Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Chris Jordan for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Chris Jordan is a student 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 Chris Jordan 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 Chris Jordan 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 Jaydekai Hanh for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Jaydekai Hanh is a student at Arvada K-8 and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Jaydekai Hanh 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 Jaydekai Hanh 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 Samueal Hays for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Samueal Hays is a student at Arvada High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Samueal Hays 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 Samueal Hays 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 Ethan Garcia for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Ethan Garcia is a student at Mandalay Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Ethan 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 to Ethan Garcia 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 Arez Ghafour for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Arez Ghafour is a student at Drake Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Arez Ghafour 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 Arez Ghafour 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 Kade Gannon for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Kade Gannon is a student at Mandalay Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Kade Gannon 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 Kade Gannon 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 Brady A. Hackbarth for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Brady A. Hackbarth is a student at Arvada High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Brady A. Hackbarth 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 Brady A. Hackbarth 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 Marcus Smale-Schemmel for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Marcus Smale-Schemmel is a student at Arvada K-8 and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Marcus Smale-Schemmel 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 Marcus Smale-Schemmel 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 Daimon Oswalt for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Daimon Oswalt is a student at Wayne Carle Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Daimon Oswalt 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 Daimon Oswalt 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 Alexander Olson for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Alexander Olson is a student at Drake Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Alexander 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 to Alexander Olson 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 Elijah Wagner for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Elijah Wagner is a student at Arvada K-8 and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Elijah Wagner 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 Wagner 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 Caleb Stockton for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Caleb Stockton is a student at Mandalay Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Caleb Stockton 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 Caleb Stockton 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 Dante Padro for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Dante Padro is a student at Arvada K-8 and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Dante Padro 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 Dante Padro 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. Chairman, I yield myself 3 minutes. First, I want to thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for working with me and Mr. Polis, listening to our concerns, and I appreciate their assistance. I rise today to offer an amendment we have been working on for almost 3 years, which is designed to improve helicopter fuel system safety for newly manufactured helicopters. As the chairman knows, on July 3, 2015, a Flight for Life air ambulance helicopter took off in Frisco, Colorado. Just seconds later, the helicopter crashed in a parking lot next to the helipad. After impact, gasoline began to leak from the helicopter and a fire quickly erupted trapping the crew. The crash itself was largely survivable, but the post-crash fire contributed to the death of the pilot, Patrick Mahany, and severely burned the two flight nurses--Dave Repsher and Matthew Bowe. One of the flight nurses suffered burns on more than 90 percent of his body. As we began learning what happened in Frisco, we discovered that a 1994 FAA rulemaking required all newly certified helicopter designs to incorporate crash resistant fuel systems. The problem is that helicopter designs are certified once and then can be manufactured for years. So new helicopters, like the 1-year-old helicopter which crashed in Frisco, Colorado, are being built to a now unsafe design from the 1970s. Mr. Chairman, this is wrong. Since that 1994 rulemaking, there have been more than 175 post-crash fires and at least 80 deaths. We can do better, and we must do better. Since 2015, the FAA has finally started to address the issue. They convened the Rotorcraft Occupant Protection Working Group and tasked them with determining what requirements to place on newly manufactured helicopters moving forward. That working group submitted their final report last month and made evidence-based recommendations about what safety features should be required. My amendment today implements those recommendations of the working group by requiring all newly manufactured helicopters to be built with safer fuel systems within 18 months. We have known about this problem for decades, and it is past time we close the loophole from 1994 and improve the safety of these helicopters. Two people deserve special thanks: Patrick Mahany's wife, Karen, for her tireless advocacy for safer helicopters; and Chris Vanderveen, from KUSA-Channel 9, for his diligent reporting about the dangers of these fragile and outdated fuel systems. I would also like to thank Air Methods, the Air Medical Operators Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and Helicopter Association International for working with me and my staff. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record letters of support from Air Methods, Helicopter Association International, and Air Medical Operators Association. Air Methods, Greenwood Village, CO, April 24, 2018. Hon. Ed Perlmutter, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Perlmutter: As the House of Representatives prepares to consider HR. 4, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018, on behalf of Air Methods, I want to thank you for your dedication and attention to aviation safety, and in particular your tireless efforts to make helicopter fuel systems safer by equipping them with crash resistant fuel systems (CRFS). At Air Methods, safety is our top priority. We have worked continuously to strengthen our practices, instill a culture of safety throughout our organization, and contribute to industry-wide advances in aviation safety. As part of Air Methods' dedication to the safety of its crews and patients, we have committed to retrofitting our Airbus H125 and H130 (formally known as EC130) fleet with the updated CRFS. As you may know, in 2015 we partnered with Vector Aerospace to conduct CRFS testing and seek certification for a crash resistant fuel system for all Airbus single-engine helicopters we operate. The first H125 with the new system arrived at Air Methods' headquarters in Denver, CO on Dec. 30, 2017, following the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certificate approval. To date, Air Methods has received and completed the installation of 14 CRFS in our fleet. The Company intends to roll out an entire fleet of retrofitted Airbus H125 and H130 over the next two years. We believe the CRFS program is critical to the air medical transportation industry and have been advocating for and supporting CRFS for several years. We look forward to continuing to work together with you and other legislators to support efforts to improve industry-wide safety standards in aviation safety and ensure the safety of those who fly with us. Thank you for your leadership and willingness to engage Air Methods while working toward ensuring safety for our patients and crews. We look forward to working alongside you and your office to promote aviation safety. Sincerely, Mr. Aaron Todd, Chief Executive Officer, Air Methods Corporation.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to another gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis).

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Chairman, I have no other speakers on this. I would ask for an ``aye'' vote on amendment No. 49, and I yield back the balance of my time

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Pete Yazzie-Rodriguez for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Pete Yazzie-Rodriguez is a student 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 Pete Yazzie-Rodriguez 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 Pete Yazzie-Rodriguez 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 Jose Villegas for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Jose Villegas is a student at Jefferson High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Jose Villegas 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 Jose Villegas 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 Richard (Richie) Pruett for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Richie Pruett is a student at The Manning School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Richie Pruett 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 Richie Pruett 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 Andreas Jermaine Perea for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Andreas Jermaine Perea is a student at Wheat Ridge High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Andreas Jermaine Perea 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 Andreas Jermaine Perea 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 thank my friend from Missouri, and his words, as always, are powerful and right on the mark. We think this is serious business and it is nothing that we take lightly. My friend, Mr. Huffman from California, is somebody who has given this a lot of thought, and he wonders why the President doesn't speak out against Vladimir Putin, he wonders why the President hasn't turned over his tax returns, he wonders why the President has attacked the FBI, he wonders why the President has attacked the Department of Justice, just as I do. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman), my friend.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I will wrap up here, but I think there is one word we ought to change, because the word doesn't justify or doesn't really describe what occurred with these elections. What occurred with the elections by the Russians was not meddling. It was sabotage. That is really what we are talking about. It wasn't just somebody saying to your mother-in-law: ``Please don't meddle in my business.'' This is sabotage. This was an attack. This was interference and a violation of our sovereignty, of our independence, of our freedom. So we start with that, and then we ask these questions of my friends on the Republican side: Had the tables been turned and this was a Democratic administration, can you imagine what kinds of investigations would be underway today, what kinds of subpoenas would be issued, and not to allow the Intelligence Committee to shut down that investigation when none of the questions were answered because of this innovation of executive privilege that they don't hold, because this is much bigger than all of us. Representative Cleaver talked about the fact that Russia is interfering, all around the world. They are not our friends. I would love to see something develop where there really is some kind of an alliance, but we definitely don't have that now. There are a lot of questions: Where are the tax returns? Why haven't they been presented to the Congress? Why are we not fulfilling the law that we passed on sanctions? Why are we holding back even though Nikki Haley said we are going to issue more sanctions concerning Russia's role in Syria? Why the continued attacks by the administration against our FBI, our chief and best law enforcement agency? Why continue to undermine the investigations? These are serious questions, and they can't be swept under the rug. This is serious business. It goes to the heart of the values of this Nation, of freedom and independence. We have got a lot of work to do. I hope there is a bright light shone on all of this and that these investigations run their full course to see exactly what has happened. Mr. Speaker, if my friend from California would like to close, I would offer him that opportunity.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, and I say to my friend from Pennsylvania--we were talking about the indictments and the guilty pleas--the last time we really had a special counsel appointed was in 2003, and it took 2 years for one indictment. We are a year into this investigation, and we have got 5 guilty pleas and 17 additional indictments. So we ought to be all taking real stock of what is actually happening here. I now yield to my friend from Missouri, Emanuel Cleaver, one of my best buddies here in the House, former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, for his thoughts on this subject.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I hold out hope for all of the Members of this body to want to have the truth and allow this investigation to run its course. And I hope and expect that the Members--Democrats and Republicans--will support and protect the special counsel, the Department of Justice, and the FBI so that the lawyers and the cops on the beat can finish this investigation. And that is what is key. So I hope that it turns out that there isn't anything else, that it is 5 guilty pleas, it is 17 indictments, and that is it; we are done. But I don't expect that to be the case either. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.