Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Sue Tuffin of Grand Junction, Colorado, for her dedication to her community. She has a unique and exceptional success story and has quickly risen through the ranks in her career in public service.

Ms. Tuffin is of exceptional character, and has shown discipline, tenacity, and savvy in her career and personal life. As a single mother, Tuffin realized she needed to go back to school to provide a better life for her son and herself--she was making 90 cents an hour to make ends meet. When she was married, she had worked in an office to put her then husband through college. Wanting to do the same, Ms. Tuffin enrolled at Southern Colorado State College to pursue a four- year degree. She finished her coursework in two. During this time, she worked four jobs to support herself and raise her young son.

Following college, Ms. Tuffin quickly received promotions at Manpower, an employment services company in Pueblo. She jumped from receptionist to counselor to supervisor. After Manpower, Tuffin worked at the Delta Department of Human Services, and eventually became director of both the Delta Health Department and Human Services Department. Ms. Tuffin spent a decade working for the State of Colorado reforming welfare. Recently, she was chosen to direct the Mesa County Workforce Center which provides employment resources and training programs.

Tuffin's own success story will surely inspire those she serves at the Workforce Center. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask this body to commend Sue Tuffin for her perseverance in her personal and professional life. We wish her the best of luck in her new position.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a new United States citizen and an outstanding contributor to America's armed forces and her community, Marta Taylor of Montrose, Colorado. Ms. Taylor and her late husband began Operation Sweet Tooth in 2003, and organization which has delivered over 140 tons of supplies to troops abroad.

Ms. Taylor moved to the United States in 1980 after spending most of her life in Poland under Soviet rule. Shortly after arriving, she met Landy Taylor and married him ten years later. The two started a family, eventually having seven boys.

Ms. Taylor has always felt strongly about supporting U.S. troops--six of her sons are U.S. veterans. In 2003, as some of the first troops were preparing for deployment to Iraq, Ms. Taylor and her husband delivered 30 pizzas and offered thanks to the men and women about to serve at war. Once the couple realized the impact their recognition had on soldier morale, the two organized Operation Sweet Tooth two months later. Marta has involved herself in the packing of nearly every box since 2003. Since her husband's passing in 2007, Marta has solely fundraised and organized for Operation Sweet Tooth. Ms. Taylor's exceptional efforts for our uniformed service members are an inspiring example of selflessness.

On December 21, 2010, Ms. Taylor received full U.S. citizenship after scoring 100 percent on her citizenship test. On January 3, 2011, Ms. Taylor attended the deployment of the Montrose National Guard as a VIP guest. For her almost decade-long efforts and continued generosity and service, Ms. Taylor deserves the commendation of this body.

Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere honor to rise and pay tribute to Mr. Bob Luna. Through his charitable efforts to bring the beauties and joys of the outdoors to our nation's veterans, Mr. Luna has been able to provide many soldiers with cherished hunting experiences and memories.

Since 2008, Bob Luna and his Colorado Hunting Expeditions, along with the National Rifle Association Foundation, have sponsored the Mark Ecker II Memorial Heroes Hunt. This annual January tradition gives the opportunity for 20 veterans to participate in a Rocky Mountain hunt. Many of the veterans are mentally or physically disabled due to injuries and experiences resulting from their bravery in combat. The chance to participate in big game pursuit means everything to these soldiers. The Memorial Heroes Hunt, which takes place in Dolores, Colorado, will be continuing with its fourth installment this January, and Mr. Luna's efforts and passion serve as an exemplary example of what one citizen can give back to our nation's soldiers.

It should also be noted that many local businesses from Montezuma County, Colorado donate food, equipment, and lodging in an effort to make sure this wonderful tradition continues.

Mr. Speaker it is my honor to recognize Mr. Bob Luna before this Congress today. The efforts of Bob Luna's actions speak volumes about his dedication to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Matt Peters of Durango, Colorado, for his efforts in co-founding Unite Our World, a non-profit charity that provides medical assistance and builds schools for impoverished children abroad.

Mr. Peters and his friend Riley King have always been entrepreneurially inclined and focused on giving back to society. After their high school graduations, both men started a few seasonal businesses to fund their travels abroad. When Mr. King had the opportunity to visit a school in Uganda in 2009, both of the young men decided to found Unite Our World. After being born into a country full of opportunity and wealth, both men felt they needed to give back to the world at large.

Unite Our World's core mission is to advocate and provide assistance for children who do not have sufficient educational resources within their own countries. Recently, the organization expanded its mission and involved itself in the battle against the AIDS epidemic in Uganda. Mr. Peters currently serves as vice president of the non-profit.

Mr. Speaker, America is lucky to have committed citizens such as Mr. Peters and Mr. King. I am proud to commend both these young men for their leadership and contribution to our world community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the life and service of Willie O. Steam, of Denver, Colorado. Patrolman Steam was killed in the line of duty in 1921 and was one of a few black police officers of his time.

Patrolman Steam, employed under the administration of Chief H.R. Williams, was a Special Policeman who worked full-time as a night watchman at City Hall. The week prior to his murder Patrolman Steam enforced an ordinance that prohibited illegal dances. Steam's

killer, Keil O'Neill, had been the offender of the ordinance and came to the dance hall where Mr. Steam was patrolling. O'Neill shot Patrolmen Steam once in the back and once in the head in retaliation. Mr. Steam never had a chance to remove his weapon from his holster, according to witness reports.

According to Chief Williams, Steam was ``one of the most dependable and efficient men connected with the police department. He occupied a place on the force that was unique and getting another man to fill in the manner which Steam did, will be hard.'' For Steam's service to his community, the City of Denver paid his funeral expenses.

Mr. Steam's sacrifice needs to be recognized and commended by this body. He was only 48 years old at the time of his death, leaving a wife behind. I rise today to offer thanks to Patrolman Steam and his family for their service to the city of Denver and the State of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Riley King of Durango, Colorado, for his efforts in co-founding Unite Our World, a non-profit charity that provides medical assistance and builds schools for impoverished children abroad.

Mr. King and his friend Matt Peters have always been entrepreneurial and focused on community involvement. Following their high school graduations, both men started a series of seasonal businesses to pay for their travel expenses abroad. In 2009, Riley King and Matt Peters founded Unite Our World after Mr. King visited a school in Uganda. These young men are intensely focused on giving back to their community. Acknowledging his own birth into privilege, Mr. King admits with pride that he has an obligation to serve those who have less.

Unite Our World's core mission is to advocate and provide assistance for children who do not have sufficient educational resources within their own countries. Recently, the organization expanded its mission and involved itself in the battle against the AIDS epidemic in Uganda. Mr. King currently serves as president of the non-profit company.

Mr. Speaker, America is lucky to have committed citizens such as Mr. King and Mr. Peters. I am proud to commend both these young men for their leadership and contribution to our world community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Charlie and Judy McNeil of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, for a lifetime of contributions to their local community and continued leadership in the non-profit sector. The couple was recently named Man and Woman of the Year by their local newspaper.

Charlie McNeil has an impressive professional career, as well as a distinguished track record in community service and leadership. Mr. McNeil is an engineer by trade, a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, and received the prestigious Distinguished Achievement Medal from his alma mater. After a career managing mines and working in corporate offices, Mr. McNeil became President and CEO

of Kaiser Steel's Mineral Resources Division. In 1996, he founded NexGen Resources. After finishing in the private sector, McNeil served on National Coal Council after receiving a nomination from the Secretary of Energy. Mr. McNeil has served as director of the Mining and Reclamation Council, National Coal Association, and the Colorado Mining Association. He also serves on the School of Mines board of governors, the Brigham Young University School of Business National Advisory Council, and is vice President of the Denver Area Boy Scouts.

Judy McNeil's career is equally impressive, carving her own path in the non-profit sector and as a leader in her church. After a brief time in the retail sector, Mrs. McNeil worked for the North Dakota Wheat Commission. When the family moved to Colorado, she served at the Denver Area Public Affairs Council for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, and has been leader in her church for the past 35 years. Ms. McNeil is a strong proponent of the arts--she served four years at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Her work in the medical field has not gone unnoticed either. The Children's Diabetes Foundation tapped Mrs. McNeil to chair their Brass Ring Luncheon in 2008, and she is now the incoming president at the Children's Diabetes Foundation Guild.

Charlie and Judy McNeil will surely continue their dedication to their community for years to come. Mr. Speaker, I feel it is fitting that this body recognizes Charlie and Judy McNeil for their lifetime of service.

Madam Speaker, the question before us is: Will we accept what is, or are we willing to commit to build what could be?

America has always been a land of self-determination. Our constitutionally guaranteed rights as individuals, as a people, as a Nation have made us flourish. Innovation, creativity, and freedom are American hallmarks.

I rise in support of H.R. 2. It does not indite intent, but it does address outcome. In fact, the deeper we dig into the health care act, the more we discover that it is stopping job creation, building more government, and placing tax burdens on American families who are already struggling. We can and must do better.

Let us commit ourselves to addressing the basic concerns we hold in common concerning health care--affordability and accessibility. Let us strive to empower our people to make their own choices about the care they receive, empower private sector solutions that will lower costs and increase the quality of care, and eliminate governmental stumbling blocks and not build bigger government.

``Done in convention by unanimous consent of the States present the 17th day of September in the year of Our Lord 1787 and of the independence of the United States of America the 12th in witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.''