Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Laura Johnson of Larkspur, Colorado. Ms. Johnson teaches English as a foreign language while attending the University of Denver and is a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award. This grant is given to promising individuals to aid them in their academic and cultural pursuits abroad.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This program was designed to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the global community. Individuals who are awarded this distinction have demonstrated outstanding academic or professional achievement and have proven themselves as leaders in their field.

Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Ms. Johnson and wishing her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Amanda Hilton of Castle Rock, Colorado. Ms. Hilton teaches English as a foreign language while attending Colby College and is a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award. This grant is given to promising individuals to aid them in their academic and cultural pursuits abroad.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This program was designed to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the global community. Individuals who are awarded this distinction have demonstrated outstanding academic or professional achievement and have proven themselves as leaders in their field.

Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Ms. Hilton and wishing her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Jane Erickson of Castle Rock, Colorado. Ms. Erickson teaches English as a foreign language while attending Hobart and William Smith Colleges and is a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award. This grant is given to promising individuals to aid them in their academic and cultural pursuits abroad.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This program was designed to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the global community. Individuals who are awarded this distinction have demonstrated outstanding academic or professional achievement and have proven themselves as leaders in their field.

Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Ms. Erickson and wishing her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. James Long of Littleton, Colorado. Mr. Long is a student of political science at the University of California, San Diego and is a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award. This grant is given to promising individuals to aid them in their academic and cultural pursuits abroad.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This program was designed to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the global community. Individuals who are awarded this distinction have demonstrated outstanding academic or professional achievement and have proven themselves as leaders in their field.

Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Mr. Long and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. Nathaniel Campbell of Bailey, Colorado. Mr. Campbell is a literature student at Boston College and is a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award. This grant is given to promising individuals to aid them in their academic and cultural pursuits abroad.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This program was designed to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the global community. Individuals who are awarded this distinction have demonstrated outstanding academic or professional achievement and have proven themselves as leaders in their field.

Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Mr. Campbell and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Cecilia Daniels of Castle Rock, Colorado. Ms. Daniels is a teacher of English as a foreign language at Highlands Ranch High School and is a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award. This grant is given to promising individuals to aid them in their academic and cultural pursuits abroad.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This program was designed to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the global community. Individuals who are awarded this distinction have demonstrated outstanding academic or professional achievement and have proven themselves as leaders in their field.

Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Ms. Daniels and wishing her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Kirsten Ambors of Parker, Colorado. Ms. Ambors is a mathematics student at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and is a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award. This grant is given to promising individuals to aid them in their academic and cultural pursuits abroad.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This program was designed to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the global community. Individuals who are awarded this distinction have demonstrated outstanding academic or professional achievement and have proven themselves as leaders in their field.

Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Ms. Ambors and wishing her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Leslie Anderson of Longmont, Colorado. Ms. Anderson is a political science student at the University of Florida and is a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award. This grant is given to promising individuals to aid them in their academic and cultural pursuits abroad.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This program was designed to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the global community. Individuals who are awarded this distinction have demonstrated outstanding academic or professional achievement and have proven themselves as leaders in their field.

Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Ms. Anderson and wishing her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. Frances Trujillo of Littleton, Colorado. Mr. Trujillo is a leadership and management administrator at Colorado Academy and is a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award. This grant is given to promising individuals to aid them in their academic and cultural pursuits abroad.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This program was designed to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the global community. Individuals who are awarded this distinction have demonstrated outstanding academic or professional achievement and have proven themselves as leaders in their field.

Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Mr. Trujillo and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to U.S. District Judge Phillip Figa, who passed away earlier this month at his home in Greenwood Village, Colorado after a struggle with cancer.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Judge Figa received his legal credentials from Cornell Law School in 1976 before becoming a highly- successful litigation lawyer and co-founding the Burns, Figa & Will P.C. law group, where he built a reputation for fairness and impartiality. He became Chair of the Colorado Bar Association Ethics Committee in 1984 and eventually President of the Association in 1995.

In 2003 President Bush appointed Judge Figa to the U.S. District Court for Colorado where he served our nation as a fair and dedicated jurist. Colorado has lost a fine public servant with the passing of Judge Figa. Our best wishes and heartfelt condolences go out to all who knew and loved him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Tammy Dodson from Colorado's 6th Congressional District for being recognized as a finalist for the American School Counselor Association's first School Counselor of the Year award.

As a former educator, I understand the constructive job counseling takes in the development of our children. The roles and responsibilities of student guidance counselors have increased over the past few decades, and so too has the quality and professionalism of their work. This month, the American School Counselor Association seeks to nationally commemorate the finest counselors our nation has

to offer. Chosen by a diverse group of educational specialists and public officials, ten individuals are to receive this year's precedent award. Ms. Dodson is one of these fine individuals!

As an additional honor, Ms. Dodson and her fellow finalist will have the chance to participate in a congressional briefing to discuss the role of school counselors in obtaining student achievement. I am certain the experiences and insights these accomplished individuals share will enable them to provide Members with unique and valuable insight into this area.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me today in celebrating the accomplishments of Ms. Dodson. She is a shining example of excellence in her field; may her achievements inspire others to be the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an outstanding steward and teacher in my district, Mr. Daniel Uyechi of Sierra Middle School in Parker. This year, Mr. Uyechi has been awarded the title and honor of a Milken National Educator for his efforts to expand the knowledge and livelihoods of his students. His efforts have undoubtedly made positive impacts among his students, helping them lay the foundations for a successful and rewarding future.

The Milken National Educator Awards are annual monetary gifts given to individual educators nationwide for their remarkable achievements both in and outside of the classroom. Chosen by an independent commission appointed by each State's department of education, these awards highlight and celebrate the successes of a handful of America's most distinguished and prominent educators. I am honored that I have the opportunity to represent one of these fine citizens.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Uyechi and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the commitment and dedication of Scott Marian of Denver, Colorado who passed away unexpectedly on October 21st, 2007. Scott was a dedicated supporter of conservative causes and candidates and dedicated his life to following a path he believed to be morally correct.

He was active in politics for more than two decades including heading up a statewide initiative and running for the Colorado Legislature. Scott's career spanned from mortgage banking to owning his own business in Colorado.

Scott's life was one of great success and great difficulties but he always found comfort in his faith, his family and his friends. His dedication to spiritual needs of himself and others led his Priest to say his was one of the most prepared souls to join the Heavenly Father.

He was a great American, often spreading the positive attributes of capitalism and the word of God in the same breath. He inspired others to find their voice and express themselves in politics and faith.

Scott leaves behind his parents Joseph and Jean Marian, as well as his brother Craig, sisters Susan, Michelle, and Cheryl and eight nieces and nephews.

Madam Speaker, today I am honored to acknowledge the achievements of Junior Achievement of Rocky Mountain Incorporated for serving Colorado's youth attending Littleton public schools. This year, Junior Achievement is being recognized by the Colorado Association of Partners in Education for its outstanding volunteerism and academic contributions in the fields of economics and finance. Their commitment has instilled a strong sense of financial prowess and capitalist spirit within the youth of their community; a valuable asset which will undoubtedly yield great benefits in the years to come.

The successful history of Junior Achievement mirrors the entrepreneurial character it strives to instill. Founded in 1919, it has grown from being an after school mentoring program to become the world's largest organization focused on educating students on the dynamics and benefits of local and global financial markets. By introducing young individuals to the values of economics, they are better prepared and responsible to establish and manage their financial and personal goals as they grow older.

In addition, all Junior Achievement programs are taught by volunteers who successfully mentor roughly 8 million individuals annually. These volunteers are comprised of a myriad of experiences and backgrounds, from business professionals to college students. They instill economic knowledge and understanding in youth and reflect the importance of service to local communities; a value which my district is distinguished to have.

Madam Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to have such a fine organization at work in my district. Please join me in congratulating Junior Achievement for their many successes.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the sacrifice of a fallen hero and NAVY SEAL from my district, Petty Officer Danny Phillip Dietz of Littleton, Colorado. Petty Officer Dietz was killed two years ago during combat operations in Afghanistan.

On June 27, 2005, Petty Officer Dietz's four-man SEAL team was inserted into Afghanistan's remote Hindu Kush Mountains. His comrades included Petty Officer Matthew Gene Axelson of Cupertino, California, Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell of Huntsville, Texas, and Lieutenant Michael Murphy of Patchogue, New York. In the heavy fighting that followed the four men, experts not only in warfare but friends and members of a close-knit team, all faced the enemy opposition with inspiring valor and determination. Together they faced incredible odds, determined not only to do their duty but to give all that they had, each in the defense of the others. Ultimately overwhelmed, only Petty Officer Luttrell survived, and then with grievous wounds, to be rescued after several days of escape and evasion during which he continued to battle the enemy.

As Navy SEALs these four men exemplify the very best of America's young men and women, many of whom continue the battle on foreign shores or serve at home to protect our homeland. As valiant warriors they serve to inspire us in understanding not only the importance of Duty, Honor, Country, but also the importance of the unity of teamwork against all odds, regardless of our differences or where we are from.

Danny Dietz is not forgotten in his home town of Littleton, Colorado. This year on Independence Day, a large bronze statue was unveiled in Littleton's Berry Park to ensure that future generations will never forget his uncommon valor and selfless sacrifice. The citation awarding him the Navy Cross notes: ``Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation and his responsibility to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz fought valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy

force. Remaining behind in a hailstorm of enemy fire, Petty Officer Dietz was wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he bravely fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a harrowing gunfight, until he was mortally wounded.''

Second only to the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross is the Navy's highest award for military heroism. Since it was established in World War I it has only been awarded 6,923 times to members of the Armed Services and to only 4,544 members of the U.S. Navy. To date, in the Global War on Terrorism, 17 Marines and 6 members of the Navy have received the Navy Cross. Three of those Navy awards went to Petty Officers Dietz, Axelson, and Luttrell.

In addition to the 3 Navy Crosses and 4 Purple Hearts awarded to the four men in a single action, Lieutenant Murphy was also posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. I hope that all Americans will take the time to reflect on the sacrifices of these brave men--and indeed all of those serving our Country around the world.