Scott Tipton

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's comments and appreciate his support, actually, for this. This actually shows how we can make progress when we do have communication. In terms of what was going on, something was lacking on some of these issues going into the CORE Act. Unfortunately, another eight amendments which I had proposed were not allowed to be discussed on this floor tonight. We have other concerns that have been expressed through our counties, through our communities, through individuals to be able to address as well. But I am appreciative of the gentleman's support on this amendment and for recognizing the importance of grazing rights in not only Garfield County but throughout the West. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate the opportunity to address the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act on the floor. We want to be able to ensure that the land being transferred from the Forest Service to the National Park Service management comply with the current memorandum of understanding. During testimony before the Committee on Natural Resources committee hearing on the CORE Act on April 2, 2019, Acting Deputy Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Chris French, identified the Soap Creek area within the Curecanti National Recreation Area as appropriate for continued active forest management, including fuel treatments, under the existing memoranda of understanding between the Forest Service and the National Parks Service. This is a good amendment to be able to support. I would encourage my colleagues to get behind this and hope we can continue to have the continued cooperation that we are finally starting to be able to see on the floor. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, this is a current memorandum of understanding, something that the Forest Service itself, Chief Deputy Chris French, identified as an appropriate area for continued activities. You know, one of the big challenges that we have in the Third Congressional District of Colorado happens to be forest management. We have seen forests literally burn to the ground. Simply to be able to have active, good forest management, to make sure that we are standing up, being able to protect our communities seems to me to be a sensible approach to be able to address something within something as expansive as the CORE Act. The gentleman mentioned conversations with, I assume, a county commissioner out of Gunnison County. We did have some contact with him today. We are going to be citing back to him conversations he had with our legislative director on this issue. So there was communication that had taken place on this. I would invite the gentleman to actually come to Montrose County to be able to visit with people who deal in the forest products areas, to be able to see how they are going to responsibly be able to deal with some of the treatment areas, to be able to protect our communities, to be able to protect our watersheds, to be able to protect endangered species. I think this is an appropriate amendment to the CORE Act, and I will encourage its adoption. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to invite my colleagues to join my call designating September 2019 as School Bus Safety and Security Month. Earlier this month, I introduced a resolution to honor and show my appreciation to the more than half a million school bus drivers across the country. Over 26 million children rely on public school transportation to get them safely to and from school each year, and September is the perfect month to thank these drivers for keeping our kids safe as they return to school. In rural districts like Colorado's Third Congressional District, many of these drivers find themselves driving great distances facing inclement weather, wildlife, and other hazards that make driving difficult, yet they work tirelessly to ensure safe transportation of our children. Madam Speaker, I would also like to commend the Child Safety Network for their 30 years of commitment to America's children and promoting this resolution. I am truly appreciative of their advocacy on behalf of school safety, and I thank my colleagues who have joined as cosponsors for this important resolution.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the millions of patients from across the country suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome, to raise awareness of this severely misunderstood neurological disease. RLS is a serious neurological disease that devastates the lives of millions of Americans. An estimated 12 million men, women and children in the U.S. have RLS. Patients with RLS experience an overwhelming, agitating and uncontrollable urge to move their legs, which can only be relieved by moving or walking to abate the sensation. RLS is at its strongest in the evening and nighttime hours, severely disrupting sleep. Treatment is life-long, and there is no cure. The sleep loss caused by RLS robs people of the ability to work and live normally and may lead to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Profound sleep loss also puts people with RLS at risk for hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. I ask my colleagues to join me in working to raise awareness of this devastating disease by recognizing September 23rd as RLS Awareness Day.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1941, a bill that would permanently block responsible oil and gas development in the Atlantic and Pacific planning areas. As a Representative from a district that has overwhelming amounts of Federal land, I often find myself engaged with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle about the importance of allowing local leaders to be able to manage the lands that are around them, making decisions about what happens on those public lands that surround their communities. The argument I am met with is that public lands belong to all Americans, to benefit all Americans. And it is true, the responsible energy development that happens on public lands in my district benefits all Americans in the form of reliable and low-cost energy sources, but we are here today debating a bill that would put the wishes of some States to close off submerged lands under Federal land jurisdictions ahead of the interests of all Americans. When it comes to local control, why should local coastal States lead the way while landlocked Western States are told time and again that the Federal Government knows what is best? I have been a longtime advocate for an all-of-the-above energy plan in the U.S. This means wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower, natural gas, oil, oil shale, and minerals. An InsideClimate News article from January of last year outlined the investments offshore oil and gas companies are making in wind energy due to market demand and to the unique position that they are in, having already made significant onshore infrastructure investments. According to a 2017 Wood Mackenzie study, annual revenues from wind and solar could represent one-twelfth of the revenues in oil and gas by 2035 as some major oil and gas companies seize opportunities in the wind power market. If the goal of my friends on the other side of the aisle is to reduce our country's reliance on fossil fuels, why push policies that cut off the source of the investment of oil and gas companies that are making renewable energy? We should be supporting industry and market-led shifts to renewable energy, not imposing drastic policies like H.R. 1941 that hamstring these efforts. Finally, earlier this year, the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed a public lands package that permanently authorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund. All States benefit from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, so we can't ignore the fact that the bill we are debating today would cut off the source of funding for the program, which, as we all know, is offshore oil and gas revenues. There have been many calls from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to be able to pass a measure that will provide for mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. How can we push for mandatory Land and Water Conservation Fund funding and, at the same time, advocate for a bill that completely cuts off Land and Water Conservation Fund sources? Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the underlying bill.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Scott A. Koppenhafer of Mancos, Colorado. Gunnery Sgt. Koppenhafer was killed in combat on Saturday, August 10, 2019 while serving alongside the Iraqi Security Forces in a planned operation in northern Iraq. Instead of pursuing a job in business following his degree completion at Adams State University, Gunnery Sgt. Koppenhafer decided to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. His decision to serve was made during an intense period of war against radical terrorists who continue to threaten our nation's liberties and freedom. Knowing the dangers that accompany serving in war, Gunnery Sgt. Koppenhafer heroically put aside his civilian life ambitions and instead chose to serve his country. As one of the world's most lethal fighting forces, Marines are also well-known for their motto, Semper Fidelis, or always faithful. Gunnery Sgt. Koppenhafer adhered to this motto and perhaps best exemplified it during his time in service which spanned nearly 14 years and three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He built an impressive resume over that period which includes two Bronze Stars, a 2018 Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command's Critical Skills Operator of the Year award, honor graduate for the special operations training school, and dozens of other prestigious military medals and decorations. Gunnery Sgt. Koppenhafer set himself apart from his peers by setting the example with his remarkable record and dedication to putting country over self. Madam Speaker, Gunnery Sgt. Koppenhafer's life was taken all too soon. His death not only impacts his brothers and sisters in the Corps, but he also leaves behind two children, his wife, and his parents Gerald and Carla. Among his fellow Marines and family members, his hometown of Mancos bears the immense weight of his loss. With a population the size of many high schools across the country, the loss of one from our small community is felt by all who live there. It is with a heavy heart that I, along with so many from the area, say goodbye to such an upstanding citizen and a true American hero. I send my deepest condolences to Gunnery Sgt. Koppenhafer's family and pray that God's grace provides them with the comfort they need to heal.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a pioneer and a standout citizen of Durango, Colorado, Peryl Schaaf. Peryl began her life as a homesteader in southwest Colorado and eventually served as one of the highest officer positions at the Bank of Durango. Peryl is the daughter of two homesteading families in Durango, CO. She eloped and married her husband, Ernie Schaaf, at the age of fifteen, on August 20, 1939. The couple had four children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Her family was full of strong hardworking women including her Aunt, Olga Little, a local mining legend and a trailblazer. Peryl was no stranger to hard work herself. She started working at the young age of six. She was the family homemaker while her mother taught at remote one room school houses. She worked as a gas pump attendant at her father's station during World War II, and years later, started a job at the Bank of Durango as a teller. Despite being paid only half of what her male counterparts made, her hard work did not go unnoticed by her colleagues or management and she eventually rose through the ranks to serve as the Vice President of the bank. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor Peryl. As a renowned storyteller in her community, Peryl will continue to highlight her remarkable life through the Durango Native Stories--a reoccurring public series offering first-hand recollections of personal stories from Durango locals. Her life of hard work, perseverance and achievement is worthy of commendation and I am proud to honor her legacy.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn).

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chair, I do have the privilege and the honor to be able to represent Colorado's vast Third Congressional District, which is home to the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, also known as HAATS. It is located in Gypsum, Colorado. HAATS is under the U.S. Department of Defense's organization, and it is a lone school that teaches rotary wing aviators in the Armed Forces, in the military, and also those of our foreign allies to learn how to be able to fly safely with rotary wing aircraft in mountainous, high- altitude environments. I have had the opportunity to be able to hear from military officials and many servicemen and -women, both retired and active, along with their families, who praise the lifesaving training conducted at HAATS. There are numerous examples of how the elite training provided at HAATS has benefited our men and women in uniform when it comes to military aviation. I would like to share one of those examples this evening. In Afghanistan's Helmand province, a HAATS graduate conducting an emergency medical evacuation mission in treacherous conditions was faced with the challenge of dealing with fine brown talcum powder, which was damaging the engine's aircraft. He was able, through his training in management power techniques garnered at HAATS, to actually safely land the aircraft and successfully remove wounded soldiers and medics out of the area, which was extremely hazardous. Madam Chair, my amendment is a sense of Congress whereby Congress recognizes that the military aviation training in Colorado, including the training conducted at HAATS, is critical to the national security of the United States and to the readiness of the Armed Forces. Madam Chair, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chair, I appreciate the kind comments from my colleague out of Colorado in support of something that is fundamentally important to our Nation's security and also to be able to help citizens who may be in treacherous conditions in the high altitudes of Colorado and our other Western States. Madam Chair, I do encourage our colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sgt. First Class Will D. Lindsay from Cortez, Colorado, an American soldier who was recently killed defending our country in the Kunduz Province of Afghanistan. He and Spc. Joseph Collette, both Fort Carson based soldiers, were killed in an attack fighting against the Taliban. Sgt. Lindsay was born in Cortez in 1985. The grandson of World War II veteran Richard Lindsay and World War II veteran Warren Waldorf, he was no stranger to service. He followed his grandfather's footsteps when he enlisted into the Army in 2004, ultimately getting selected into the elite 10th Special Forces Group. This prestigious fighting group deploys to some of the world's most heated combat zones and Sgt. Lindsay bravely deployed with them seven times including five tours in Iraq, one in Tajikistan and this final deployment to Afghanistan. As a highly decorated combat veteran, Sgt. Lindsay had an expansive list of military awards and decorations to include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Unit Awards, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Chilean Airborne Wings, and the Senior Instructor Badge. Sgt. Lindsay's record is a testament to his commitment of putting country before self, as he did in the Army for nearly 15 years. I stand before the House of Representatives with a heavy heart thinking about his family and their great loss, especially his wife Sarah, his four daughters and his parents Grant and Tammy. I join the town of Cortez, his brothers and sisters in arms, and the entire nation in mourning his untimely death. I have gotten to know Sgt. Lindsay's family over the years and his loss will be felt by many in our small community. Madam Speaker, Sgt. Lindsay's death is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our men and women in the military endure as well as their families. Sgt. Lindsay was a true American hero from one of the most rural areas in Colorado who died protecting his men and the country he loved. He dedicated his life to selflessly protect our great nation and we are all proud of him. His loss is tragic, but his legacy will be remembered for generations to come, and the world is a better place because of him.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant First Class Will D. Lindsay from Cortez, Colorado, an American soldier, who was recently killed defending our country in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan. He and Specialist Joseph Collette, both Fort Carson based soldiers, were killed in an attack fighting against the Taliban. Sergeant Lindsay was born in Cortez in 1985. The grandson of World War II veteran, Richard Lindsay, and World War II veteran, Warren Waldorf, he was no stranger to service. He followed his grandfather's footsteps when he enlisted in the Army in 2004, ultimately, getting selected into the elite 10th Special Forces Group. This prestigious fighting group deploys to some of the world's most heated combat zones. Sergeant Lindsay bravely deployed with them seven times, including five tours in Iraq, one in Tajikistan, and this final deployment to Afghanistan. As a highly decorated combat veteran, Sergeant Lindsay had an expansive list of military awards and decorations to include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Military Free-fall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Chilean Airborne Wings, and the Senior Instructor Badge. Sergeant Lindsay's record is a testament to his commitment of putting country before self, as he did in the Army for nearly 15 years. I stand before the House of Representatives with a heavy heart thinking about his family and their great loss, especially his wife, Sarah, his four daughters, and his parents, Grant and Tammy. I join the town of Cortez, his brothers and sisters in arms, and the entire Nation in mourning his untimely death. I have gotten to know Sergeant Lindsay's family over the years and his loss will be felt by many in our small community. Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Lindsay's death is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our men and women in the military endure, as well as their families. Sergeant Lindsay was a true American hero, from one of the most rural areas of Colorado, who died protecting his men and the country he loved. He dedicated his life to selflessly protect our great Nation, and we are all proud of him. His loss is tragic, but his legacy will be remembered for generations to come, and the world is a better place because of him.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sgt. First Class Will D. Lindsay from Cortez, Colorado, an American soldier who was recently killed defending our country in the Kunduz Province of Afghanistan. He and Spc. Joseph Collette, both Fort Carson based soldiers, were killed in an attack fighting against the Taliban. Sgt. Lindsay was born in Cortez in 1985. The grandson of World War II veteran Richard Lindsay and World War II veteran Warren Waldorf, he was no stranger to service. He followed his grandfather's footsteps when he enlisted into the Army in 2004, ultimately getting selected into the elite 10th Special Forces Group. This prestigious fighting group deploys to some of the world's most heated combat zones and Sgt. Lindsay bravely deployed with them seven times including five tours in Iraq, one in Tajikistan and this final deployment to Afghanistan. As a highly decorated combat veteran, Sgt. Lindsay had an expansive list of military awards and decorations to include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Unit Awards, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Chilean Airborne Wings, and the Senior Instructor Badge. Sgt. Lindsay's record is a testament to his commitment of putting country before self, as he did in the Army for nearly 15 years. I stand before the House of Representatives with a heavy heart thinking about his family and their great loss, especially his wife Sarah, his four daughters and his parents Grant and Tammy. I join the town of Cortez, his brothers and sisters in arms, and the entire nation in mourning his untimely death. I have gotten to know Sgt. Lindsay's family over the years and his loss will be felt by many in our small community. Madam Speaker, Sgt. Lindsay's death is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our men and women in the military endure. Sgt. Lindsay was a true American hero from one of the most rural areas in Colorado who died protecting his men and the country he loved. He dedicated his life to selflessly protect our great nation and we are all proud of him. His loss is tragic, but his legacy will be remembered for generations to come, and the world is a better place because of him.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Shawn Shelton of Pueblo, Colorado, who recently retired from the Pueblo Fire Department. Shawn was born in 1962 in Quantico, Virginia to Doyle and Elizabeth Shelton. His father's service in the Marine Corps and the Air Force led to their family moving to various posts until they eventually settled in Pueblo in 1975. He married Mary Beth Erjavec in 1983 and they have two sons, Timothy and Joshua. Working odd-jobs as a ranch hand and a mechanic, Shawn found his career path in his early 20's after a friend's recommendation and never looked back. Shawn selflessly helped countless families in the Pueblo community by serving as a firefighter for over 30 years. After three years on the job, Shawn was promoted as a medic, and a year later received another promotion to fire engineer. He continued to advance in the department when he was promoted again to captain and then to assistant fire chief in 2015. Shawn's dedication to faithfully serve his community and his leadership as a team member ultimately led to him becoming the chief of the Pueblo Fire Department, a position he held for the last three years of his career. Firefighters are called to assist in some of the direst situations, yet their actions can be remembered for the lifetimes of the people they help. On one such occasion, while standing in line at a grocery store, Shawn was recognized by a woman whose baby he helped deliver nine years earlier. It's moments like that Shawn says he will miss the most. Madam Speaker, I stand with the Pueblo Fire Department and the entire community of Pueblo in thanking Shawn for his service over the last three decades. I wish him a happy retirement and hope that he knows just how thankful we are for his remarkable career.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional journalist of the Valley Courier, Ruth Heide in Alamosa, Colorado. Ruth recently retired after dedicating an impressive 35 years to the news business. Ruth has chronicled the events of the San Luis Valley since 1983 and has since become one of the most highly regarded, significant and respected journalists in Colorado. Her career began with the Del Norte Prospector and after a couple years, she joined the Valley Courier as a staff reporter in December 1985. She worked herself up to an editor in mid-2008, where she has spent the last 11 years at the helm of the paper. Ruth's success as a journalist derives from her deep understanding of the many issues impacting the San Luis Valley. During her career, Ruth took deep dives into local affairs covering stories spanning from crime, food borne disease outbreaks, and major wildfires in the area. Ruth always ensured that her stories were told objectively and completely. I especially appreciated her diligent coverage of water issues affecting the San Luis Valley where I was reassured by her commitment to getting the details right. The Courier is the go-to news source for many in the San Luis Valley because of Ruth's leadership, commitment to the truth and high standards. She continued to serve the community through many changes in the print news industry allowing the Courier to thrive while other publications have not weathered so well. Ruth's commitment to the highest journalistic standards have received high praise from her colleagues who noted that her love for the news was second only to her love and devotion for her community, faith, and family. Ruth has spent her life in service to others, she is a well- respected member of the Alamosa community and the Valley Courier and her legacy in this region is significant. Her reputation as a reliable resource for the community was not limited to the San Luis Valley. She garnered statewide recognition recently when Colorado established March 30th as Ruth Heide Day. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Ruth Heide here today and on behalf of the people of the San Luis Valley, Colorado's Third District, and the entire state, I want to thank her for all of her years of journalistic excellence. I wish Ruth the very best as she begins her next chapter.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2030, the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act. Following a historic two-decade long drought in the Southwest, I am glad to see an effective strategy produced after years of collaboration between the seven States involved and the Federal Government. Demand for water has drastically increased over the years due to population growth, but prolonged drought has diminished water supplies. As the location of the headwaters for the river that supplies roughly 40 million people, Colorado plays an especially crucial role in the management of our most precious resource. This past winter brought much-needed snowpack to the region, but there is no certainty that this trend will continue in the coming years. It is important to have a contingency plan in place. Ensuring the Colorado River can meet the demands of all water users who rely on it is a shared responsibility among all of the upper and lower basin States. The drought contingency plan agreed to by the basin States will ensure continued hydropower operations and compact compliance. Now each State must work to develop a plan for meeting the obligations of the DCP. Within the State of Colorado, it will be critical that all of the stakeholders come together to shoulder the burden of a voluntary demand management program. The western slope cannot carry the entire load, nor can the front range. I would like to thank the local and State governments who have worked on the DCP, and my colleagues in the House and the Senate for recognizing the urgency of this issue. I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 2030, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the bill.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major Sean M. Donohue of the United States Army for his extraordinary dedication to duty and service to the U.S. House of Representatives and our Nation. Major Donohue will soon transition from his current assignment as an Army Congressional Liaison in the U.S. House of Representatives to serve as the Command Surgeon for the Center for Initial Military Training at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. This unit is the largest charged with training all initial entry Soldiers in the Army. A native of Tacoma, WA, Major Donohue began his military career after graduating from the University of Puget Sound, enlisting after the 9/11 attacks as a medic in 2002. He was commissioned in 2009, completed his clinical training as a Physician Assistant at Fort Carson in Colorado and promptly deployed to Afghanistan as a Battalion Surgeon with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. Since then, Major Donohue has served in numerous leadership and staff positions around the world. His wife, Lexey, is a dedicated military spouse and they have three handsome boys: William, Jack and Maximus. In 2017, Army Medicine selected Major Donohue to serve as Legislative Liaison in the Army House Liaison Office. In his role as a legislative liaison, Major Donohue served as the primary liaison between Members of the 115th and 116th Congresses, their Staff, Legislative Committees, and the U.S. Army. In this role, he planned, coordinated, and accompanied Congressional and Staff Delegations on numerous worldwide fact-finding and investigative missions. Major Donohue built the relationships and trust needed to increase the trust and confidence the U.S. Congress has in the U.S. Army. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service of Major Donohue and his family as they continue to serve our great Nation in the next chapter of his remarkable career.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pueblo East High School Eagles wrestling team for its first ever 4A State Championship win. The Eagles finished first at the Colorado State Wrestling Tournament in Denver, Colorado, with 200 points. Pueblo County was runner-up with 181.5 points, while Centennial was in the top five with 76.5 points. The Eagles performed well as a team, with every single wrestler scoring at least one point during the tournament. The team had three overall state champions, including Andy Garcia, Dominic Robles, and Zion Freeman. All three of these young men won their weight classifications. Andy Garcia accomplished a first for the team, earning a 4-3 decision over his opponent and becoming the team's first three-time champion, despite having an injured knee on competition day. Dominic Robles had a phenomenal performance, getting a pin at 1 minute and 36 seconds in the first period against an opponent from Canon City. Zion Freeman was the first Eagles wrestler to win a title at the tournament, ultimately scoring a perfect 38-0 record for the season. Madam Speaker, we are proud to have these incredible students representing Pueblo and the people of the Third Congressional District. They have proven themselves to be individuals with sportsmanship, tenacity, and perseverance. I offer them my sincere congratulations and I wish them luck in their future endeavors. I am eager to see what they will accomplish going forward.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Illinois for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Energy's Cheney Disposal Cell in Mesa County, Colorado, is a critical component of the DOE legacy management mission to protect public health and the environment. The cell receives radioactive waste materials that were produced decades ago during the uranium milling process. The waste materials continue to be uncovered during road construction, bridge replacement, home foundation excavation, and other construction activities in several towns in western Colorado. Once the waste materials are discovered, they must be properly disposed of at the Cheney Disposal Cell. The authorization for the Cheney Disposal Cell expires at the end of 2023, or when the site is filled to capacity. Currently, the remaining capacity in the cell is approximately 234,000 cubic yards, therefore, an extended authorization is required. H.R. 347 would extend the authorization until 2031. As my colleague from Illinois noted, we passed this legislation in the last Congress, but this bill is now coming up at a critically important time. According to the Department of Energy, if the disposal cell is not reauthorized this year, DOE will have to take steps to begin to decommission the site. This means no more materials will be accepted in 2019 and we will lose a critical component of the DOE's legacy management program. I thank my colleague from Colorado, Ms. Diana DeGette, for her support on this bill, and for her leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee for recognizing the need to bring this bill up now. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 347.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nick Gray of Olathe, Colorado, a World War II veteran of Pearl Harbor and Guadalcanal Campaign who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Nick is the grandson of Judge John Gray, who took up a homestead in the Shavano Valley in 1884, became Mayor of Montrose, and received local acclaim for working to get the Gunnison Tunnel built during his time as a District Judge. Judge Gray's son, Joe Gray, was Nick's father. Nick grew up on the family ranch his grandfather built with his mother Addie Hobson, his father, and the rest of his siblings . In 1940, Nick left his family's ranch and volunteered to serve in the Army. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor with the 25th Infantry Division when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. While overseas he built roads and bridges on Guadalcanal in the South Pacific and managed a crew of 25 natives who had been bombed out by Japanese forces. After his service was complete, he used his military education to build his ranching operation back home in Colorado and ultimately created the Nick Gray Construction Company. As a small business owner, he built more than 3,000 miles of power line rights-of-way and roads across three states. In 1963, Nick cleared 220 miles for power line structure sites, building sub-station sites and roads from Wyoming to New Mexico. Another one of Nick's major accomplishments was building the Purgatory Ski Area near Durango, Colorado. Nick built the parking lot, ski course, and by-pass road all the way to Hermosa Park. During the 129-day project, he blasted nearly 40,000 yards of rock. Nick married his wife Margaret in June 1946, and they had a son, Stephen Gray. Nick and Margaret have two granddaughters, Nicole Lumsden and Lezlee Cox, and six great-grandchildren, Keith Lumsden, Stephen Lumsden, Sarah Lumsden, Talli Lumsden, Caralea Cox, and Kendyl Cox. Madam Speaker, Nick's service to his country, enduring work-ethic, and love of family will continue to have an impact on the Olathe community for years to come. It is my privilege to acknowledge him here today, and express heartfelt gratitude for the important work he has done throughout his life. I wish him all the best in his future.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Coal Ridge Titans' co-ed cheer team for winning the 3A Cheer Spirit state championship in Denver. Their All-Girls team also placed second in the All-Girls category. In total, the Titan's co-ed team scored 78.05 points over the opposing Strasburg, which scored 71.12 points. Bayfield placed third and Alamosa placed fourth in the state championship spirit competition. The Titan's success is a testament to their strength, teamwork, and dedication. Team members included: Kyla Boyd, Andrea Jurado, Pilar Pagni, Kalicia MacGregor, Haven Prodzinski, Cipriana Dacuma, Paige Stecklein, Christian Vasquez, Hartleigh Porter, Madison Balizan, Tana Couey, Tori Byers, Brayden Kammers, Nathan Tomasello, Nicole Elliott, Lacey Peterson, Annikya Wight. Alongside the co-ed team, the All-Girls Coal Ridge cheer team placed second overall in the state with an overall score of 68.02. Only four of the 19 girls on the team had formal cheer experience, which made their win especially significant. Their endless work-ethic and ability to overcome adversity, which culminated in their ultimate success, should make them proud. For many of the team's players, this win is the achievement of a goal they have worked towards for years. I commend their coaches and each member of the team for their sportsmanship and competitive spirit. Team members included: Olivia Oldham, Litzy Martinez, Litzy Rivera, Morgan Bilodeay, Jinessa Hayden, Valerie Capraro, Samantha Sarmiento, Samantha Copeland, Leila Green, Natalie Smyth, Aurie Madrid, Savannah Madrid, Denisse Ortega, Odalys Quezada, Brynlee Elswick, Phoebe Young, Cara Groves, Rhaya Carmichael, Sydney Stanley. Madam Speaker, I am proud to have these incredible students call the Third Congressional District in Western Colorado home, and I offer my sincere congratulations. I wish them luck in their future endeavors, and I am eager to see what they will accomplish going forward.