Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and applaud Red Rocks Community College for their dedication and commitment to Jefferson County and higher education. Red Rocks Community College, with campuses in Lakewood and Arvada, offers more than 150 programs and 650 courses leading to two-year degrees or professional certificates. Since 1969, Red Rocks Community College has delivered a quality education to an eclectic mix of students of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. Serving 14,000 students each year, Red Rocks is the convenient community college down the street and a program that is worth traveling halfway around the world. Red Rocks is also expanding its campus in Arvada for Health Careers, Technologies, and Science program expansion. The expansion is estimated to be completed in late 2016 and will allow Red Rocks to respond to the growing workforce needs in the community. I extend my deepest congratulations to Red Rocks Community College for their well-deserved Genesis Award and their economic contributions and leadership within and outside of Jefferson County.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and applaud Meurer Research for their community leadership and economic contribution to Jefferson County. Meurer Research engineers and manufactures sophisticated products to solve complex issues facing water and wastewater treatment facilities worldwide. Founded in 1978, MRI has over 50 patents, both foreign and domestic, and over 5,000 installations. The company offers a range of products geared to optimizing water and wastewater treatment facilities. Meurer Research, Inc. expanded into a 43,320 square-foot facility in the Coors Technology Center, located in Golden. The company also has plans to grow to 95 employees over the next couple of years, with new capital investment for the expansion expected to be more than $2 million. I extend my deepest congratulations to Meurer Research for their well-deserved Business Recognition Award.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and applaud Seniors' Resource Center for being honored with the 2014 Excellence in Not-for- Profit Leadership award. According to LeadingAge, an organization focused on education, advocacy, and applied research in the field of aging, who awarded Seniors' Resource Center, the award recognizes organizations that are models of excellence in not-for-profit leadership and exemplify to the highest degree the seven key attributes that characterize high- performing nonprofits and distinguish the sector from any other. The seven attributes are: Productive, Empowering, Effective, Enriching, Reliable, Responsive and Caring. The Seniors' Resource Center embodies all of these attributes with their dedication to the community and their high-quality programs. The Seniors' Resource Center, located in Jefferson County, Colorado, is an important community partner that provides services to enhance independence, dignity and quality of life for senior citizens in our community. Seniors' Resource Center ensures all of their customers receive outstanding care in the adult day and respite program. I extend my deepest congratulations to the Seniors' Resource Center for this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for everything you do in our community.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Alicia Balderas for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Alicia Balderas is an 11th 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 Alicia Balderas 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 Alicia Balderas 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 Aidan Clark for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Aidan Clark 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 Aidan Clark 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 Aidan Clark 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 Alex Low for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Alex Low 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 Alex Low 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 Alex Low 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 Adam Cook for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Adam Cook 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 Adam Cook 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 Adam Cook 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 Abigail Espinoza for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Abigail Espinoza 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 Abigail Espinoza 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 Abigail Espinoza 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 Ayla Charness for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Ayla Charness is an 8th 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 Ayla Charness 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 Ayla Charness 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 Aireonna Jensen for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Aireonna Jensen is an 8th grader at North Arvada Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Aireonna Jensen 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 Aireonna Jensen 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 Angelo Diaz for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Angelo Diaz 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 Angelo Diaz 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 Angelo Diaz 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 Audren Wilkerson for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Audren Wilkerson is an 8th grader at Oberon Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Audren Wilkerson 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 Audren Wilkerson 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 Briana Pacheco for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Briana Pacheco 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 Briana Pacheco 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 Briana Pacheco 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 Breanna Nelson for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Breanna Nelson 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 Breanna Nelson 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 Breanna Nelson 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 Candice Codr for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Candice Codr is an 8th grader at Wheat Ridge 5-8 and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Candice Codr 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 Candice Codr 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 Christian Castillo for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Christian Castillo is an 8th grader at Wheat Ridge 5-8 and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Christian Castillo 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 Christian Castillo 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 Devorah Linford for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Devorah Linford is a 7th 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 Devorah Linford 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 Devorah Linford 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 Platte Valley Medical Center for receiving the 2014 Commerce City Business on the Move Award. The Business on the Move Award recognizes businesses bringing new employment, growth in sales or new capital investment to the city in the last year. The Platte Valley Medical Center built their first off- site medical office building in the Reunion Marketplace area expanding their service to northern Commerce City. This provides critical service from medical providers to a community that has had limited access at this new location while ensuring access to quality care and support to the community. I extend my deepest congratulations to the Platte Valley Medical Center for this well-deserved recognition by Commerce City.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Cierah Kelley for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Cierah Kelley 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 Cierah Kelley 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 Cierah Kelley 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 Daisy Shaw for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Daisy Shaw is a 7th 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 Daisy Shaw 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 Daisy Shaw 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 Charlize Gallegos for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Charlize Gallegos is an 8th grader at Wheat Ridge 5-8 and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Charlize Gallegos 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 Charlize Gallegos 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 Egan Walker for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Egan Walker 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 Egan Walker 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 Egan Walker 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 Clare Edmundson for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Clare Edmundson is a 7th 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 Clare Edmundson 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 Clare Edmundson 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 yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank Mr. Stivers for joining me in H.R. 233, and I want to thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Hensarling, and the ranking member, Ms. Waters, for their support of this bill as well. Mr. Stivers has described it well, but I think we should go through it one more time, just so the record is clear for future generations. H.R. 233, the Tenant Income Verification Relief Act of 2015, represents a bipartisan effort to aid our most vulnerable constituents and to provide marginal regulatory relief to public housing authorities and to those who have privately owned rental properties who wish to service housing vouchers. Currently, private property owners and State and local housing agencies must review income annually for all rental assistance recipients. That includes recipients who receive most or all of their income from fixed sources--such as from Social Security or other pensions--and, therefore, see little income change from year to year. Our legislation reduces administrative burdens by allowing for the recertification of rent and income to occur every 3 years rather than annually for those on fixed incomes. In other words, housing authorities and those who accept vouchers would be allowed to conduct triennial income recertifications for households of which 90 percent or more of their income is fixed. The annual review requirement also places burdens on those within fixed income households themselves, who must gather and submit information needed to verify income and deductions and who, in some cases, must go to agencies for in-person reviews. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which wrote in support of H.R. 233, said that this change would substantially reduce paperwork burdens for low-income seniors and for people with disabilities and administrative costs for agencies and owners. More than half of rental assistance recipients are elderly or disabled, who often rely on fixed incomes, and income reviews are the single largest source of rental assistance administrative costs. Due to ongoing budget pressures, our public housing authorities are struggling to manage their Section 8 housing programs. In fact, it is estimated the amount Congress appropriates to fund the housing choice voucher program is only 74 percent of what is actually required to run the program. The Public Housing Authorities Directors Association wrote to me, saying: Both in principle and in practice, your bill is a commonsense approach to streamlining Federal rental assistance programs at a time when scarce financial resources are straining housing authorities' program delivery. Since continued budget pressures are precluding Congress from funding the cost of administering this program 100 percent, we must look at solutions to control expenses or the cost of running the program. This provision or concept is not new. In fact, it has been included in several comprehensive Section 8 reform bills by both Democrats and Republicans. In fact, the administration included language similar to H.R. 233 in the 2016 budget proposal. I stand here today with my friend, Mr. Stivers from Ohio, with a reasonable and commonsense proposal, making our public housing programs more efficient, and we all want to find ways to make our government run more efficiently. I have a number of letters to include for the Record. Public Housing Authorities Directors Association, Washington, DC, January 12, 2015. Hon. Ed Perlmutter, House of Representatives, Washington DC. Dear Congressman Perlmutter: On behalf of the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), I would like to thank you for introducing the Tenant Income Verification Relief Act of 2015 (HR 233) as an original co- sponsor. If enacted, this bill would allow Housing Authorities (HAs) to conduct triennial recertifications for households where 90 percent or more their income is fixed. Passage of the Tenant Income Verification Relief Act of 2015 would benefit millions of low-income elderly and disabled households with fixed incomes in the Section 8 Tenant-Based Voucher and Public Housing programs. Fixed- income households, who are served by Housing Authorities, would benefit if they could be spared from having to go through the burdensome, confusing and stressful recertification process annually but to do so every three years instead. Many households who receive Federal rental assistance live on fixed incomes. According to HUD's Resident Characteristics Report August 2013 through November 2014, approximately 20 percent of voucher-assisted households have a disabled head of household and approximately 22 percent have an elderly head of household. Approximately 17 percent of Public Housing-assisted households have a disabled head of household and approximately 31 percent have an elderly head of household. Although HUD's national data reflects a degree of overlap in households' types of income, approximately 55 percent of households receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security and/or a pension for all or some of their annual income, in both Section 8 tenant-based and Public Housing programs. Your legislation would also produce cost-savings for Housing Authorities, which struggle each year from downward funding prorations in Section 8 voucher program administrative fees and/or the Public Housing Operating Fund. Taken together, the above figures illustrate the scope and scale of relief that would benefit applicable low-income households and the Housing Authorities that serve them. Legislation regarding triennial recertifications for fixed- income households has been a feature of both House and Senate authorizing rental assistance reform bills for several years, but has not been enacted into law yet. PHADA has demonstrated the adverse impacts of downward funding pro-rations, in terms of Housing Authorities' operations to serve low-income households, participating property owners and the communities in which they live. Introduction of the bill is an important step for future action that could not come a moment too soon. Both in principle and practice your bill is a common sense approach to streamlining Federal rental assistance programs at a time when scarce financial resources are straining Housing Authorities' program delivery. Given the urgent need for relief to low-income households and Housing Authorities, we believe that the bill can and should be enacted either as an amendment or a stand-alone bill as soon as possible. Thank you and your staff for working on issues important to HAs and the low-income people they serve. PHADA and its members look forward to working with you and your colleagues to secure passage of the bill. If you need any information or have questions, please feel free to call me at 202-546- 5445. Sincerely, Timothy G. Kaiser, Executive Director.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ziggi's Coffee for receiving the 2014 Commerce City Business on the Move Award. The Business on the Move Award recognizes businesses that have brought new employment to Commerce City. Ziggi's Coffee opened its first drive-thru and cafee combination in December 2014, adding 15 employees at the location. With their growth in Commerce City, they also have a strong commitment to community involvement. Ziggi's donates to hundreds of causes and supports local schools. Their commitment is year round, raising thousands of dollars through their annual back-to-school fundraiser and donating hundreds of gift cards to local nonprofit organizations throughout the year. I extend my deepest congratulations to Ziggi's Coffee for this well- deserved recognition by Commerce City.