Scott Tipton

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Sue Tuffin of Grand Junction, Colorado, for her dedication to her community. She has a unique and exceptional success story and has quickly risen through the ranks in her career in public service. Ms. Tuffin is of exceptional character, and has shown discipline, tenacity, and savvy in her career and personal life. As a single mother, Tuffin realized she needed to go back to school to provide a better life for her son and herself--she was making 90 cents an hour to make ends meet. When she was married, she had worked in an office to put her then husband through college. Wanting to do the same, Ms. Tuffin enrolled at Southern Colorado State College to pursue a four- year degree. She finished her coursework in two. During this time, she worked four jobs to support herself and raise her young son. Following college, Ms. Tuffin quickly received promotions at Manpower, an employment services company in Pueblo. She jumped from receptionist to counselor to supervisor. After Manpower, Tuffin worked at the Delta Department of Human Services, and eventually became director of both the Delta Health Department and Human Services Department. Ms. Tuffin spent a decade working for the State of Colorado reforming welfare. Recently, she was chosen to direct the Mesa County Workforce Center which provides employment resources and training programs. Tuffin's own success story will surely inspire those she serves at the Workforce Center. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask this body to commend Sue Tuffin for her perseverance in her personal and professional life. We wish her the best of luck in her new position.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Destinee Reed of Grand Junction, Colorado, for winning a statewide talent competition. Ms. Reed's entry into the competition earned her the opportunity to perform at Governor Hickenlooper's inaugural celebration on January 11, 2011. Ms. Reed, 15 years old, composed and sang her song ``My Colorado,'' where she sings about the beauty of her home state, mentioning wild mustangs, Palisade peaches, and skiing. The statewide contest accepted applications from elementary, middle and high school students, and while others won prizes as well, she was the only one allowed to perform at the Governor's inaugural party. Ms. Reed recognizes the performance as a unique and privileged opportunity for a young musical artist. Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to congratulate Ms. Reed on her musical accomplishments at such a young age. We wish her the best of luck with her academic and musical ambitions.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Reeves Brown of Grand Junction, Colorado, for his lifetime of contributions in promoting agricultural interests and effective government in the State of Colorado. Mr. Brown has an impressive agricultural pedigree and has proven himself to be a valuable leader in the field. Mr. Brown grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana and received a B.S. in Agriculture Business from Montana State University. He began his career at the National Cattlemen's Association, serving two years with the organization. Afterwards, Mr. Brown spent nearly a decade at the Colorado Cattlemen's Association as Executive Vice President, during which time he elevated the Association as a national leader in animal care and natural resources issues. During Brown's tenure the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust was created in 1993, preserving over 250,000 acres of Colorado farmland. His leadership in agricultural conservation has spilled over into other States, too. Similar ag land trusts have conserved over one million acres of land. His efforts speak to his commitment in preserving the agricultural business in the United States. For the past ten years, Mr. Brown has led the non-profit CLUB 20 as Executive Director, which aims to provide a dialogue and recommend public policy for the Western Colorado region. Mr. Brown's leadership earned him the recognition of Colorado's newly elected Governor--On January 3, Mr. Brown was appointed director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, overseeing the diverse needs of Colorado communities. The department's responsibilities include areas such as education, land management, transportation, energy, water, and health care. Mr. Brown's commitment to good public policy and track record of effective, collaborative decision-making will surely serve the people of Colorado well. Mr. Speaker, for his years of service in the public and agricultural sectors, Mr. Brown deserves the commendation of this body. We wish him the best of luck on his next endeavor.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere honor to rise and pay tribute to Mr. Bob Luna. Through his charitable efforts to bring the beauties and joys of the outdoors to our nation's veterans, Mr. Luna has been able to provide many soldiers with cherished hunting experiences and memories. Since 2008, Bob Luna and his Colorado Hunting Expeditions, along with the National Rifle Association Foundation, have sponsored the Mark Ecker II Memorial Heroes Hunt. This annual January tradition gives the opportunity for 20 veterans to participate in a Rocky Mountain hunt. Many of the veterans are mentally or physically disabled due to injuries and experiences resulting from their bravery in combat. The chance to participate in big game pursuit means everything to these soldiers. The Memorial Heroes Hunt, which takes place in Dolores, Colorado, will be continuing with its fourth installment this January, and Mr. Luna's efforts and passion serve as an exemplary example of what one citizen can give back to our nation's soldiers. It should also be noted that many local businesses from Montezuma County, Colorado donate food, equipment, and lodging in an effort to make sure this wonderful tradition continues. Mr. Speaker it is my honor to recognize Mr. Bob Luna before this Congress today. The efforts of Bob Luna's actions speak volumes about his dedication to our country.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Riley King of Durango, Colorado, for his efforts in co-founding Unite Our World, a non-profit charity that provides medical assistance and builds schools for impoverished children abroad. Mr. King and his friend Matt Peters have always been entrepreneurial and focused on community involvement. Following their high school graduations, both men started a series of seasonal businesses to pay for their travel expenses abroad. In 2009, Riley King and Matt Peters founded Unite Our World after Mr. King visited a school in Uganda. These young men are intensely focused on giving back to their community. Acknowledging his own birth into privilege, Mr. King admits with pride that he has an obligation to serve those who have less. Unite Our World's core mission is to advocate and provide assistance for children who do not have sufficient educational resources within their own countries. Recently, the organization expanded its mission and involved itself in the battle against the AIDS epidemic in Uganda. Mr. King currently serves as president of the non-profit company. Mr. Speaker, America is lucky to have committed citizens such as Mr. King and Mr. Peters. I am proud to commend both these young men for their leadership and contribution to our world community.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, the question before us is: Will we accept what is, or are we willing to commit to build what could be? America has always been a land of self-determination. Our constitutionally guaranteed rights as individuals, as a people, as a Nation have made us flourish. Innovation, creativity, and freedom are American hallmarks. I rise in support of H.R. 2. It does not indite intent, but it does address outcome. In fact, the deeper we dig into the health care act, the more we discover that it is stopping job creation, building more government, and placing tax burdens on American families who are already struggling. We can and must do better. Let us commit ourselves to addressing the basic concerns we hold in common concerning health care--affordability and accessibility. Let us strive to empower our people to make their own choices about the care they receive, empower private sector solutions that will lower costs and increase the quality of care, and eliminate governmental stumbling blocks and not build bigger government.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. ``Done in convention by unanimous consent of the States present the 17th day of September in the year of Our Lord 1787 and of the independence of the United States of America the 12th in witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.''