Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Malorey Bopp for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Malorey Bopp is an 8th grader at Arvada K-8 and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Malorey Bopp 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 Malorey Bopp 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 her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Lorenzo Tolentino for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Lorenzo Tolentino is an 8th grader at Creighton Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Lorenzo Tolentino 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 Lorenzo Tolentino 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, this week, the Republicans are rolling out their budget. And some people say it's a new, bold budget. I'd say to my friends on the Republican side of the aisle, it's the same old budget: misplaced priorities, focus on making sure we continue to have the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest people in America, tax cuts for oil and gas companies when we're at $110 a barrel--and not focus the cuts on NPR or Planned Parenthood or energy efficiency. Those aren't what created the debt that this country faces. We obviously have a problem, but those things came from big tax cuts, prosecuting two wars, and not policing Wall Street. That's where this budget should be focused. Let's get to the real issues that this country faces. So I would say to my friends on the Republican side of the aisle, go back, start over with your budget, and let's really hit the things that are important. We need to be making things in America, not giving tax breaks to send things offshore. So let's focus our real efforts, come together as a country, and deal with this budget.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Francisco Aguilar for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Francisco Aguilar is a 10th grader at Jefferson Senior High and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Francisco Aguilar 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 Francisco Aguilar 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Francisco Alvarado for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Francisco Alvarado is a 12th grader at Arvada West High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Francisco Alvarado 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 Francisco Alvarado 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Elijah Quintanilla for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Elijah Quintanilla is a 12th grader at Arvada High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Elijah Quintanilla 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 Elijah Quintanilla 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Emily Burton for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Emily Burton is a 12th grader at Arvada High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Emily Burton 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 Emily Burton 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 her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Dominic Panicucci for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Dominic Panicucci 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 Dominic Panicucci 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 Dominic Panicucci 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Eddie Thomas for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Eddie Thomas is an 8th grader at Moore Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Eddie Thomas 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 Eddie Thomas 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Donovan Nichols for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Donovan Nichols is an 11th grader at Jefferson Senior High and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Donovan Nichols 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 Donovan Nichols 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Dominic Giovanini for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Dominic Giovanini is a 12th grader at Arvada West High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Dominic Giovanini 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 Dominic Giovanini 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Francisco Ibarra for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Francisco Ibarra is a 9th grader at Jefferson Senior High and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Francisco Ibarra 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 Francisco Ibarra 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Emily Newman for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Emily Newman is a 12th grader at Standley Lake High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Emily Newman 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 Emily Newman 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 her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Humberto Barrios for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Humberto Barrios is an 8th grader at North Arvada Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Humberto Barrios 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 Humberto Barrios 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jesse Lucero for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Jesse Lucero is a 10th grader at Jefferson Senior High and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Jesse Lucero 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 Jesse Lucero 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jack Troetschel for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Jack Troetschel is an 8th grader at Drake Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Jack Troetschel 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 Jack Troetschel 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jessica Camomile for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Jessica Camomile is a 12th grader at Arvada High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Jessica Camomile 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 Jessica Camomile 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 her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jacob Manion for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Jacob Manion is a 7th grader at Drake Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Jacob Manion 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 Jacob Manion 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jerit Greenburg for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Jerit Greenburg is a 8th grader at Moore Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Jerit Greenburg 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 Jerit Greenburg 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Isaiah Vialpando for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Isaiah Vialpando is a 12th grader at Arvada West High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Isaiah Vialpando 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 Isaiah Vialpando 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jacob Cisneros for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Jacob Cisneros is a 10th grader at Jefferson Senior High and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Jacob Cisneros 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 Jacob Cisneros 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Jason Salazar for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Jason Salazar is a 12th grader at Warren Tech North and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Jason Salazar 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 Jason Salazar 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ian Faulkner for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Ian Faulkner is a 8th grader at Mandalay Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Ian Faulkner 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 Ian Faulkner 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 his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I would just reiterate, if we make it in America, we will make it in America.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. And I would say to my friend, look, I wish we were not here. I wish that, going back to 2001, 2002, I wish President Bush hadn't had the country take a voluntary pay cut. We were on the road to a surplus. We were almost done getting rid of the debt. But, no, we are just the opposite right now because we took a voluntary pay cut to this country. Then we prosecute two big wars, to the tune of a trillion dollars. And under the Bush administration, they had those wars on a whole set of different books. They didn't really account for it as part of the debt of this country. Now, under President Obama, we have real accounting, so we know how bad the books look. And then we had this crash on Wall Street. Now those things all add up to a lot of debt. There is no doubt about it. And when the country hit the crash, the income to the country dropped and the expenses went up. I don't think we should ever forget how we got here, but we are here, and we have to deal with it. So I respect people who want to confront this, but the values and the priorities that are being expressed by the Republican Party in how to deal with this are just so misplaced. They want to maintain the tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. They want to maintain tax cuts that encourage people to send jobs overseas. And they want to maintain tax cuts for oil companies when we are at $105 or $106 a barrel, for goodness sake. You don't need much encouragement to start drilling at that high a price. So those kinds of things have to be looked at very closely when all of a sudden you are taking it out of a number of those programs and people that you talked about: early childhood, health care, education, and transportation. We are going to have to share this sacrifice, no question about it. And as Democrats, we are prepared to do that. It isn't going to be fun. It isn't a lot of excitement when you really have to manage those expenses, but you also have to have the revenue to deal with the budget that we have in front of us. My friends on the Republican side of the aisle would like to say, you know what, nobody really has to pay for these tax cuts, nobody really has to pay for sending jobs overseas. They are wrong. They are just flat wrong. We have to change this. And they are in the majority. They are running the show here in the House. This one week at a time, that's a joke. Nobody can really manage, and people doing business with the government, with the country, they need to have some firm confidence in what is going on. My friends on the Republican side of the aisle just keep undermining the confidence of people doing business in this country. So we have a lot of work to do. It really is going to take both sides of the aisle. I appreciate the President rolling up his sleeves and trying to get this done, and the Senate working on it. But there are some on the other side of the aisle who don't understand what the word ``compromise'' means to get to a greater goal, which is to get this budget under control.