Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Saul Delgado for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Saul Delgado is an 11th grader at Jefferson Senior High and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Saul Delgado 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 Saul Delgado for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I've had an opportunity to listen to two of my friends on the Republican side of the aisle. I just need to remind them, when you take a voluntary pay cut, when you subsidize and give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires, when you prosecute a couple wars to the tune of $1 trillion that you don't pay for and then when you let Wall Street run amuck without any police on Wall Street and you have a crash, you're going to have major debt. So now they're complaining about a debt that they were instrumental in creating. All right. We've got to pay it, but you've got to get people back to work. The best way to reduce the deficit is to have people working. President Obama has reduced what we're spending in Iraq by $100 billion. That's real money. You can't just focus on education. You can't just focus on energy efficiency. You've got to focus on tax cuts for oil companies and on tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. It's both sides of the ledger. It takes all of us working together to get this under control, and we Democrats intend to do that.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Petra Reagan for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Petra Reagan 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 Petra Reagan 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 Petra Reagan for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

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

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Noe Godines for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Noe Godines 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 Noe Godines 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 Noe Godines for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Sergio Alfaro for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Sergio Alfaro is a 11th grader at Jefferson Senior High and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Sergio Alfaro 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 Sergio Alfaro for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ruslan Pshichenko for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Ruslan Pshichenko is a 8th grader at North Arvada Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Ruslan Pshichenko 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 Ruslan Pshichenko for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Noah Bennett for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Noah Bennett is a 7th grader at Drake Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Noah Bennett 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 Noah Bennett for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Rhett Gutierrez for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Rhett Gutierrez 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 Rhett Gutierrez 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 Rhett Gutierrez for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

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

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Poe Poh for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Poe Poh 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 Poe Poh 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 Poe Poh for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

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

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Stefan Young for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Stefan Young is a 7th grader at Drake Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Stefan Young 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 Stefan Young for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Vinny Padilla for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Vinny Padilla is a 7th grader at Drake Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Vinny Padilla 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 Vinny Padilla for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Shanyn Springfield for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Shanyn Springfield is a 12th 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 Shanyn Springfield 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 Shanyn Springfield for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Tanya Estrada for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Tanya Estrada is a 11th grader at Jefferson Senior High and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Tanya Estrada 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 Tanya Estrada for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

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

Mr. PERLMUTTER

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

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Spencer Stapp for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Spencer Stapp 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 Spencer Stapp 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 Spencer Stapp for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Taylor Knabe for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Taylor Knabe is a 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 Taylor Knabe 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 Taylor Knabe for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Venissa Augustin for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Venissa Augustin 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 Venissa Augustin 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 Venissa Augustin for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Uncle Rex.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. So I just say to my friend from California, just going back to my analogy, or my metaphor, of voluntary pay cut and then all of a sudden you're building two houses after you just took a voluntary pay cut, being the two wars, but the good news, but there still is much work to go, is that the war in Iraq, we had 150,000 people there. Under the Obama administration, that's been drawn down to about 50 and is shrinking, we're saving already $100 billion a year there alone. Obviously, you've got to look at Afghanistan and a continued drawdown because that's money that could go towards not increasing the debt, but ultimately reducing the debt. The other thing is that the best way to shrink the deficit, just in that same analogy I was giving, is to put people back to work. The more people that are working, the better off we are. We are in this together. That's the whole point of this. This country's motto is ``e pluribus unum,'' from many one. We're in this together. Big guys, those guys making a lot of money, God bless them. The little guys who are working their fannies off, God bless them. We are in this together. And the only way we deal with problems in this Nation is when we deal with them together. And this country is a great Nation. We will solve these problems. There will always be problems in the future, and we just take them one at a time as they come. We can do this. We will do this. We will have a prosperous future for all of us. But we've got some work to do right now. And my plea to my friends on the Republican side of the aisle is don't cut off the Nation's nose to spite its face. We can take care of these responsibilities and pay these bills. That's what America does. It pays its bills. We need to do it in a sensible way and not cut out the future and the opportunity that so many Americans get from their education, from the infrastructure that needs to be rebuilt, and from making things here in this country.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Would the gentleman yield one more time?

Mr. PERLMUTTER. On that point, you raise a great point. Here we are finally making some real progress on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and we know that you have to have the whole menu of ways to power this country. It's oil and gas; it's going to be carbon-based fuels; it's going to be nuclear; it's going to be renewable energy and energy efficiency. But under my Republican colleagues' plans, we are going to go right back to where we were as we start to see gasoline starting to go through the roof. So we are always going to be at the whim of importing oil. I mean, I feel like sometimes my friends on the Republican side of the aisle, their mantra is: Let's export jobs and import oil. It's just wrong. It's wrong for this Nation. It's wrong for the future, for our future, and for our kids. We really have to be focusing on that. This Nation needs to come together because we can build that better future together and not just doing some of the I think knee-jerk things that the Republican Party has requested of the Congress. It is bad for America. It goes way too far, and I know we can do better.