Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome His All- Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Washington, D.C.--the spiritual leader and Primus inter Pares (First among Equals) of more than 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. For decades. he has been a tireless voice for religious freedom, and as the longest serving Archbishop of Constantinople in two millennia of Christian history, he stands as a symbol of faith and resolve. His visit comes as he receives the distinguished Templeton Prize in New York, an honor once bestowed on Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela--leaders whose lives have testified to the power of faith to transcend borders.

As a Catholic, I am deeply moved by the ties between our churches. His All-Holiness has met with Popes across generations, working to strengthen bonds of unity and to advance the cause of peace. Together, they have spoken with one voice: to defend the weak, serve those in need, and pursue reconciliation among nations. Patriarch Bartholomew is also a leading figure in interfaith dialogue among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His presence here reminds us that faith has a vital role to play in protecting liberty and human dignity.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to welcome him to Washington and to thank him for his steadfast leadership in advancing religious freedom around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the retirement of Manuel Heart, chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

Chairman Heart has faithfully served his people for more than a decade, leading with vision, humility, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the Tribe's sovereignty and making life better for his community. Raised by his grandfather, he learned the Ute language and carried forward the traditions of his people with pride.

Throughout his tenure, he has championed the Tribe's water rights and worked to safeguard this critical resource for future generations. He has

promoted education and culture and has worked tirelessly to diversify the Ute Mountain Ute economy through agriculture and business development.

Chairman Heart has been a strong voice for Tribal sovereignty, reminding us that the rights of Tribal members as citizens of both their Tribe and the United States must always be respected.

On behalf of Colorado's Third District, I thank Chairman Manuel Heart for his decades of leadership and extend my best wishes to him in retirement. His service leaves a legacy that will endure for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of Patrick L. ``Pat'' Kanda, a devoted public servant and community leader from Grand Junction, Colorado, who passed away on March 18, 2025.

For over thirty years, Pat served as Finance Manager at Grand Valley Power, where his leadership was crucial in navigating various financial challenges. A proud alumnus of Colorado Mesa University, he exemplified excellence and integrity throughout his career.

Pat's commitment to the community was evident through his mentorship of students as a substitute teacher and tutor, his service on the local school board, his leadership in the Orchard Mesa and Clifton Lions Clubs, and his work as treasurer for the local Republican Party. Pat was known for his generous spirit, often saying, ``If there's anything I can do for you, let me know,'' and he actively supported his students and neighbors in need.

Pat Kanda's legacy of generosity and commitment to service will endure in the lives he touched. Carrying on this legacy is Pat's sons John and Michael Teck and his grandsons Landon and Grant Teck.

On behalf of Colorado's 3rd District, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends and invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Pat Kanda, whose contributions enriched the lives of many in Western Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable group of young men and their coaches from Western Colorado, the Grand Mesa Senior All Stars baseball team.

This summer, these players, ages 14 to 16, won the Colorado Senior Little League State Championship in Grand Junction. They went on to compete in California for the regional title against some of the best teams in the West, proudly representing Colorado with grit and determination.

The team brings together players from across our district, including Grand Junction, Clifton, Palisade, Parachute, and Rifle. They first captured the district championship and then fought their way through the state finals, defeating two tough Denver-area teams to claim back- to-back state titles--their third in just four years.

Their success is built not only on talent but also on the dedication of their coaches, the support of their families, and the spirit of their communities. I am proud of these young men and honored to celebrate the Grand Mesa Senior All Stars for the way they represented the Western Slope and the State of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Scott W. Hobson of Pueblo, Colorado, as he retires from the Pueblo City Planning & Community Development Department.

Scott's career in public service began in Canon City, where he served as Director of the Fremont County Special District Parks and Recreation. During that time, he earned two national certifications-- Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and Certified Parks and Recreation Executive. One of his proudest accomplishments there was helping create the Arkansas River Trail and launching recreational programs that brought the community together.

In 1980, Scott married Janice Chambers, and together they raised three wonderful daughters, Cindi Selvage, Amanda Hobson, and Lauren Snell.

Scott continued his public service in Summit County as an Open Space Manager, focusing on preserving the beauty and open land of the region. In 1998, he and his family made the move to Pueblo, a place they have called home ever since. Scott began working with the City of Pueblo, where, for more than two decades, he became a key figure in shaping and strengthening the community.

From the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk to Kayak Park and river restoration efforts, Scott brought energy, vision, and a deep sense of care to every project. His understanding of Pueblo's history is second to none, and he has always had a heart for building strong, vibrant neighborhoods.

Scott's legacy is one of service, dedication, and a genuine love for Southern Colorado. We thank him for all he has given, and we wish him the very best in this next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2316, the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025.

This bipartisan legislation ensures that the interest earned on unallocated Pittman-Robertson funds will continue to support wetlands restoration through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for years to come.

For nearly a century, the Pittman-Robertson Act has stood as one of the most successful conservation funding models in the world. It works because sportsmen and sportswomen pay a dedicated excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. That money is then invested in habitat restoration, public access, and in hunter education.

Since 2004, interest generated from these funds has added an average of nearly $11 million per year to support wetland and waterfowl conservation across North America. That funding is leveraged by nonprofit and State partners, often doubling or tripling the Federal investment, delivering high-impact results.

This bill is about safeguarding that model. It is about making sure that the dollars contributed by sportsmen and sportswomen continue to be put to work by conserving the wetlands that sustain wildlife, outdoor access, and rural economies, including in places like Colorado's San Luis Valley, where thousands of acres of wetlands benefit from these funds.

There is no better conservationist than the American sportsman, and this legislation honors their legacy by protecting the very lands and waters that they have long fought to preserve.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman and the staff of the House Committee on Natural Resources for working with my office to get this bill introduced. I thank my colleague from across the aisle, Representative Elfreth, for co-leading this legislation with me. I also thank all of the organizations who are supporting this effort.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask my House colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense, bipartisan bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the victory of the Grand Junction High School Knowledge Bowl team in the 2025 Colorado State championship.

This marks the school's 26th State title and its second consecutive win of the Governor's Cup.

Competing against 60 teams from across Colorado, the team earned top honors in both the 4A classification and the overall Governor's Cup. This accomplishment confirms Grand Junction High School's standing as the leading academic team in the State of Colorado.

As a former member of this team, I can speak to the dedication, teamwork, and intellectual discipline required to succeed in this competition.

The Knowledge Bowl challenges students in a broad range of subjects, including mathematics, science, literature, and history. It demands academic skill, focus, collaboration, and resilience.

The team members and their coaches have achieved something exceptional. Their success reflects the strength of their preparation and sets a powerful example of academic excellence for communities across Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the GJHS Tigers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a great Coloradan and a true American patriot, Rick Dunlap.

Rick's story is one of resilience, courage, and service. Born into poverty in Tennessee, he answered the call of duty at just 18, serving two tours in Vietnam as a door gunner with the 101st Airborne Division. His heroism earned him the Bronze Star for valor and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, in recognition of his extraordinary bravery in combat.

Rick's service didn't stop when he left the battlefield. He dedicated nearly three decades to law enforcement in Montrose County, rising to sheriff and leading with integrity, earning the trust of his community.

Even in retirement, he continued giving back, volunteering, mentoring, and, most recently, serving as county commissioner. Rick was a man who never stopped serving. He never stopped caring, and he never stopped fighting for people around him.

Colorado's Third District lost a leader, a friend, and a hero. To his beloved wife, Karen; his sons, Greg, Chad, and Josh; and all who knew and loved him, Rick's impact will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for his commonsense piece of legislation that we are discussing this afternoon.

This is a new day in America. The days of forestry mismanagement are coming to an end. For far too along, our national forests and the communities that surround them have been at the mercy of unelected Federal bureaucrats who have become beholden to misguided environmental policies.

My district in Colorado is home to 6 of the State's 11 national forests. We have witnessed the destructive force of poor forestry management firsthand. The Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 mandates that national forests be managed for multiple use. This includes outdoor recreation and timber management.

Washington, D.C., has turned our national forests into national parks by bringing timber management to a standstill and setting the stage for the terrible disasters like those we have seen in California. We can no longer afford to ignore the safety and well-being of our communities.

The Fix Our Forests Act lets the Forest Service do its job to restore forest health, increase wildfire resiliency, and protect communities like those in Colorado's Third District.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the rule and on final passage.