Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Antonio Vitale who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Antonio Vitale is a 12th grader at Arvada School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Antonio Vitale 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 once again to Antonio Vitale for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character to all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Brianna McKnight who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Brianna McKnight is a 7th grader at Mandalay Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Brianna McKnight 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 once again to Brianna McKnight for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character to all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Brandon Applehans who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Brandon Applehans is a 10th 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 Brandon Applehans is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be obtained 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 once again to Brandon Applehans 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, I rise today to recognize and applaud Buruk Kidane who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Buruk Kidane is a 12th grader at Arvada School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Buruk Kidane is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be obtained 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 once again to Buruk Kidane 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, I rise today to recognize and applaud Baylee LaMarine who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Baylee LaMarine is a 7th grader at Oberon Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Baylee LaMarine 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 once again to Baylee LaMarine for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character to all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Austin Mohnhaupt who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Austin Mohnhaupt is a 10th 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 Austin Mohnhaupt 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 once again to Austin Mohnhaupt for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character to all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Betsabe Mitchell who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Betsabe Mitchell is a 12th grader at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Betsabe Mitchell 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 once again to Betsabe Mitchell for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character to all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ashley Arriaga who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Ashley Arriaga is a 12th grader at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Ashley Arriaga 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 once again to Ashley Arriaga for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character to all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Anthony Garralda who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Anthony Garralda 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 Anthony Garralda 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 once again to Anthony Garralda 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, I rise today to recognize and applaud Carlos Reyes who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Carlos Reyes is a 12th grader at Jefferson High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Carlos Reyes 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 once again to Carlos Reyes for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character to all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Angell Garcia who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Angell Garcia is a 12th grader at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Angell Garcia 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 once again to Angell Garcia for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character to all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Steve Schaefer, owner of Meyer Hardware, for receiving the Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Award. Meyer Hardware has adhered to high standards of business ethics for 64 years and demonstrates ethical behavior and responsible practices as a philosophy in daily business. Steve Schaefer is a central source of this philosophy and serves as a role model for the store's 19 employees. The treatment of customers at Meyer Hardware is exemplary. The employees are helpful and friendly, and they go out of their way to satisfy customer's needs. Meyer is very loyal to its employees, keeping them employed even during hard times, and as a result, their employees are very loyal to Meyers, with some staying for over 20 years. Meyer Hardware does its part in the cause of environmental sensitivity by providing a variety of low-energy and ``green'' merchandise. Meyer Hardware is also very active in the community, supporting the Cub Scouts, Eagle Scouts and sponsoring the Golden junior baseball and football teams. Meyer Hardware also donates to numerous non-profit organizations and participates in Golden's Easter egg hunt and Christian Action Guild food drive. Meyer Hardware is a model for outstanding ethics in business. It is an example for all businesses in America to emulate. Congratulations to Steve Schaefer, for his leadership of Meyer Hardware and all the individuals who make Meyer Hardware what it is today.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Angela Pohlenz who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Angela Pohlenz 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 Angela Pohlenz 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 once again to Angela Pohlenz for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character to all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Anny Rosa who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Anny Rosa is an 8th grader at Drake Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Anny Rosa 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 once again to Anny Rosa for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character to all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Aaron Cardona who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Aaron Cardona is an 8th grader at Wheat Ridge Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Aaron Cardona 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 once again to Aaron Cardona for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character to all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Aaron Cisneros who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Aaron Cisneros is a 9th grader at Jefferson High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Aaron 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 once again to Aaron Cisneros for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character to all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the Jeffco Action Center for receiving the Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Award. For over 40 years Jeffco Action Center provided immediate response to basic human needs and promoted pathways to self-sufficiency. The nonprofit social service center makes an incredible difference for the thousands of people it touches through its responsiveness and dedication to meet their needs. Jeffco Action Center provides many goods and services including a food bank, a clothing bank, household and personal items, financial assistance, medical assistance, Thanksgiving food, a Santa shop, and school supply distribution. The center also runs a 22-bed homeless shelter and provides tenant/landlord counseling, client job search and educational outreach assistance. It distributed more than $3.4 million of in-kind goods in 2009. Organizations like Jeffco Action Center are critical to communities across the United States, because they provide a source of support for individuals and their families. Congratulations to Mag Strittmatter, for her outstanding leadership of Jeffco Action Center. I congratulate all the individuals working at Jeffco Action Center for their continued commitment to the people they serve.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Amber Olson who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Amber Olson is a 12th grader at Wheat Ridge High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Amber Olson 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 once again to Amber Olson for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character to all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Amairani Zuniga who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Amairani Zuniga is an 11th grader at Warren Tech North and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Amairani Zuniga 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 once again to Amairani Zuniga for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character to all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Alex Lesko who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Alex Lesko is a 9th 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 Alex Lesko 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 once again to Alex Lesko for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character to all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, President Bush left this country with a $1.3 trillion debt when President Obama came into office a year ago, and the economy was in free fall. One of the things that was done over the course of the last year was to provide this country and working Americans with tax cuts across the board, $800 billion in tax cuts, greatest tax cut for working Americans at any time in our history. Now, the Republicans are complaining about everything under the sun, but they're not complaining about those tax cuts because they know they're real, whether it's earned income tax credits, college tax credits, accelerated depreciation for small businesses, net operating loss carryforwards all across the board. To this point, in Colorado, the average Coloradan receives $1,096 in tax cuts this year above what they got before. That's to get this country back on track, not leave it in a financial disaster, as President Bush did. We are moving in a new direction, and tax cuts are some of the things we're using to get this country back on track.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, this morning I was at a meeting, a breakfast of the Epilepsy Foundation of America. I have a daughter who has epilepsy, and she and one of my other daughters and I attended this breakfast. And the relief that people feel, particularly parents, about us having passed this bill, us working to advance, really, freedom by doing away with the discrimination against people who have prior illnesses was palpable in that room. And as a dad, I can tell you, we have advanced the cause of millions of people across this country. Everybody in this room has somebody who's close to them. It could be a family member, could be a friend, a neighbor who has a prior illness, has some kind of condition, suffered in some accident, and what we've done is given those people the freedom to have some health care so they can seize the opportunities that this Nation provides. It's relief. It's freedom. It's civil rights that we passed in this last couple of days. And I know it's been contentious and I know there are strong philosophical differences, but when the rubber hits the road, for parents, for kids, for people who have these kinds of preexisting conditions, we really advanced the ball for them, and we advanced the cause of freedom.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1204.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1204 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume. General Leave