[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 132 (Tuesday, August 20, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING MELISSA KRAAI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BRITTANY PETTERSEN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 20, 2024

  Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Melissa Kraai 
of Arvada, Colorado for winning the Arvada Economic Development 
Association's 2024 Chris Adams Community Spirit Award. Each year, this 
award honors an Arvada resident who defines and shapes the community's 
character through their work and engagement.
  In 2009, Ms. Kraai founded SustainAbility in Arvada, Colorado, after 
noticing her community lacked a center to process hard-to-recycle 
household goods. Taking the initiative to improve her community, she 
decided to open a facility that recycles items that most municipal 
recycling facilities are unable to process and otherwise end up in 
landfills, such as styrofoam, paint, and electronics.
  Ms. Kraai is also dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable 
workforce, especially for Coloradans with intellectual and 
developmental disabilities. Since SustainAbility first opened, Ms. 
Kraai has made it her mission to address un- and under-employment among 
disabled Coloradans by creating quality, meaningful jobs for her 
employees, a majority of whom are disabled. After successfully starting 
the Arvada facility, Ms. Kraai expanded operations to the nearby cities 
of Broomfield and Westminster, allowing thousands of more Coloradans to 
recycle their household products.
  On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, 
it is my honor to congratulate Melissa Kraai for winning the Chris 
Adams Community Spirit Award and thank her for her contributions to the 
Arvada community.

                          ____________________