Yadira Caraveo

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rhonda Solis, a distinguished member of the Colorado State Board of Education, who has served her community with passion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to improving educational opportunities for all students. As she concludes her tenure on the Board, I want to recognize her accomplishments, advocacy, and tireless dedication to our schools, our students, and our educators in Colorado.

Rhonda Solis has been a leader and a visionary on the Colorado State Board of Education. Representing her community with steadfast dedication, she has worked to ensure that every child has access to a quality education. Through her commitment to equity, inclusion, and academic excellence, Ms. Solis has advanced policies that have shaped our educational landscape and improved outcomes for students across the state.

Ms. Solis has been a fierce advocate for underrepresented communities, promoting programs and resources that uplift students of all backgrounds. She has championed initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by English Language Learners and low-income students, striving to create an education system that serves all children fairly. Her voice on the Board has consistently reflected her deep belief that every student deserves a chance to succeed, no matter their zip code or background.

In addition to her role on the Board, Ms. Solis has been active in her local community, inspiring and mentoring countless students, parents, and educators. Her work has extended beyond policy, touching lives and fostering an environment of compassion, respect, and understanding. She has earned the gratitude of those she serves, and her legacy will be felt for years to come.

As we celebrate Ms. Solis' dedication and contributions, I want to express my deepest gratitude for her service to Colorado. She has set a standard of excellence and integrity in public service, and her work has left an indelible mark on our state. On behalf of the people of Colorado's 8th Congressional District, I thank Rhonda Solis for her years of service, her passion for education, and her commitment to a brighter future for all our children.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the remarkable career and contributions of Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson, who will deliver his final weather forecast this week.

With 40 years of forecasting and 25 of those dedicated to Colorado, Mike Nelson has become a familiar face and trusted voice for weather in our State, and his impact goes far beyond the screen. From his early days at Weather Central to pioneering the use of computer weather graphics, Mike has been a trailblazer in his field.

Over his career, Mike has shared his love of weather with more than 750,000 students across the State, inspiring young minds with his trademark tornado dance. Mike's decades of dedication, innovation, and community service have made Colorado a better place.

I congratulate Mike on his well-deserved retirement. Here is to clear skies and sunny days ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Nadler for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7198, the Prove It Act. I also thank my colleagues, Congressman Finstad and Congressman Moran, for working with me to run this bipartisan legislation.

Colorado has more than 600,000 small businesses owned by men and women who work hard day in and day out to provide for their families and serve our communities. Small business owners already face innumerable hurdles in pursuit of the American Dream, and burdensome regulations only add to their challenges.

The repercussions of overregulation are long lasting, impacting our economy and communities from the moment they are implemented, particularly in the Front Range and northern Colorado.

Unfortunately, the requirement for analyzing both the direct and indirect costs imposed on small businesses has often not been satisfied by various Federal agencies. That is where our bill comes in.

This bill would allow small business owners to be heard when they feel the Federal Government is imposing expensive roadblocks on them. It will shield small businesses from undue regulatory burdens and improve communication between small entities and Federal agencies.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a point to engage with local small businesses directly through a series of roundtables throughout the Front Range and northern Colorado. These discussions highlighted the most pressing issues facing these small businesses, particularly the disproportionate impact excessive regulations have on their operations.

With the already razor-thin margins under which these small businesses operate, they need more of our help to thrive. As their Representative, I believe it is my duty to give a voice in Congress to our small businesses and ensure that they have a seat at the table in the regulatory process. Their views and priorities must be taken into consideration if we hope to foster a dynamic and robust economy.

Passing the Prove It Act means we can continue to support the small businesses that are driving our economy.

Mr. Speaker, again, I thank Representatives Finstad and Moran for their work on this bipartisan legislation and for their diligent efforts to support our small businesses, and I urge my colleagues to support this effort.