Blake Farenthold

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include in the Record extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4174) to amend titles 5 and 44, United States Code, to require Federal evaluation activities, improve Federal data management, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3369) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 225 North Main Street in Spring Lake, North Carolina, as the ``Howard B. Pate, Jr. Post Office''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, as the Nation celebrates Veterans Day this week, a day we honor those who served our country, I am happy to report the VA has made great strides in improving and assisting veterans with physical injuries. It struggled, however, to deal with many of the invisible injuries plaguing our veterans, like post- traumatic stress disorder. These invisible injuries ravage our Nation's veteran population, with an average of more than 20 veterans a day committing suicide. This is entirely unacceptable. We must work harder to look for real solutions to this crisis. That is why I am here today urging my colleagues to support the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act, also known as the PAWS Act. The PAWS Act will set up a 5-year pilot program in the VA to provide post-9/11 veterans suffering from PTSD with service dogs if other treatments have not been successful. Individuals suffering from PTSD experience emotional numbness, loneliness, nightmares, hypervigilance, and anxiety. However, traditional VA treatments are symptoms-based and often have side effects or fail to address the root of these issues. Service dogs, however, have no side effects. They can be used in tandem with other treatments. They can be trained to wake their owners from nightmares, create a buffer zone in large crowds, remind their owners to take their medication, and watch their owners' back to provide a sense of security and more. I have heard from veterans suffering from PTSD that sometimes the hardest part of the day is just getting out of bed in the morning. The schedule of walking, feeding, and caring for his or her service dog offers veterans purpose and a sense of responsibility. Ultimately, a service dog and its owner better each others' lives. It is important that the House pass the PAWS Act and allow the VA to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of providing veterans with service dogs. While talking about service animals, I would also like to recognize Eli's Fund, an initiative at Texas A&M University created in memory of the late Lance Corporal Colton Rusk and Eli, his service dog, that provides financial support for service animals of Active-Duty servicemen and -women, medically retired veterans' service animals, and retired military animals, to help with veterinary medical bills. It is important that military animals continue to be cared for in retirement. Congratulating George Gonzales and the Corpus Christi Army Depot for Outstanding Service

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the Corpus Christi Army Depot, considered as the jewel of the Army Depot system. CCAD is currently the largest rotary wing aircraft facility in the world. Instead of buying new helicopters, which cost $17 million or more, CCAD repairs and rehabilitates the current fleet, often at less than half the cost of new helicopters. CCAD saves taxpayers millions of dollars, while ensuring the U.S. Army maintains a superior level of readiness and reliability. This would not be possible without outstanding employees like Army veteran George Gonzalez, who recently received the prestigious 2017 Donald F. Luce Depot Maintenance Artisan Award, given annually to one individual who makes an outstanding contribution to Army aviation in the area of depot maintenance. Gonzales leads a 31-man team that reassembles UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Under his leadership, the team has reduced the average build time from 42 to 17 days. Congratulations, George, and your team, and everyone at CCAD, who are doing an outstanding job ensuring our warfighters are equipped with the aviation assets they need to keep America safe and be a force for good around the world. Recognizing the Accomplishments of Commander Armando Solis

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to recognize the career of recently retired Flour Bluff High School Navy Junior ROTC instructor, Commander Armando Solis. In 1993, following completion of nearly 22 years in the United States Navy, Commander Solis became the inaugural Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps naval science instructor at Flour Bluff High School. Over the next 24 years, Commander Solis not only instilled his students with values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and sense of accomplishment, but he also created one of the most successful JROTC programs in the Nation. In his first year, the Navy selected the Flour Bluff program as the best new program in Texas and, by his fourth year, the best in the Nation. With 23 years as a distinguished honors program, 22 Texas Navy JROTC championships, a record 11 Navy national championship titles, and the honor of being the only Navy program to win the All-Service National Drill Team Championship, Commander Solis has touched the lives of thousands of students, instilling them with the values of patriotism, loyalty, and, most importantly, service. Thank you, Commander Solis, for your commitment to our students and our Nation. I wish you the best in retirement.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a few minutes to talk about and thank Team Rubicon and all other volunteers who are helping assist victims of Hurricane Harvey with storm cleanup, not only in the district I represent but throughout the State of Texas. Many of our cities still have piles and piles of debris. Initially, it was trees and brushes cleared, but now, as people are starting to survey and repair the damage to their home, there is insulation, there is sheetrock, there are personal belongings all out along the street waiting to be picked up and cleaned up. This Monday, I spent time with the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, visiting some of our cities, and they are telling me that the cleanup may not be complete in some cities, like Port Aransas and Rockport, until December or January. There is a big job ahead. It is going to take a lot of people. Several weeks ago, Speaker Ryan and several members of the Texas delegation joined Team Rubicon in the Houston area aiding in demolition and cleanup in the flood-devastated areas. The group's positive attitude and commitment to service is inspiring. Last week, Janice Dean of FOX News visited the district I represent and told the story about how Team Rubicon is helping with debris removal in Wharton, Texas. That is a city of about 9,000 south of Houston that was devastated by flood waters associated with the storm. You know, Team Rubicon was founded in 2010, following the earthquakes in Haiti, by two marines, Jake Wood and William McNulty, who knew they could use their military experience and go out and help others. Since then, Team Rubicon has drastically expanded across the Nation, uniting the skills and experiences of veterans and first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. I want to thank Team Rubicon for all the help they have provided the folks of Texas, especially Wharton, and the people around the world who have suffered disasters since 2010. I also want to thank Janice Dean of FOX News for helping tell their story. Janice's commitment to Team Rubicon didn't stop with just telling the story. In fact, once the story aired, she has donated $15,000 from sales of her children's book, ``Freddy the Frogcaster'' to Team Rubicon and will continue to be donating all proceeds from this book to the group. Thank you, Janice. Thank you, Team Rubicon, and thank you for everyone who is helping out those who are victims of Hurricane Harvey and the various other disasters that this Nation is facing right now.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, as home to almost half of all naval air training in our country, south Texas is a hub of military aviation. That is why I am here today to commemorate the dedication of the South Texas Aviators Memorial, which will be dedicated on October 12 at Corpus Christi's Ropes Park. After almost 3 years of planning, fundraising, and awareness by Associate Directors Caleb and Anne Booher, former Naval Air Station Corpus Christi flight instructor Chris Keech, and many other volunteers, the memorial will soon be permanently placed to grace the bay front of Corpus Christi. This memorial, a tribute to fallen military aviators of all branches, features a 7-foot-tall bronze aviator surrounded by benches and a walkway made of bricks bearing the name of local individuals and businesses that supported the building of the memorial. Thank you to each person who sponsored the building of this new memorial. I am proud to represent so many south Texans that are proud of our military and are honoring military aviators who have paid the ultimate price in service to our country. Service Academy Nights in the 27th District of Texas

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, each year I have the honor of nominating young men and women from the 27th District of Texas to our United States service academies. My office will soon be holding two service academy nights to help students interested in earning appointments to a service academy learn about the application process and eligibility requirements. Representatives from West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy will be on hand to answer questions. There will be a presentation about the Reserve Officer Training Corps, or ROTC. These events are recommended for young men and women between the ages of 17 and 21 and their parents who are residents of the 27th Congressional District of Texas, but are open to any high school student considering applying to our service academies. The first one will be in Victoria, on Tuesday, October 10, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the University of Houston-Victoria, University North Building Multi-Purpose Room, that is Room 114, at 3007 North Ben Wilson Street in Victoria. The second will be in Corpus Christi, on Thursday, October 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Veterans Memorial High School's cafeteria, 3750 Cimarron Boulevard. For more information, you can contact my office or visit my website, farenthold.house.gov. Double Ten Day is the National Day of Taiwan

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, on October 10, or Double Ten Day, it is the National Day of Taiwan, and I would like to take the opportunity to wish the people of Taiwan a very happy Double Ten Day. Over the years, Taiwan has proven its leadership on the global stage, despite its unique political status, through its commitment to democracy and its contribution to global health initiatives, international development, and humanitarian missions. Taiwan was there following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the 2013 typhoon in the Philippines, and was delivering critical aid and food in times of need. Taiwan was also there for the United States when Hurricane Harvey hit. They have donated a total of $800,000 to the American Red Cross and Texas to assist with relief efforts. I would like to thank the Taiwanese Government and its people for this generous support and their continued friendship. I would also like to recognize all the great Taiwanese companies doing business in the 27th District of Texas. Thank you for creating American jobs and being a part of our communities. Thank you again, Taiwan, and I offer my best Double Ten Day wishes to the people of Taiwan. Birthday Wishes to Bob Haueter and Luis Buentello

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, this week is the birthday of two of my staff: Luis Buentello in my district office, and Bob Haueter, my chief of staff here in Washington, D.C., and Corpus Christi. Both are dedicated public servants committed to helping the people of the 27th District and all of America. Happy birthday, guys, and thanks for the help.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am here to talk a couple minutes about the best and the worst that I saw during Hurricane Harvey in the 27th District of Texas that I represent. The worst was dished out by nature and high winds. The best was the spirit of the Texans who rose to the challenge. It was neighbor helping neighbor, friend helping friend, and stranger helping stranger. I live in Corpus Christi. It is a relatively large community of almost 400,000 in the metropolitan area. We were spared the brunt of Harvey. It missed us by about 20 miles. But just across the bay, communities like Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Rockport, Refugio, Tivoli, and many more took horrible winds. Ninety-some-odd percent of the homes in the resort town of Port Aransas are uninhabitable right now. The brand new school in Refugio they just turned the keys over had the roof blown off and was severely water damaged, and it will be weeks before they are fully operational again in that school. Rockport, with their beautiful oak trees, had limbs and branches strewn all over the streets, and houses' second stories are gone. They looked great from the front, but then you would look in the back, and there would be no back. In Port Aransas, boats having risen and moved inland, an oil drilling platform loose in the ship channel, completely changing the skyline of the city. But rather than sitting around and moping and crying, Texans came together, helped each other clear the debris, and are slowly but surely getting on with their lives. The recovery period is going to be tough, though. There is just so much debris. They are picking it up and stacking it at transfer stations, but it will be months before the process is finished. It is tough driving down the streets of the places you love seeing debris stacked, smelling the rotting mold. But you know it is going to come back. We are struggling right now to find homes for people, places for them to stay. People have been staying with friends and relatives. FEMA has been helping out with hotels. I have to say, I am really impressed with the way local, State, and Federal folks are working hard to give people a hand up. We have had leaders from President Trump down to Members of Congress and all throughout the country come to see what is going on, and all have pledged their help. And it is going to be a Herculean effort to come back, but come back we will. I suspect in a year, certainly in 2 years, towns like Rockport and Port Aransas, where many folks vacation, are going to have their doors open again and inviting people to come visit. In fact, the goal is to be ready by spring break of this year, and I suspect it is going to be worth visiting. You need to help the businesses out, need to help the people out by not forgetting us, by keeping us in your prayers, and by supporting us here in Congress as we give the people the help they need to rebuild their lives. I want to thank my colleagues from Texas, my colleagues from the rest of the country, for the support. It is a shame that this has been such a tough season, but we are seeing not just the resilience of Texas but of all the American people with what is going on in Florida. And we are going to get reports, I think, of people helping people in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and other areas so damaged by the storms we faced this year. But I am proud to be an American. I am proud we are all helping out, and I look forward to continuing the recovery effort in all of the areas of this country that have been so devastated by natural disasters this year.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I did want to add that, though Texans are helping people and people are helping each other, volunteer organizations like Mr. Weber is talking about, the Federal Government, also, is helping with FEMA and SBA loans. Some people have gotten denial letters from FEMA. If you read them carefully, they are not always denial letters. You should follow up with FEMA. It may be you are just missing some paperwork. All Congressmen have folks in their office, caseworkers or red tape cutters, who can help if you are having problems getting the help you need from FEMA or the SBA. We can't get them to bend or break the rules, but if you are having trouble communicating or you feel like you are not being treated right, please call your Member of Congress' office because we are here to help in more ways than just sitting up here in Washington making laws. One of the best parts of the job is helping folks out on a one-on-one basis, and we are doing that throughout the district I represent, from Wharton, Bay City, Victoria, down to Corpus Christi, Rockport, and to all the other communities that I represent. So I just want to make sure folks knew that your congressional office is a resource.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Sessions for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as I was walking up to the Capitol from the Metro station just a few minutes ago, I remembered just a couple weeks ago I was boarding up my house and preparing for Hurricane Harvey. Those intervening weeks have just altered my life immeasurably, seeing the devastation that has been wrought on south Texas. The district I represent, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Refugio, those southern coastal areas were damaged severely by wind. But then you move up the Texas coast into towns like Victoria, Wharton, Houston, and then there was just unimaginable damage by water. I was touched by how the entire Nation reached out to help, sending food, water, help, and volunteers. And as I was walking up today, it is a beautiful, crisp beginning to be a fall day here in Washington, D.C., but I am imagining what those folks in Florida are going through, very similar to what I was going through, searching for the elusive D cell battery for a flashlight, trying to find a gasoline station that is open, and preparing for possibly the worst. We are here today to tell those folks in Florida, those folks in Texas, and those who face disasters all over this country that this Congress has your back. President Trump and Vice President Pence both visited the district I represent and areas north in Houston, showing that the Federal Government is there; but it is this Congress' constitutional responsibility to control the purse strings of the country, and we have got to make sure that there is money for these essential disaster relief services. There is only so much our volunteers can do, there is only so much our State and local governments can do, because this is just so massive, it is beyond the ability of individuals to comprehend. The amount of debris, the amount of damage, the potential for disease all make it a Federal problem. It is a problem for our country. The storm shut down some of the refineries along Texas, and I think we have all seen the higher gasoline prices that have resulted from that. Florida is threatened, their impact on our national economy. We are one national economy. What hurts one of us hurts us all. So I am here to say thank you to the American people, who opened their hearts with their donations and their volunteering, but I am also here to thank the American people, who are going to allocate a few of their tax dollars to help those in need in Texas and, I am afraid, those who are going to be in need very soon in Florida. I am encouraging my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this. Set the politics aside. Unfortunately, this has turned a little political, and it doesn't need to be. This is about people helping people, Americans helping Americans. There is a T-shirt going around that says, ``Houston Strong.'' There are T-shirts going around that are saying, ``Texas Strong.'' Well, you know what? It is ``America Strong.'' This is all of us together, and I want to thank my colleagues who are supporting this. And for those who are waffling, remember, this is what makes our country great: coming together in times of need and setting politics aside. So I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying legislation and to keep those suffering in Texas in their prayers, and to keep those in Florida and the Caribbean also in their prayers. This has been a trying summer, weatherwise, but we are Americans, and we will survive and we will thrive.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to ask my colleagues to support funding for Hurricane Harvey disaster relief. Often, the TV news goes around taking their cameras seeking the worst damage to create the most dramatic story. In the case of Hurricane Harvey in the district I represent, you could drop a camera almost anywhere in towns like Rockport, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Refugio, Tivoli, Port Lavaca, and Victoria, and have that dramatic heart-wrenching shot of devastation. My friends' and neighbors' homes were completely flattened by hurricane winds. Businesses were destroyed and much of towns were under water, like in Wharton, following the unprecedented flooding left behind by this storm. It is the worst we have seen in decades. Many people, including the town mayor of Port Aransas, suffered and lost everything. He was walking around the emergency operation center when the mayor of Corpus Christi went up to him and said: I am jealous. You get to work in shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and flip-flops. The Port Aransas mayor looked at him and said: It is all I have left. You know, the good news for our communities is that we came together during this disaster. Groups from around the State and around the country donated to help, and many assisted the rescue and cleanup and came down and cooked food for evacuees and survivors. People opened their homes and their hearts to strangers. But the victims of the storms also need FEMA's help as well, with things such as emergency assistance and housing. Our cities and counties need help clearing brush and debris, and we will need to make major infrastructure repairs to areas decimated by Harvey. With people registering for assistance at record rates using their smartphones, going to disasterassistance.gov, or using the FEMA app, FEMA will be out of money in just 2 or 3 days if we don't pass this. I urge my colleagues to open their hearts, the way so many Americans have, and pass H. Res. 502. I want to say a special thank-you to those who donated, those who came and volunteered, and to everybody who helped out. Mr. Speaker, we are not only Texas strong, we are America strong.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to recognize a great American patriot, Captain Steve Banta, call-sign ``Slash,'' who will be retiring this week from his post as commanding officer of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. A 1991 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering, Captain Banta completed primary naval aviation training with the VT-27 Boomers at NAS Corpus Christi, and was designated a naval aviator on March 18, 1994. His sea duty included deployments on various cruisers, destroyers, frigates to the Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf, Caribbean, Southeast Pacific, and other areas. During his deployment as maintenance officer with HSL-44 Detachment Four, they were the first in the fleet to test the Hellfire missile. On September 11, 2001, he was deployed on the USS Carl Vinson with Carrier Group Three. During the first 4 months of Operation Enduring Freedom, he coordinated the daily schedule of more than 40 helicopters in 16 different aviation units. In 2009 and 2010, he served as commanding officer of the world famous HSL-48 Vipers. During his tenure, they earned multiple awards for tactical and retention excellence. Captain Banta's shore duties includes tours as a Seahawk helicopter flight instructor, as an analyst in the Pentagon for the Navy's role in Operation Enduring Freedom, and as the lead country program director for Afghanistan with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. He earned a master's degree in national security strategy at the National War College in 2011. Captain Banta assumed command of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi on June 26, 2014. During his tour, improvements in infrastructure, program management, and quality of life resulted in numerous awards, including Department of Defense Fire Department of the Year, Fire Department National Accreditation, SECNAV Gold Award for Energy and Water Management, and CNO Shore Safety Award. The Wingspan Newspaper was ranked number one in the Navy, and the base was on the A-list for outstanding customer satisfaction in family housing, and more. Captain Banta has been an invaluable asset to the Navy, south Texas, and the United States. I wish him and his wife, Sarah, a Corpus Christi native, best of luck as he moves into civilian life and begins his new job as executive director of the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay. Thank you, Captain Banta, for your service.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, every year, I have the pleasure of nominating outstanding young men and women from the 27th Congressional District of Texas to the United States military service academies. Recently, I held a lunch for this year's ten appointees and their families, who have received an appointment to one of the five service academies. I enjoyed visiting with these young folks and their families and would like to recognize each of them for their commitment to protect our great Nation. They are: Jose Aguirre, from Corpus Christi, Texas, a 2017 graduate of Foy H. Moody High School, who will attend the United States Naval Academy; Aaron Jeffrey Frahm, from Corpus Christi, Texas, a 2017 graduate from Marine Military Academy, who will attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy; Specialist David Zane Ledbetter, United States Army, from Victoria, Texas, a graduate of Victoria West High School, who will attend the U.S. Military Academy, West Point; Kaila Celiene Lusson, from Corpus Christi, Texas, a 2017 graduate of Aviano High School, Aviano Air Base, Italy, who will attend the Air Force Academy; Caleb Michael McCann, from Sinton, Texas, a 2016 graduate of Flour Bluff High School, who will attend the Air Force Academy; John T. McNiff, from Corpus Christi, Texas, a 2017 graduate of Incarnate Word Academy, who will attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Kalista Courtney Schauer, from Corpus Christi, Texas, a 2017 graduate of Richard King High School, who will attend the U.S. Military Academy, West Point; Clayton Daley Thompson, from Corpus Christi, Texas, a 2016 graduate of Flour Bluff High School, who will attend the United States Naval Academy; Cassandra Hamer, from Corpus Christi, Texas, a 2017 graduate of Richard King High School, who will attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; and Josh Smith, from Victoria, Texas, a 2017 graduate of Victoria West High School, who will attend the United States Air Force Academy. Each of them brings great pride to all of us in the 27th District of Texas. I wish them the best of luck in their academies, and I look forward to hearing great things about their service to our Nation. Recognizing Drew Scott

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I was walking along the Cannon tunnel and was looking at all of the art from the Congressional Art Competition. As Members know, each year, thousands of high school students from every congressional district submit their artwork to their Member of Congress for the annual Congressional Art Competition. Helping inspire these young people to become active in the things they are passionate about, like art, is one of my favorite parts of my job. Today, I would like to recognize Drew Scott, the winner of this year's Congressional Art Competition for the 27th District of Texas. She is a junior at Rockport-Fulton High School, and she won this year's contest with an original colored pencil drawing ``Complimentary Calico.'' It is a drawing of one of her friend's cats. Earlier this year, I visited Rockport-Fulton High School to announce Drew as the winner, and I recently had the pleasure of hosting Drew and her family when they traveled to Washington for the unveiling of her artwork in the Cannon tunnel. I thank everyone who submitted their artwork for this year's competition. It was an extremely hard decision for the judges. And congratulations to Drew. I look forward to seeing next year's entrants. I would like to encourage all high school students to participate in this wonderful opportunity.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell you about the new Army Specialist Kerry M.G. Danyluk Memorial in Yoakum, Texas, which was unveiled last week on Memorial Day. This new memorial, planned and funded by the Yoakum Rotary Club, honors Yoakum High School and Victoria College graduate Kerry Danyluk, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation on April 15, 2014. Assigned to the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, New York, 27-year-old Army Specialist Danyluk was serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While conducting operations in the Logar province, enemy forces attacked Specialist Danyluk's unit with small arms fire, critically wounding him. Despite an evacuation to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, Specialist Danyluk succumbed to his injuries. Danyluk's awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and more. Thanks to the generous actions of the Yoakum Rotary Club, Specialist Danyluk's memory will live on. A special thank-you is also due all involved in helping plan and implement the memorial. I am honored to represent communities like Yoakum and many others that are so grateful to those who serve our Nation. coach james mcminn named all-south texas coach of the year

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of my constituents, James McMinn, who serves as the assistant athletic director and head girls basketball coach at Flour Bluff High School and was recently named the All-South Texas Coach of the Year. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Coach McMinn graduated from W. B. Ray High School in 1981 and continued his education at Del Mar College and Corpus Christi State University, now Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. Coach McMinn started his career at my alma mater, Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, and he coached the Lady Angels to two separate State appearances. He began working in Flour Bluff in the fall of 1993 and recently concluded his 27th year as head basketball coach. Over that 27-year career, he accumulated an impressive record. His teams have advanced to postseason play 19 of those 27 seasons. He has taken the Lady Hornets to the regional tournament five times and advanced to the State tournament final four in the 2016-2017 season. Congratulations, Coach McMinn, on your outstanding coaching achievements. I hope you have continued success at Flour Bluff and all of your future endeavors. texas delegates to congress of future medical leaders and congress of future science and technology leaders

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize four outstanding high school students from the 27th District of Texas who will be delegates to the Congress of the Future Medical Leaders and Congress of the Future Science and Technology Leaders later this month. Britney Goodwin, a junior at Rockport-Fulton High School, excels in science and technology and was nominated for the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders for her academic achievement, leadership potential, and passion for science and technology. Austin Thompson from Callallen High School, Nicole Morrison, a student at Incarnate Word Academy, and John Handleman from Corpus Christi will all be delegates at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. These students were nominated by their teachers for their academic success and their desire to become future STEM leaders and medical professionals. Our country needs more doctors. Our country needs more science, technology, and mathematics students to continue the technological revolution and continued innovation that our country needs. Congratulations, Britney, Austin, Nicole, and John. America is proud of you all.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place in May 1942, and the heroic actions of sailors and naval aviators like William E. Hall. The Battle of the Coral Sea was the world's first battle in which aircraft carriers engaged each other; the first sea battle in which neither side could see each other; and the battle that paved the way for the American victory at the Battle of Midway. With the Japanese fleet moving to strengthen its position in the South Pacific and capture Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, the United States, using intercepted signal intelligence, moved to block the Japanese ships as they crossed the Coral Sea. U.S. Admiral Nimitz ordered two aircraft carriers, the USS Yorktown and the USS Lexington and a number of smaller warships into the area. For 4 days, the opposing navies deployed aircraft on bombing runs against enemy ships. On May 7, 1942, Lieutenant Hall flew a SBD Dauntless dive bomber and attacked the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho until it sank. On May 8, Lieutenant Hall defended the USS Lexington against a Japanese air force attack. Despite piloting a bomber ill-equipped for aerial combat, and dealing with numerous bullet wounds and shrapnel in his skull, Lieutenant Hall shot down three Japanese planes before landing safely back on the deck of the Lady Lex. When the smoke lifted, more than 650 brave American sailors had died. The enemy destroyed 69 U.S. aircraft. The Yorktown was severely disabled, and the USS Lexington had to be scuttled after taking critical damage. However, the U.S. forces critically damaged many Japanese ships, forcing them to turn back without capturing Port Moresby. Furthermore, the loss of two Japanese ships led to a smaller Japanese force at the Battle of Midway, which is considered a key factor for the United States' victory there, and turning the tide of World War II. It is considered by historians to be ``the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare.'' For his ``extreme courage, and conspicuous heroism in combat, above and beyond the call of duty as a pilot,'' Lieutenant Hall was presented the United States military's highest honor, the Medal of Honor. While the original USS Lexington ended up on the ocean floor, its legacy lived on in a new aircraft carrier, also named the Lexington, which served the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1991. The new Lexington now serves as a floating museum in Corpus Christi Bay where visitors can explore and learn about its storied past in conflict zones across the world. Additionally, Lieutenant Hall's daughter Gwen, a Navy veteran herself, serves as a volunteer on the ship to share the history of its namesake in the Battle of the Coral Sea and her father's action. Now, 75 years later, we remember the historic battle and, more importantly, those who served on the original Lexington, fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea, and helped ensure that the Japanese and Axis powers would never overtake the South Pacific. Congratulations to Calallen High School's Phil Danaher

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the incredible career of the winningest Texas high school football coach in history, Calallen High School's Phil Danaher. Coach Danaher was born in Missouri, but his family quickly moved to south Texas. He played football at Harlingen High School before receiving a scholarship to play at Angelo State University. After graduating in 1971, Coach Danaher became an assistant coach in San Antonio. In 1974, he landed his first head-coaching job in Dilley, Texas, and 4 years later, he moved on to become the head coach at Hamshire-Fannett High School. In 1984, Coach Danaher took on the challenge of turning around the football program at Calallen High School, which had not reached the playoffs in 28 years. Thirty-three years later, Coach Danaher has led the Wildcats to 32 straight playoff appearances; 19 district championships; 11 trips to the State semifinals; and 2 State championships. In Coach Danaher's 43 seasons of coaching, his overall record stands at 432 wins, 108 losses, and 4 ties. Coach Danaher's record-breaking success is a testament to his hard work and the thousands of lives he has touched while coaching the Wildcats. Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Coach Danaher, his family, and everyone at Calallen High School.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Corpus Christi students from the CITGO Innovation Academy for Engineering, Environmental & Marine Science at Moody High School for winning two awards at the Marine Advanced Technology Education International Remotely Operated Vehicle competition recently held at NASA's Johnson Space Center's Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Houston, Texas. This competition was the final round in a series of science fairs and challenges focusing on underwater technology that can adapt to harsh ocean and space environments. The AquaBot Technicians robotics team won the Aloha Award for team spirit and friendliness. Natasha Sanchez was named the competition's MVP. The CITGO Innovative Academy provides students training to become the next generation of science and technology professionals by offering upper level engineering, math, and science courses. A thank you is due to CITGO for supporting STEM education in Corpus Christi and other areas where they operate.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, since first being elected to Congress, I have been fighting for our veterans to get the care they were promised and earned. After hearing veterans tell horror story after horror story of long wait times, canceled appointments, and having to travel miles to distant cities to get treatment, Congress got something right when they passed the Veterans Choice and Accountability Act in 2014. It created the Veterans Choice Program that allows any veteran who is unable to obtain an appointment with the VA within 30 days or has to travel more than 40 miles to a VA facility for care to see a private doctor who can see them faster and closer to home. Though the implementation of the Veterans Choice Program has not been without hiccups, it is proving very helpful for getting veterans faster, more quality care. I hear time and again from veterans in the district that I represent that this is working for them. Soon, in fact later today, the House will vote on H.R. 369, to eliminate the sunset of the Veterans Choice Program and ensure the program continues after August 7. I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill to continue Veterans Choice. I look forward to continuing to hear the great successes it provides for our veterans and for our doctors.