Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true public servant and community leader. After serving more than 21 years as City Manager of Golden, Colorado, Mike Bestor is retiring. Mike's work ethic, integrity and thoughtfulness made him an effective City Manager for the City of Golden for more than 21 years. Golden flourished under Mike's management. His efforts to develop biking and hiking trails, additional park space, Fossil Trace Golf Course, the community center and countless other projects have helped enhance Golden and the ability for residents and visitors alike to live, work and play there. Even during the recession, Mike was able to keep Golden strong despite difficult budget cuts. Mike's appreciation and dedication to the city and its employees and residents is evident in everything he accomplished. Mike Bestor exemplifies the best in public service, and Golden was fortunate to have his leadership for 21 years. Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for all you have done for the City of Golden and our community.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pie Consulting and Engineering in Arvada, Colorado for being honored by Colorado Companies to Watch (CCTW). CCTW is a unique awards program that recognizes and celebrates the contribution, innovation and energy of diverse second-stage companies that exemplify strong management, and community service involvement. While there are many outstanding companies in Colorado, Pie was chosen based on their positive impact on economic growth and the way they empower the innovation of their clients, staff and the community around them. Pie Consulting & Engineering began in 1999 and has grown to be a leading forensic engineering and building sciences firm with offices throughout the nation. Pie's team of building science engineers and consultants provide enclosure consulting and services nationally and internationally for a variety of department of defense, federal, institutional, commercial, religious, medical, resort, mission-critical and mixed-use facilities. Their clients include the Marriott at Denver International Airport, and Pearl Place, the new Google complex. The spirit of Pie's organization is fueled by strong company core values of ownership, community, integrity, respect, optimism and an emphasis on charitable giving. The high level of devotion Pie has shown to their community speaks to their quality of service. Pie takes pride in positively impacting the community of Arvada by hosting charity events and offering a Charitable Time Off program for employees to support charitable causes and non-profits that are important to them. Pie Consulting and Engineering is a great community asset and I'm proud of the service they provide our community. I am certain their service will continue to benefit our communities for decades to come.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Natural Grocers' efforts to promote healthy eating through their free educational outreach over the last 60 years. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage was founded by Margaret and Phillip Isely and is based in Lakewood, Colorado. In 2015, they were recognized as the 11th fastest growing Colorado public company. Their mission is to provide shoppers with an affordable, healthy lifestyle as well as empower them to take control of their own wellbeing. Not only does Natural Grocers supply Coloradans with healthy food options, they also provide customers personalized nutrition information to help them meet their nutritional goals. Natural Grocers has provided Coloradans free nutrition education programs since 1955. Their health coaches organize nutritional outreach programs to numerous schools and businesses, as well as hold in-store cooking demonstrations and nutrition classes. Additionally, I regularly hold my ``Government in the Grocery'' events at Natural Grocers stores around my district. These events give me the opportunity to visit with constituents in their communities on topics ranging from veterans issues, the economy and jobs to foreign policy. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to congratulate Natural Grocers for their accomplishment in promoting healthy eating through educational outreach and I commend them for their dedication to providing extraordinary services to Colorado customers. I wish Natural Grocers all the best in their next 60 years of operation.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Natural Grocers efforts to promote healthy eating through their free educational outreach over the last 60 years. I'm happy to announce Governor Hickenlooper will proclaim August 13, 2015 as ``Natural Grocers Day'' in Colorado. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage was founded by Margaret and Phillip Isely and is based in Lakewood, Colorado. In 2015, they were recognized as the 11th fastest growing Colorado public company. Their mission is to provide shoppers with an affordable, healthy lifestyle as well as empower them to take control of their own wellbeing. Not only does Natural Grocers supply Coloradans with healthy food options, they also provide customers personalized nutrition information to help them meet their nutritional goals. Since 1995, Natural Grocers has offered Coloradans free science-based nutrition education programs with the creation of their Nutritional Health Coach program. Their health coaches organize nutritional outreach programs to numerous schools and businesses, as well as hold in-store cooking demonstrations and nutrition classes. Additionally, I regularly hold my ``Government in the Grocery'' events at Natural Grocers stores around my district. These events give me the opportunity to visit with constituents in their communities on topics ranging from veterans issues, the economy and jobs to foreign policy. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to congratulate Natural Grocers for their accomplishment in promoting healthy eating through educational outreach and I commend them for their dedication to providing extraordinary services to Colorado customers. I wish Natural Grocers all the best in their next 60 years of operation.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, to my friend from California, I thank Congresswoman Waters, Chairman Hensarling for allowing me to bring this forward, my friend from Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer), and I appreciate the remarks of the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill). So after years of working on this issue, I am glad to see our work is culminating with the passage of H.R. 1408 today. The language before us today represents a compromise simply requiring the Federal banking regulators--and by those I mean the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of Currency--to jointly study the capital treatment of mortgage servicing assets or mortgage servicing rights, and I will say MSRs or MSAs, under the Basel III Accords. It is nearly identical to section 116 of S. 1484, offered by Chairman Shelby in the Senate Banking Committee. Now, it differs from the original bill passed out of the Financial Services Committee on March 26 that included language to delay the current rule while regulators conducted a study and then proposed new appropriate capital requirements for MSRs. While many of us wish the bill included those provisions, the study is what is key. The study will be an important step in informing how we proceed with future actions establishing the appropriate capital requirements for MSRs. Now, what does H.R. 1408 require? Under H.R. 1408, regulators will have 6 months to study and report back to Congress many outstanding questions about the mortgage servicing industry, including: One, the risk to banks and credit unions of holding mortgage servicing assets, MSAs; Two, how the assets performed during the financial crisis; Three, the ability to establish a value and liquidity for MSAs; Four, the impact of imposing Basel III capital requirements on banks versus nonbank servicers; and Five, the impact to consumers and the ability of regulated banks to service mortgages that they originate. The mortgage servicing industry has shifted since the financial crisis of 2008, as Congresswoman Waters mentioned. We have seen a significant sale of MSRs and MSAs from banks to nonbanks, including to specialty servicers, private equity firms, and hedge funds. In 2013, about $1.03 trillion of mortgage servicing rights were sold, with a vast majority going to nonbank servicing companies. Moreover, the percentage of loans serviced by nonbanks has steadily increased from 12 percent to almost 31 percent. Now, why is the market shifting? While there are several factors for the growth in nonbank servicing activity, I believe the primary driver has been the capital treatment of MSAs under the Basel III Accords. Basel III was always intended to apply to the largest, most interconnected globally active banks, but the MSA capital treatment is actually having the greatest impact on our smaller community banks. Basel III caps the value of MSAs that depository institutions can count towards their tier 1 capital at 10 percent. Any MSAs that exceed the 10 percent threshold are subject to 100 percent risk weight, a standard that will increase to 250 percent by 2018. Why is this a concern? In addition to the capital treatment, there is a discrepancy between how banks and nonbank servicers are regulated. So there is additional regulation that comes down on the community banks while that same kind of regulation isn't seen by the nonbank servicers. And if there were to be another sudden market disruption or downturn, it is important we understand if nonbank mortgage servicers have the capacity or the expertise to manage defaults or modifications. The Financial Stability Oversight Council, the FSOC, in its 2014 annual report specifically named the transfer of mortgage servicing rights to nonbanks as a ``potential emerging threat.'' The report says: ``MSRs are increasingly being transferred to nonbank mortgage servicing companies. While the CFPB and State regulators have some authority over these companies, many of them are not currently subject to prudential standards such as capital, liquidity, or risk management.'' Adam Levitin, the Democratic witness at our hearing, spoke favorably and in support of the bill, saying: ``MSRs have traditionally been an important asset class for depositories, as their value provides a countercyclical offset to mortgage origination activity, and MSR accounting is subject-enough to give depositories room to smooth their earnings. ``Basel III changes make MSRs an unattractive asset for banks.'' Representative Luetkemeyer and I have questioned whether the prudential regulators struck the right balance between limiting risk exposure and ensuring that depository institutions can still compete with the nonbank entrants in the mortgage servicing arena. From the conversations we have had with the regulators, it is clear they did not study the specific capital treatment applied to MSAs and the impacts on consumers and the market. Banks want to continue servicing mortgages they originate and maintain these connections to their communities, as Mr. Hill mentioned. However, if the current capital requirements remain in effect, it would make it more and more difficult. Mr. Speaker, I will place in the Record two letters that we have received--one dated July 13 from the American Bankers Association, the other dated July 14 from the National Association of Federal Credit Unions--in support of H.R. 1408. I am glad that we were able to seek and reach a compromise on this bill. I urge the quick passage of H.R. 1408. American Bankers Association, July 13, 2015. Re: ABA Support for H.R. 1334, H.R. 1408 and H.R. 1529 Members of the House of Representatives: On behalf of the members of the American Bankers Association (ABA), I am writing to express our strong support for three banking related measures that are scheduled for consideration on the House suspension calendar on Tuesday, July 14. H.R. 1334, the Holding Company Registration Threshold Equalization Act, introduced by Representatives Steve Womack (R-AR), Jim Himes (D-CT), Ann Wagner (R-MO) and John Delaney (D-MD), would extend to savings and loan holding companies (SLHCs) the Securities and Exchange Commission shareholder registration and deregistration thresholds enacted under the JOBS Act. The JOBS Act did not expressly extend the new shareholder thresholds to savings and loan holding companies (SLHCs) as defined by the Home Owners Loan Act. However, Congress did not intend to treat SLHCs differently from bank and bank holding companies. H.R. 1334 would correct this oversight and extend the shareholder registration and deregistration requirements to SLHCs. This bill passed the House Financial Services Committee on May 20, 2015 by a vote of 60-0 and passed the full House last Congress by an overwhelming vote of 417-4. We urge the members to once again pass this legislation. In addition, the House will consider H.R. 1408, the Community Bank Mortgage Servicing Asset Capital Requirements Act of 2015 introduced by Representatives Ed Perlmutter (D- CO) and Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO). This ABA supported legislation would defer implementation of the Basel III rules on mortgage servicing assets (``MSAs'') until the impact of the new rules can be studied and alternatives explored. Many banks that make mortgage loans also engage in servicing, which primarily consists of collecting mortgage payments and forwarding them to the ``owner'' of the loan; collecting insurance and tax payments; and addressing problems such as late payments, delinquencies, and defaults. Banks commonly sell mortgage loans into the secondary market but retain the right to service the loan (called ``servicing retained''). This strategy is an important way for banks to maintain valuable connections with their customers, while managing interest rate risk by selling long- term credit assets. Banks are retaining less mortgage servicing due to Basel III's unfavorable capital treatment of MSAs. As a result, Basel III is unintentionally increasing the concentration of servicing held by less regulated, non-bank firms such as mortgage companies, REITs, hedge funds, and private equity firms that are not subject to the new capital restrictions. The long-term relationships that banks and their customers have established should not be penalized by Basel III's punitive capital treatment of MSAs. Banks should be encouraged to service the loans that they make to their customers. This legislation stops the negative effects until the impact can be fully examined. The bill does not apply to the large international banks that Basel III was meant to address. H.R. 1408 passed the House Financial Services Committee on March 26 by a strong bipartisan vote of 49-9. ABA urges strong support for this legislation. The House will also consider H.R. 1529, the Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act of 2015, introduced by Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO). This bipartisan legislation, which passed the House Financial Services Committee by a vote of 48-10, would exempt from the escrow requirements imposed under the Dodd/Frank Act loans held by small creditors with less than $10 billion in assets. ABA supports the legislation's expansion of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) ``small servicer'' exemption to include servicers that annually service 20,000 or fewer mortgage loans. These important exemptions recognize the strong history of small institutions in providing high-quality mortgage servicing, even with limited staff and resources of smaller institutions. Given their track record, small servicers should be incentivized to continue to service mortgage loans. Unfortunately, existing regulations are having the opposite effect. The existing escrow rules have the potential to drive small creditors from the mortgage market because it is difficult, if not impossible, for them to provide escrow services in a cost effective manner. Further, imposing escrow requirements often runs counter to customer preference as many mortgage customers prefer to pay tax and insurance bills on their own and not establish escrow accounts. Without the exemptions provided in this legislation, customers of smaller institutions will face higher costs to offset the cost of compliance for a service which they do not in some cases even want. Worse, some customers will face fewer credit choices as small local lenders choose to exit the mortgage market rather than incur the added staffing and technical expenses of adding escrow services. This is an important piece of legislation and ABA urges the House to pass H.R. 1529. James Ballentine, Executive Vice President, Congressional Relations and Political Affairs.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Corporal John Pederson, United States Army, for his service to our country. Corporal Pederson served in the United States Army from June 1944 to February 1947. During his service as a rifleman and infantryman, he was assigned to the 42nd Infantry ``Rainbow'' Division, Company A, 232nd Infantry Regiment. After Corporal Pederson's arrival in France, he was transferred to the 7th Army, and participated as a member of ``Task Force Linden'' near Strasbourg, France. On January 18, 1945, in the Battle of Sessenheim, he was captured by the German Army and sent to the German Prison camp, Stalag 5A, in Malschbach Ludwigsburg Wurttemberg 49-09. He was liberated by the British Army in April 1945, and eventually returned to the U.S. after being discharged in February 1947. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Since retiring, he has been active in the American Ex-Prisoners of War--Mile High Chapter where he currently serves as Commander of the Department of Colorado and Commander of the Mile High Chapter. Through his courageous service, Corporal Pederson charted the path for future generations to serve in the military. I extend my deepest appreciation to Corporal Pederson for his dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the United States of America.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Staff Sergeant Keith Hereford, United States Army for his service to our country. Staff Sergeant Hereford served in the United States Army and Army Air Corps from November 1943 to November 1945. During his service as B- 17 aerial gunner, he served a year of duty with 1st Division, 8th Air Force, 305th Bomb Group, and 365th Bomb Squadron in Chelveston, England. During Staff Sergeant Hereford's ninth mission his aircraft was shot down over Holland where he was captured after successfully parachuting to the ground. He was subsequently sent to the German Prisoner of War camp, Stalag Luft 4, in Gross Tychow (Prussia). The camp was liberated by the British forces on May 2, 1945, and in November 1945, he separated from active duty. Staff Sergeant Hereford's awards and decorations include the Air Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. After his service, Staff Sergeant Hereford started his own plumbing company and successfully raised his four daughters as a single parent after his wife passed away in 1962. Through his courageous service, Staff Sergeant Hereford charted the path for future generations to serve in the military. I extend my deepest appreciation to Staff Sergeant Hereford for his dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the United States of America.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Red Foxes from Red Rocks Community College on placing first in the National Science Foundation's Community College Innovation Challenge. This program serves as an innovative way for community college students to partner with community industries to create pioneering STEM-based solutions for real world issues. The Community College Innovation Challenge is an important example of encouraging STEM education and research for our nation's students and future leaders. I congratulate all of the competition's participants for their work on a variety of important projects. The Red Foxes placed first in the challenge with their Mobile Medical Disaster Relief Unit. Made out of 3D printed parts, a motor, Radio Frequency ID (RFID) tracker and Raspberry Pi computer, this device enhances the ability for medical teams to distribute and track needed medicine when responding to disasters. With its implementation, emergency responders could respond to high-stress, time-sensitive medical situations more quickly, more safely, and more effectively. The Red Foxes identified this problem and began working as a team to develop an innovative solution leaning on the skills of each of their team members. I congratulate the Red Fox Team of Nathan Tiedt, Scotty Hall, Kaia Chapman, Keya Lea Horiuchi, and their faculty advisory Helena Martellaro for their first place finish. I applaud the Red Foxes for their dedication to this groundbreaking project and their leadership and commitment to STEM education blazing a path for our country's future leaders and innovators. I am proud of the work Red Rocks Community College does every day and I look forward to seeing what the school and these students accomplish in the years to come.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor First Lieutenant Clayton Nattier, Army Air Corps, and United States Air Force for his service to our country. First Lieutenant Nattier served in the United States Army Air Corps from January 1942 to December 1945. During his time as a pilot, he served in the United Kingdom with the 1st Bomb Division, 8th Air Force, 306th Bomb Group, and 369th Bomb Squadron. During his 16th combat mission, in September 1944, his B-17 aircraft was badly damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire, and the crew was unable to control a fire in the cockpit. At that time, he and five other crew members parachuted out of the aircraft mid-flight. Lieutenant Nattier was captured by enemy forces and sent to the German Prisoner of War camp, Stalag Luft I in Barth, Western Pomerania (Prussia) after spending three weeks in a German hospital. The Prisoner of War camp was liberated by the Russian Army on April 30, 1945, and in December 1945 he separated from active duty. Lieutenant Nattier continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves until 1952. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, the Air Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. After his service, Lieutenant Nattier has been involved in the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Mile High Chapter, as Chapter Commander, State Department Commander and National Convention Treasurer. He continues to be active in the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. Through his courageous service, Lieutenant Nattier charted the path for future generations to serve in the military. I extend my deepest appreciation to Lieutenant Nattier for his dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the United States of America.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the right to object, although I don't object. I just want to thank my friend from Colorado, the authorizing committee, and the appropriators for providing some time through the end of the fiscal year. It gives the Army Corps of Engineers, the VA, and the contractor an opportunity to continue construction of our big VA Medical Center in Colorado. We still have a long-term solution that has to be resolved, but this gives everybody some breathing room to get that done. With that, I withdraw my reservation.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I thank the gentleman from Texas, and I thank my friend from Florida for speaking up on behalf of Orion. Orion is America's new spacecraft to take astronauts further into space than ever before and land our astronauts on Mars. Orion had its maiden test flight this past December, and it was a resounding success. The Orion program, as Mr. Posey stated, needs a full funding for this, and we believe it to be $1.35 billion for fiscal year '16 to meet those needs. I appreciate the committee including language in the committee report requiring NASA to provide an assessment of these challenges, but Congress needs to provide the resources necessary in fiscal year `16 to mitigate the entire risk and move this project forward. So I thank the gentleman from Texas for his support of the Orion program. We need to make sure it has sufficient resources to get our men and women, our astronauts, to Mars as quickly as possible.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I thank the gentleman. I look forward to staying on top of this so that as they move forward we have sufficient funding to really propel this project forward and get our astronauts to Mars.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I move to strike the last word with the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Reserving the right to object, I do not object, but I do want to thank my colleague from Colorado concerning what will be a short time to continue negotiations to finish our hospital in the Denver area. As we come into this Memorial Day weekend, veterans in the Rocky Mountain West have waited 15 years for this hospital to be built. Substantial construction has taken place. Any further delay just delays delivering good services--great services--to our veterans. We need to continue to move this along. The fact that we are moving beyond Memorial Day, keeping this project going forward, without mothballing it, is a step in the right direction; but, Mr. Speaker, I ask the majority and the Republican leadership to work with the VA to get this finished, so that we can provide the best medical care possible, similar to what Mrs. McMorris Rodgers was talking about at her hospital in Washington. We want that same thing in Denver, Colorado. We need to finish this hospital as soon as possible. I withdraw my reservation.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Lipinski for his work on this bill and for yielding me this time. I rise today to support H.R. 1158, the Department of Energy Laboratory Modernization and Technology Transfer Act. I want to thank my friend from Illinois (Mr. Hultgren) for sponsoring this bill and working with me and our colleagues on this important piece of legislation. This legislation provides tools to spur and accelerate the transfer of new technologies developed at our national labs. It extends the Agreements for Commercializing Technology, or ACT, pilot program for 2 more years and also significantly broadens the range of companies able to participate in the program, allowing for more flexible partnership agreements. The bill will allow labs to use their technology to transfer funds for activities which identify and demonstrate commercial opportunities for their research and technologies. This legislation also removes burdens which currently prevent many universities and other nonprofit research institutions from working with the Department of Energy. This will encourage further collaboration between university researchers across the country and our wealth of knowledge at the national labs. Mr. Speaker, I represent Golden, Colorado, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Quite simply, NREL is the premier energy efficiency and renewable energy lab in the world. For more than 40 years, NREL has led the charge in research and design of renewable energy products directly affecting the way we utilize and secure American energy. This bill will help provide labs like NREL with important tools so they can best lead our country's research on renewable and sustainable forms of energy and transportation and, ultimately, bring these life- changing innovations to consumers. I have seen the great work being done at NREL, and I know this great work is happening at other national labs all across the country. Last year, DOE signed an agreement for commercializing technology with the Wells Fargo Foundation to utilize NREL and other DOE national labs to further research in energy-efficient buildings-related technologies, and this bill allows that agreement to be extended for at least 2 more years. DOE's 17 national laboratories and research programs have been the birthplace to some of our most revolutionary technologies. When this research is harnessed by entrepreneurs and business leaders, startups with one or two employees can grow into companies employing dozens, if not hundreds, of people. We want to make sure these federally funded institutions and initiatives remain an important foundation of our knowledge-based economy. That is why I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hultgren), giving scientists and researchers in both the public and private sector tools and freedom they need to unlock a new wave of innovation.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Denver's Regional Transportation District (RTD) and the many cities around the country that participated in Stand Up 4 Transportation Day this past April 9th. In Denver, nearly 400 people came out to support the many forms of public transportation around Colorado, ranging from buses, shuttles, vans, bicycles, cabs, car services, pedicabs, light rail and rail. More than 350 organizations in U.S. cities and towns participated in the event. Stand Up 4 Transportation Day succeeded in raising awareness about the importance of public transportation and a long-term, sustainable transportation authorization bill. Stand up 4 Transportation Day was a brainchild of former General Manager and CEO of RTD, Phil Washington. During his time with RTD, he always pushed for surface transportation reauthorization for the future. In Phil's own words, ``It's time to do some nation building. But the funding is key to more access to transit, new buses and trains, more reliable service, less gridlock. We can't meet the demands of our growing population and economy without a long-term commitment from Washington.'' I applaud Phil and Denver's RTD for their efforts in the Denver metro area. Our communities are more connected and our quality of life is better for it.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Kasandra Peters for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Kasandra Peters is a 10th grader at Pomona High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Kasandra Peters is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Kasandra Peters for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Paul Prouty for his accomplishments and distinguished career with the General Services Administration (GSA). Paul began his 42-year career with the GSA in 1971 as a real estate intern and has since risen through the organization to become one of the most respected leaders. Paul's accomplishments include providing key strategic direction regarding design, construction, management and maintenance of federal and leased properties, including 18 million square feet of office, laboratory and warehouse space. A key property in his portfolio is the Denver Federal Center located in Lakewood, Colorado--one of the largest concentrations of federal real estate property outside Washington D.C. Paul's vision for a more inclusive federal community led to major changes at the Denver Federal Center. Through Paul's leadership, the Denver Federal Center evolved into one of the most exciting campuses in the Denver metro area. The campus hosts the new St. Anthony's hospital, intermodal transportation hub and a focus on the campus becoming a sustainable federal and community center. I extend my deepest congratulations on your retirement from federal service. Thank you for your dedication to our community.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Angelee Davis on her honorable mention in the C-SPAN StudentCam competition. This nationwide competition is an opportunity to encourage students to learn more about the three branches of government by telling a story or demonstrating a policy or law that affected them or their community. Angelee and her project, `Should Space Exploration and Travel be Publicly Funded?', was picked out of 2,280 entries nationwide and 5,000 participants. Congratulations to Angelee on this tremendous accomplishment and well-deserved prize. Thank you for your interest and participation in our community, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Olivia Bohl on her honorable mention in the C-SPAN StudentCam competition. This nationwide competition is an opportunity to encourage students to learn more about the three branches of government by telling a story or demonstrating a policy or law that affected them or their community. Olivia and her project, `Should Space Exploration and Travel be Publicly Funded?', was picked out of 2,280 entries nationwide and 5,000 participants. Congratulations to Olivia on this tremendous accomplishment and well-deserved prize. Thank you for your interest and participation in our community, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ethan Cranston for earning third place in the C-SPAN StudentCam competition. This nationwide competition is an opportunity to encourage students to learn more about the three branches of government by telling a story or demonstrating a policy or law that affected them or their community. Ethan and his project, `Marijuana in Colorado--The Road to Ruin or Reward', was picked out of 2,280 entries nationwide and 5,000 participants. Congratulations to Ethan on this tremendous accomplishment and well- deserved prize. Thank you for your interest and participation in our community, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jake Fettig on his honorable mention in the C-SPAN StudentCam competition. This nationwide competition is an opportunity to encourage students to learn more about the three branches of government by telling a story or demonstrating a policy or law that affected them or their community. Jake and his project, `Should Space Exploration and Travel be Publicly Funded?', was picked out of 2,280 entries nationwide and 5,000 participants. Congratulations to Jake on this tremendous accomplishment and well- deserved prize. Thank you for your interest and participation in our community, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Alexa VanSchaardenburg for earning third place in the C-SPAN StudentCam competition. This nationwide competition is an opportunity to encourage students to learn more about the three branches of government by telling a story or demonstrating a policy or law that affected them or their community. Alexa and her project, `Marijuana in Colorado--The Road to Ruin or Reward', was picked out of 2,280 entries nationwide and 5,000 participants. Congratulations to Alexa on this tremendous accomplishment and well- deserved prize. Thank you for your interest and participation in our community, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Joseph Boulanger for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Joseph Boulanger is an 8th grader at Arvada K-8 and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Joseph Boulanger is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Joseph Boulanger for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Joseph Bergman for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Joseph Bergman is a 12th grader at Standley Lake High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Joseph Bergman is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Joseph Bergman for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.