Jeff Hurd

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 1 as Constitution Day of the Slovak Republic, commemorating the adoption of Slovakia's Constitution in 1992.

A constitution is more than a legal document. It is a people's decision to govern themselves under law and to place limits on the power of government.

That principle has a particular meaning in Slovakia. Following decades of Communist rule, the Slovak people helped build a free, democratic republic grounded in constitutional government and in the rule of law.

Today, Slovakia is a friend and NATO ally of the United States. Our Nations share strong ties in security, trade, energy, and diplomacy. Generations of Slovak Americans have made that friendship deeper still.

Mr. Speaker, on Constitution Day, I congratulate the Slovak people and celebrate the freedom, self-government, and enduring friendship that bind our two nations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Nathan Matthews, a wildland firefighter who gave his life protecting western Colorado.

Nate was serving with the Rifle Helitack crew on June 28, 2026, when the Knowles Fire suddenly overtook his team during initial attack operations in Mesa County.

Three of his fellow firefighters--Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson--were killed that day.

Nate survived the burnover and fought for nearly a month, but on July 25, 2026, he succumbed to his injuries. He was 43 years old.

Wildland firefighters go toward danger when everyone else is trying to get away. Nate did that for people he had never met, in a community far from his own.

His courage, and the courage of those who served beside him, deserves our lasting gratitude.

May God bless Nate's family, his crew, and all who mourn him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the La Plata County Humane Society as it celebrates 55 years of service to the animals and people of Southwest Colorado.

In 1971, a group of dedicated Coloradans in Durango set out to make sure that every animal in need had a place to go. More than five decades later, that mission is still very much alive.

The Humane Society remains the only open-admission shelter in Southwest Colorado--meaning they turn no animal away, regardless of age, condition, or circumstance. Last year alone, they cared for more than 3,700 animals, performed over 2,000 spay and neuter surgeries, and helped hundreds of families keep their pets during times of hardship.

They are also part of the La Plata County emergency management team, ready to shelter pets when disaster strikes, which is a role that matters deeply in a district that knows how devastating wildfires can be.

None of this happens without the staff, volunteers, foster families, and donors who have shown up year after year. They are the reason this organization has lasted 55 years, and the reason it will last 55 more.

I am proud to recognize the La Plata County Humane Society and everyone who has made it what it is.