What Jeff Hurd said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the La Plata County Humane Society as it celebrates 55 years of service to the animals and people of Southwest Colorado.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Nathan Matthews, a wildland firefighter who gave his life protecting western Colorado. Nate was serving with the Rifle Helitack crew on June 28, 2026, when the Knowles Fire suddenly overtook his team during initial attack operations in Mesa County.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Colorado Army National Guard aviators who saved a life on one of Colorado's most challenging peaks. Earlier this year, a hiker was stranded on Crestone Peak, more than 14,000 feet above sea level.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Juan Agredano and his family, owners of C & J Cafe in Delta, Colorado, a community institution that has served Western Slope families since the 1980s.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Grand Valley Power as it celebrates 90 years of keeping the lights on in Colorado's Third Congressional District. In 1936, a small group of farmers in the Grand Valley could not get electricity.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dennis Webb, who is retiring after nearly 20 years of covering the environment and natural resources for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Patrick Morrissey, a Colorado Hall of Fame wrestler whose great achievement came long after the wrestling mat. Patrick was a Colorado State champion and an All-American, but in 2019, at just 48 years old, he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nicholas Dale, who gave his life battling the Gold Mountain fire in southwestern Colorado. On July 12, Nicholas was piloting a firefighting helicopter when his aircraft went down in Silver Jack Reservoir.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the volunteer firefighters of Beulah, Colorado, for their extraordinary service during the Aspen Acres fire in Pueblo County. When shifting winds drove the fire toward the town of Beulah, the town's 22-member volunteer fire department stood between the flames and their community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor three brave wildland firefighters who gave their lives protecting the people of Colorado. Last Friday, Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson were responding to the Knowles fire in western Colorado as members of the Rifle Helitack crew.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5631, the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act. I begin by thanking my Republican colleagues Representatives Lee, Maloy, and Kennedy and my Democratic colleagues Representatives Ansari and Ocasio-Cortez for their partnership on this bipartisan legislation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5911, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act. I will begin by thanking committee staff, whose hard work helped move this legislation across the finish line.”

“At its core, this bill reflects a simple principle: Where there is strong local support, a clear public purpose, and appropriate safeguards, decisions should be made by the people closest to the resource.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to recognize the heroic actions of Officer Tyler Cunningham of the Montrose Police Department. While responding to a residential structure fire alongside fellow first responders, Officer Cunningham arrived to find the roof and back of the home fully engulfed in flames.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bob Brammer of Durango, Colorado, for his exceptional dedication and service to the Durango community. Bob Brammer served with the Durango Police Department for 21 years, including six years as Chief of Police.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Randy Black of Durango, Colorado, for his outstanding commitment and contributions to the people of Durango. Chief Randy Black has devoted more than three decades to the safety and well-being of the Durango community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7342, the Made in America Jobs Act of 2026, which I am proud to lead with my colleague from Alabama, Congressman Shomari Figures.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Business Incubator Center and its extraordinary impact on Mesa County and Colorado's western slope. For four decades, the Business Incubator Center has been a driving force behind economic growth: supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening small businesses, and creating opportunities in communities across the region.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2600, the Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act, the ASCEND Act. This bill builds on a model that already works.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 47th Annual Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo Dinner Dance Awardees for 2025. Over the past 47 years, the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo has grown into a well-respected and accomplished organization that continues to support and strengthen small businesses in the Pueblo community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate three extraordinary athletes from Colorado's Third District who are headed to the 2026 Olympics to represent our country. A half-pipe skier from Aspen, Alex Ferriera, already has two Olympic Games under his belt, and I am confident his experience will lead to success.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the life of former Colorado State Senator Lewis H. Entz, who passed away on December 10 at the remarkable age of 94.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of former United States Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado who passed away at the age of 92.”

“Mr. Speaker, our colleague Doug LaMalfa passed away on Monday, and I want to take just a minute--he would have liked that--to honor him the best way that I know how: plainly.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote to override the President's veto of H.R. 131, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act. This is not a symbolic vote.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am an original cosponsor of the Pet and Livestock Protection Act because it delists the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. This gives wildlife managers more control in States while protecting domestic animals from wolf attacks.”

“Mr. Chairman, I support the SPEED Act because it fixes something that people back home understand instinctively: It takes too long to build anything in this country--water infrastructure, roads, power lines, housing, or energy projects.”

“Mr. Chairman, I am proud to cosponsor the PERMIT Act, commonsense legislation to help America build the infrastructure we need faster and more responsibly. I am especially grateful that my bill, the Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act, is included as a part of this package.”

“H.R. 3857 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025''.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the town of Rico, Colorado, for being named the 2025 Small Community of the Year by the Economic Development Council of Colorado.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome His All- Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Washington, D.C.--the spiritual leader and Primus inter Pares (First among Equals) of more than 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the retirement of Manuel Heart, chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Chairman Heart has faithfully served his people for more than a decade, leading with vision, humility, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the Tribe's sovereignty and making life better for his community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of Patrick L. ``Pat'' Kanda, a devoted public servant and community leader from Grand Junction, Colorado, who passed away on March 18, 2025.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable group of young men and their coaches from Western Colorado, the Grand Mesa Senior All Stars baseball team. This summer, these players, ages 14 to 16, won the Colorado Senior Little League State Championship in Grand Junction.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Scott W. Hobson of Pueblo, Colorado, as he retires from the Pueblo City Planning & Community Development Department. Scott's career in public service began in Canon City, where he served as Director of the Fremont County Special District Parks and Recreation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2316, the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the victory of the Grand Junction High School Knowledge Bowl team in the 2025 Colorado State championship. This marks the school's 26th State title and its second consecutive win of the Governor's Cup.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a great Coloradan and a true American patriot, Rick Dunlap. Rick's story is one of resilience, courage, and service.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for his commonsense piece of legislation that we are discussing this afternoon. This is a new day in America. The days of forestry mismanagement are coming to an end.”