[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 25, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO'S SENIOR STRATEGIC ADVISOR AND 
       FORMER VICE CHANCELLOR, FRANCES DRAPER, ON HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE NEGUSE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 2021

  Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, today I wish to honor and thank a Boulder 
Colorado trailblazer: Frances Draper. It's hard to distill such a 
luminous human into a few short paragraphs. Frances is equal parts 
tough and kind; cooperative and indomitable; pragmatic and optimistic. 
``There's a pony in here for everyone,'' is Frances's way of pointing 
out that by working together--by seeking to collaborate rather than 
divide--we can almost always get to win-win outcomes.
  In her role at the University of Colorado-Boulder, Frances reimagined 
and transformed the way that the city and the University collaborate, 
and ushered in a spirit of teamwork in town-and-gown relations that 
serves as a model for our Nation. She has served as a beacon of 
opportunity and decency in our community, representing the university 
and the city with honor, integrity and humanity.
  Prior to joining the university, Frances was Executive Director of 
the Boulder Economic Council, manager of the Sun Microsystems business 
and finance line for General Electric, and a legislative aide to 
Harrison Schmidt, U.S. Senator from New Mexico. Frances has lived in 
Boulder for close to 40 years, during which time she served on crucial 
local boards such as Foothills United Way, Naturally Boulder, I Have a 
Dream, and Boulder Rotary. She was also instrumental in establishing 
CO-Labs, a consortium of Colorado-based research laboratories.
  Neither the city of Boulder, nor the University of Colorado-Boulder, 
would be what they are today without Frances' wisdom, generosity, and 
tireless advocacy. Frances is the kind of person who makes the world a 
better place as she goes, and in doing so, inspires those around her to 
rise similarly to that endeavor. Boulderites and CU Buffs will forever 
stand on Frances' shoulders, and on the shoulders of those she 
inspires. On behalf of Colorado CD-2, I thank and honor Frances Draper 
for her countless contributions to our community.

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