Pete Olson

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Loral O'Hara of Sugar Land, TX, a Clements High School Ranger, for being selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. Currently working as a Research Engineer for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Loral has an exceptional professional history, including working as a design engineer, mechanical technician and as a project engineer. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas and a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University. Loral will report for duty this August, where she will begin her two years of training as an Astronaut Candidate. Once done, she will be assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office while she awaits a flight assignment. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Loral for being selected as a NASA Astronaut Candidate. We are very proud of her and look forward to her representing TX-22 in space.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Chairman, this bill ensures that EPA has the money to help the San Joaquin Valley and every part of America that is nonattainment for ozone with the funds they need as quickly as possible. EPA will be more and more and more efficient. I urge opposition to this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from the land of Lincoln for the time to speak on this important bill this afternoon. Mr. Chairman, I remember Houston in 1972, 45 years ago. Just like today, we were the heart of America's energy and chemical industries. But back then, there were far too many days I could not see downtown from my home 25 miles away because of smog, ozone. We have made amazing progress, Mr. Chairman. All of America has made progress. Now it is rare when I can't see downtown from 40 miles away. I am raising my family in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. I don't want to see my hometown's air get any worse--or anyone else's, for that matter. I want that progress to continue. That is why this bipartisan bill, H.R. 806, keeps us moving forward with more breathable, cleaner air. Nothing in this bipartisan bill changes any air quality standard. Nothing in this bill puts costs before science when EPA sets a new standard. I will say that again because there is a lot of misinformation out there. This bill explicitly says that EPA can never ignore health data and can never put money ahead of safety. This commonsense bill is about listening to our job creators back home. It is about giving local officials the tools they need to make air rules work. It is about making sure that our communities aren't penalized for pollution they can't control. It is about making sure that, when EPA sets a standard, they have to put out the rules to comply with that standard to our local communities at the exact same time. Mr. Chairman, this is commonsense, bipartisan legislation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 806 so we can keep cleaning up America's air while growing our economy.

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Chairman, Texans like me believe that facts are little, persistent things. With all due respect to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, apparently, facts are annoying little things. Here are the facts about section 3(b) of my bill: Section 3(b) states that if the EPA Administrator, in consultation with the EPA's independent scientific advisory committee, finds a range of levels of air quality that are needed to protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, then ``the Administrator may . . . ''-- the Administrator may, not shall, not must, may--``as a secondary consideration, likely technological feasibility in establishing and revising the national primary ambient air quality standard for this pollutant.'' Again, it clearly says may, not shall, not must, but may. H.R. 806 does not change the Clean Air Act's requirement that standards be based on the protection of public health. Again, H.R. 806 does not change the Clean Air Act's requirement that standards be based on the protection of public health. This bill simply clarifies that the EPA Administrator has the discretion to consider technological feasibility when choosing among a range of levels identified and supported by science as protective of public health. This is a clarification for all future Administrators--Democrat or Republican--that Congress considers technical feasibility to be a reasonable part of the decisionmaking process with policy choices. These policy choices must be made among a range of scientifically valid options. Again, facts are little, persistent things, and these are the facts about section 3(b) of H.R. 806. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Chair, first of all, I appreciate my colleagues's challenge back in the San Joaquin Valley. It is a very tough place with ozone. Fresno County is extreme for ozone, the San Joaquin Valley; Kern County is extreme for ozone, the San Joaquin Valley; Kings County is extreme for ozone, the San Joaquin Valley; Madera County is extreme for ozone, the San Joaquin Valley; Merced County is extreme for ozone, the San Joaquin Valley; San Joaquin County is extreme for ozone, the San Joaquin Valley; Stanislaus County is extreme for ozone, the San Joaquin Valley; Tulare County is extreme for ozone, the San Joaquin Valley. That is a tough problem for your own district in the San Joaquin Valley, but your amendment does not fix this problem in any way. Under this bill, the amount of resources that EPA needs to review proposed nonattainment designations and approving complex State implementation plans under 2015 ozone standards will be greatly reduced. EPA will do more with less. Therefore, EPA will be able to carry out the new requirements of this bill within existing authorizations, helping out the San Joaquin Valley. This amendment is unnecessary because the bill will reduce the implementation costs by eliminating redundant and overlapping Federal regulatory requirements. Less red tape means lower implementation costs. States testified that the bill will reduce the cost of EPA in their existing ozone programs while continuing to improve air quality and reduce ozone emissions. Our States have an excellent track record for cost-effective emission reductions over the last several decades. The State of Maine sums up the point of this bill exactly, and they have very little ozone problems. The director of Maine's Bureau of Air Quality testified before our committee: The changes, as proposed, in H.R. 806 to delay final designations under the 2015 standard until 2025 and to extend the timeframe for standard review from 5 to every 10 years, including concurrently published clearly defined implementing regulations, would allow the due process to be followed and fulfilled. This would more effectively and efficiently utilize Federal, State, and individual facility resources to establish a standard and work for the improvement of air quality and the protection of the people of our Nation. This amendment is unnecessary. I urge my colleagues to oppose it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to represent one of the most diverse districts in America. Our diversity is an important part of what makes the greater Houston area such a unique example of the fabric of the American experience. The Ismaili Muslim community is a great contributor to Texas' cultural richness and economic growth. I appreciate the Ismaili Muslim community's engagement with the community as a whole, from public affairs to business to education. Sixty years ago today, the Aga Khan became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. The role of the Imam is to interpret the faith to the community, as well as improve the quality and security of their daily lives. Aga Khan has accomplished this role with success and pride for many years. The Aga Khan emphasizes the view of the religion of Islam as a thinking, spiritual faith: one that teaches compassion and tolerance, promotes the role of intellect and upholds the dignity of a man, God's noblest creation. I congratulate the Aga Khan on his Diamond Jubilee as Imam and wish both he and the U.S. Ismaili Muslim community continued success in their efforts to improve the lives of people around the world.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Anonymous Cafe of Sugar Land for being named the best bakery in Texas by Buzzfeed. Anonymous, named after its owners Patricia and Tasos Pantazopoulos couldn't agree on a name, is a farmhouse-chic style cafe that sells desserts, Italian coffee drinks, olive oil and oregano, on top of a full dining menu. The Greek natives opened the cafe after moving to Sugar Land to be closer to Patricia's family. The cafe was named the best bakery in Texas earlier this year by the website Buzzfeed and has customers travelling from all over the country to try their made from scratch Greek desserts. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Anonymous Cafe for being named the best bakery in Texas. We're honored to have Texas' best bakery right in the heart of TX-22. Great job.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Melissa Allen, D.O., of Missouri City for being named the medical director of the University of Texas (UT) Harris County Psychiatric Center. Melissa has worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School and as an attending physician in the Bipolar Specialty Unit at UT Health Harris County Psychiatric Center since 2012. She has received the Dean's Teaching Excellence Award, which honors the top teaching faculty of each department, each year since 2013. Her colleague, Jair Soares, M.D., Ph.D., said she ``brings innovation and enthusiasm that will lead the hospital.'' That's great. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Melissa for being named the medical director of UT Harris County Psychiatric Center. We all benefit from her commitment to helping others, and we thank her for her hard work to keep Houstonians healthy.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, in the summer of 2008, at the home of Ricky and Victoria Collins, I met the most inspirational woman in Texas history: First Lady Laura Bush. Five years later, I learned there was one more woman who is more inspirational: Michelle Collins, the daughter of Ricky and Victoria. In 2013, Michelle learned that she had acute childhood leukemia. Her dreams of being a professional dancer were fading. She endured 2 years of brutal chemotherapy, 44 straight days in the hospital after her diagnosis, 18 spinal taps, and fever after fever with her depleted immune system. Michelle won her battle for life with family, faith, and art. As part of the children's art project at MDA Cancer Center, she designed Christmas ornaments that sold like ``hotcakes.'' Recovered, she graduated last month from St. Agnes Academy in Houston, Texas. In 2 months, she will enroll at the University of Texas at Austin. Look out world, Michelle Collins is dancing again on center stage.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Krissy Venosdale of Missouri City, TX, for being selected as a participant in the 2017 PBS Digital Innovators Program. Krissy, who serves as the Kinkaid School's lower school innovation coordinator, was recognized for developing the ``Launch Pad'' at her school. The ``Launch Pad'' is a space for students to expand their horizons in both a creative and technological fashion, using a blend of bright colors and high-tech tools to help students practice out-of-the- box methods. Out of the 52 participants selected, Krissy is the only educator from TX to participate in the PBS Digital Innovators Program. As part of this program, Krissy will have access to ongoing professional development, share her ideas on PBS platforms, utilize the PBS LearningMedia resources and attend the 2017 PBS Digital Summit this summer. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Krissy Venosdale for being selected as a participant in the 2017 PBS Digital Innovators Program. We are extremely proud and are looking forward to her future innovative educational platforms.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Norma Menchaca of Stafford, TX, for her outstanding contributions as a teacher the past 38 years. Norma began her teaching career with the Stafford Municipal School District as a kindergarten teacher in 1983. After graduating from the University of Texas-Pan American, she worked for the Brownsville Independent School District, but moved to Houston after her husband became a Houston Firefighter. Norma loves the small town atmosphere of the school district and looks forward to high school graduation ceremonies so she can see her former students graduate. Today she's the longest serving teacher in the school district and said her retirement will be bittersweet. She will be missed. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, I thank Norma again for her time teaching our children. She has been an important and influential member of our community shaping the minds of generations of students. We wish her a happy retirement.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Shannon Dresser of Katy for winning the Miss Texas 2017 title. Shannon has been competing in pageants since she was 12 years-old, and has competed in 15 overall. As Miss Texas, Shannon has partnered with the Teen and Police Services Academy, to help with their mentoring program to reduce the social gap between police officers and at risk youth. This organization is important to Shannon as she is a police officer for the Katy Independent School District. Being a fourth generation police officer, Shannon continues to take steps to help and motivate people. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Shannon Dresser for being named Miss Texas. Her work to encourage and motivate kids, while keeping our community safe is an inspiration. Great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chung-Win (Joy) Fey of Houston, TX, for being named one of the Houston Chronicle's ``Top 10 Nurses'' of 2017. Joy, a nurse at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, spends time with her patients and their families listening to their concerns, offering them a shoulder to cry on and praying with them. Her colleagues have described her as often going out of her way to provide comfort for those she's caring for. In 2016, Joy won Houston Methodist System's Quality and Patient Safety Everyday Award, and was nominated for this award by three people. After 37 years of being a nurse, it's clear that Joy is an extraordinary, compassionate, enthusiastic and caring individual. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Joy for being named one of the Houston Chronicle's ``Top 10 Nurses'' of 2017. We're proud to have such an exemplarily nurse caring for patients in TX-22.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mason Corbin of Katy, TX, for winning the state championship title in the Boys High Jump 6A division at the University Interscholastic League Track and Field State Meet. Most people spend years training to win a state championship and then there is Mason. The Katy Tompkin High School junior tried out for track and field in February for the first time at the recommendation of a friend, even though he's been an avid basketball player since seventh grade. Mason won his first high jump meet in March by clearing 6-7 and went on to prove he can compete with the best by clearing 6-10 (and breaking a personal record) at the District 19-6A championships. He's currently ranked 15th in the nation and will compete at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in the elite meet this June in North Carolina. We wish him good luck. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Mason for winning the state championship. We're proud of his quick success and look forward to seeing him do well in his upcoming meets.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sugar Land for being awarded the ``best city'' by the Texas Travel Counselors. Tourism and travel professionals recognized Sugar Land with this prestigious award after action-packed visits to Sugar Land's historic locations. These visits included the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center, Constellation Field and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Smart Financial Centre. The Texas Travel Counselors agreed that my hometown of Sugar Land offers an impressive mixture of old and new. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Sugar Land for being awarded the ``best city'' by the Texas Travel Counselors. We're proud to have such an exemplary city represent TX-22.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dulles High School of Sugar Land, TX, for placing in the top 16 at the 2017 National Science Bowl Competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. The National Science Bowl is a prestigious academic competition that brings together thousands of middle and high school students from across the country. Students compete by solving technical problems and answering questions on a range of topics, such as biology, chemistry, earth and space science, physics and math. From January to March, regional elimination tournaments were held across the country. The top 111 teams from the regional competitions earned the opportunity to compete at the National Science Bowl. Dulles High School made it to the top 16, winning $1000 for their school's science department. The team members included: Andrew Liu, Shree Mohan, Shreyas Balaji, Anish Patel, Abin Antony, Coach Judy Matney and Coach Chandra Mohan. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Dulles High School for earning a top 16 spot at the National Science Bowl. We're proud to have them represent TX-22 and look forward to seeing their future accomplishments.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Daniel Clason of Pearland, TX, for being awarded a Fellowship by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation of Alexandria, VA. A social studies teacher at KIPP Spirit College Prep, Daniel is one of 53 people nationwide to receive this fellowship. The James Madison Fellowship recognizes promising and distinguished teachers, while supporting further study of American history and government by those who want to teach related courses in secondary schools. The fellowship will fund up to $24,000 of Daniel's master's degree, which is focused on the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution. This will allow Daniel to pursue a more in depth education, which he can pass on to his students. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Daniel for being awarded the James Madison Fellowship. Our students will greatly benefit from his hard work and will grow up to be defenders of the U.S. Constitution.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Fort Bend Christian Academy (FBCA) softball team of Sugar Land for winning the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) State Championship. The FBCA softball team beat Dallas Christian 6-2 in the Division II final, concluding an incredible 24-8 season. Their season included an undefeated District 7 championship, along with complete domination in their four playoff games, outscoring opponents 37-2. The FBCA softball team isn't a stranger to winning though. Over the past 11 years, the FBCA softball team has won six TAPPS State Championships, including last year's 2016 title. That's great. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to the FBCA softball team for winning (again) the TAPPS State Championship. We are so proud of all their hard work and look forward to next year's state championship.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, my hometown of Sugar Land, Texas, is bursting with pride. A few hours ago, at the Johnson Space Center, Vice President Pence announced that Loral O'Hara is a member of the 2017 NASA astronaut candidate class. She is a native Texan. Her high school is in my neighborhood. She is a proud Clements High School Ranger, class of 2001. She has a bachelor's from a school in the former Republic of Texas, the University of Kansas, and a master's from Purdue University. Growing up with astronauts, I know they like to take lots of huge risks, and by that standard, Loral is the most qualified candidate ever. She is a private pilot, an EMT, a wilderness first responder, a surfer, a sailor, a skier. Currently, she works at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Center. That is perfect training for her because she will spend hours in the water at the Sonny Carter Neutral Buoyancy Lab outside the Johnson Space Center. Loral, you know how to come home in style like only a Texas woman can do. You are an astronaut. Welcome home.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Fort Bend Independent School District (ISD) of Sugar Land, TX, for winning up to $70,000 at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees won $25,000 for the school boards award, while a teacher and a principal were also awarded for their leadership. Richard Embrick of David Crockett Middle School won the Rising Star Award, which recognizes teachers with less than 10 years of experience and awards $5,000 for the winner and a $5,000 grant for the school. Julie Diaz of Travis High School won the award for secondary school principal and received $10,000 for herself and a $25,000 grant for her school as well. Fort Bend ISD took home $70,000 of the $430,000 awarded at the ceremony. The winners are selected out of 58 finalists by a panel of judges comprised of school administrators and university and community leaders. Great job Fort Bend ISD! On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Fort Bend ISD for winning $70,000 at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. Our children benefit from their commitment to education and we appreciate their hard work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, for 8\1/2\ years I have worked for the best people in America, the people of Texas 22. The people of Texas 22 love their neighbors. They love their community, they love life, and they love God. Texas 22 is Katie Vacek. Katie is a senior at Needville High School. Three months before using her Blue Jay wings to fly into her future, God gave her a different flight. She fell out of a tree with her boyfriend, Kernie, watching. She is now paralyzed from the waist down. Kernie, her classmates, and the whole town rallied around Katie and her dreams. Twelve days ago, at her prom with Kernie, she danced. Katie, I don't want to come between you and Kernie, but I want you to be my date the next time President Trump speaks in this Chamber in February of next year. We will lock this down at the Knights of Columbus on June 6 back home. Keep fighting, knowing that God is with you always.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Spencer Reitz of Sugar Land, TX, for earning both his Boy Scout Eagle Rank Award and the Bronze Palm. Eagle Rank is one of the highest achievements a Boy Scout can earn, and a Bronze Palm goes one step beyond that. To earn Eagle Rank, Spencer had to earn 21 merit badges, and develop and provide leadership to others in a service project. He earned the Bronze Palm by remaining active in his troop for an additional three months and earning five additional merit badges. For his service project, Spencer enhanced an existing playground at the Children's Center for Autism at the Texana Center. He is a part of Troop 1631. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Spencer Reitz for earning his Boy Scout Eagle Rank Award and Bronze Palm. We are so proud and confident of his continued success in future endeavors.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Heather Williams of Richmond, TX, for being named the principal of Kathleen Joerger Lindsey Elementary School. Opening in August 2017, Lindsey Elementary School is the newest addition to the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (ISD), the first Lamar Consolidated ISD school in Katy. This will be Heather's first time opening a new school, she said ``it's an honor.'' This year she celebrates her 20th year in education. She has held several roles, from fifth grade teacher to assistant principal to principal. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Heather for being named the principal of Lindsey Elementary School. We're confident she'll be a great role-model for the children starting school there.