[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2821-H2822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. BETSY OUDENHOVEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Crow) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the career 
of Dr. Betsy Oudenhoven, president of the Community College of Aurora, 
and congratulate her on her upcoming retirement.
  Dr. Oudenhoven joined CCA in 2011, as the vice president for student 
affairs. She possessed an extensive leadership background, serving 
students at institutions in Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, and 
Illinois.
  CCA recognized her commitment and exceptional service when they 
appointed her president in December 2013.
  In her time at CCA, Dr. Oudenhoven is recognized for advancing the 
institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion, prioritizing 
equity, and supporting student success.
  During her tenure, CCA also reaffirmed its role in the community by 
expanding enrollment in high school equivalency and English as a second 
language programs.
  Dr. Oudenhoven faithfully served students across the country for 42 
years and helped transform CCA over the last decade.
  I congratulate Dr. Betsy Oudenhoven on her retirement and thank her 
for her commitment to our community.


          Recognizing the Life and Legacy of Dr. Felix Gilbert

  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the life 
of Dr. Felix Gilbert following his passing on April 27 of this year, 
2021.
  Dr. Gilbert was a pastor, an Air Force veteran, a professor, a 
mentor, a father, a brother, and a grandfather. He built his ministry, 
Restoration Christian Fellowship, and the community development 
corporation, Restoration Christian Ministries, in Aurora, with his 
wife, Pastor Kotane Gilbert.
  Through these organizations, Dr. Gilbert built collaborative 
partnerships with members of the community to meet their needs where 
they live, learn, work, play thrive, and worship.
  These efforts include establishing Restoration Christian Academy and 
working with the Food Bank of the Rockies and the city of Aurora to 
feed hundreds of families per month.
  During the pandemic, Dr. Gilbert devoted his time to public health 
and housing. He worked with the city of Aurora and UC-Health on testing 
and vaccination efforts, and with Interfaith Alliance of Colorado and 
other local agencies to support his ministry's Affordable Housing and 
Unhoused Residents Village Initiatives.
  Dr. Gilbert was an inspiration to his community and worked to mentor 
local pastors. To honor his legacy, may we strive to build people up 
and love them just as they are.


             Congratulating Deputy City Manager Nancy Freed

  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Deputy City 
Manager Nancy Freed and congratulate her on her retirement following 28 
years of service to the city of Aurora.
  During Nancy's career, she oversaw nearly every department in the 
city. Nancy's impact can be felt across every part of Aurora, as she 
was integral in the planning, construction, and operation of many 
community services across the municipality, including libraries and 
recreation centers.
  Nancy saw Aurora through incredible challenges, through drought, 
unprecedented population growth, and tragedy. She rose to each 
occasion, creating the Prairie Waters Project, one of the country's 
first reuse water projects; helping plan Colorado's light rail system, 
including bringing the RTD's R Line to Aurora; and founding the Aurora 
Strong Resilience Center and the 7/20 Memorial Garden project following 
the 2012 Aurora Theater shooting.
  In 2018, Nancy was named an Unsung Hero of Aurora by the Aurora 
Chamber of Commerce.
  A powerhouse of knowledge and creativity, I thank Nancy for her 
dedicated service and leadership.


                   Recognizing Arapahoe Rescue Patrol

  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the 
lifesaving work of the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol.
  Formed in 1957, in Arapahoe County, Colorado, the search and rescue 
operations by this team are managed by local high school students. 
These students dedicate hundreds of hours to

[[Page H2822]]

field search and rescue training, wilderness survival, winter 
operations, aircraft crash rescue, and more. They live their high 
school career on call prepared to save lives.
  When a person is lost in the Colorado mountains, the patrol's teenage 
volunteers handle dispatch, patrolling, active search and rescue, 
emergency medical care, and command of the operation.

  In towns like Littleton, Englewood, and Aurora, they manage block 
searches and neighborhood canvassing to find lost children and elderly 
neighbors. Patrol members are also on scene for disasters like 
blizzards, floods, chemical spills, and commercial plane crashes, 
providing assistance to local police, fire, and the sheriff department.
  I am proud to take a moment to honor the hundreds of young heroes who 
served admirably in the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol over the last 60 years, 
balancing their high school careers with the commitment to saving 
lives. We owe a debt of gratitude to these dedicated, service-minded 
young folks.

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