas Kitzmiller, David Kling, David Krapes, Roger Krumbach, Bernard Larson, Robert LeDoux, Charles Livermont, Alan Lovely, Alonzo Martinez, David Martinez, James McBride, Lyle McBride, Arthur McKown, Edward Melko, Michael Melo, Dean Millard, Gary Mitchell, Quentin Moeller, Juan Mohr, Richmond Morse, Francisco Muniz, Louis Nagel, Fred Neal, Gilbert Pagat, Richard Panter, Dennis Patriquin, Richard Payne, Thomas Pearson, Kenneth Perkins, Joseph Perry, Robert S. Pickett, Robert H. Pickett, Jon Piper, Ronald Pretty, James Prince, Clarence Rarden, Norman Reichardt, William Rideout, Delbert Ritchhart, Feladelfio Romero, Steven Roon, Fred Rupple, Donald Sammons, Jimmy Sanchez, Daniel Schell, Kenneth Schneider, Richard Searles, Robert Smith, Herbert Teter, Fred Thomas, III, Steven Thompson, Raymond Twiss, Donald Waldburger, Richard Walker, Duane Wallon, Robert Wardell, Robert Warner, Dan Watt, Clifford Wigfield, Steven Witmer, Gary Wright, Michael Wulfeck, Michael Yoder, Ernest Young and James Zack, Jr.

It is my distinct privilege as the United States Representative of the 4th District of Colorado to recognize the honor, courage, and sacrifice of these heroes, along with that of all other members of America's Armed Forces. I thank them for their dedication and service to this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 3954, a bill originally introduced by Representative Buck of Colorado, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Madam Speaker, the Biden administration's newly proposed Title IX rule is yet another example of how we are losing our moral compass.

This new rule diminishes the undeniable respect that we must as a society extend to all women. It completely destroys the distinctions between men and women and forces schools to allow men into private women's spaces, including locker rooms and bathrooms.

Make no mistake about it, under this proposed rule, women will be compelled to change with and go to the bathroom next to naked men. That simply cannot stand. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

``Mr. Speaker, le agradezco por este distinguido honor de dirigirme a los Miembros del Congreso esta noche.'' ``Mr. Speaker, thank you for this distinguished honor to address the Members of Congress this evening.''

Four days ago, Americans across our Nation celebrated the Fourth of July, our day of independence from the British Empire. It was on July 4, 1776, that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. I am proud to carry the Constitution and Declaration of Independence in my pocket.

As I stand in this prestigious Chamber, I am filled with a sense of gratitude: Gratitude for being given an opportunity by my Lord and Savior and the good people of Colorado's Fourth Congressional District to join you, my brothers and sisters, in the 118th Congress;

Gratitude for my parents, Gregorio Beltran Lopez and Victoria Barron Lopez, who grew up working in the fields, believing in the American Dream. They always spoke of how America always allows everyone to live the American Dream regardless of wealth or educational achievements;

Gratitude for my wife, Lisa, of 36 years and our children, Michael and Christina, for always believing in me and standing by my side. My son was not able to join us here tonight, but my wife and daughter are.

My time with you is short, as I will not be serving in the 119th Congress. However, in that short time, I vow to stay true to the virtues of respect, collaboration, friendship, unity, and most importantly, statesmanship.

My brothers and sisters, these are the virtues the American people thirst to see once again in our national, State, and local representatives.

Together, let us be that beacon that people seek. Together, let us restore hope back into the American Dream for the younger generation. Together, let us put people over politics.