John Hickenlooper

Mr. President, June 27 was one of the worst days in recent Colorado history. As the Knowles fire rolled along the Colorado- Utah border, the Rifle Helitack team put on their uniforms and rushed toward danger. While battling the blaze, one firefighter was badly injured and four others--Nick Hutcherson, Emily Barker, Sydney Watson, and Nathan Matthews--ultimately lost their lives. There is bravery--and then there is wildland firefighting. The word ``hero'' gets used a lot. Nick, Emily, Sydney, and Nathan embodied that word.

Mr. President, as a former English major, one of the great tales in Greek mythology was the legend of King Midas. As the story goes, Midas was granted a wish. He wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. At first, it seemed like a blessing. Twigs became gold. Stones became gold. Midas thought he had found true wealth. But he soon realized it wasn't much of a blessing. It was more of a curse. Midas' food turned to gold. His water turned to gold. And, eventually, even his daughter turned to gold. The lesson is simple: A man who mistakes gold for greatness will end up with neither.