Floor Statements

Mr, Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the exceptional service of Colonel Ernest R. ``Bobby'' Schmitt, Commander of Mission Delta 4 at Buckley Space Force Base, as he prepares to depart from his post in Colorado. Colonel Schmitt's dedication, leadership, and commitment to our Nation's defense have been truly exemplary.

During his tenure as Commander of Mission Delta 4, Colonel Schmitt has overseen critical operations and initiatives vital to our national security. His strategic vision and unwavering resolve have significantly enhanced the capabilities and readiness of the unit, ensuring the United States maintains its strategic advantage in the space domain.

Colonel Schmitt's leadership has fostered a culture of excellence and innovation within Mission Delta 4. He has consistently inspired

and mentored his team, empowering them to achieve the highest levels of performance and professionalism. His genuine care for the well-being of his personnel has created a strong and cohesive unit, dedicated to the mission and each other.

Under Colonel Schmitt's command, Mission Delta 4 has achieved numerous milestones and advancements, contributing significantly to the defense of our Nation. His expertise and strategic acumen have been instrumental in navigating complex challenges and adapting to the evolving landscape of space operations.

As Colonel Schmitt prepares to embark on his next assignment, I want to express my deepest gratitude for his selfless service and unwavering dedication. His contributions to our Nation's security and to the state of Colorado will have a lasting impact.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Colonel Ernest R. ``Bobby'' Schmitt for his outstanding leadership and service to our Nation. We wish him and his family all the best as they transition to their next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Heidi Dexter, Commander of Space Base Delta 2, Buckley Space Force Base, as she prepares to move on to her next duty station. I am grateful for her exceptional service to our Nation and to the Aurora community.

Colonel Dexter has been an outstanding leader during her tenure at Buckley Space Force Base. Under her command, Buckley has made numerous advancements in space operations, infrastructure improvements, and community partnerships. Her dedication to the men and women of Space Base Delta 2 is evident in every action she takes on their behalf.

During her time at Buckley, Colonel Dexter has worked to bolster the morale and well-being of the personnel under her charge. Her commitment to creating a supportive environment does not go unnoticed and has contributed to the readiness and effectiveness of the base.

Colonel Dexter has also been a remarkable advocate for the base within the local community, strengthening ties and ensuring Buckley's integral role in our region. Her engagement with local leaders and citizens has fostered mutual understanding and support.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 6th Congressional District, I extend my deepest gratitude to Colonel Heidi Dexter for her distinguished service and wish her the very best at her next duty station. Her leadership has been instrumental to Buckley's operations and her contributions to our Nation and community will have a lasting impact.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Joe Garcia, Chancellor of the Colorado Community College System, on his retirement after more than 35 years of public service. I know I speak for so many in our community when I thank him for the lasting impact he made on higher education in Colorado throughout his career.

Chancellor Garcia oversees a higher education system encompassing 13 colleges, over 35 campus locations, and more than 124,000 students. During his tenure, he launched Bridge to Bachelor's, a statewide transfer program guaranteeing a direct pathway for community college students to four-year universities. He also pioneered Colorado Online, an initiative that expanded online education access for students across Colorado.

Appointed President of Pikes Peak State College in 2001 and later President of Colorado State University-Pueblo, Chancellor Garcia has long advocated for expanding higher education access and student- centered programs. Through these roles, he also successfully grew enrollment and strengthened public-private partnerships.

In addition to his dedication to improving higher education, he took on several leadership roles throughout his time in public service. Following an appointment by Governor Roy Romer as the Executive Director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, Chancellor Garcia was appointed by former President Bill Clinton as Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He later served as Lieutenant Governor and the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. Prior to returning to the Colorado Community College System, he also served as President of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

Throughout his career, he remained committed to advocating for education access, equity, and community development. In 2024, he received the Higher Education Equity Champion Legacy Award from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, recognizing his lifelong impact on equitable access to higher education.

I congratulate Chancellor Joe Garcia on his well-deserved retirement and thank him for his service to the state of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Corey Rose for her fifteen years of unwavering dedication and service through her Wishes & Heroes Benefit Concert. This event has not only been a beacon of hope but a critical fundraiser for two outstanding organizations: the Colorado Professional Firefighter Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

For the past fifteen years, Corey has poured her heart and soul into organizing this annual concert, driven by a deep desire to give back to her community and support those in need. Her tireless efforts have brought together artists, volunteers, and supporters from across Colorado, all united in a common cause.

The Colorado Professional Firefighter Foundation provides vital support to firefighters and their families, offering assistance in times of crisis and honoring the sacrifices of these brave men and women. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses, bringing joy and hope to families facing immense challenges. Through the Wishes & Heroes Benefit Concert, Corey has made a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals served by these two organizations.

The fifteenth and final Wishes & Heroes Benefit Concert marks the culmination of an incredible journey. Corey's dedication, passion, and commitment have left an indelible mark on our community. She has inspired others to give back and has demonstrated the power of music to heal, uplift, and unite.

On behalf of the Sixth Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my gratitude to Corey Rose for her fifteen years of service and her extraordinary contributions to the Colorado Professional Firefighter Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Her work has made a profound and lasting impact, and she exemplifies the true spirit of community and compassion.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Corey Rose and her Wishes & Heroes Benefit Concert for their outstanding contributions and wishing her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career and dedicated service of Chief Master Sergeant Sharma J. Haynes on the occasion of her retirement from the United States Air Force. Chief Master Sergeant Haynes has served our Nation with unwavering commitment for over two decades, leaving an indelible mark on both the Air Force and Space Force.

Chief Master Sergeant Haynes served as the Senior Enlisted Airman for Space Base Delta 2 at Buckley Space Force Base in my home state of Colorado. In this crucial role, she was the principal advisor to the installation commander, overseeing the morale, welfare, training, climate, readiness, and professional development of over 1,000 personnel. Her leadership was instrumental in ensuring the effective execution of critical missile warning and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions worldwide. Moreover, she played a vital role in supporting the numerous wings, mission partners, and personnel stationed at Buckley, as well as the extensive retiree community.

A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Chief Master Sergeant Haynes entered the Air Force in 2003 and quickly established herself as a dedicated and capable leader. Her diverse background in financial management included positions as Flight Chief, Enlisted Force Development Manager, and Superintendent, with assignments and deployments spanning the globe, from Japan and South Korea to Afghanistan and the Pentagon.

Chief Master Sergeant Haynes' commitment to professional development is evident in her extensive education, culminating in a Master of Business Administration degree and completion of numerous prestigious leadership courses. Her dedication to excellence is further highlighted by her numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters. She has also been recognized with multiple Airman and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year awards throughout her career.

Chief Master Sergeant Sharma J. Haynes embodies the highest ideals of military service. Her leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the men and women under her charge have been exemplary. On behalf of the Sixth Congressional District of Colorado and a grateful Nation, I extend my deepest gratitude to Chief Master Sergeant Haynes for her exceptional service and wish her a long and fulfilling retirement. Her contributions to our Nation's security will be long remembered.

Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate Police Week, I join my colleagues in honoring law enforcement around the country and back home in Colorado.

On Capitol Hill, the men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police protect us and the seat of our democracy. I personally owe a great debt of gratitude to these officers who responded to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Many of my colleagues and I were trapped right up there in the House gallery that day as an insurrectionist mob converged on the Capitol. Officers from the Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and numerous other departments risked their lives to protect us and our democracy.

As seen here, these officers were brutally assaulted with flag poles, bear spray, stun guns, knives, and bats. Over 140 officers were wounded and sustained injuries from the attack. Many still deal with the mental and physical trauma from that day.

There were numerous officers who died from their injuries after the attack: Officer Brian Sicknick, Officer Howard Liebengood, Officer Jeffrey Smith, Officer Gunther Hashida, and Officer Kyle DeFreytag.

Congress, on a bipartisan basis, took a step to honor their extraordinary bravery when we passed a law in 2022 directing the placement of a plaque at the Capitol.

The plaque is complete. It is done. It has been sitting somewhere in storage in the Capitol, and it is way past time that we display this for America to see.

This Police Week let's honor the men and women who bravely risked everything to do their duty to protect this House and to protect this Capitol and our democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in doing the right thing. It is time to display this plaque so Americans around the country who visit the seat of this democracy will see and be able to join us in honoring the bravery of those men and women from January 6, 2021.

Mr. Speaker, on May 5, 2025, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on the MEGOBARI Act (H.R. 36) and the ACES Act (H.R. 530). Had I been present for Roll Call No. 115 and Roll Call No. 116, I would have voted ``AYE'' for both measures.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Greater Buckley Region in my district, which was recently recognized as a 2025 Great American Defense Community by the Association of Defense Communities.

The Great American Defense Communities program recognizes and celebrates communities and regions that support military installations that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to improving quality of life for military families, veterans, and service members--while fostering collaboration across the defense ecosystem.

I am proud of our community--anchored by Buckley Space Force Base and also home to the Colorado National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters-- for its unwavering dedication to advancing quality-of-life initiatives. As an Army Ranger veteran, I understand that morale and readiness depend on more than infrastructure--we must create environments where military families can thrive. The Greater Buckley Region has led in areas such as housing, health care, employment, and education.

This recognition also reflects the strength of local partnerships, including the Aurora Chamber of Commerce's Buckley Regional Military Affairs Council, which plays a vital role in bridging military and civilian communities, advocating for service members, and fostering enduring support networks.

The Greater Buckley Region shows us what's possible when communities unite around those who serve. I congratulate them on this well-deserved honor and look forward to their continued leadership as a model for defense communities nationwide.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jasmine Baker, winner of a 2024 James Madison Fellowship from the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. This fellowship is awarded to educators who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to civic responsibility and education in the areas of American history, American government, or civics.

Mrs. Baker began her service in the U.S. Air Force, conducting signals analysis in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Upon leaving the military, Mrs. Baker continued to serve her community through education. She went to school using the GI Bill, and became a social studies teacher with an emphasis on supporting education in urban communities. As an eighth-grade teacher at Mrachek Middle School in Aurora, Colorado, she incorporates intensive discussion and diverse cultural narratives to promote critical thinking.

A participant in the national We the People research project and a ``Push-In'' facilitator, Mrs. Baker works to make education more accessible. As a facilitator, she focuses on addressing the challenges Black youth face in school and on creating more equitable spaces for young women through professional development programs and student groups.

As Aurora Public Schools' co-facilitator for social studies programs, she coordinates with all district middle school teachers to strengthen education our Aurora youth receive and to help mentor new educators. And as a coach of the Step Team, she drives her athletes to build leadership skills, confidence, community, and to pass down cultural and historical knowledge.

As Colorado's 2024 James Madison Fellow, Mrs. Baker will continue her own education and complete a master's degree at the University of Colorado Denver. She hopes to use this opportunity to facilitate even greater educational advancement for her students and to

build a stronger, more civically adept community.

I thank Mrs. Baker for her service to our community and wish her the best in her studies as she completes the James Madison Fellowship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Daniel L. Ritchie. Former Chancellor of the University of Denver, Ritchie was beloved in our community for his commitment to the University, to philanthropy, and to his role as a civic leader in Denver.

Ritchie wore numerous hats in his professional career, but he was always guided by values he called his ``cowboy ethics.'' These values included:

Live each day with courage.

Take pride in your work.

Always finish what you start.

Do what has to be done.

Be tough, but fair.

When you make a promise, keep it.

Ride for the brand.

Talk less and say more.

Remember that some things aren't for sale.

Ritchie lived by these principles, but he was also a person who was quick to demonstrate empathy, to lift up others, and to listen to those people and those causes in need of attention. He served the University community as Chancellor from 1989 to 2005, and helped raise over $400 million in investments to university infrastructure and facilities, including tens of millions of dollars of his own money. The University's athletics complex, the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness, bears his name and thousands of Coloradans walk through its doors each year to watch Division I teams compete in college athletics.

A passionate supporter of athletics, Ritchie also knew that well- rounded students benefited from diverse perspectives. He created the Cherrington Global Scholars program at the University, a program designed to facilitate participation in study abroad programs and grow a student body prepared for ``global citizenship.''

Daniel L. Ritchie was a steady force of nature and a leader who earned the respect of those he represented. His contributions to our state, whether through positions at the University of Denver, Denver Center for Performing Arts, Daniels Fund, Denver Art Museum Foundation, Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation, or one of his many other commitments to our community, are a legacy we're grateful he leaves behind.

I honor these achievements, send my gratitude to his loved ones, and thank the ``Cowboy Chancellor'' for his service to our state.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to recognize Adams County Commissioner Charles ``Chaz'' Tedesco for his service to Colorado. Commissioner Tedesco began his service by serving in the U.S. Navy, and as President of the United Steelworkers Union.

Commissioner Tedesco supported several initiatives to help vulnerable youth during his term, including Homes for Hope, a program for youth in emergency foster care in Adams County. He also served as Vice-Chair of the Former Foster Care Youth Steering Committee for the State of Colorado.

Commissioner Tedesco is a member of diverse boards and committees as he serves Adams County residents and all Coloradans, including the E- 470 Authority, Airport Coordinating Committee, Aurora Economic Development Board of Directors, Veterans Advisory Commission, Aerotropolis Regional Transit Authority, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Counties, Inc., County & Commissioners Acting Together, Child Welfare Allocation Committee, Metro Area County Commissioners, and National Association of Counties.

Commissioner Tedesco has been a consistent advocate for veterans and a voice for funding state and federal veterans' programs. He was integral in the formation of the Veterans Advisory Commission which seeks to address and work cooperatively with other county boards, councils, and staff regarding veterans' interests.

I thank Commissioner Tedesco for his service to our community as the Commissioner for District 2 on the Adams County Board of Commissioners.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Commissioner Eva Henry. Throughout her years in public service to Adams County, where she grew up and raised her family, she worked to improve the lives of all Coloradans.

Commissioner Henry championed several initiatives that elevated the state and made Colorado a better place to walk, live, and raise a family. As Commissioner, she led efforts to regulate the oil and gas industries, protect our environment, and preserve clean air and water. Under her leadership, Adams County became the first county in Colorado to regulate drilling in 2019, paving the way for other counties to follow.

Commissioner Henry partnered with Caraway to lower housing costs by repurposing the former Children and Family Services building for use as affordable housing.

To bolster the local economy, Commissioner Henry worked with aerospace companies and supported their moves to the state, further enhancing Colorado's aerospace ecosystem, the second-largest aerospace economy in the Nation.

Commissioner Henry's dedication to public service contributed to the betterment of Colorado and the well-being of thousands of our state's families. I thank Commissioner Eva Henry for her service and congratulate her on her retirement after 12 years as Commissioner of Adams County and five years as a member of the Thornton City Council.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Arapahoe County Commissioner Bill Holen on his retirement after more than 50 years of public service.

Commissioner Holen is an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, and a former member of the Colorado Air National Guard. He dedicated much of his career to government public service, including working for Senator Gary Hart and Congressman Ed Perlmutter.

Commissioner Holen was elected to the Arapahoe Board of County Commissioners for District 5 in 2012. Over the past 12 years, he has served as the Finance Officer and Chair Pro Tempore. In addition to his service to the County, Commissioner Holen served as the Chair of the Colorado Bipartisan Military Post-Traumatic Stress Task Force, on the Denver Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors, Colorado's Board of Veterans Affairs, NASA's Space Station Industrial Use Taskforce, and the Denver Regional Council of Governments Transportation Advisory Board.

Commissioner Holen has also dedicated much of his time to community service. He was the Goodwill Ambassador to U.S. Air Force 460th Space Wing Space Command Commander's Group, served on the Board of Arapahoe/ Douglas Mental Health Network Developmental Pathways, and Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners. He has also participated as a member in the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Defense Council, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, and the United Veterans Committee of Colorado.

Commissioner Holen is finishing his final term as a Board Member of the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners, where he has provided sound advice on the use of county resources, strong partnership across the County and State, and stalwart dedication to the Arapahoe County community.

I thank Commissioner Bill Holen for his service to Arapahoe County, the state of Colorado, and our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor State Senator Janet Buckner for her commitment and faithful public service to the state of Colorado.

Senator Buckner has been a resident and leader in our community for decades. Early in her career, she worked with children and family as a speech and language therapist. Senator Buckner worked for decades in medical sales before then serving our community as an elected official and public servant.

After the death of her late husband, Senator Buckner was unanimously elected to serve the remainder of his term representing the people of House District 40. The Honorable John W. Buckner, like his wife, spent much of his life dedicated to educating the youth of the district, as a teacher and principal at Overland High School.

In 2016 and 2018, she was re-elected to continue her service in the Colorado General Assembly. During then-Representative Buckner's tenure in the House, she was appointed to serve in leadership as Speaker Pro Tempore. During this time, she helped to pass the historic Equal Pay for Equal Work Act of 2019 to prohibit sex discrimination in the workplace.

In 2020, Senator Buckner was elected to the Colorado State Senate, where she served as the Senate Majority Caucus Chair, Chair of the Education Committee, and as a member of the Finance Committee. During this time, she championed legislation to create the Department of Early Childhood and the Universal Preschool program, bringing resources and universal preschool to all children in Colorado.

Senator Buckner has always put people first and believes in giving all individuals a seat at the table regarding policy and legislative issues. She leads by example with grace, inclusivity, and empathy.

I thank Senator Janet Buckner for decades of dedicated service and commitment to representing her constituents and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank one of my constituents, chief meteorologist Mike Nelson, for his service to Colorado. For 33 years, Mr. Nelson has appeared on our TVs, providing informed and crucial weather reports to help Colorado families prepare for blizzards, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires. Mr. Nelson has also been there in the moments of calm--when a day spells blue skies, warm sun, and for many, time spent in Colorado's great outdoors.

Mr. Nelson, chief meteorologist of Denver7 since 2004, has not only informed Coloradans of weather reports but has profoundly affected how we receive weather reporting in the U.S. In 1979, he and his colleague Terry Kelly devised one of the first computer weather graphics systems--one which continues to be the most widely embraced system in the country. Mr. Nelson also introduced the first weather computer to Colorado in 1982.

With 20 Emmy awards, including 18 for Outstanding Weather Anchor, Mr. Nelson has served Colorado by making weather and climate change reporting more accessible. His dedication to weather reporting has gone beyond the TV screen. He has been actively involved in educating hundreds of thousands of students, including with his tornado dance, and, most recently, writing `The World's Littlest Book on Climate,' a book geared towards climate outreach and education.

I join Coloradans in congratulating Mike Nelson on his retirement after nearly 50 years on television and thank him for his commitment to our state.