Recognizing Dr. Angela ``angie'' Paccione

Floor Speech

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Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Angela ``Angie'' Paccione for her service to constituents in Colorado as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).

Dr. Paccione has been a lifelong public servant, working in education for over 27 years before joining CDHE. Since her appointment to this role in 2019, Dr. Paccione has worked to expand access to higher education for students of all backgrounds. Dr. Paccione has helped implement a variety of programs to increase access and affordability for low-income students, including the FosterED and EmpowerED scholarship programs for students who grew up in foster care and who are experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, Dr. Paccione helped implement the Colorado ReEngaged Initiative to allow thousands of Coloradans who did not finish a four-year degree the opportunity to earn an associate's degree. And under her leadership, Colorado was ranked first in the Nation for educational attainment in 2022.

Throughout her tenure, Dr. Paccione has been a dedicated advocate, working to expand opportunities and improve educational outcomes for thousands of Colorado students. She has conducted robust outreach to prospective students about educational opportunities and resources offered by the state, including speaking with high school students and families at a FAFSA resource fair held by my office at Bear Creek High School in April of 2025.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to thank Dr. Paccione for her years of service and to wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

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