Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Navy Intelligence Specialist Seaman Anthony T. Schmalz, who serves our country with great honor and pride. Seaman Schmalz has been awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal for his meritorious achievements during Operation Odyssey Dawn.

Seaman Schmalz served as a United States Africa Command Targets Branch analyst from February to April of 2011, providing in-depth analysis of Libyan targets. During this time he provided over 25 percent of the electronic target folders written by the United States Africa Command and expertly managed the classification, downgrading, and dissemination of over 248 targets.

Additionally, as a Remote Terminal Security Officer, Seaman Schmalz managed new accounts for 15 temporarily assigned duty personnel, allowing them to provide immediate support for the mission.

Seaman Schmalz graduated from Montrose High School in Montrose, Colorado, in 2009 before enlisting in the United States Navy. For his critical contributions to the success of Operation Odyssey Dawn, he has been presented with the Joint Service Achievement Medal and is an example to the citizens of Colorado and to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Intelligence Specialist Seaman Anthony T. Schmalz. His courage and selfless efforts on behalf of our country are worthy of our highest respect.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine Corps Veteran Dr. Manert Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy was a professor at Adams State College and CU Boulder, where he taught Genetics and Biology until retiring in 1995.

Dr. Kennedy is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. His career in education and in the military afforded him the opportunity to conduct research in over 48 different countries, including making 27 separate trips to Korea where he first visited while serving in the Marines in 1951.

Dr. Kennedy reflected upon his time in the military, including his participation in the battle of Chosin Reservoir, stating that it ``defined [him] as the person [he is] today.''

After his service, Dr. Kennedy attended Butler University where he played football, earned his bachelor's degree, and started a family.

Dr. Kennedy is a shining example of the honor and devotion that so many of our uniformed servicemen and women exemplify.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Dr. Manert Kennedy. His love for his country and sense of duty and responsibility is something we should all strive to replicate.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, generations of Americans from now will stand in judgment of the choices that we make today.

In my district, as I've traveled and visited with people, from the farm and ranch community to small business owners to families around their kitchen tables, the message is clear: They're frustrated that Washington does not live under the same rules that they do.

Those families gather each night to be able to balance their budget. Small businesses do it every day. Forty-nine of our 50 States balance their budget. And the question is always raised: Why doesn't Washington live under the same rules?

We look at our European counterparts right now, Greece, Italy, struggling under their crushing debt. Will we follow that same path or will we pick a better way?

Mr. Speaker, the time has come, the day has arrived, and the hour is now. We have an opportunity to stand up for the American people. The one thing that we can all understand as we debate the different sides of this issue is one important point that is not debatable--$15 trillion in debt.

Our children, our grandchildren, those of us today, we need to be standing up for responsibility. This Congress, at this time, has that opportunity. The choice we make here today does not end the debate. We return to our States, to the people who sent us here to make that final choice. I think the answer will be clear.

The time has come for this Congress to embrace a balanced budget, to stand up and do what every American does every day. We need to pass this bill, and we need to pass it now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Conejos County, Colorado for its 150th Birthday. On November 1, 1861, the Colorado legislature created 17 founding counties, of which Conejos was one. At the time, Conejos was named Guadalupe County, but its name was changed shortly thereafter.

The area that is now Conejos County was originally settled in the 1850's, primarily by Spanish speaking immigrants from New Mexico. The first village settled was the town of Conejos where Our Lady of Guadalupe, the first church to be built in Colorado, was constructed. This area, still part of the New Mexico territory, would not become part of Colorado for another 10 years.

After the county was officially established in 1861, it incorporated most of the southwestern portion of Colorado until it was broken apart and redistributed in 1874. It was at this time that Hinsdale, La Plata and Rio Grande Counties were established.

Today, Conejos County is one of the primary locations for agriculture in Colorado, with agribusiness comprising twenty-five percent of Conejos County employment. Agriculture not only drives Conejos County's economy, but it also contributes to the rich culture and heritage of the community.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Conejos County for its 150th Birthday. The county's history and culture have contributed greatly to the rich heritage of the state of Colorado.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

We talk about unemployment in this country--over 8 percent, 9.1 percent nationally.

Let me tell you the story in my district in Colorado, the two largest communities: 10.7 percent unemployment in Pueblo, Colorado; 10.5 percent in Grand Junction, Colorado. I have 29 counties in Colorado. We have one county that has higher than 17 percent unemployment.

There's a lot of discussion on this floor in Washington, DC, about jobs and the economy, and it's well placed. We talked about businesses. But what we often forget to remember is that these businesses are made up of moms and dads, grandparents, people with hopes, with dreams for a better future. These are the employers, the people who make America work, working together in business.

Let me tell you a story about a man named Jim Bartmus in Pueblo, Colorado. Just about a month ago, Mr. Bartmus, who was a contractor, was faced with a real dilemma. Just a few years ago he qualified under the President's definition as wealthy. A small contractor. That wealth he reinvested back into his business to try and grow it, to try and create more jobs in this country.

Mr. Bartmus made that investment. He paid down his line of credit to zero. When he went to the bank to re-up that line of credit to be able to keep that business going, to keep his 24 core employees at work, he discovered that, because of regulations, because of Dodd-Frank, that he couldn't get that line of credit re-upped once again. As a result, Mr. Bartmus lined up his equipment and auctioned it off.

When you talk to a grizzled contractor, and you hear his voice crack as he has to describe how he laid off 24 people that we call employees--and he called family, you know this hits America at home.

As I travel throughout my district, as I know my colleagues travel throughout the rest of the country, we hear the same lament from small business, from the number 1 job creators in this country. They're overregulated. They're worried about that pile of regulations that we see dropped upon the desk on a weekly basis. Being able to have access to capital. What is that tax rate going to actually be?

What is the President's health care plan actually going to cost? Those are the questions that they raise and why they are afraid to invest. If we will unleash American entrepreneuralism once again, if we will create that certainty for Americans to do what we do better than any people on the face of the Earth--that's to create, to innovate, to build--we can get this American economy moving.

My colleague from Colorado and I have discussed oftentimes there's something very unique about being an American. The very blood that courses through our veins is infused with something that people from around the world simply can't understand. We don't look for government to be the answer; we don't look for a government program. We want the freedom and the ability to be able to build our own future.

Government should not be a stumbling block to that success, but a stepping stone. And in this case, it means the government should get out of American businesses' way, the American employees' way, and let us do what we do best: get America back to work.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to rise in commendation of Sgt. Robert B. Cowdrey who served our country with great honor and pride. Sgt. Cowdrey gave his life for our country on October 13, while attempting a helicopter rescue of his fellow soldiers under fire.

Sgt. Cowdrey was raised in La Junta, Colorado. He graduated from La Junta High School in 1990. He was a devoted outdoorsman, who enjoyed bow hunting. Cowdrey enlisted in the Army in 2003 and was serving his third tour of duty in Afghanistan at the time of his death. Sgt. Cowdrey's duties included flying into active combat zones to deliver medical assistance and rescue troops while under fire. He was highly decorated for his heroic service, earning the Bronze Star and two army commendations for valor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sgt. Cowdrey, a selfless American hero whose bravery and sacrifice are examples of what makes this country great. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, their three sons, Justin, Jacob and Nathan, and the entire Cowdrey family.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to rise in commendation of Sergeant Robert B. Cowdrey, who served our country with great honor and pride. Sergeant Cowdrey gave his life for our country on October 13 while attempting a helicopter rescue of his fellow soldiers under fire.

Sergeant Cowdrey was raised in La Junta, Colorado. He graduated from La Junta High School in 1990. He was a devoted outdoorsman and family man who enjoyed bow hunting. Cowdrey enlisted in the Army in 2003 and was serving his third tour of duty in Afghanistan at the time of his death. Sergeant Cowdrey's duties included flying into active combat zones to deliver medical assistance and rescue troops while under fire. He was highly decorated for his heroic service, earning the Bronze Star and two Army commendations for valor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sergeant Cowdrey, a selfless American hero whose bravery and sacrifice for our country are examples of what makes this country great. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, and their three sons, Justin, Jacob, and Nathan, and the entire Cowdrey family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Jack House. Chief House was the last hereditary chief of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (Weeminuche Band), and the first to lead through the transition from life in the mountains and plains to life on the reservation.

Chief House was born in Mancos Canyon in 1889 on the reservation designated as home for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. He had the traditional long braids, carried himself tall, and photographs of him captured the proud, determined attitude that was evidenced in his lifelong struggles for the cause of his people. He was instrumental in the establishment of the tribal council, the formation of the Ute Mountain Tribal Office and the blueprints for the tribal constitution.

In his fight for the rights of his people, Chief Jack House brought suit against the U.S. Government over the San Juan Mining District, for which the Indians had been paid 13 cents per acre in 1873. Fearing the killing of livestock and the fencing of the reservation, he fought the building of roads through the reservation as well as advocated for water and hunting rights.

He travelled many times to Washington, D.C. and in his more than 30 years of leadership, Chief Jack House worked to secure essential water rights, lobbied for the tribe's causes, and fought for the right of self-determination for his people. When Chief Jack House died in 1971, nearly a thousand people, both whites and Indians, paid their respects and homage to his inspired leadership.

After his death, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe completed both the Dolores Water Project and Animas La Plata Water Project which accomplished his dream that his community would someday see running water in their homes.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Chief Jack House. In the words of the recent passed tribal leader and grandson of Chief Jack House, Ernest House, Sr., ``He laid the foundation for the tribe and created the path followed today.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Catherine Fox, a science teacher at Mancos High School in Mancos, Colorado. Ms. Fox was chosen to participate in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Teachers at Sea Program for 2011.

Ms. Fox was accepted into the program along with 32 other teachers out of a pool of over 250 applicants. The Teachers At Sea Program was established in 1990 and since then has given over 500 teachers from across the country the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with science at sea. Ms. Fox spent 18 days at sea aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson in the Gulf of Alaska where she aided scientists in the conducting of walleye pollock surveys.

Through this program, Ms. Fox was able to bring home experience and knowledge that she could pass along to her science students. Ms. Fox was quoted in an associated press release saying, ``Students in Mancos are far from the ocean, but this experience has allowed me to bring the ocean to them.''

The Teachers at Sea Program has allowed educators like Ms. Catherine Fox to grow their curricula and provide more hands-on knowledge for their students.

Mr. Speaker, it is my sincerest pleasure to recognize Ms. Catherine Fox. Her dedication to her profession has helped improve our educational system and ensure that our students are receiving the best education available to them. I rise today to thank Ms. Fox for her commitment to learning and congratulate her on her acceptance into the 2011 Teachers at Sea Program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Leroux Ranch of Radium, Colorado. Leroux Ranch was settled in 1905 by cowboy and miner Owen F. Leroux at the suggestion of John Winslow, Owen's future father- in-law.

Owen married Ida Winslow, settled down, and started a family. The Leroux estate thrived for many years and after Owen's death, his family began purchasing land from homesteaders and the farm operated as Leroux Cattle Company. In 1973, part of the farm was sold off, but the original homestead remained.

In 2008, the final interest in the farm was purchased by descendants of Owen and Ida Leroux and today raises Angus and Hereford cattle. The Division of Wildlife has placed a conservation easement on the property in an attempt to establish a habitat for big game.

The Leroux Farm is another fine example of the rich agricultural heritage of the State of Colorado. The Centennial Farms Program is honoring the Leroux Farm for its longevity and long-time cultural value. It is truly a pleasure to represent a district of a state with such a fantastic display of entrepreneurial spirit.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Leroux Farm today on the floor of the House. The farm is truly a valuable historic and cultural asset of the State of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the McLain Ranch of Parlin, Colorado. McLain Ranch was settled by John Jay McLain and his wife Olive Colter in 1908. John Jay settled in Cripple Creek in the late 1800's. A teamster at the time, John mined and conserved his money with the ultimate aspiration to become a rancher.

In the early 1900s, John and his wife moved to Ohio City where he was Superintendent of the Raymond mine. In his free time and as part of his money-saving practices, John panned gold out of the nearby creek.

Finally, in 1908, John had saved enough money to purchase his ranch in Gunnison County. He and his wife saw many years of healthy crops, raising oats, potatoes, horses, chickens, hogs, sheep, and cattle. The couple also raised five children, one of which, Jack, would take over the farm with his wife Louise in 1952. In 1988, Jack and Louise's son David purchased the farm and ever since, he and his wife Ladonna have continued to raise cattle as well as grass pasture and hay.

The McLain Ranch is one of several farms in Colorado that have contributed greatly to our agricultural success over the past century. The Centennial Farms Program is honoring the McLain Ranch, along with seventeen other farms, for its great role in making the State of Colorado the agricultural powerhouse it is today.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the McLain Ranch today on the floor of the House. The ranch is a symbol of the entrepreneurial spirit our Nation has so long enjoyed and exemplified.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Valentine Ranch of Aguilar, Colorado. The ranch was founded in 1908 by Italian immigrant Giovanni Leopoldo Valentini. Valentini was born in Austria in 1869 and immigrated to the United States in 1887, acquiring work at the Engleville Mine in Colorado. Soon thereafter, he changed his name to John Lee Valentine. He married Rachale Conter and the couple had six children.

Over the years, John worked many unique jobs, including being a baker and a saloon keeper. In 1907, he purchased a ranch in Los Animas County. John and his wife lived happily the rest of their lives at the ranch. After John's passing in 1947 and Rachale's in 1950, Gus and June Valentine inherited the ranch and also raised children of their own.

Gus passed away in 1987, but June still resides at the ranch with her son Dan and his wife Sandi. The family continues to enjoy sustained success with their crops and cattle. The Centennial Farms Program has chosen the Valentine Ranch as one of this year's honorees.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the Valentine Ranch today on the floor of the House. The ranch is a symbol of the entrepreneurial spirit our Nation has so long enjoyed and exemplified.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Walker Family Ranch of Westcliffe, Colorado. George Walker purchased a 240-acre piece of property in Custer Country and along with his wife and daughter, began a ranching company.

George's daughter Hazel soon married Willard Walker and in 1939, George passed the farm property onto his daughter and son-in-law. The couple continued the Walker ranching practice and expanded the property to 882 acres. The ranch functioned year-round as a cattle ranch.

After Willard Walker's passing in 1968, Hazel and her family maintained the ranch and in 1971, formed the W.A.W. Cattle Ranch, Inc. Today, the W.A.W. is an active cattle ranch in the Wet Mountain Valley area.

The Walker Family Ranch has been chosen by the Centennial Farms Program as one of its eighteen 2011 honorees. The program honors farms that have long contributed to the agricultural success and foundation of the State of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the Walker Family Ranch. The ranch is a valuable cultural and historic asset to Colorado and our state is truly blessed to have such a vibrant presence of American entrepreneurial spirit.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Elliott Farms, LLC of Monte Vista, Colorado. In 1907, the Sanderson family of Hamilton, Missouri moved west and settled in Monte Vista. In 1908, the family acquired a 160-acre farm.

The property was passed down through the generations that followed and grew in size. The farm saw many years of fruitful potato crops that brought the family and the valley a great deal of prosperity. Today, the farm is operated in four sections and still makes use of the 1916 house and 1930s garage and barn.

Elliott Farms, LLC was recognized by the Colorado Historical Society at the 139th Colorado State Fair. Elliott Farms, LLC is one of eighteen farms honored by the Centennial Farms Program for its rich history, tradition, and contributions to the State of Colorado over the past century.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Elliott Farms LLC. Its agricultural contributions to the State of Colorado, as well as its valuable historical and cultural traditions, have helped make Colorado a leader in agricultural production.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ron Allerd, a Colorado businessman who transformed Telluride, Colorado into one of the nation's most treasured, world-class ski resorts. Because of his vision and determination, Mr. Allerd will officially be inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame on November 2, 2011.

Mr. Allerd first envisioned what the town of Telluride could become after skiing with Telluride native, Johnnie Stevens. In 1978, Mr. Allred and his business partner, Jim Wells, purchased the Telluride Ski Company, a small company that operated only a few lifts and one day resort.

Their vision slowly became a reality in the community, but on more than one occasion its existence was threatened. After tireless effort and determination, Mr. Allred worked with various stakeholders and the community to bring amenities to the area, such as an airport, a golf course and a gondola transportation system.

Today, Telluride is an all-season resort that offers unique character to a once dying mining town. Networks of lifts now cover Telluride and its adjoining town, Mountain Village, bringing tourists from around the world to visit this vibrant and active Colorado community.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Ron Allerd. His legacy and vision is one that will affect Coloradans and Americans for many years to come.