Floor Statements

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn).

Madam Chair, I do have the privilege and the honor to be able to represent Colorado's vast Third Congressional District, which is home to the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, also known as HAATS. It is located in Gypsum, Colorado.

HAATS is under the U.S. Department of Defense's organization, and it is a lone school that teaches rotary wing aviators in the Armed Forces, in the military, and also those of our foreign allies to learn how to be able to fly safely with rotary wing aircraft in mountainous, high- altitude environments.

I have had the opportunity to be able to hear from military officials and many servicemen and -women, both retired and active, along with their families, who praise the lifesaving training conducted at HAATS.

There are numerous examples of how the elite training provided at HAATS has benefited our men and women in uniform when it comes to military aviation. I would like to share one of those examples this evening.

In Afghanistan's Helmand province, a HAATS graduate conducting an emergency medical evacuation mission in treacherous conditions was faced with the challenge of dealing with fine brown talcum powder, which was damaging the engine's aircraft. He was able, through his training in management power techniques garnered at HAATS, to actually safely land the aircraft and successfully remove wounded soldiers and medics out of the area, which was extremely hazardous.

Madam Chair, my amendment is a sense of Congress whereby Congress recognizes that the military aviation training in Colorado, including the training conducted at HAATS, is critical to the national security of the United States and to the readiness of the Armed Forces.

Madam Chair, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I appreciate the kind comments from my colleague out of Colorado in support of something that is fundamentally important to our Nation's security and also to be able to help citizens who may be in treacherous conditions in the high altitudes of Colorado and our other Western States.

Madam Chair, I do encourage our colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sgt. First Class Will D. Lindsay from Cortez, Colorado, an American soldier who was recently killed defending our country in the Kunduz Province of Afghanistan. He and Spc. Joseph Collette, both Fort Carson based soldiers, were killed in an attack fighting against the Taliban.

Sgt. Lindsay was born in Cortez in 1985. The grandson of World War II veteran Richard Lindsay and World War II veteran Warren Waldorf, he was no stranger to service. He followed his grandfather's footsteps when he enlisted into the Army in 2004, ultimately getting selected into the elite 10th Special Forces Group. This prestigious fighting group deploys to some of the world's most heated combat zones and Sgt. Lindsay bravely deployed with them seven times including five tours in Iraq, one in Tajikistan and this final deployment to Afghanistan.

As a highly decorated combat veteran, Sgt. Lindsay had an expansive list of military awards and decorations to include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Unit Awards, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Chilean Airborne Wings, and the Senior Instructor Badge. Sgt. Lindsay's record is a testament to his commitment of putting country before self, as he did in the Army for nearly 15 years.

I stand before the House of Representatives with a heavy heart thinking about his family and their great loss, especially his wife Sarah, his four daughters and his parents Grant and Tammy. I join the town of Cortez, his brothers and sisters in arms, and the entire nation in mourning his untimely death. I have gotten to know Sgt. Lindsay's family over the years and his loss will be felt by many in our small community.

Madam Speaker, Sgt. Lindsay's death is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our men and women in the military endure as well as their families. Sgt. Lindsay was a true American hero from one of the most rural areas in Colorado who died protecting his men and the country he loved. He dedicated his life to selflessly protect our great nation and we are all proud of him. His loss is tragic, but his legacy will be remembered for generations to come, and the world is a better place because of him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant First Class Will D. Lindsay from Cortez, Colorado, an American soldier, who was recently killed defending our country in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan.

He and Specialist Joseph Collette, both Fort Carson based soldiers, were killed in an attack fighting against the Taliban.

Sergeant Lindsay was born in Cortez in 1985. The grandson of World War II veteran, Richard Lindsay, and World War II veteran, Warren Waldorf, he was no stranger to service. He followed his grandfather's footsteps when he enlisted in the Army in 2004, ultimately, getting selected into the elite 10th Special Forces Group.

This prestigious fighting group deploys to some of the world's most heated combat zones. Sergeant Lindsay bravely deployed with them seven times, including five tours in Iraq, one in Tajikistan, and this final deployment to Afghanistan.

As a highly decorated combat veteran, Sergeant Lindsay had an expansive list of military awards and decorations to include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Military Free-fall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Chilean Airborne Wings, and the Senior Instructor Badge.

Sergeant Lindsay's record is a testament to his commitment of putting country before self, as he did in the Army for nearly 15 years.

I stand before the House of Representatives with a heavy heart thinking about his family and their great loss, especially his wife, Sarah, his four daughters, and his parents, Grant and Tammy. I join the town of Cortez, his brothers and sisters in arms, and the entire Nation in mourning his untimely death. I have gotten to know Sergeant Lindsay's family over the years and his loss will be felt by many in our small community.

Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Lindsay's death is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our men and women in the military endure, as well as their families.

Sergeant Lindsay was a true American hero, from one of the most rural areas of Colorado, who died protecting his men and the country he loved.

He dedicated his life to selflessly protect our great Nation, and we are all proud of him. His loss is tragic, but his legacy will be remembered for generations to come, and the world is a better place because of him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sgt. First Class Will D. Lindsay from

Cortez, Colorado, an American soldier who was recently killed defending our country in the Kunduz Province of Afghanistan. He and Spc. Joseph Collette, both Fort Carson based soldiers, were killed in an attack fighting against the Taliban.

Sgt. Lindsay was born in Cortez in 1985. The grandson of World War II veteran Richard Lindsay and World War II veteran Warren Waldorf, he was no stranger to service. He followed his grandfather's footsteps when he enlisted into the Army in 2004, ultimately getting selected into the elite 10th Special Forces Group. This prestigious fighting group deploys to some of the world's most heated combat zones and Sgt. Lindsay bravely deployed with them seven times including five tours in Iraq, one in Tajikistan and this final deployment to Afghanistan.

As a highly decorated combat veteran, Sgt. Lindsay had an expansive list of military awards and decorations to include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Unit Awards, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Chilean Airborne Wings, and the Senior Instructor Badge. Sgt. Lindsay's record is a testament to his commitment of putting country before self, as he did in the Army for nearly 15 years.

I stand before the House of Representatives with a heavy heart thinking about his family and their great loss, especially his wife Sarah, his four daughters and his parents Grant and Tammy. I join the town of Cortez, his brothers and sisters in arms, and the entire nation in mourning his untimely death. I have gotten to know Sgt. Lindsay's family over the years and his loss will be felt by many in our small community.

Madam Speaker, Sgt. Lindsay's death is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our men and women in the military endure. Sgt. Lindsay was a true American hero from one of the most rural areas in Colorado who died protecting his men and the country he loved. He dedicated his life to selflessly protect our great nation and we are all proud of him. His loss is tragic, but his legacy will be remembered for generations to come, and the world is a better place because of him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Shawn Shelton of Pueblo, Colorado, who recently retired from the Pueblo Fire Department.

Shawn was born in 1962 in Quantico, Virginia to Doyle and Elizabeth Shelton. His father's service in the Marine Corps and the Air Force led to their family moving to various posts until they eventually settled in Pueblo in 1975. He married Mary Beth Erjavec in 1983 and they have two sons, Timothy and Joshua. Working odd-jobs as a ranch hand and a mechanic, Shawn found his career path in his early 20's after a friend's recommendation and never looked back. Shawn selflessly helped countless families in the Pueblo community by serving as a firefighter for over 30 years.

After three years on the job, Shawn was promoted as a medic, and a year later received another promotion to fire engineer. He continued to advance in the department when he was promoted again to captain and then to assistant fire chief in 2015. Shawn's dedication to faithfully serve his community and his leadership as a team member ultimately led to him becoming the chief of the Pueblo Fire Department, a position he held for the last three years of his career.

Firefighters are called to assist in some of the direst situations, yet their actions can be remembered for the lifetimes of the people they help. On one such occasion, while standing in line at a grocery store, Shawn was recognized by a woman whose baby he helped deliver nine years earlier. It's moments like that Shawn says he will miss the most.

Madam Speaker, I stand with the Pueblo Fire Department and the entire community of Pueblo in thanking Shawn for his service over the last three decades. I wish him a happy retirement and hope that he knows just how thankful we are for his remarkable career.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional journalist of the Valley Courier, Ruth Heide in Alamosa, Colorado.

Ruth recently retired after dedicating an impressive 35 years to the news business. Ruth has chronicled the events of the San Luis Valley since 1983 and has since become one of the most highly regarded, significant and respected journalists in Colorado. Her career began with the Del Norte Prospector and after a couple years, she joined the Valley Courier as a staff reporter in December 1985. She worked herself up to an editor in mid-2008, where she has spent the last 11 years at the helm of the paper.

Ruth's success as a journalist derives from her deep understanding of the many issues impacting the San Luis Valley. During her career, Ruth took deep dives into local affairs covering stories spanning from crime, food borne disease outbreaks, and major wildfires in the area. Ruth always ensured that her stories were told objectively and completely. I especially appreciated her diligent coverage of water issues affecting the San Luis Valley where I was reassured by her commitment to getting the details right. The Courier is the go-to news source for many in the San Luis Valley because of Ruth's leadership, commitment to the truth and high standards. She continued to serve the community through many changes in the print news industry allowing the Courier to thrive while other publications have not weathered so well.

Ruth's commitment to the highest journalistic standards have received high praise from her colleagues who noted that her love for the news was second only to her love and devotion for her community, faith, and family. Ruth has spent her life in service to others, she is a well- respected member of the Alamosa community and the Valley Courier and her legacy in this region is significant. Her reputation as a reliable resource for the community was not limited to the San Luis Valley. She garnered statewide recognition recently when Colorado established March 30th as Ruth Heide Day.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Ruth Heide here today and on behalf of the people of the San Luis Valley, Colorado's Third District, and the entire state, I want to thank her for all of her years of journalistic excellence. I wish Ruth the very best as she begins her next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2030, the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act.

Following a historic two-decade long drought in the Southwest, I am glad to see an effective strategy produced after years of collaboration between the seven States involved and the Federal Government.

Demand for water has drastically increased over the years due to population growth, but prolonged drought has diminished water supplies. As the location of the headwaters for the river that supplies roughly 40 million people, Colorado plays an especially crucial role in the management of our most precious resource.

This past winter brought much-needed snowpack to the region, but there is no certainty that this trend will continue in the coming years. It is important to have a contingency plan in place.

Ensuring the Colorado River can meet the demands of all water users who rely on it is a shared responsibility among all of the upper and lower

basin States. The drought contingency plan agreed to by the basin States will ensure continued hydropower operations and compact compliance.

Now each State must work to develop a plan for meeting the obligations of the DCP. Within the State of Colorado, it will be critical that all of the stakeholders come together to shoulder the burden of a voluntary demand management program. The western slope cannot carry the entire load, nor can the front range.

I would like to thank the local and State governments who have worked on the DCP, and my colleagues in the House and the Senate for recognizing the urgency of this issue. I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 2030, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major Sean M. Donohue of the United States Army for his extraordinary dedication to duty and service to the U.S. House of Representatives and our Nation. Major Donohue will soon transition from his current assignment as an Army Congressional Liaison in the U.S. House of Representatives to serve as the Command Surgeon for the Center for Initial Military Training at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. This unit is the largest charged with training all initial entry Soldiers in the Army.

A native of Tacoma, WA, Major Donohue began his military career after graduating from the University of Puget Sound, enlisting after the 9/11 attacks as a medic in 2002. He was commissioned in 2009, completed his clinical training as a Physician Assistant at Fort Carson in Colorado and promptly deployed to Afghanistan as a Battalion Surgeon with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. Since then, Major Donohue has served in numerous leadership and staff positions around the world. His wife, Lexey, is a dedicated military spouse and they have three handsome boys: William, Jack and Maximus.

In 2017, Army Medicine selected Major Donohue to serve as Legislative Liaison in the Army House Liaison Office. In his role as a legislative liaison, Major Donohue served as the primary liaison between Members of the 115th and 116th Congresses, their Staff, Legislative Committees, and the U.S. Army. In this role, he planned, coordinated, and accompanied Congressional and Staff Delegations on numerous worldwide fact-finding and investigative missions. Major Donohue built the relationships and trust needed to increase the trust and confidence the U.S. Congress has in the U.S. Army.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service of Major Donohue and his family as they continue to serve our great Nation in the next chapter of his remarkable career.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pueblo East High School Eagles wrestling team for its first ever 4A State Championship win.

The Eagles finished first at the Colorado State Wrestling Tournament in Denver, Colorado, with 200 points. Pueblo County was runner-up with 181.5 points, while Centennial was in the top five with 76.5 points.

The Eagles performed well as a team, with every single wrestler scoring at least one point during the tournament. The team had three overall state champions, including Andy Garcia, Dominic Robles, and Zion Freeman. All three of these young men won their weight classifications.

Andy Garcia accomplished a first for the team, earning a 4-3 decision over his opponent and becoming the team's first three-time champion, despite having an injured knee on competition day. Dominic Robles had a phenomenal performance, getting a pin at 1 minute and 36 seconds in the first period against an opponent from Canon City. Zion Freeman was the first Eagles wrestler to win a title at the tournament, ultimately scoring a perfect 38-0 record for the season.

Madam Speaker, we are proud to have these incredible students representing Pueblo and the people of the Third Congressional District. They have proven themselves to be individuals with sportsmanship, tenacity, and perseverance. I offer them my sincere congratulations and I wish them luck in their future endeavors. I am eager to see what they will accomplish going forward.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Illinois for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Energy's Cheney Disposal Cell in Mesa County, Colorado, is a critical component of the DOE legacy management mission to protect public health and the environment.

The cell receives radioactive waste materials that were produced decades ago during the uranium milling process. The waste materials continue to be uncovered during road construction, bridge replacement, home foundation excavation, and other construction activities in several towns in western Colorado. Once the waste materials are discovered, they must be properly disposed of at the Cheney Disposal Cell.

The authorization for the Cheney Disposal Cell expires at the end of 2023, or when the site is filled to capacity. Currently, the remaining capacity in the cell is approximately 234,000 cubic yards, therefore, an extended authorization is required. H.R. 347 would extend the authorization until 2031.

As my colleague from Illinois noted, we passed this legislation in the last Congress, but this bill is now coming up at a critically important time. According to the Department of Energy, if the disposal cell is not reauthorized this year, DOE will have to take steps to begin to decommission the site. This means no more materials will be accepted in 2019 and we will lose a critical component of the DOE's legacy management program.

I thank my colleague from Colorado, Ms. Diana DeGette, for her support on this bill, and for her leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee for recognizing the need to bring this bill up now.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 347.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nick Gray of Olathe, Colorado, a World War II veteran of Pearl Harbor and Guadalcanal Campaign who recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

Nick is the grandson of Judge John Gray, who took up a homestead in the Shavano Valley in 1884, became Mayor of Montrose, and received local acclaim for working to get the Gunnison Tunnel built during his time as a District Judge. Judge Gray's son, Joe Gray, was Nick's father. Nick grew up on the family ranch his grandfather built with his mother Addie Hobson, his father, and the rest of his siblings .

In 1940, Nick left his family's ranch and volunteered to serve in the Army. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor with the 25th Infantry Division when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. While overseas he built roads and bridges on Guadalcanal in the South Pacific and managed a crew of 25 natives who had been bombed out by Japanese forces. After his service was complete, he used his military education to build his ranching operation back home in Colorado and ultimately created the Nick Gray Construction Company.

As a small business owner, he built more than 3,000 miles of power line rights-of-way and roads across three states. In 1963, Nick cleared 220 miles for power line structure sites, building sub-station sites and roads from Wyoming to New Mexico. Another one of Nick's major accomplishments was building the Purgatory Ski Area near Durango, Colorado. Nick built the parking lot, ski course, and by-pass road all the way to Hermosa Park. During the 129-day project, he blasted nearly 40,000 yards of rock.

Nick married his wife Margaret in June 1946, and they had a son, Stephen Gray. Nick and Margaret have two granddaughters, Nicole Lumsden and Lezlee Cox, and six great-grandchildren, Keith Lumsden, Stephen Lumsden, Sarah Lumsden, Talli Lumsden, Caralea Cox, and Kendyl Cox.

Madam Speaker, Nick's service to his country, enduring work-ethic, and love of family will continue to have an impact on the Olathe community for years to come. It is my privilege to acknowledge him here today, and express heartfelt gratitude for the important work he has done throughout his life. I wish him all the best in his future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Coal Ridge Titans' co-ed cheer team for winning the 3A Cheer Spirit state championship in Denver. Their All-Girls team also placed second in the All-Girls category.

In total, the Titan's co-ed team scored 78.05 points over the opposing Strasburg, which scored 71.12 points. Bayfield placed third and Alamosa placed fourth in the state championship spirit competition. The Titan's success is a testament to their strength, teamwork, and dedication. Team members included: Kyla Boyd, Andrea Jurado, Pilar Pagni, Kalicia MacGregor, Haven Prodzinski, Cipriana Dacuma, Paige Stecklein, Christian Vasquez, Hartleigh Porter, Madison Balizan, Tana Couey, Tori Byers, Brayden Kammers, Nathan Tomasello, Nicole Elliott, Lacey Peterson, Annikya Wight.

Alongside the co-ed team, the All-Girls Coal Ridge cheer team placed second overall in the state with an overall score of 68.02. Only four of the 19 girls on the team had formal cheer experience, which made their win especially significant. Their endless work-ethic and ability to overcome adversity, which culminated in their ultimate success, should make them proud. For many of the team's players, this win is the achievement of a goal they have worked towards for years. I commend their coaches and each member of the team for their sportsmanship and competitive spirit. Team members included: Olivia Oldham, Litzy Martinez, Litzy Rivera, Morgan Bilodeay, Jinessa Hayden, Valerie Capraro, Samantha Sarmiento, Samantha Copeland, Leila Green, Natalie Smyth, Aurie Madrid, Savannah Madrid, Denisse Ortega, Odalys Quezada, Brynlee Elswick, Phoebe Young, Cara Groves, Rhaya Carmichael, Sydney Stanley.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to have these incredible students call the Third Congressional District in Western Colorado home, and I offer my sincere congratulations. I wish them luck in their future endeavors, and I am eager to see what they will accomplish going forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize William Gordon Pearce, a Coloradoan, veteran, father, grandfather and great- grandfather who recently passed away.

Mr. Pearce was born in Kokomo, Indiana and later joined the U.S. Navy. As a member of the U.S. Navy, Mr. Pearce served this country for nearly three decades, bravely defending American freedoms during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. After his military service, he sailed for 20 years as a civilian as a Radio Electronics Officer in the U.S. Merchant Marines. Throughout all his years of serving his country, he had the opportunity to visit over five continents and 70 countries. One of his favorite pastimes was sharing old stories of his travels with family and friends.

Not only did Mr. Pearce have a fulfilling professional life, but a rich personal life. He is survived by his loving wife Ruth Anne, who he was married to for 49 years. He also left behind his son Jeff Pearce, daughter Julie Powell, brother-in-law John Lamb, grandchildren Scott Pearce, Elizabeth Atwood, Christopher Powell, and great-granddaughter Abigail Atwood. Of all his accomplishments, he enjoyed being around the ones he loved the most.

When he was not working, he spent his time within his beloved community. His love of airplanes persisted throughout his entire life, evident by his membership to the Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society and the 22 years he spent volunteering at the local aircraft museum. He was also an avid amateur radio operator, member of the American Radio Relay League, and the local Ham Club. He was a member of numerous veteran's organizations including the Navy League, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Retired Enlisted Association. Mr. Pearce also participated in organizations such as Elks Lodge No. 90, Masonic Lodge No. 95, Al Kaly Shrine, and the Southern Colorado Consistory.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Pearce's dedication and love of family will long be remembered. It is my privilege to acknowledge him here today, and express heartfelt gratitude for his dutiful service to his community and this nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mike Jones, a Durango paramedic and firefighter, who recently passed away after 40 years of service to his community.

Mike's life of service began at Mercy Hospital where he started working as an orderly. A few years into his career, he became a paramedic with the ambulance service. In 1973, he became a volunteer firefighter for the Animas Fire Protection District and he went on to serve as the Interim Fire Chief for the district. Later on in his career, he was employed with the Durango Fire and Rescue Authority as well as the Durango Fire Protection District.

Mike was known by many for his compassion and empathy, often cooking dinner for the families of patients who had passed away. Mike's many good qualities were what compelled Durango Fire Deputy Chief Randy Black to have all new hires work with Mike. He wanted them to learn how to properly care for the sick and injured from the best of the best, and Mike was the best.

It was not just his work ethic and service to his community that set him apart, he will be remembered for his humor as well. In the early 1990s, he drove a fire truck across a bridge on the way to a fire after being assured that it could hold the weight of the truck. Unfortunately, the bridge collapsed, and the truck got stuck. As his truck was being pulled out, a photographer with a local news outlet snapped a picture of Mike grinning from ear to ear in front of the truck. For all who worked with and around him, it was an expression Mike frequently wore and perfectly encapsulated his positive outlook and light-hearted nature.

Mr. Speaker, Mike's impact on the Durango community will never be forgotten and it is my privilege to acknowledge his achievements and generosity here today. We were fortunate to have such an upstanding individual call the Third Congressional District home. On behalf of everyone in the Durango community, I would like to thank Mike for his service and honor the admirable life he lived.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of two pieces of legislation. First, H.R. 6216 will designate the United States Postal Service facility in Montrose, Colorado, after Sergeant David Kinterknecht, who was killed in the line of duty on July 25, 2009.

Sergeant Kinterknecht was born and raised in Montrose, Colorado, and graduated from Mesa State College and Delta Montrose Technical College. His career in law enforcement began in the 1980s, and throughout his career, he served in the Telluride Marshal's Office, San Miguel County Sheriff's Office, and the Montrose County Sheriff's Office.

The second bill, H.R. 6217, will designate the Postal Service facility in Grand Junction, Colorado, in the Third Congressional District after Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer, who was killed in the line of duty in 2016. Deputy Sheriff Geer went to school in Grand Junction and eventually raised his family there. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, and after his Navy service, he went into the Mesa County Sheriff's Office for 15 years.

Both Sergeant Kinterknecht and Deputy Sheriff Geer were respected law enforcement officers dedicated to public service and family men. Their deaths were mourned by people throughout the Third District and the State of Colorado. Passage of H.R. 6216 and H.R. 6217 will help preserve and honor the memories of these police officers in their communities.