Pete Olson

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for clearing the way for this amendment to be voted on on the House floor. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleagues who cosponsored this amendment, and I ask all of my colleagues to vote for this flood protection amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officers Dustin Garcia and Matthew Newport of Katy, TX for receiving recognition for their efforts to go ``Above & Beyond.'' On April 10th, Matthew and Dustin responded to a major car accident at Avenue D and 10th Street in Katy and then proceeded to perform CPR on a female injured until firefighters could arrive on scene. The officers are credited with saving the young woman's life and are true heroes to their community. On May 14th, Katy Mayor Chuck Brawner presented the officers with ``Above & Beyond'' recognition for their actions. Matthew has worked 2 years for the Katy Police Department. He previously served as an officer in Sugar Land and Eagle Lake. Dustin has been an officer in the Katy area for over 2\1/2\ years and holds no prior police experience. These two men are a true inspiration to their community and serve as an example to all of us. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Dustin and Matthew for earning this well- deserved award. I thank them for their service to our community.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Favour Umeakuana and Sonali Puri of Richmond, TX for both earning a Gold Seal at the 2018 State Visual Arts Scholastic Event contest. The State Visual Arts Scholastic Event, or ``VASE'', is part of the Texas Art Education Association and awards Gold Seals to its most talented high school artists. It is the highest honor a Texas high school art student can obtain. Favour, a freshman at George Ranch High School, and Sonali, a junior at Foster High School, were two of the 150 students awarded a Gold Seal out of over 35,000 entries. These students have demonstrated incredible talent and are thought of by their classmates to be truly unique. Favour and Sonali are in elite artistic company and deserve the recognition this award displays. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Favour and Sonali for receiving Gold Seal awards. We look forward to seeing their future artwork.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Bart DeWitt and Doyle Swindell for their service on the Alvin Community College Board of Regents. Bart and Doyle worked a combined 82 years of service on the ACC Board of Regents, a school where they are both alumnae. Bart joined the board as a trustee in 1972, while serving as a math teacher in Houston and Friendswood school districts. Doyle spent nine years as chair of the board. During his time, he helped ACC acquire the Nolan Ryan Center and pushed for the expansion of the Science/Health Science Center. These two men have been described as tireless workers with a genuine passion for their community. They have been valued members of the Alvin Community College team. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Bart DeWitt and Doyle Swindell for their long period of service on the Alvin Community College Board of Regents. I thank them for their dedication to furthering education in our Alvin community. We are grateful to have such hardworking public servants in our district. Best wishes in their next endeavors.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dana Abbott of Katy, TX for receiving the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame Award. The Hall of Fame Award from the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association is one of the most significant awards for the sport. Two association members are named annually and have their names engraved on the trophy at the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In 2016, Coach Abbott led the St. John XXIII College Preparatory swim team to a girl's state championship and a boy's regional crown for the Lions. Coach Abbott founded the Tiger Swim Club in Katy and the West Houston Aquatic League. He also served as an assistant coach at the University of Texas before working as the head swim coach at Katy High School from 1980 to 2005. During his career, Abbott has received numerous awards including the TAPPS Male Coach of the Year in 2016, the 2008 Paragon Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and the TISCA Theron Pickle Lifetime Achievement Award. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Coach Abbott for receiving the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame Award. I thank him for his dedication to our education system and for sharing his passion for swimming with our students.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kim Cromie of Katy, TX for being named the 2017-18 Katy Independent School District Nurse of the Year. Kim, a nurse at Bonnie Holland Elementary School, cares for students and the sicknesses they endure throughout the academic year in a tremendously effective manner. Her colleagues describe Kim to be a crucial member of their team and are extremely appreciative of the work she has done. She was nominated for Nurse of the Year by her colleagues for her professionalism, work experience, volunteerism and clinic management experience. In 2017, Bonnie Holland Elementary School was recognized as a ``Project Adam Heart Safe School,'' largely due to Cromie's work with the school's staff and Texas Children's Hospital. When not aiding the health of students, Ms. Cromie takes time out of her busy schedule to mentor other Katy ISD nurses. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Kim for being named the 2017-18 Katy ISD Nurse of the Year. I thank her for her dedication to keeping our kids healthy. We're lucky to have such an exemplary nurse caring for kids at Holland Elementary.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Beverly Richard, Helen Daniels and Lydia Torres for their 40 years of service and dedication to the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (CISD). Beverly, Helen and Lydia have each worked for the school district for forty years. They were recently recognized by Lamar CISD for their dedication to our children and our schools. Their tenure and commitment to educational excellence is a true asset in our region. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again Beverly Richard, Helen Daniels and Lydia Torres on 40 years with Lamar CISD. I thank them for their commitment to education and to our kids.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Alvin ISD high school track teams for their performance at the 2018 Texas State Track and Field Meet held at the University of Texas at Austin. Kynnedy Flannel, of Alvin High School, broke a 37 year record, while winning first place in the girls 6A 200 meter dash. She also won gold in the 100 meter dash and will attend the University of Texas next fall. Hailey Pollard, a senior at Shadow Creek, earned a silver medal in the girls 5A discus. She will attend the University of Houston next year. Ce'cori Tolds, of Manvel High School, was awarded a silver medal in the 5A boys high jump, leaping a whole 23 feet and 7.75 inches. Sydnee Williams, a freshman at Manvel, placed second in the 100 meter hurdles for girls. The Manvel women also placed sixth in the 4x400 meter relay, featuring a team of Rayah Wynn, Taylor Harvey, Thurneisha Keys, and Ja'Daisa Sims. These student-athletes made Alvin ISD proud track and field fans. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Kynnedy Flannel, Hailey Pollard, Ce'Cori Tolds, Sydnee Williams, Rayah Wynn, Taylor Harvey, Thurneisha Keys, Ja'Daisa Sims, Ajai Sample, Daija Reese, Demetria Phipps, and Celisa Cook for their performances at the 2018 Texas State Track and Field Meet. We look forward to seeing what their future holds.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I know the people watching back home can't see my tie, but this tie is a tribute to great Mexican food. It has tortilla chips, a bowl of queso, and jalapenos. Why do I have on this special tie? It is a tribute to a Fort Bend icon: Lopez Mexican Restaurant. The husband and wife to my left, Rodrigo and Bertha, started Lopez in 1979. They were joined by their kids: Jonathan, Jose, and Ana. Lopez was always full. We prayed a new one would open. Those prayers were answered last month. The second Lopez opened next to another Houston icon: Mattress Mack. For 40 years, the Lopez family has had one solemn promise: Every day, and for generations to come, the restaurant will focus on service, value, and cleanliness to ensure the guest always leaves satisfied. Those promises have been kept. ``Welcome to your new home,'' ``bienvenidos a su casa nueva.''

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to travel to Washington in time to vote on Monday, May 21 due to a family obligation. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 207; YEA on Roll Call No. 208; and YEA on Roll Call No. 209.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today in recognition of the forthcoming retirement of Gunnery Sergeant Jeremy L. Long on June 30, 2018. GySgt Jeremy Long has served the United States Marine Corps with honor and distinction for twenty years. A career of such longevity in support of our national security is, in itself, an accomplishment worthy of recognition. GySgt Long has accomplished extraordinary achievements during his exceptional career that demands more than just recognition of a grateful nation. He has earned the respect of countless fellow Marines that have benefited from his leadership and technical expertise in six different military occupational specialties and the adulation of millions, who he has never met, but who benefited from his service nonetheless. Jeremy Long's Human Intelligence occupational specialty put him directly into harm's way on multiple deployments into the most dangerous battlefields of his generation. GySgt Long deployed to Iraq three times. First to Mahmudiyyah in 2003, then Husaybah in 2004 and again in 2005 with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). Later, he deployed to Afghanistan three more times. First, with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion (MSOB) in 2007 to Helmand Province, again in 2009 with the 1st MSOB in 2009 and finally with the Special Operations Task Force-81 in 2012. GySgt Long has served his country in some of the most dangerous places in the world. He has also dedicated significant effort developing the necessary skills that enabled him to be an enormous asset and enabler for the units he served. For example, he spent 52 weeks learning the Pashtu language, an extremely difficult language to learn. He attended other schools such as the very intense and difficult Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape course (SERE), Technical Surveillance Sciences Course, the Close Quarters Battle courses and Electronic Surveillance courses. Finally, as a Command Counterintelligence Staff Officer assigned to the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, he has conducted multiple counterintelligence site visits to Marine Corps Security Guard Detachments in places like Moscow, Russia; Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Bridgetown, Barbados. Over the course of 20 years of dedicated service, GySgt Long has repeatedly demonstrated honor and dedication indicative of a great Marine and American hero. His valiant efforts both across oceans in enemy territory as well as here at home have helped to protect and shape our nation. On behalf of the United States Congress, and the American people we represent, I extend my deep appreciation to Gunnery Sergeant Jeremy L. Long for his service to our country. My best wishes on a happy retirement and continued success.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Seven Lakes High School Quiz Bowl team for being ranked in the top 100 quiz bowl teams in the world by the High School Quiz Bowl Rankings. Quiz Bowl is an academic competition where school teams compete by answering questions about a wide range of academic subjects including science, literature, history, mathematics and social science. The Seven Lakes team of Zach Whang, Son Jadhav, George Li and Mohammad Dhillon was ranked 67th in the midseason rankings announced in January. They are coached by Kirsten Hampshire. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to the Seven Lakes High School Quiz Bowl team. We look forward to their continued successes. Go Spartans

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Pearland High School freshman Kendall Jackson on qualifying for the Class 6A state girls golf tournament. In two rounds, Kendall shot an impressive 76 and 77 and set a new school record. She is the first Lady Oiler golfer to ever qualify for the state tournament. We know she will represent Pearland well at the state level. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Kendall Jackson. We look forward to her continued successes. Go Oilers.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Pranav Chemudupaty for qualifying for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Pranav, an eighth-grader at Nolan Ryan Junior High School, won the regional spelling bee by spelling the word oxyacetylene to advance to the national championship in Washington, D.C. May 27 through June 1. He is the second member of his family to win the regional bee to advance to nationals. His older brother, Aditya won in both 2009 and 2010. Pranav has been studying for the spelling bee since he was in kindergarten and knew every single word that he was asked in the bee this year. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Pranav Chemudupaty. We look forward to his continued successes and wish him good luck at nationals.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Alvin High School Color Guard on winning their state championship. In April, the Alvin High School Color Guard, coached by Maurice Wright traveled to College Station to compete in the state finals and came home with their first state championship. The 25 member team works year round to perfect their routines. Their success has made Alvin proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to the Alvin High School Color Guard. We look forward to their continued successes. Go Yellowjackets.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2018 Fort Bend ISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. Leigha Bishop of Lakeview Elementary was named the 2018 District Elementary Teacher of the Year and Shaughn Thomas of Lake Olympia Middle School was named the 2018 District Secondary Teacher of the Year. Bishop is a prekindergarten teacher and has seven years of teaching experience. She constantly strives to equip herself with the skills and knowledge to best assist her students. Thomas is an AVID teacher and has taught for four years. He wants his students to be excited every day when they enter his classroom and continually tries to evolve to meet his student's needs. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Leigha Bishop and Shaughn Thomas. I thank them for their dedication to our children.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Amanda Davis for being named the 2018 Texas Association of Public Safety Communication Officials Trainer of the Year. Davis has served as a front-line dispatcher for over nine years and also trains new recruits. As part of this effort, she has developed a curriculum to inform dispatchers on how to respond to frantic callers and ensures that they are prepared to help citizens in need at any point in time. Thanks in part to her efforts, Sugar Land is a safe place to raise a family, with the lowest crime rates in 20 years, faster ambulances, and improved public dispatch. Those who work alongside Amanda say that she goes above and beyond to make her trainees feel welcome and never fails to demonstrate absolute professionalism. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Amanda Davis for this wonderful honor. I thank her for everything she does to help keep our Sugar Land community safe.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Audrey Bivens and Bass Pro Shops for being named The Arc of Katy Hometown Heroes. Audrey Bivens will be recognized for serving and advocating for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities for many years. Bass Pro Shops will be recognized as Hometown Hero for community service and their honorable service during Hurricane Harvey and ongoing contributions that benefit the Katy area. Bivens has worked for over 29 years as an educator and has created programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is the founder of the Children with Autism Program (CAP) and volunteers with Special Olympics and special needs programs at her church. Bass Pro Shops and White River Marine Group provided more than 100 TRACKER Boats to government agencies and rescue organizations in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The Texas National Guard mobilized at Bass Pro Shops locations in Katy and Pearland, making over 16,000 water rescues using the boats Bass Pro Shop provided. Associates were more than willing to do whatever it took to help those in need, even when their own homes faced uncertainty. Citizens and businesses like these are what make our Texas communities so strong. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to all of our Hometown Heroes. I thank them for their dedication to our Katy community.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Douglas ``Pat'' Gorman on his recognition as the 2018 City of Katy Senior Citizen of the Year. Gorman volunteers weekly at the Katy Prairie Conservancy and at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He also helps elderly and handicapped residents through the Katy Area AARP and Katy Home Savers Association. When he and his wife Francesca, ``Fran,'' aren't spending time with family or traveling around the world, Pat can be found working outdoors: either building flower beds, fixing stairs or ensuring tools are in tip top shape. Thanks to his immeasurable contributions to the Katy community over the past decade, Gorman was the City of Katy Social Services Advisory Board's sole nominee for this award. In 2015, he was also named the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Pat Gorman on this wonderful recognition. I thank him for his dedication to our Katy community.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend from Texas Seventh, John Culberson, for hosting this Special Order. And that is a special word, ``Special Order,'' because this is a very special lady, Barbara Bush. Her husband, George H.W. Bush, and Barbara Bush were not native Texans, but they got there as fast as they could. The President embraced Texas right off the bat. He became involved in the oil and gas industry, black gold, Texas tea in those days. His wife, Barbara, became the epitome of a Texas woman, a straight shooter, what you see is what you get; black, white, no gray; family, family, family; love, love, love. I will share two stories about her and her husband that show how much they loved life and what a great sense of humor they both had. First of all, in 2000, their oldest son, George W. Bush, was elected to become our 43rd President. Only two families in our country's history had a woman who had a husband and a son elected to the White House: the Adams family and the Bush family. Remember all this controversy, hanging chads, Florida, Florida, Florida. They persevered, and George Bush was elected our President. Naturally, the reporters were excited. They approached our First Lady and said: ``Mrs. Bush, in your heart of hearts, your wildest dreams, did you think one of your sons could become our President, hold the same office that your husband had for 4 years?'' Barbara, being straight-talking Barbara, said, and I am paraphrasing: Yes, sir. My boys watched their dad achieve the highest office in the world. They knew what it took. It took determination, focus, friends, faith. My sons saw that in their father. They knew what it would take, and so, yes, I thought one of my sons could become our President.'' Of course, then she gave the coup de grace, the classic Barbara Bush. She said: ``I have to be honest with you, though. I thought it would be my smart son,'' meaning Jeb Bush, not George W. That comment was done out of true love, and that is what Barbara Bush was all about. One other story about the President and their family. President Bush, as he got older, loved to skydive, Bush 41. When he turned 90, he skydived in Kennebunkport. He had pretty bad Parkinson's. He couldn't walk. When he landed, he kind of fell over and did what is called a face-plant. Friends up there told me that Barbara was on our President for days before the jump saying: ``Do not do this. You are 90 years old. Don't jump out of a plane.'' But President Bush had said, when he turned 85, he would do it when he was 90. He kept his word. You see the video. Barbara came down there, hugged him, kissed him, picked him up, loved him. Back at the house, it wasn't quite the same. Apparently, she said over and over: ``You old man. I told you not to jump out of a plane. Look at your face. Your face is all cut up. Never ever do this again. It won't happen.'' Of course, the President smiled and said, ``I love you,'' and then moved on. The next story about their love, their true love, came from their photographer back home in Houston, Texas. This man has been with the family for at least 40 years. The Bushes come in there every year for a big camera shoot. The photographer said: ``It is getting kind of tough. The President has bad Parkinson's. He can no longer stand. That means for these shots, I have to have him sit in his wheelchair.'' And he hates that chair. If that chair pops up in a picture, he tears the picture apart. So how does he deal with that fact of our President's attitude with his wheelchair? He turns to the First Lady, who is 90 years old, and works her hard. They have to have the same height differential. He is about 6 feet tall, she is somewhere around 5-7, 5-8. He is above her. So in the shots with him in that chair, she has to be below him. It means she is squatting down. She is 91 years old and squatting down for a picture, in picture after picture. The photographer told me, ``I moved her up to the left, had her squat down, to the right, back, left, over and over and over,'' a true workout for any human being, but especially a woman who is 90 years old. And then he started laughing and said, ``Our President and his wife are still in love.'' How did he know that? At least 10 times during the course of that shoot, as our First Lady walked in front of our President, she would stop and say, ``Stop that, George. Stop that. Stop that, George.'' We all know what President Bush was doing with his beloved wife: He was saying ``I love you'' in the way that only Naval aviators can say. That love resulted in a marriage for 73 years. And while Barbara left us last week, that love is still going strong. Barbara Bush, President George H.W. Bush, and the entire Bush family, on behalf of the 850,000 Texans I work for in Texas 22, thank you, thank you, thank you for your example, your life, your patriotism, your love, and your family. The world is a better place because of Barbara Bush. God bless her. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a Fort Bend County treasure, Dee Koch on her retirement. Dee is retiring from her position as the George Foundation Director of Community Engagement. She is an icon in my home county of Fort Bend, where she has established two community engagement programs; Youth-in- Philanthropy and the Leadership Excellence Program. Between these programs and her work at the George Foundation, she has overseen grants totaling $135 million. Over the years, Dee has also been instrumental in numerous community projects including the George Memorial Library, Access Health, the University of Houston Sugar Land, Memorial Hermann, the Fort Bend County Museum and the Mamie George Community Center. She has been a tireless advocate for youth and families in need in our community. I am proud to know her and call her a friend. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Dee Koch on her retirement. I thank her for her dedication to making Fort Bend County a better place to live and raise a family.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate our Katy ISD track and field athletes for bringing home four championships at the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. Seven Lakes High School sprinters Thomas Pratt, Lance Broome, Chris Williams and Jahquan Bloomfield won the gold in the 400-meter relay with a time of 40.88 seconds. The Tompkins High School girls 3,200- meter relay team of Alyssa Balandran, Grace Kohout, Marisa Marinchak and Gabriella Rico also brought home gold with a time of 9:52.68. Cinco Ranch High School freshman Heidi Nielson placed first in the 1,600-meter run with an incredible 4:53.43 time. Otito Ogbonnia, a senior at Taylor High School threw the discus an impressive 185 feet and 9 inches, bringing home the gold in this event. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to all of these incredible and talented athletes for these great achievements. We look forward to seeing what their bright futures hold.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, ``Don't mess with Texas'' is a phrase we Texans use when challenged. The folks in Katy, Texas, tweaked that phrase a little bit after Hurricane Harvey. They tweaked it to, ``Don't mess with Ballard House.'' In 2008, Cinco Charities opened temporary lodging for families coming to Katy for treatment of life-threatening conditions, a home away from home. Five years and 500 guests later, it became clear that Cinco Charities needed to have a permanent home. Angels on Earth, Monty and Erin Ballard, raised the funds for 24 family suites. Before Harvey, it was clear we needed more rooms. Monty and Erin's foundation gave a $2 million grant to double the size of Ballard House. Groundbreaking is tomorrow. Harvey gave us a big hit, but we turned that 24 suites now into 48 suites for families. The message is clear: Don't mess with Ballard House.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Albert Thomas for being named Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Coach Thomas led the Missouri City Elkins High School Knights to their sixth district championship in his 13 years as coach. The Knights have qualified for the playoffs 11 times and have won eight area championships under Thomas. He has also taught mathematics for 30 years. Thomas was presented with the award on April 1st at the annual NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Show in San Antonio. He has also been named district coach of the year four times. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Coach Albert Thomas for being named the 2018 Coach of the Year. I thank him for his dedication to our education system and for sharing his passion for basketball with our students.