Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Would the gentlelady yield for one more comment?

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ms. Tracy Evanko, for her service to the community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. Tracy was a founding member of the Golden Resource for Education, Arts, and Theater (GREAT). This organization was responsible for the very successful nights of movies and music in the park of Golden, Colorado. GREAT's mission to enhance, promote, and enrich the culture of the community of Golden has lead to great expansions in the cinematic and performing arts. Along with GREAT, Tracy was essential in paving the way for the city of Golden in purchasing the 14-acre Bachman parcel at West 4th Avenue and Heritage Road to be used for open space in December of 2010. Her commitment to the environment and culture of Golden offers as a model for others in the community. I am honored to congratulate Tracy Evanko on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure she will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all her future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Dr. Melinda O'Rourke for her outstanding service to our community. Dr. O'Rourke is a community-minded business owner who has leveraged her success to reinvest in the community. She sits on the Red Rocks Community College Foundation Board of Directors and Northwest Eye and Essence Laser & Wellness which support 25 local charities. Melinda gives her time and talent to provide the underserved in our communities the eye care they need. She has volunteered for numerous eye surgeries in Latin America with the Vision Health International (VHI) group whose mission is to provide vision care services and sight- restoring services free of charge. Also, Melinda donates her time to the Stout Street Clinic by performing pro bono ophthalmic and optometric care to the homeless. I extend my deepest congratulations to my friend Dr. Melinda O'Rourke for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. 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 Faye Griffin for her outstanding service to our community. Faye has served Jefferson County as Treasurer, Clerk and Recorder and was most recently reelected as County Commissioner for District 1. Faye is extensively involved in multiple community initiatives. Currently, Faye serves on the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Board, is a council member for the Head Start Policy Council and Rocky Flats Stewardship Council, as well as the E-911 Board and Noxious Weed Advisory Board. Faye is on the Boundary Control Commission, the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, the Criminal Justice Strategic Planning Committee and the C-470 Corridor Coalition. Among Faye's many accomplishments and board duties, she was the driving force behind the Child and Youth Leadership Commission and pioneered the statute to establish the commission. She is currently serving on the Child and Youth Leadership Commission board. I extend my deepest congratulations to my friend Faye Griffin for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County and thank her for her many contributions to our community. 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 Dan Dwyer for his service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. Dan, an avid cyclist, made exceptional achievements in improving the health, fitness, and community spirit of Golden residents. He was a pivotal member of the community in organizing the Foothills Running and Biking Club, participating in the bikeability task force, serving on the board of Leadership Golden, and working to make the Golden stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Dan was one of the organizing committee's co-chairs responsible for the staging of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Golden. This was the second year the community enjoyed 135 of the world's best riders as they raced over 518 miles through the beautiful scenery of Golden and much of Colorado. Dan used the race to continually engage sponsors and the community in cycling year round. Above all, Dan exemplifies what it means to live healthy through exercise, while enjoying the community and scenery of Golden. Mr. Dwyer is a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate him on the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure he will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all his future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Kathleen Callender and Heather Callender-Potters for their service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. Kathleen, founder of PharmaJet, and Heather, chairman of the board of directors, transformed the way vaccines and liquid medications are delivered by developing and marketing a unique, efficient, affordable and life-saving needle-free syringe. These devices can deliver half a milliliter fixed dose of a liquid medication into the muscle where many vaccines are delivered, or into the subcutaneous layer between the skin and the muscle. PharmaJet continues to serve communities around the world by creating a safer workplace with less exposure to needle stick injuries and reducing the amount of hazardous sharp medical waste in a way to better control the spread of bloodborne HIV and hepatitis from needle reuse. PharmaJet's mission is to serve individual patients in the community and promote public health in all areas of the world. Their partnership with UNICEF eliminates many of the risks of unsafe injections, along with the 1.3 million deaths per year. Ms. Callender and Ms. Callender-Potters are champions in the community and throughout the globe. I am honored to congratulate them on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure they will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all their future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ted Rains for his service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. Ted exemplifies a commitment to the community through innovation that is unprecedented. As captain of the Golden Optimists Bicycle Recycle Program, Ted repaired and distributed thousands of free bicycles to the residents of Golden and the metro area, as well as students of the Colorado School of Mines. However, Ted did not stop with his mission in Golden. He has also rebuilt and donated bikes to Native American reservations and citizens of Mexico, Haiti, and Tanzania. Ted and Golden Optimists Bicycle Recycle Program have repaired and given a total number of over 9,000 bicycles around the globe and in Golden. Ted truly epitomizes the selfless nature of an outstanding community member and servant. Mr. Rains is a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate him on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure he will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all his future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Julie Kerwin for her service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. Julie transformed an unhealthy form of fundraising at Shelton Elementary, a local grade school, into a beneficial athletic and healthy fundraiser for the children. Rather than the yearly sale of candy and cookie dough, she created a 5K race to aid the school. In preparation for the event, Julie founded a running club, in which 60 children eagerly joined to run for the event. The successful event has blossomed into a sustainable community event. It is members of the community like Julie who show us through innovation we can create healthy lifestyles in our neighborhoods, while promoting education and enriching the community. Her unprecedented ideas shine as a beacon for all other community members in our Nation and Colorado. Ms. Kerwin is a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate her on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure she will have the same dedication and commitment in all her future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Greg Poulos for his service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. As founder and chairman of the Golden Schools Foundation, Greg continues to drive the organization to excellence through high performance rates and accountability in the Golden articulation area. Greg portrays his commitment to the people of Golden through his surveys of the residents on their expectations and reviews of Golden schools, then employs these testimonials in strategic goals for the community. Greg aims to have 95% of Golden students enrolled in their neighborhood schools. With Greg's determination and diligence, this goal will undoubtedly be achieved in the near future. Mr. Poulos is a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate him on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure he will have the same dedication and commitment in all his future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Kathleen Callender and Heather Callender-Potters for their service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. Kathleen, founder of PharmaJet, and Heather, chairman of the board of directors, transformed the way vaccines and liquid medications are delivered by developing and marketing a unique, efficient, affordable and life-saving need-free syringe. These devices can deliver half a milliliter fixed dose of a liquid medication into the muscle where many vaccines are delivered, or into the subcutaneous layer between the skin and the muscle. Pharmajet continues to serve communities around the world by creating a safer workplace with less exposure to needle stick injuries and reducing the amount of hazardous sharp medical waste in a way to better control the spread of blood borne HIV and hepatitis from needle reuse. Pharmajet's mission is to serve individual patients in the community and promote public health in all areas of the world. Their partnership with UNICEF eliminates many of the risks of unsafe injections, along with the 1.3 million deaths per year. Ms. Callender and Ms. Callender-Potters are champions in the community and throughout the globe. I am honored to congratulate them on receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. I am sure they will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all their future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Mr. Marv Kay for his service to our community and receiving the 2012 Mayor of Golden's Award for Excellence. Marv's story is one of long-term dedication to the community of Golden. Through great amounts of perseverance Marv has served the community as mayor, mayor emeritus, serving chair of the Blue Ribbon, honorary co-chair of the 2012 Jefferson County Schools Mill and Bond Campaign, as a member of the Golden Good Government league, a mentor of numerous civic leaders, and a valued Colorado School of Mines leader and guide. Marv continues to serve Golden, regardless of the hat he wears each day. Through his pure selflessness, he is committed to leading the town in the right direction towards success. Each community could benefit from having a member such as Marv advocating in their streets. Mr. Marv Kay has been a champion in the community and I am honored to congratulate him on receiving the 2012 Mayor Award for Excellence. I am sure he will exhibit the same dedication and commitment in all his future endeavors.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Margot Zallen for her outstanding service to our community. Upon receiving her J.D. from the DU College of Law, Margot began working as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI), representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Margot rose through the ranks for 33 years until her retirement last year as a senior attorney. While representing the FWS, Margot worked on many controversial and significant cases passionately protecting wildlife, endangered species and their habitats in Colorado and across the nation. Margot has been tasked with many leadership roles within Colorado such as the creation of the Lookout Mountain Water District, the Jefferson County Open Space Program, and in 1972 helped found Plan Jeffco. Margot also facilitated the acquisition, settlement and protection of North Table Mountain and was a founding member of the Canyon Area Residents for the Environment (CARE). CARE works to protect the foothills and its mountain backdrops of Jefferson County. I extend my deepest congratulations to Margot Zallen for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County and thank her for her many contributions to our community. 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 Priscilla Bohl for her outstanding service to our community. Priscilla's passion for business and economic development is exemplified through her efforts with the Jefferson County Career Center and collaborating with local businesses to match the unemployed with jobs. Priscilla was instrumental in the development and implementation of the successful AddONE campaign, an initiative to generate local jobs. She worked tirelessly to bring together elected officials, local businesses, and economic development professionals to bolster AddONE's efficacy. Priscilla serves on the Advisory Council of the Jefferson County Business Resource Center and the Jefferson County Advanced Manufacturing Council. Priscilla also works with various tactical teams related to the Governor's Blueprint for targeted industries in the State of Colorado. I extend my deepest congratulations to Priscilla Bohl for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County and thank her for her commitment to the community. 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 Lynn Johnson for her service to our community. Lynn is the epitome of a collaborator. She works hard to ensure bipartisanship and takes pride in her ability to help organizations reach common ground in order to best work together to meet a common goal. In 2009, Lynn collaborated with local county Commissioners around the state to find ways for state and local governments to be less adversarial and more willing to work together to achieve greater results. As a result of her efforts, Lynn created ``REAL Colorado'' a program now starting to take effect. Also, Lynn is focusing on creating two new initiatives at Human Services to bolster our local economy. She created the Jeffco Prosperity Project which partners with Jeffco Public Schools to address poverty in our community. In her spare time, she also created the AddONE Campaign to generate jobs and boost the economy. I extend my deepest congratulations to Lynn Johnson for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. 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 Betty Proctor for her continued service to our community. Betty Proctor founded the organization, Helping Hearts and Hands, to give thousands of people a second chance. For over 30 years, her organization has helped people in our community who are facing eviction, utility shutoff, life saving prescriptions or other necessities such as car repairs to get to work. Betty's personal commitment to the community spans for more than 50 years. Betty continues to help those in need find a way out of the proverbial rock and hard place. After retiring from her position as a caseworker, Betty founded the organization Helping Hearts and Hands. Now, at 80 years of age, Betty advocates for seniors in our community. I extend my deepest congratulation to Betty Proctor for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. 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 Jeanne Oliver for her continued commitment to our community. Jeanne Oliver is an essential member of the executive management team for the Jefferson Center for Mental Health. Her position encompasses many roles including corporate communication, marketing and fund development. Jeanne is the center's Public Information Officer and is a part of its Political Action Network. Jeanne is an expert in crisis management and presents nationally on crisis communication. Her commitment to aiding members of our community throughout times of crisis was instrumental in helping families after the Columbine shootings, the recent wildfires and the Aurora movie theater tragedy. Through her concerted efforts to secure private donations and grants, Jeanne has helped the Jefferson Center better serve the mentally ill in our communities during these hard economic times. It is thanks to her commitment and outstanding leadership, the Jefferson Center for Mental Health's donations have grown substantially. Jeanne truly epitomizes every aspect of a selfless steward to the community. I extend my deepest congratulations to Jeanne Oliver for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. 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 Kathy Hodgson for her outstanding service to our community. As Lakewood City Manager, Kathy Hodgson's efforts have bolstered the city's financial reserves to an historic level. Her successful leadership has led her team to entice new businesses to locate in Lakewood. Kathy's collaborative nature was demonstrated when she spearheaded an effort to save a Lakewood middle school from closure. Now, that school is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and home to Jefferson County's first Boys and Girls Club. Among her successes, Kathy is president of the Metro City and County Management Association and sits on the Jeffco Schools Capital Asset Advisory Committee. Also, Kathy was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to the Red Rock's Community College President's Advisory Council. I extend my deepest congratulations to Kathy Hodgson for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County and to thank her for her commitment to our community. 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 Dot Wright for her outstanding service to our community. Since 2008 Dot has served as President and CEO of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. Her successes have led to significant growth in the chamber's membership and outreach efforts. In addition, Dot has worked tirelessly to create a better trained workforce for jobs of the 21st Century. In 2011, Dot created the Jefferson County Business Education Alliance (JCBEA) which partners business owners and students with educational opportunities such as internships and job shadowing. Her vision led to a full-time position with the Jefferson County Department of Human Services tasked with expanding this successful program county-wide. Dot is also involved with many community organizations. She serves on the Arvada Colts Board of Directors, Arvada Economic Development Association, Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis Club, the Arvada--Wheat Ridge Ambassadors for Youth and the Historic Olde Town Arvada Board of Directors. She also serves on my Small Business Advisory Committee. I extend my deepest congratulations to my friend Dot Wright for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. 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 Senator Cheri Jahn for her service to our community. Colorado State Senator Cheri Jahn is a single mother of three and small business owner in Wheat Ridge. For 30 years, Cheri has proudly owned and operated Colorado Housekeeping Services, LLC, which she has grown into a cornerstone of the community. While raising three children and running her business, Cheri earned her Paralegal degree from the Community College of Denver. Cheri uses her business acumen in her position as a Colorado State Senator. Her successes in the business world led to her most recent accomplishment as a State Senator. By striving to aid other local businesses, Cheri passed legislation to save small businesses hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in unemployment insurance premiums. It is with extreme gratitude that I commend Cheri Jahn for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. 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 Leah Varnell for her outstanding service to our community. In 2000, Leah Varnell was a leader in the creation of the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties (CASA Jeffco/Gilpin). Its mission is to recruit, train and manage community advocates who act as officers of the court for the best interest of children that are abuse and neglect victims. Since its inception, Leah's success with CASA Jeffco/Gilpin has led to a 110% increase in revenue and 60% increase in staffing, which enables the program to serve more children. In addition, Leah's has been successful creating numerous partnerships with courts and human services to better utilize CASA volunteers. In 2010, Leah was selected as the Staff Person of the Year by the State Association of CASA programs in Colorado. She also serves on numerous boards including Rewired, Inc., Leadership Jefferson County Alumni Association, Jefferson County Good News Coalition, Jefferson County Best Practice Court Team, and the Emancipation Court Steering Committee. I extend my deepest congratulations to Leah Varnell for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. 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 Joni Inman for her outstanding service to our community. Joni Inman has been a leader of the Denver community for decades. Most recently, Joni consults for ActionCOACH which helps her clients grow their businesses and create new jobs. Joni also owns her own consulting firm for lobbying, strategic and business planning, small business support for federal regulations and public relations. Prior to her consulting career, Joni served as the Deputy City Manager for Lakewood where she pioneered the city's communications and sustainability programs. As Deputy City Manager, she oversaw Lakewood's economic development and was the city's legislative lobbyist. Joni was a behind-the-scenes force in the development of Colorado Mills at Belmar and the St. Anthony Hospital Campus in Lakewood. I extend my deepest congratulations to Joni Inman for her well deserved honor by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. 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 the grand opening of the Biobusiness Accelerator, the newest addition to the Fitzsimons Life Science District and the Anschutz Medical Campus of Aurora. The 184-acre Fitzsimons Life Science District is adjacent to the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. This proximity encourages commercial bioscience companies and academia to collaborate and share amenities. The current business Incubator opened in 2000, and already its 50+ bioscience start-ups have created in excess of 600 jobs. When these start-ups have demonstrated viability as a commercial entity and received funding to enhance their growth, they graduate to the Accelerator environment for continued growth. The work happening in these incubators and accelerators shows the innovation, risks and cooperation involved in building successful small, medium and large businesses. The new Accelerator will be a valuable economic engine for Colorado's bioscience industry, and I'm excited to see the creativity and innovative products developed right here in Colorado. These are the kinds of businesses we need to encourage and to grow here in our state and country. I extend my deepest congratulations and best wishes to the Colorado BioBusiness Accelerator, the Colorado Biosciences Association and all the startups and businesses involved in the opening of this new center.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I too rise to promote the extension of the production tax credit. Thousands of jobs in Colorado and across the Nation are dependent upon this incentive for good, clean energy here in the United States, thousands of manufacturing jobs made right here, wind production right here in America. In Colorado, we have substantial manufacturing plants with Vestis; we have vendors who supply these particular manufacturers for this good clean energy. Yet we have the production tax credit that's about to expire. Bipartisan support is in Colorado where we have virtually every Member, Democrats and Republicans, as well as you heard Mr. Blumenauer say he has a Republican cosponsor for this. But the Republican leadership will not bring it up, and it's been removed from the platform of the Republican Party. These are good jobs in America. It's clean energy for our country. It's good for national security. If we make these things, these big windmills in America, we will make it in America.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, it's been a hard summer in Colorado, but we have a lot of bright spots. And I want to focus on three today-- one thing and two people. The ``thing'' is the patent office. In this country, we've had one patent office. It's been here in Washington, D.C. And now we're going to have three patent offices across the country, and Colorado got one of those. We're going to have a satellite patent office in Colorado, and that will help us continue our innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. Now, of the two people I would like to highlight, one is Chief Dan Oates. We had tremendous heroes in this recent tragedy that we had in Colorado. But Chief Dan Oates and his leadership of the Aurora Police Department were fantastic, and I want to compliment him on that. Now, the last person I want to highlight, who is a bright spot and will keep getting brighter, is Missy Franklin who has won a bronze medal and a gold medal in swimming. And she is going to win a lot more. So even though we've had a tough summer, there are a lot of bright things and a lot of bright people in Colorado, and it's going to be better from here on out.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and to a fellow softball coach. The columbine is the State flower of Colorado. It's a beautiful flower found in our mountains with whites and blues and yellows. It's just a gorgeous State flower for us to have. Thirteen years ago, on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School, we had a terrible tragedy. And I want all of us to remember the names of the kids that were killed at that shooting: Cassie Bernall, Steve Curnow, Corey DePooter, Kelly Flemming, Matt Kechter, Daniel Mauser, Daniel Rohrbough, Rachel Scott, Isaiah Shoels, John Tomlin, Lauren Townsend, Kyle Velasquez, and teacher, Dave Sanders. Now Columbine, just like this flower, has recovered, sprouted. It's a beautiful school. It has strong academics, strong sports, and good citizens. We're very proud of the kids in that high school. It's near where I live. We have suffered some scars from Columbine in Colorado, but we've also learned some lessons. We've learned some lessons that were put to good use 10 days ago in Aurora, Colorado. Aurora, as many of you will remember from your mythology classes, is the goddess of the dawn. And there will be a new day. We're suffering in Colorado right now. It's a beautiful State. It is a wonderful place. We've had two very difficult, tragic moments. And in these last 10 days, Mr. Speaker, I have had a chance to go to five funerals and visit with some people in the hospital. I want us to remember the names of the people that were killed 10 days ago: Jonathan Blunk, Alexander Jonathan (AJ) Boik, Staff Sergeant Jesse Childress, Gordon Cowden, Jessica Ghawi, Petty Officer 3rd Class John Larimer, Matthew McQuinn, Micayla Medek, Veronica Moser, Alex Sullivan, Alex Teves, Rebecca Wingo. Beautiful people, good people harmed in a very senseless moment in our history. But in the midst of this tragedy, there were a lot of heroes. And from Columbine, we learned lessons to get in and move quickly to save lives. So beginning with the Aurora police force and the firefighters from Aurora, there were tremendous acts of courage that saved lives, that saved people from bleeding to death. We saw in our medical teams a coordination of efforts, the likes of which none of us would ever want to go through again, but tremendous efforts on the part of the medical teams to save lives. Yesterday I had a chance to meet with some of the people still in the hospital, which gave me so much hope and inspiration. I want to start with the family where the husband and the wife--she's 9 months pregnant--decided that they want to go to a movie before they have their first born. They want to get that one last date out. He's shot. She suffers shots from the shotgun pellets. He's down on the first floor having surgery on his brain. She is up on the third floor of the hospital having a baby--baby Hugo, who is like the biggest kid I have ever seen at that age. His hands, he's definitely going to be a baseball player. And the Rockies came by to visit him and gave this baby two baseballs. But she was so positive and so optimistic about her son's future and about the future of her husband, who has had great medical care and will have long-lasting injuries, but he will do well. And this wife was so positive, a young woman who is really optimistic about life. Another young man who was shot in the side, he was in a coma. He has since come out of it, and he is now planning to start his first year of college at Western State in Gunnison, Colorado. And finally, one guy who had been in a difficult state, the President of the United States came and visited him. He woke up at that moment-- whether it was because of that visit or not, who knows, but he has a huge smile. The Rockies came to visit him, and he said, ``I'm sorry, but I'm a Yankees fan.'' And then, to my chagrin, he also is a fan of the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders, when he should be a Broncos fan. But he is recovering well, too. These people are recovering. Our community will recover. We live in a great State. And I want to just finish with these words, if I could, Mr. Speaker. Ordinarily I speak off the cuff, but one of the staff members in my office, who is a Coloradan, wanted me to say this, and I believe it. Even after these tragedies, we must remind ourselves and the world what it is to be a Coloradan. We are the cities and the open spaces. We are the mountains and the prairie. We are the mountains and the trees. We are the snow and the sunshine. We are loving families and longtime friends. We are the welcoming neighbor and the kind stranger. We are Coloradans. We live in paradise and surround ourselves with loving, wonderful people who enrich our lives. This is what defines our State. We will always remember the victims, we will always honor the heroes, and we will grow stronger. I am proud of my State. I'm sorry for what happened. But we will grow from this.