Cory Gardner

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues today have already pointed out, the President made this promise to the American people: If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period. I have in my hand a letter sent to my office from Noel, from Akron, Colorado, in my district. This is, in part, what it says: I am a 37-year-old automotive mechanic in the family business, volunteer firefighter, devout Catholic. My wife, Heather, is a 33-year-old third grade teacher. Our daughter is 2 years old, our son is 1 year old, and our third child is due in March. I recently received a letter from Rocky Mountain Health Plan stating that my existing policy is canceled as of January 1, 2014, due to mandated government policies. 250,000 Coloradans have lost their insurance. That is more people than have now signed up across this country, nationwide, for ObamaCare. Noel, you are not alone. I join you because I too lost my health insurance when I chose to opt out of the congressional coverage, one of the 250,000 people that lost our coverage. And it is time for this President to uphold his promise to the American people.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jack Annan, Executive Director of Northeastern Junior College Alumni Association, in Sterling, Colorado. Jack was recently named ``Alumni of the Plains'', an award given by a non-partisan advocacy group in Northeast Colorado called Progressive 15 to individuals who have excelled in their profession and given back to Northeastern Colorado. A lifelong Coloradoan, Jack graduated from College High School in Greeley and received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from Colorado State University. Jack has invested his life in education and youth development. He began his educational career teaching agriculture in New Raymer and Grover. In 1966, Jack joined the agriculture department at NJC as a teacher. He later became a vocational counselor and then an admissions recruiter. As an admissions recruiter, he traveled thousands of miles to recruit thousands of students on behalf of NJC. In addition to currently overseeing the Alumni Association, Jack also oversees the college's Alumni Heritage Center collecting and preserving NJC's history. A popular figure, Jack is known as ``Mr. NJC'' on campus. In 2004, a life-size bronze statue was erected in his honor. Earlier this year, he enjoyed more than two thousand people singing him Happy Birthday at the college's 70th annual commencement ceremony. In addition to his work at NJC, Jack is the Executive Secretary of the Colorado Young Farmers and directs their state-wide activities. They have recognized him for his many years of dedication and involvement. He is also an active member of the Sterling Lions Club. Throughout his lifetime, Jack has received numerous awards, including being named to the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, the Colorado Association for Career and Technical Education Hall of Fame, and the NJC Agriculture Hall of Fame. Despite regular accolades, Jack remains a modest figure. He lives with his wife, Florence, in Sterling. Please join me in congratulating Jack on his award, his successful career, and his many contributions to the State of Colorado, particularly in relation to agriculture.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lauren Hallstrom from Douglas County, Colorado. Last November, sixteen-year-old Lauren participated in Douglas County Libraries' National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and authored an entire novel in only 30 days. Miss Hallstrom's novel, Dreamweaver, tells the tale of a girl named Audrey in a place called Fortune. The novel follows Audrey's efforts to rid her town of bad luck after an unlucky penny wreaks havoc on Fortune and its citizens. This intriguing story and Lauren's outstanding efforts were recognized when Dreamweaver was announced the winner of the Douglas County Libraries' novel-writing contest last February. As part of Lauren's prize, Douglas County Libraries provided editing and cover design services for Dreamweaver, and it is now possible to find Lauren's book on both Bookcrafters.net and Amazon.com. Such literary success is truly remarkable for a sixteen-year-old. I am extremely honored to represent this talented young woman. Please join me in congratulating Lauren on the publication of her first novel. I hope we continue to see many more from her in the future.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. I thank the chairman for his leadership on issues of national infrastructure. And with that, I withdraw my amendment and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARDNER. I rise to offer the amendment.

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this amendment to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, and I express my intention to withdraw this amendment at the end of my statement. This amendment authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to designate a team to serve as the Office of Water Storage. The office is tasked with coordinating every agency involved in the approval of water storage permits, including the EPA, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of the Interior. Once initial applications are submitted to the Office of Water Storage, the office must, upon notification of the Governor, approve or deny a permit within 365 days. The amendment does not circumvent environmental laws but merely sets a time frame for an initial up-or-down decision to move forward, and the Congressional Budget Office stated that this amendment contains no direct spending. The amendment would seek to streamline the process for desperately needed water storage infrastructure, particularly in the western United States. Economic development to agriculture job creation is directly correlated to each individual State's ability to deliver and store water. We can no longer rest on our current water storage infrastructure to meet the demands of both our agricultural and municipal water needs. In Colorado alone, by the year 2050, we will need an additional 1 million acre-feet of water to meet the needs of agriculture, industry, and our growing cities. Without that water, we will see a buy-up and dry-up of agricultural land and the destruction of our economy. To approve of these projects that have been tied up for decades in permitting battles, we need to rethink the Federal Government's role in water storage and redefine the various missions that agencies at the Federal level are charged with in these permitting decisions. The Federal Government has created a litany of regulations and bureaucratic red tape that inhibit local communities and States from building new reservoirs and new water storage systems, and the result, as I said, will be a buy-up and dry-up of agricultural land if we fail to move forward with these permitting projects. The amendment puts control back in the hands of local water users, back in the hands of local governments, back in the hands of the Governor of the State, and away from the bureaucracy of Washington, D.C. I would like to continue to work on this issue with Chairman Shuster. I appreciate his leadership, and I certainly would love to continue working on this with the chairman. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic veterans of Honor Flight Northern Colorado as they travel to Washington, DC to visit the memorials that stand in our Nation's capital. The members of this 11th Honor Flight Northern Colorado trip include veterans from multiple wars and different generations, linked together by their service to our Nation. Eighteen years ago, Honor Flight began its mission to fly veterans of World War II to Washington, DC, so that each person who bravely served could experience the monuments and memorials honoring them. Having now expanded to serve veterans from every corner of the country, and conflicts beyond World War II, the Honor Flight program has become a national expression of gratitude to our veterans. Of the 118 veterans on the most recent flight, 40 served in World War II, 75 in Korea, and 3 in Vietnam. Our gratitude extends well beyond the physical memorials dedicated to those who courageously risked their lives to preserve our inherent rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We know that without the bravery of our veterans, our Nation would not be able to stand as the shining city on the hill for the world to see. Today we honor those who risked their lives to ensure that the United States remains the greatest Nation on earth for generations to come: Homer Andersen, Ernest Baugh, Norman Bever, William Compton, Alton Cooper, Arthur Cushing, Robert Davis, Harold Dawe, Jr., Richard Doyle, Robert Eldridge, Stewart Fonda, Jr., Donald Forry, Albert Gablehouse, Charles Gebauer, William Hammond, Sidney Hanks, William Hargis, Walter Hayward, Herman Huwa, Reinard Janssen, Donald Larson, Evelyn Lee, John MacQueen, Robert Martin, Isaac Martinez, George Norton, Eugene Olson, Herbert Pugh, Thomas Ramm, Eugene Replogle, William Ripple, Max Rodgers, Loyal Smoke, Glen Springer, Harold Sutton, Donald Steinshouer, Roger Van Thorre, Charles Webb, James Whitley, Lawrence Zuppan, Harry Ahlbrandt, Wallace Akers, Ronald Anderson, Joseph Annello, Filbert Baca, Gilbert Ball, Delbert Black, Keith Bordewyk, Delmar Bonser, Emilio Brito, Dorn Brunner, Charles Crihfield, Marvin Crihfield, Charles Dunfee, Sr., Thomas Eckrich, Verne Einspahr, Virtus Einspahr, Theodore Farwell, Edwin Foss, Robert Frank, Loren Garretson, Scott Goshorn, Earl Graham, Howard Hanson, Fred Hara, Jerry Herring, Bernard Hill, John Holloway, Harold Hoyland, Vealess Hudspeth, William Hughes, Jimmie Hylton, John Jacobson, Ray Jacoby, Richard Jaggers, Kenneth Jan, Frances Killinger, Jr., Raymond Kosley, Edward Krivonak, William Krupke, Pat Lanphear, Owen Lecheler, Clarence Lueb, Robert MacLauchlin, Roquez Martinez, Horacio Masearenas, Edward Minch, Robert Muller, Leonard Peatrowsky, William Phillips, Dean Pope, Charles Pugh, George Pugh, Teddy Putnum, Tommy Richie, Theodore Roos, Leonard Schmidt, Paul Schroeder, Lloyd Seekamp, Robert Sharritt, Richard Sherman, James Sparks, Boyd Stark, Harvey Steward, Joseph Stockert, Richard Stoner, Jr., Leo Thielen, John Toth, John Wachsmann, Benjamin Wagner, Roger Warden, Jr., Robert Weber, Lester Weers, James Weitz, and Russell Zingelman.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, seventy years ago this year, an iconic image of American strength, perseverance and sacrifice splashed across the front page of The Saturday Evening Post. The cover soon found its way to immortality, embedded by Norman Rockwell into the spirit of America. As much message as art, it featured a strong armed, can-do, hard working warrior in laborers clothes. It was the symbol of a nation's fierce determination, a reminder that every ounce of American life and family was mobilized in war. Seventy years ago, America met Rosie the Riveter. But the introduction wasn't really needed. We already knew her. The cover was at long last recognition of what had happened all around America. A showing of homefront strength that had already sent so many sons and daughters to war. When I was growing up, my Grandma told stories of how, in the early 1940's, she and her husband left Colorado in desparate search of work. Leaving the landlocked high plains and heading west to the shipyards of Oregon in a beat up old car, she and Grandpa left behind generations of family and familiarity. To pay for the trip's final-stretch tank of gas they sold the headlight off the car somewhere in Idaho, eventually finding work in Portland. There, Grandma became a welder, building liberty ships and making the machines of war and commerce. They lived in a one room apartment above a grocery store, their only meal a daily serving of Dinty-Moore stew prepared in a kitchen that consisted of an electric burner. Grandma cannot look at that red stew can to this day. In Oregon, a lady from the plains of Colorado learned to weld on the deck of a ship in drydock. There, drawing a bead with sparks flying, heat and sweat, smoke and steel filling the air, she went off to war. Nearly dying after falling from the top deck of a ship to the deck below, she became an equal partner in the fight for our nation's freedom. She and her co-workers never sought recognition, but a future. And Rosie the Riveter spoke for them all. Decades later, she would share her welding skills with her astonished grandson's, staring wide-eyed as Grandma showed us up. Everyday we come face to face with the blessings of our great nation, made possible not by men, but by all. Seventy years ago, Rosie helped America welcome my Grandma, and women across the country, in the fight for freedom. So to let us give thanks to her, Rosie, and everyone like her who pioneered the way.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, this House worked to find a solution to the impasse over the continuing resolution, sending over various options to the Senate to try to jump-start negotiations to work through an agreement to find a solution to keep our government funded. In the early hours of this morning, we finally said to the leader of the U.S. Senate, Harry Reid, let's find a way to meet face-to-face, through a conference committee, to negotiate a solution and avoid a government shutdown. We've passed, three times now, measures to keep the government funded and a way to find solutions to this critical issue. But there are many people in Colorado who are struggling now because of the shutdown and who are worried about what happens to their situation, particularly those who may have been impacted by the flood. And that is why we must find a way to get government funded to find a solution to get government going back on track, while preventing policies that we know are bad for the economy. So let's work together and find solutions but also, at the same time, ensuring certainty to people who are suffering from Colorado's greatest natural disaster. That's why I bring to your attention a statement that the Vice President made on September 23 in Greeley, Colorado, after touring the damage and devastation that those floods caused. I stood 2 feet away from the Vice President of the United States as he addressed the people of Colorado and said this: None of the Federal assistance that we're providing, none if it is going to be impacted even if there is a government shutdown. So while people may try to use this as a scare tactic, try to politicize a disaster, the Vice President himself stood before the people of Colorado and said there will be no impact on flood recovery. And yet we have seen in the newspaper people are trying to scare people to try to take away any kind of certainty that exists, but you can't take those words back. That's why I also sent a letter this morning to the White House reminding the White House, Mr. Speaker, of the promise that the Vice President made to the people of Colorado. And we, as elected officials in Congress, in the Senate, the Governor of Colorado, we have a responsibility to make sure that the Vice President and the President keep their word, they're true to the people of Colorado; that we make sure that, indeed, this statement: None of the Federal assistance that we're providing, none of it is going to be impacted, even if there is a government shutdown. So while we work to resolve this issue before the government right now, while we work to make sure that policies are put in place to return to normal operations, we cannot let this be politicized. We cannot let the people of Colorado be forgotten, and we must hold the Vice President and the President accountable and true to their word. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record the letter that I sent to the White House this morning, and also the statement, in full, of the Vice President's comments. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, October 1, 2013. President Barack Obama, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. President: As you know, Colorado is recovering from some of the most devastating floods in state history. Catastrophic water levels caused over $1 billion in damage to infrastructure and property throughout my district and other areas in the state. More than 20,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, eight individuals lost their lives, and overflowing rivers left a path of devastation. I am grateful for the recovery efforts led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Guard, and others involved in this process. Federal assistance is critical in this time of need and I have fought to ensure that funds are available for disaster relief. On September 30th, my legislation that would raise the cap on disaster-related transportation funds successfully passed the House. Unfortunately, Congress has not yet come to an agreement to fund the federal government and the nation is now facing the effects of a government shutdown. While I am working diligently with my colleagues to resolve this funding gap, it is vitally important that the people of Colorado do not suffer as a result of gridlock in Washington. To this end, I was pleased to hear Vice President Biden pledge to the people of Colorado that ``none of the federal assistance that we're providing--none of it--is going to be impacted even if there is a government shutdown.'' This commitment from the White House is reassuring for my constituents and others in the state worried about the impact a shutdown might have on disaster funds. I appreciate your support in this recovery and look forward to working on behalf of the thousands affected by these recent events. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Cory Gardner, Member of Congress.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, about a week ago, one of the chief proponents of the President's health care bill in Colorado said this: Your health insurance plan is being cancelled, and that's a good thing. Yet President Obama said, If you like your health plan, you will be able to keep your health plan--period. Over the past month, thousands of people around Colorado and this country have started receiving letters, notices, that their health insurance plans that they liked--that they were promised they would be able to keep-- are being cancelled. We heard promises from the President that they could keep them, and yet here we are--cancellation after cancellation. The House has passed legislation to keep the government open; but to make sure that ObamaCare doesn't continue to be the drain on our economy, let's do the right thing--let's pass a bill, fund the government--and keep ObamaCare from doing harm to the American people.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin and appreciate his leadership on this important matter as we try to bring relief to the people of Colorado who have suffered as a result of the floods that began on September 11. I also thank the gentlelady from the District of Columbia for her leadership on this issue as well and for her support of the underlying measure. Thanks to Chairman Shuster and the Appropriations Committee as well, Chairman Rogers, for supporting and making sure that this legislation moves to the floor as expeditiously as it has. To the gentlelady from the District of Columbia, I would note that I voted for the $17 billion Hal Rogers amendment on Sandy, making sure that we had emergency funding through FEMA for all victims of that atrocious storm and disaster. But I also tried to make sure that we had funding for another disaster that had happened in Colorado and the western United States, dealing with wildfires and forest fires. In fact, I tried to amend the legislation with disaster assistance for Colorado that was rejected and was not allowed to go into the bill, and ultimately, I made a decision based on the fact that we were treating disasters differently. But it's important to know that we do come together for disaster assistance, to make sure that we take care of people who have been harmed around this country. On September 11, just a couple weeks ago, a flood began that destroyed nearly 2,000 homes and damaged over 17,000 homes. Early reports indicate that almost 25 percent of the buildings at the University of Colorado received some kind of damage. I have toured with other members of the Colorado congressional delegation--Mr. Perlmutter, Mr. Coffman, Mr. Polis, our two Senators, Senator Mark Udall and Senator Bennett, as well as Governor Hickenlooper--as we have witnessed firsthand, both on the ground and from the air, the devastation that has taken place. And for people who are rebuilding lives and rebuilding homes or rebuilding businesses that were lost, today this body takes a great step forward in providing at least one key component of certainty. And that certainty comes into those thoroughfares that allow them to get to and from school, to and from work, and farmers to get their goods to market. Our transportation system was dramatically impacted by the floods. There were 200 line miles of highway affected. It's as if somebody had made a sand castle, built it, and a wave came and washed it away, a crumpled-up piece of paper, destroying hundreds of miles of Colorado highway. Fifty bridges were wiped out. The Colorado Department of Transportation initially estimated that between $300 million and $500 million worth of damage was done to our highway system and has now settled on a figure closer to $475 million. I commend the Federal Highway Administration, who swiftly released $35 million to help with the cost of the most immediate repairs; but there must be more that is done. And so, Mr. Speaker, I thank this body for its support of H.R. 3174, legislation that, with a ``yes'' vote, will not automatically lift the cap for other States that experience severe weather events, but allows the Secretary of Transportation to make that determination. As the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) noted, this is not a new appropriation. There is no new spending, but it gives flexibility to the Department of Transportation to make decisions that will help the people who have suffered in Colorado. And as I mentioned, the cap was also raised to $500 million for responses in other areas and other hurricanes--whether it's hurricanes, floods, or other events this country will face. We have an opportunity to help the people of Colorado, the people of this country get back on their feet. And I appreciate the support that this body has given this bill today.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, when the President began his push to pass the partisan Affordable Care Act, he did so with two primary promises: the promise that if you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan, period. No one will take it away. That was the plan that this Chamber voted for when they passed the so-called Affordable Care Act. That was the plan the United States Senate voted for when they passed the so-called Affordable Care Act: If you like your health care, you can keep it. In 2011, Richard Foster, the Chief Actuary of Medicare, testified before Congress that this promise would not come true, the promise that if you liked your health care, if you liked your health insurance plan, you would get to keep it. The Chief Actuary of Medicare--he is not a Democrat or Republican appointee--said that this promise, the promise that was made when this bill passed, won't come true. Over the past several months, my office has received countless letters, emails, tweets and Facebook comments from people around this country and around my district in Colorado who have said thanks to ObamaCare they are losing their health insurance, they are losing their family's plan. This promise for them is not coming true. When I first got elected to Congress, I made a decision that I would reject congressional health insurance, that I would reject the Federal health care plan, because I wanted to be in the same boat as my constituents. Just a couple of weeks ago, I too received a letter in the mail from our insurance plan, our private provider, in Colorado for our family, and it said this: We notify you about the upcoming discontinuation of your plan. This letter right here that says my family's plan is being canceled. Mr. President, where is the promise? Mr. President, if you like your health care plan you'll be able to keep it--tell that to the thousands of people in my district who are losing their health insurance, to my family, to millions of people around this country for whom this promise that you made when you sold this bill is not coming true. The plan that my family had was an affordable plan. We shopped for it. We worked hard to find a plan that met our needs in rural Colorado. We found a plan that is now being canceled. The plan that replaces it-- the plan that replaces it--now increases in cost by over 100 percent. In fact, the plan that is most similar to the one we had is now going up to $1,480 a month. It is a 100 percent increase from the plan that we had. But the President said if you had your health insurance that you liked, you would get to keep it. The President also said the second primary promise, though, was that if you had your plan and you got to keep it, we're going to make sure that this bill, the Affordable Care Act, brings down your cost. Yet we know that that's not coming true either, as people around this country are facing higher insurance costs, higher plan costs, canceling their plans, forcing them to go to other alternatives. In the letter that we received canceling my family's plan it said this: that I have options, I have options to purchase another individual health plan from us, purchase a plan from another carrier, or go through the health care exchange in Colorado, an exchange that was just reported in the newspaper to have significant computer glitches even though it is supposed to be up and running on October 1. But not one of these options, not a single one of these options include being able to keep the plan that my family had, despite the President's promise, the promise that if you liked your insurance you would be able to keep it. Mr. President, where is your promise today? Will you explain to the American people that neither of those promises--the primary reasons you pushed the health care bill--are untrue. Explain that to the American people. In recent reports we've seen from Forbes an analysis that ObamaCare will increase underlying insurance rates for younger men by an average of 97 to 99 percent and for women by an average of 55 to 62 percent. HHS compared what the Congressional Budget Office projected rates might look like in 2016 to its own findings. What happened, of course, in this analysis was that premiums, according to Forbes, nationwide will be around 16 percent lower. That's what they said. But after the analysis, after the analysis by CBO, which looked at the projected rates in 2016 compared to its own findings, neither of those numbers tell you the statistic that really matters: how much rates will go up next year under ObamaCare relative to this year, prior to the law taking effect. Looking at families like mine, a 100 percent increase. We've received stories from around the district--people who have seen their costs increase, people who have seen their insurance canceled. We received a message over Twitter that said: I lost my insurance because I can't afford the 100 percent cost increase. For the first time in 47 years I will have to depend on the government for health insurance. Another gentleman said he will be dependent on the taxpayers as well for the first time in his life. Mr. President, explain to the American people why the promises that you made, the promises you made to the American people, are simply not true.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. In Colorado, over 2,000 homes were destroyed, over 17,000 homes were damaged, and over 200 miles of highway were washed away. The incredible work that the first responders have done, the local leaders, local elected officials, firemen, policemen, and the stories of their heroic efforts are continuing to emerge. We cannot thank them enough for the work that they have done in Colorado to save lives, to save property, and what they are doing now to rebuild their communities. I would ask you to join us in a moment of silence in remembrance of the people who have lost their lives and for those who have forever had their lives changed.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Madam Speaker, I rise to engage the chairman of the Appropriations Committee in a colloquy. I would like to thank Chairman Rogers for his dedication and willingness to work with all Members of the House of Representatives when their States are impacted by natural disasters. You have been very receptive, and I appreciate your efforts. Right now, in Colorado, we are currently experiencing a major flood. It has impacted 15 counties, crossing over approximately 2,000 square miles. Certain areas received over 20 inches of rain, 19,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed and the destroy count is now above 2,000 homes. Many areas are still in crisis; and because of the vast devastation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be unable to provide an accurate damage assessment for at least 30 days. Additionally, the Colorado Department of Transportation estimates that costs could exceed the $100 million cap which would exceed the State event cap on the highway funds in the Disaster Relief Act. The tragedy and devastation caused by this severe flood necessitates a response from the Federal Government. I ask the chairman to consider working with me and other members of the Colorado delegation to help our State recover and rebuild from this tragedy.

Mr. GARDNER. I thank the chairman for your support.

Mr. GARDNER. I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. I thank the gentleman for his leadership, and the gentleman from Indiana for sharing his experience with the medical device industry in your great State. I kind of wanted to spend some time walking through the experiences that I have had in Colorado when it comes to innovation in medical technology and some of the things that I've seen firsthand. It was just a couple of weeks ago that I was able to go to a business in Colorado that had developed a technology to do surgery on people's spinal cords; to help insert a precision tool into the back. It was almost like a ratchet that you would use in your garage, but obviously a very precise ratchet that you could develop to put into a person's spinal cord, and to tighten the bolt if they had a break, or something that needed to be fastened to save somebody's life, to put somebody's life back together for sure.

Mr. GARDNER. It's precise. The neat thing about this technology was that you could actually view on the monitor as you're doing this surgery. You could view as the tool is inserted into the back. You could see where it was on the screen. And it immobilized the patient so that it would minimize the side effects. It minimized the risks of injury to the spinal cord. I visited the business that had a cauterizing tool that they had spent a decade creating. This tool had an electric current running through it, so it would also be allowing a surgeon to cauterize tissue as they were able to perform life-saving surgery. But these tools cost millions of dollars to invent. They cost millions of dollars to research and to develop. They cost millions of dollars to get into surgery rooms around the country to save life. As we talk about innovation, as we talk about the need to create opportunities for businesses in Colorado, in Indiana, in Minnesota and around this country to grow, we talk about the need to keep that investment happening. But the company told me that over the 10-year course of their business, the medical device tax will run them somewhere in the tens of millions of dollars because of the gross tax nature of the medical device tax. When I asked what the device that we were looking at cost, they said tens of millions of dollars. So take that tax, that money, that revenue that could go into investment, to creating the next life-saving technology, take that out of that business and you no longer have a life-saving technology because they didn't have the money available to develop that life- saving tool. So what the medical device tax is doing is it's removing money from the private sector. It's removing their ability to invest money into innovative technologies that save lives. As we talk about the future of the President's health care bill in this country, we talk about the need for quality care, to reduce the cost of care, to increase the quality of care. But it's not doing that through the device tax because it's penalizing innovative businesses for their success. It's taking away their opportunities to develop new technologies, to create that next cauterizing tool, the next spinal cord tool to build a better life for people. So as we debate the health care bill, as we debate the future of health care legislation in this country, I hope that people will realize that we shouldn't penalize opportunities to create better tools in health care, that we shouldn't penalize success for innovation. And in a State like Colorado, in a State like ours--Indiana, and yours in Minnesota--I do hope that we can come together in a bipartisan fashion to repeal the medical device tax so that we can actually allow that money to be invested where it matters, and that's in saving lives. So I thank my colleague from Minnesota for his tremendous leadership, and the gentleman from Indiana for your leadership in making sure that people understand it's not just about a tax, but it is indeed about the opportunity to invest in saving lives.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the many first responders, National Guard, volunteers, and local leaders who have worked tirelessly, beginning in the middle of last week, in order to respond to the floods in Colorado. An area the size of Connecticut has been impacted by over 20 inches of rain in certain areas of the State; 19,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed; and countless people have had their lives changed forever. But as is the case with all tragedies in Colorado and across this great country, we come together as a community, as neighbors to help one another in times such as these. We know in the months and years to come there will be great challenges, and there will be trying times as we try to find answers for those families who lost so much. So, Mr. Speaker, we recognize those efforts, such as HelpColoradoNow.org, that are doing so much good for the people there. This has happened before--a great tragedy. We've come together, but we will rise up. We will be stronger because we are Colorado.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the United States Constitution. Among our nation's founding documents, the Constitution stands out for its singular importance, ingenuity, and lasting effect on global politics. Since its drafting in 1787, the Constitution has continued to inspire generations of people committed to making democracy work. In their brilliant defense of the Constitution, Founders such as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay discussed the delicate balance of power engineered in this document. It is important to remember their words today and the role that Congress plays in oversight of the other branches of government. We should voice support for programs that aim to educate our nation's students on these fundamental Constitutional principles. The next generation of leaders must understand the workings of our government and the historic role the Constitution has played in our national story. I am pleased to recognize a Colorado organization that promotes this very idea throughout the country. Liberty Day provides educators and students with free Constitutions, copies of the Declaration of Independence, and other landmark American documents. Efforts like these increase awareness and build appreciation for the institutions our Founding Fathers created more than 220 years ago. I am proud to honor our Constitution and support those organizations like Liberty Day that ensure its meaning is not lost to the passage of time.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Pat Worley of Fort Lupton, Colorado and congratulate her on her retirement. Since 1992, Pat has served as Assignable Clerk for the Colorado State House of Representatives and has served as the Chief Assignable Clerk since 2000. Throughout her career, Pat has been dedicated to ensuring the successful functioning of the Colorado General Assembly. Her determined work ethic and passion for her job were critical to the successful operation of state government. I know many of my former colleagues in the legislature would agree that when Pat tells you to do something, you listen. And for all of us from ``the other Colorado,'' we appreciate her passion for all of Colorado. Not only is Pat an esteemed public servant, her service to Colorado extends well beyond her official job functions. While the Colorado House of Representatives convenes on the floor, Pat and her clerks devote their free-time to sewing lap robes for disabled veterans. Her generosity and commitment to helping those who served our country have had an immeasurable impact on our State. I congratulate her on her impressive career, and wish her all the best in the coming years of her well-deserved retirement. I join the people of Colorado in thanking her for her dedication, hard-work, compassion, and exemplary career in public service.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Don Hadad, superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont, Colorado. Don was recently named ``National Superintendent of the Year'' by the National Association of School Superintendents. For the last 29 years Don has dedicated his life to improving our children's education. He began his career as a physical education teacher, and has since held the positions of assistant principal, high school principal, executive director of secondary education, assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent, and most recently, superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District. As Superintendent, Don has lead by example. His visionary leadership and ideas have helped significantly develop the public schools in my district by championing educational reforms that included teacher evaluations and expanding public charter schools. He established the ``Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics'' Academy at Skyline High School and opened the Medical and Science Academy at Longmont High School to help advance students to secondary education. His reforms are an example of the common sense solutions school districts across the country can implement to better serve their students and families. Please join me today in congratulating Don Hadad on his award and on his success as superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished veterans of Honor Flight Northern Colorado as they make their 10th trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials that stand in our nation's capital. This group includes veterans from multiple wars and different generations, linked together by their service to our nation. Founded in 2005, The Honor Flight program was originally formed to honor veterans of WWII but has since expanded to include those who have served in all other American engagements. This program provides an opportunity for veterans to fly to Washington, D.C. free of cost to them and their families so that they may visit the national memorials dedicated to their service. Of the 122 veterans visiting with its next flight; 51 will have served in WWII, 62 in Korea, and 9 in other conflicts. Though these memorials will honor our veterans' service for centuries to come, no statue or monument can truly express the level of gratitude we hold for those who courageously risked their life to preserve our inherent rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We stand here today as a nation of laws, freedom, and liberty because our veterans answered the call of duty when our country needed them the most. Today we honor those who risked their lives to secure the blessings endowed by our Creator for future generations. Mr. Speaker, Please join me in honoring Donald Benson, Joe Blossom, Hobert Bodkins, Robert Bueker, George Carlson, Wayne Clausen, Maurice Dragoo, Homer Dye, Karl Easterly, James English, George Flaig, Stuart Gordon, Dale Gruber, Frank Gunter, Vern Hammond, Robert Henderson, Otto Hindman, Lawrence Jackson, John Jobson, Elvin Kahl, Doward Kilmer, Thomas Kokjer, Edward Kooper, Raymond Kusmirek, Ralph Leckler, George Lichter, Lyle Lukas, Alfred Marez, Richard Marquart, Maregito Martinez, LeRoy Marx, Hugh McGinty, Damon McMahan, Robert Minnick, Allen Oakley, Gerald Oakley, Vernon Rand, Gerald Rennels, Carol Rhoades, Elmer Rose, Donald Smith, Walter Sparrow, George Stager, Clarence Streit, Richard Tedesco Sr, Rueben Ulrich, Howard Walter, Raymond Yost, Robert Yost, Thomas Youree, Joseph Zito, Charles Adams, Joseph Beaulieu, David Beldusm, John Bevins, James Blue, William Cecil, Thomas Clements, Clifford Closson, Donald Dalton, Stanley Davies, Jerry Delcamp, Leonard Dickey Jr, Robert Eddy, Dale Erickson, Ann Evans, Lemuel Evans, Frank Faucett, Byron Foster, Kent Foutz, Jerry Galpern, Wayne Gibb, Thomas Gordon, Oscar Haake, Doyle Hall, William Harte, William Hitchcock, Claire Hoffman, Raymond Horton, Carl Houkom, Bennett Houston, Eugene Johnson, Richard Kekar, Marvin Kembel, Ralph Knoll, Tom Mandis, George Mason, Alvin Mosch, Doyle Myers, Richard Oversteg, David Owen, Johnnie Prock, Duane Purcell, Herbert Reimer, John Rinne, John Rust Jr., Darrel Shafer, Leonard Schmitz, Virgil Scott, Robert Scott, Herbert Shevins, Wayne Small, Frank Stiver, Robert Stoll, Bernard Streit, Ernest Stumpf, Walter Sutton, Norman Swanson, Arthur Trevarton, Junior Weisshaar, Raymond Williams, George Willson, Harry Wisell, Jerol Arguello, Zachary Dinsmore, William Frank, Allen Laible, Dennis Lee, Lonnie Sebold, Allan Silk, Saxton Wiley and Salvador Velasquez.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Cheryl Scofield of the USDA Rural Development Office in Wray, Colorado. Cheryl will retire next month as the USDA Rural Development Northeast Area director after 30 years of dedicated service. A fourth-generation Yuma County resident, Cheryl studied at Jones Real Estate College and the University of Colorado, earning a graduate degree in public administration. After getting her start at Wray State Bank and World Savings Mortgage Company, she took a job with the Department of Housing, but it was at the USDA Rural Development Office where Cheryl spent 31 years as an outstanding and invaluable asset to her agency. Her rural background, education, and true passion for her work gave wind to Cheryl's impressive career. Outside of work, Cheryl has been an active member of her community-- board member, small business development, and a wealth of professional experience she's shared with communities throughout the eastern plains. She's been married to her husband, Delbert, for 41 years. There's not a single community on the eastern plains that Cheryl's work hasn't impacted. Her legacy will live on on every Main Street of eastern Colorado. Thank you, Cheryl, for your service.

Mr. GARDNER

Mr. GARDNER. To the gentleman from Pennsylvania, I would just point out that this is not a radical Republican idea. The idea behind the REINS Act is actually something that's embraced across many States in the country right now. In Colorado, we have what's called the rule review bill. When an agency, whether it's the Department of Health, whether it's the Department of Agriculture, issues a new regulation, it actually comes to the State legislature for a vote by the State legislature. The State senate and the State house get to vote up on or down on whether or not that regulation is in the best interest of the people of Colorado, if it complies with the will of the legislature and the executive branch is carrying it out in the right way. So the REINS Act that you point out is not some crazy idea. It's actually something that's in use right now to protect our economy from overreach.