Pete Olson

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Coy Gardner from Katy, TX for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists to represent the state of Texas at the Congress of Future Science and Technology leaders. Coy attends Katy High School and is one of 13 high school honor students selected from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas. These students were selected as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders. This program was designed for high school students to be recognized for their hard work in school, as well as to support their aspirations of working in a science or technology field. The National Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves as president. The Congress is being held at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell from June 29th through July 1st. Coy was selected by a group of educators to be a delegate for the Congress thanks to his dedication to his academic success and goals of pursuing science or technology. We are proud of Coy and all of his hard work, and know he will make Katy proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Coy for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. Keep up the great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gabriel Agu from Richmond, TX for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists to represent the state of Texas at the Congress of Future Science and Technology leaders. Gabriel attends Strake Jesuit College Prep School and is one of 13 high school honor students selected from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas. These students were selected as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders. This program was designed for high school students to be recognized for their hard work in school, as well as to support their aspirations of working in a science or technology field. The National Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves as president. The Congress is being held at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell from June 29th through July 1st. Gabriel was selected by a group of educators to be a delegate for the Congress thanks to his dedication to his academic success and goals of pursuing science or technology. We are proud of Gabriel and all of his hard work, and know he will make Richmond proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Gabriel for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. Keep up the great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Anton Zhou of Sugar Land, Texas for being named a Texas Young Master in visual arts for the spring of 2016. This is one of the most impressive awards given to a young artist in their state. Anton currently attends Clements High School and previously attended the XinSheng Wang Art School. At 17 years of age, Anton has won multiple awards and recognition for his well-known impressionist and contemporary art style. Founded in 2002, the Texas Young Master program was developed by the Texas Cultural Trust and the Texas Commission on the Arts. They recognize students from 8th through 11th grade who have proven incredible artistic talent in either visual, performing, or literary arts. Students recognized as a Texas Young Master are awarded $5,000 in scholarships each year for two years, to assist with continuing education in their selected art form. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Anton Zhou for being named a Texas Young Master. We can't wait to see what the future brings for him.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Jonathan Frost attends Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. The essay topic is: What makes the political process in Congress so challenging? John Adams once said, ``Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.'' Today the political process in Congress is challenging because the representatives in Congress have lost that shared set of core values. Congress was not always in the gridlocked state that it is now. While political parties have always differed on priorities, strategies, and tactics, until recent decades members of Congress held a set of core values. Such values included a shared view of America's role in the world, the independence of the judiciary, respect for the Constitution, universal freedom, a shared religion, and the desire for the nation to put America's interests first. What do we have today in Congress instead of that shared set of core values? Instead of acting as a unified body that acts in the interests of the people of the nation, Congress acts more like a divided group of tribes who always try to harm the opposing tribe. The tribes primarily call themselves ``Republicans'' and ``Democrats'', both of which would rather hurt each other than do what's best for the nation. If Congress could agree again on a shared set of core values, then the legislative process would be easier and more productive. To spawn these shared values, the stubborn allegiance most Congressmen have to their respective parties cannot continue. The challenge of getting political parties to change their ways is exasperated by many decades of bad blood and misbehavior. Many observers date the deterioration of the political parties from the character assassination of Clarence Thomas and his nomination as a Supreme Court Justice. The personal and insulting nature of the tactics of a few Democrats led to a downward spiral of revenge and payback that continues to this day. The practical solution will require courageous leadership by strong and popular leaders of each of the two major political parties to join together in forging a concise set of core values to guide the work of the legislative branch. Only those leaders can define the values, but here are a few that might guide us: Individual Responsibility Compassion for those who cannot provide for themselves Hard Work Innovation Free Enterprise Strong Military In the same way that great organizations are guided by a shared set of core values, Congress could consider only legislation that does not run afoul of the agreed set of core values. Sadly, the course of human history suggests that it is unlikely that two such visionary leaders will simultaneously emerge.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Kaitlin Foster attends Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. The essay topic is: What makes the political process in Congress so challenging? Everyone wants something. If our government worked in reality as it does in theory, everyone would be satisfied, but theories are just theories. Members of Congress have a unique challenge of balancing the beliefs of many people. A politician would generally enter the political field because they want to improve society; of course, the term ``improve'' is entirely subjective, and its meaning lies with each individual. Thus, politicians use their own beliefs and values as a basis for change. However, personal beliefs are not enough to be elected; many groups and parties must be convinced in order to get the votes. Once elected into Congress, a member will now have a large base of people--constituents, party members, donors--relying on them to effectively ``improve'' society. It is the responsibility of each member to balance the voices of the many groups. The general population often chides Congress for ``not compromising.'' However, with the vast amount of opinions invested into one Congressional member, each policy decision is not just each member acting on his or her own beliefs, but the beliefs of their constituents, donors, and party members. Each time a member of Congress casts a vote on a piece of legislation, they are not just voting for themselves, but for every entity that initially elected them. It is for this reason that the political process in Congress is so challenging. While it is impossible to make everyone happy, politicians cannot simply forfeit a portion of the beliefs for which they are responsible. When the general population accuses Congress of being uncompromising, they are forgetting why they elected these people into office: to advocate for us. Congress is meant to be our country in a microcosm; by choosing a candidate, we choose a vote, and we choose a voice. While popular culture may paint it differently, Congress is far from detached from general society; in fact, it is directly embedded into it. Members of Congress are speaking on behalf of the entire population, so when they give up on even a small issue, it affects thousands of lives. People may be willing to ``compromise'' something in the name of progress, but they most likely are not willing to compromise on their most closely held issue, the one they care the most about. Unfortunately, every issue, no matter how small, is the one that someone cares the most about. This is why members of Congress do not compromise easily; policy gridlock often ensues because they truly believe stopping all policies is better than willingly allowing someone who relies on them to be devastated. All the general population sees is a group of people not passing laws and waiting for a day when the other party finally gives up, but they do not see the true intentions of the members of Congress: to improve the lives of their constituents, as each of them see fit. The challenge actually lies not in Congress, itself, but in the country it represents.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Kaysie Faas attends Needville High School in Needville, Texas. The essay topic is: Oil Prices Crash: The Impacts on Our Country and Our State. Over the past year to eighteen months, we have watched crude oil prices plummet from over $100 per barrel to the $30 per barrel range. Over this same period gas prices at the pump have fallen from almost $4.00 per gallon, to well below $2.00; the lowest in years. While many people enjoy paying these lower gas prices and extra cash in their wallet, the effects on our economy are often very damaging, especially now that the United States produces much more oil than the past. Years ago, the United States relied heavily on foreign oil as domestic production was falling short of expectations. Generally, when we rely on imported oil, increased oil prices negatively impact the U.S. economy, as the price for many goods and services are driven by the price of oil. For example, higher fuel prices result in increased shipping costs, which basically impact the cost of everything from apples to IPADs. Also, higher oil prices result in higher chemical prices for all chemicals that are produced from oil. So, in general, when we heavily rely on foreign oil, higher oil prices have a large impact on our economy. However, in the 2000s, new technology (called ``fracking'') emerged in the oil and gas industry which made it possible to extract oil from previously untapped layers. As this technology spread across the U.S., the U.S. became one of the top oil and gas producers in the world. Closer to home, oil and gas production in our state of Texas also followed suit and boomed as well. This boom resulted in a great economic boost for our state as a whole and also for the greater Houston area that relies heavily on the oil and gas industry. I personally witnessed this boom during my family travels around the state. One time quiet and desolate small south Texas towns had become full of activity, with new hotels, convenience stores and restaurants. Everyone who wanted a job, had a job, and times were good. However, as the U.S. and Texas produces more oil, we are now more dependent and affected by the price of oil. So, as the price of oil drops, drilling and production does as well. This directly affects these small Texas towns and large city oil and gas centers such as our home congressional district and the Houston area. These decreases in drilling and production activities result in massive lay-offs in oil producing regions. Now the small town hotels and restaurants are empty and forced to close. Large oil companies in the big cities are forced to cut thousands of jobs. These falling oil prices have a devastating effect on our area. As stated above, cheaper gas prices appear to be a blessing to an economy. However, residing in a state and a congressional district that rely heavily on oil and gas, the effects can be devastating, even though we are saving at the pump.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Jordyn Weber attends St. Agnes Academy in Sugar Land, Texas. The essay topic is: Select an important event that has occurred in the past year and explain how that event has changed/shaped our country. An especially important event that has occurred this year is the terrorist attacks that took place in Paris, France on Friday, November 13, 2015. Not only did this attack prove the eminent threat that ISIS poses to the western world, but it also brought about a new era of terrorism. The attack on Paris was the first time that local ``soft targets'' have been ambushed in this kind of attack. Soft targets refer to areas such as super markets, hotels, concert halls, restaurants, clubs, and any place that attacks every day normal people. These areas were always assumed to be safe from attacks as it was assumed terrorists wanted to kill large numbers, but this notion was changed after the terrifying attacks occurred in Paris. This new threat of attacks has altered the way the United States will live and fight in our war on terror. The arising of this soft target attacks has shaped American fear in a new way. Since the 9/11 attacks, most Americans have experienced some subconscious fear of terrorist attacks, but never before has that fear been about going to a grocery store or to eat dinner. We now must face an era where we have to worry about the possibility of lower scale attacks. This brings about questions on how the United States should decrease the possibilities of the attacks. Since the attacks in Paris many citizens have begun to question the right steps to take in protecting our nation from the threat of a future terrorist attack. This questioning has led to two main issues at hand; how should the United States monitor the threat of terrorism in our country as well as who should be allowed to enter the country without posing a threat? The first question of how should the United States monitor the threat of terrorism has been demonstrated in many ways. Should the US begin to observe conversations and invade the privacy of those believed to be possibly involved in terrorism within our country? Should we begin taking actions overseas like other countries have begun doing? One thing that is for sure is that the United States needs to get serious about their war on terror. This is going to shape the future of American life. If we sit back and do nothing Americans will continue to live in a world of fear of everyday activities. The government must take action to put American's minds to peace. The second question of who poses a threat to our national security has brought up a huge debate in regards to the refugee crisis. When it was uncovered that one of the attackers from Paris arrived to Europe disguised as a refugee everyone began to question allowing the flow of refugees into the United States at this time. This is shaping and brining into question what the United States's priorities need to be, the protection of our own citizens? Or the leadership in the protection of our world's most vulnerable people? The attack on Paris has impacted the United States in an enormous way. It has instilled a new kind of fear among US citizens as well as brought into question many new issues that will continue to shape the future of the United States.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Rebeca Chacko attends Manvel High School in Manvel, Texas. The essay topic is: Select an important event that has occurred in the past year and explain how that event has changed/shaped our country. In the 1960's the movement for marriage equality gained notable attention. This attempt gained traction because of the growing number of people who identified as homosexual. Since then, there has and continues to be conflict facing the definition of marriage. This issue unraveled the larger issue of government power. What can the government dictate, and what is overstepping the line? Even though the United States was built on Christian ideals, the government cannot cater to a specific group of people and neglect the rest. The Supreme Court legalizing same sex marriage evoked discussion and reevaluation of our country's beliefs. Our government has the responsibility of maintaining order and protecting the rights of the people. As the people evolve, the government must evolve accordingly. With this Supreme Court ruling, some individuals felt as if this was an attack on their personal beliefs. Certain groups of people felt that they were going against their religious views by accepting this ruling. However, the ruling made it clear to individuals with those beliefs that it is not a matter of right or wrong in their standards, but a matter of equality that is extended to all individuals. Religious rights should not be encroached on, but individual rights must be preserved as well. The country learned to be more open and accepting of an array of views. Our constitution was created to ensure the protection of the minority, so no one group has to feel inferior to the rest. The nation realized that everyone's views are not homogenous. With the legalization of same sex marriage, our nation has become more progressive. Though the entire country might not be on the same page, they are on the path to acceptance. Nothing happens overnight, and no one should expect it to. Moreover, people cannot be complacent; they have to continually fight for the minority. Now, our country is more open to change and reform. This ruling helped us to become a better nation that includes all groups. Democracy cannot function without the illumination of the people's voice provoking change. That is exactly what has happened with this ruling.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bianca Ellegon from Richmond, TX for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent the state of Texas at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. Bianca attends Terry High School and is one of eight high school honor students selected from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas. These students were selected as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, a program for high school students to be recognized for their hard work in school and supported to continually strive toward their aspirations of working in the medical field. The National Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves as president. The Congress is being held at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell from June 25th through the 27th. Bianca was selected by a group of educators to be a delegate for the Congress because of her dedication to her academic success and goals of pursuing a medical science. We are proud of Bianca and all of her hard work, and know she will make Richmond proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Bianca for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. Keep up the great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sungmin Cho from Katy, TX for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent the state of Texas at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. Sungmin is one of eight high school honor students selected from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas. These students were selected as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, a program for high school students to be recognized for their hard work in school and supported to continually strive toward their aspirations of working in the medical field. The National Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves as president. The Congress is being held at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell from June 25th through the 27th. Sungmin was selected by a group of educators to be a delegate for the Congress because of his dedication to his academic success and goals of pursuing a medical science. We are proud of Sungmin and all of his hard work, and know he will make Katy proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Sungmin for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. Keep up the great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Rahul Nagvekar attends Dulles High School in Sugar Land, Texas. The essay topic is: majority rule. Majority rule is an important principle in any democracy, but it is always crucial to preserve the rights of and consider ideas from minority factions. To improve our system of majority rule, I would seek to introduce legislation permitting binding nationwide referenda, consequently allowing proposals supported by an absolute majority of voters to be enacted independently of our party system. Our current system of majority rule allows political factions to claim majority status even without the support of a numerical majority of voting-eligible Americans. In the last ten years, voter turnout has never exceeded 65% in a nationwide election. Even a party that wins 55% of the vote in an election with 65% turnout--almost always sufficient for a majority in a legislature or Electoral College--has been endorsed by just over 35% of eligible voters. Clearly, this does not indicate majority support for the winning party's policies and positions. As an alternative, I believe America needs a nationwide petition-and-referendum system, some variant of which is already used in most states to consult voters about significant changes to legislation. Here is a basic framework for a nationwide referendum system, which can, if used correctly, bypass the party system and promote true majority rule: 1. Any voting-eligible American citizen can introduce a petition calling for a referendum, either to introduce a new law or to repeal an existing law. The petitioner should include the text of his or her proposed referendum question. 2. Once the petition is signed by 20% of all voting- eligible Americans, the proposal will be submitted to a Referendum Committee consisting of five constitutional law experts, all appointed by the Supreme Court. (The very high signature threshold should ensure that referenda are only used to resolve questions of genuine national importance.) 3. If the Referendum Committee unanimously concludes that the passage of the referendum will not violate the Constitution, the referendum question will appear on the ballot at the next available opportunity. Nationwide referenda will coincide with elections to the House of Representatives, but no more than three referendum questions will appear simultaneously on any national ballot. 4. If an absolute majority of voting-eligible Americans vote for the referendum proposal, the referendum will be binding and the proposal will be passed into law with a vote of Congress and the signature of the president. This petition-and-referendum system enhance our current system of majority rule, first and foremost by allowing a proposal genuinely supported by a majority of voting-eligible Americans to be enacted into law even if it is not supported by the governing party. Additionally, by giving citizens a say in important national matters, a referendum system is likely to encourage increased turnout in future elections. I sincerely believe that this increased political participation will lead to more vigorous debate, encouraging winning parties to consider ideas from their defeated opponents-- making our majority rule system more functional and democratic.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Phillip Nguyen attends Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: The Ferguson Riots: An Important Event That Has Changed America. The year of 2015 has been a time of immense societal changes in America. The riots in Ferguson, Missouri exemplify one of the many events that have sparked such changes in the United States. From impacting the way society views minority groups to representing the shift in which the citizens of America demonstrate their protests, the Ferguson riots were a horrific event to be remembered throughout our country that has changed the way our society functions. Beginning with the sudden death of Michael Brown by a police officer, the riots over the dispute of police brutality have become a catalyst for the newfound ``black lives matter'' movement. This event has sparked an immense change in our country in that the citizens have become much more focused upon the treatment of minorities (especially African Americans) by police officers. In addition, a large amount of citizens of all races have been advocating the idealistic values of non-violence after witnessing the incidents occurring during the riots (looting, fires, and destruction of property). The media has even become extremely centralized over the ongoing disputes between the black and white communities as well as police brutality. Furthermore, the event of the riots in Ferguson has incited a shift in the functionality of the police system, such as requiring on duty officers to have a working camera on their person. Not all changes were positive, however. The riots were indicative of the change in how Americans demonstrate their protests of today in comparison to the past. For example, the riots emerged from the protests pertaining to police brutality towards African Americans quickly turned violent (by the protestors), whereas in the past for American civil rights movements, the protests were centralized over the idealism of peace and non-violence and rarely have the protestors ever turned violent. The Ferguson riots in Missouri were an event that shook the country as a whole and sparked a plethora of social changes in the American people. Moreover, it not only impacted the way in which people have viewed the African American community lately, but it has changed the way in which the police force functions.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Hayley Wisnieski from Richmond, TX for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent the state of Texas at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. Hayley attends William B. Travis High School and is one of eight high school honor students selected from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas. These students were selected as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, a program for high school students to be recognized for their hard work in school and supported to continually strive toward their aspirations of working in the medical field. The National Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves as president. The Congress is being held at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell from June 25th through the 27th. Hayley was selected by a group of educators to be a delegate for the Congress because of her dedication to her academic success and goals of pursuing a medical science. We are proud of Hayley and all of her hard work, and know she will make Richmond proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Hayley for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. Keep up the great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Paola Obispo attends Manvel High School in Manvel, Texas. The essay topic is: computer science. The future of our country rests on the actions we take now to secure a spot at the helm of innovation, with regards to technology. Technology, more specifically computer science, is growing in relevance worldwide and we would be foolish to ignore it. The importance of computer science is second to none as it is vital to our security, foreign and domestic, as well as vital to safeguarding our economic prosperity. The power of computer science is so great that it enables anyone with a computer access to power. Knowledge in computer science is what allowed North Korea, a country with relatively low resources, to orchestrate a successful cyber attack against a U.S. corporation. Furthermore, at home, ordinary citizens and businesses are experiencing the sting of sub par computer science education, as they are falling victim to cyber breaches. On the other hand, our country can benefit tremendously economically by supporting computer science education. The fact that knowledge of computers can lead to rewarding careers is evident on a large scale to the success of people like Bill Gates, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Mark Zuckerberg. Furthermore, it is expected that around ``[h]alf a million new jobs over the next decade will require computer-science know-how.'' Plans to encourage computer science have been started by the Obama administration. Whether, the move to increase the budget will be effective or not is yet to be decided. However, the awareness President Obama brought to computer science during his last state of the union address is still noteworthy, although probably not enough. The neglect we have given computer science courses cannot continue, if we hope to maintain our place as a superpower. As evidence of this neglect only ``4,310 out of the roughly 37,000 high schools in the nation in 2015'' offer Advanced Placement computer science. Fortunately for me, my school is one of those schools that offer AP computer science and I have been able to benefit from a computer science education. My only regret is to not have been versed in computer science education earlier in my K-12 education.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Payton Sprague attends Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: majority rule. Majority rule is an important concept both in our political system and in our society. It allows for an orderly and practical determination of the direction of our society by the majority, thereby avoiding the problems associated with a system that requires unanimous support. Although it might sound ideal to have everyone united behind a single effort, law or action, this in reality would be impossible. Rarely would you find unanimous support for any idea or law. Such a requirement would lead to an inability to function as a society. If I were elected as a Congressperson, I would vote consistent with the majority views of my constituents. As a politician who is elected, by a majority vote, I would be compelled to vote consistent with interests of the majority of my constituents, whenever possible. This may be the case even if I don't agree entirely agree with their wishes. If ones goal is to be reelected, then they might believe that pleasing the majority is the easiest way to go. In contrast, if the goal of the congressman is to make a change in their community and country, then they would do what would end up being the best overall choice. The wishes of the majority should be met until they abridge the rights of remaining citizens. The people vote on the members of congress for a reason. By doing so they give the power to a single individual (congressperson) to make decisions on the course or vote that best benefits the whole constituency. But, the decisions or votes should ultimately be made by the congressperson because they are the most qualified person and the only individual that is likely to be aware of all of the implications of the decision. Hopefully this knowledge will give the congressperson the ability to overcome any bias, sentiment or other shortcomings that the constituency may have in order to arrive at the decisions that are best for the group. Majority rule is not perfect because it ignores the needs of the minority, but it is likely the best compromise for a large society that would otherwise be stymied by indecision if unanimous rule was required.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Marlee Zein of Sugar Land, Texas for being selected to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Junior Leadership Team. Marlee is currently a sophomore at Dulles High School and is 1 of only 30 tennis players from across the United States to be selected to the USTA Junior Leadership Team. The USTA acknowledges tennis players who exemplify admirable qualities such as leadership and good sportsmanship, both while playing tennis and in day to day activities. Members selected to the USTA contribute to their community as a whole, and do so with outstanding character. Marlee is not only part of the USTA team, but also ranked the number four player in the state of Texas and number nine in the country for the end of the 2015 year; what an accomplished young woman. In addition to an impressive list of awards, she also volunteers at a community Sudanese group. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Marlee Zein for being selected as a USTA Junior Leadership Team member. We can't wait to see what she does next.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Robert Ward attends Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: Does the majority always win? Democracy: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state establish policy and governance through a majority vote. Although we pride ourselves as one of the finest democracies in the world we don't and shouldn't exactly fit the formal definition of a democracy presented above simply because minority rights and national security are more important than majority wishes. I would approach majority rule with the idea that the constitutional rights of a minority and our national security should never be compromised by a majority ruling. Following the civil war much discrimination still existed and racists in our government found a crafty way of excluding many African Americans whom they deemed unfit for suffrage by enacting a poll tax. This tax, although seemingly fair because it taxed all individuals the same amount to vote, was directly targeted at African American who had recently been emancipated from slavery and had minute sums of money to pay to vote. This situation clearly demonstrates a time when the majority rule (enacting a poll tax) was in direct violation of minorities' constitutional right to unrepressed suffrage. If I were elected this is exactly the state of affairs that I would steer clear of in order to protect the liberties of all citizens of the United States. Similar barriers to minority suffrage such as literacy tests to vote or flat out intimidation and harassment against minorities at voting centers would not be acceptable under my watch. National security is another item that must never bow down to majority will. For instance the patriot act, enacted following the vicious attacks of 9/11, and those similar to it should be upheld even against even majority rule because they are directed with the intention of the well being and safety of American citizens. Consider a hypothetical situation where 90% of congress voted to have key military technological advancements, such as the design and engineering behind the black hawk helicopter, released to the general public. Even if congress wasn't faced by opposition from the executive branch, judicial review and elected officials like my future self would fiercely oppose this divulgence of such essential information because of the great threat it would place on national security and military supremacy. This is another situation where majority rule would have to be denied. If I were elected as a prominent government official I would strive to ensure that the liberties of the few and the safety of the many are protected even from a majority ruling in a proclaimed democracy to provide security and balance.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Nandan Marwaha attends Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas. The essay topic is: Majority Rule. The idea that public policy makers have to justify their actions to the general public is one that was around long before the United States of America. It seems that the best way for this justification to happen is a basic utilitarian ethic, an ends-based methodology. It states that the action that should follow is one that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number. In other words, if the majority of people benefit from, or agree with, an action it ought morally be the one that is taken. This ethic applies to the majority rule system in the United States federal government, as utilitarianism clearly serves as a basis for this system. However, we must place side-constraints on this theory in order to help the minorities, as we cannot just dismiss the ideas of 49% of the population. As a policymaker, I would take into account the views of the minorities in order to prevent their systematic oppression. Moreover, the perspectives of the minorities bring a new viewpoint to the table, and allow for government officials to solve societal ills. Thus, if was ever to be part of the political machine, I would accept the views of the majority alongside the views of the minorities as both have an important role and carry equal weights. I would serve as a trustee, combining the different views to form a more comprehensive plan that all people can agree with. I would also push for more collaboration between the minorities and majorities in order to make a compromise that reaches everyone's needs. Not only does the idea of majority rule affect public policy changes, but also the governmental system itself. For example, in a presidential election, the candidate who produces the most amounts of votes gains all the electoral votes from that state, a ``winner-take-all'' system. This serves as proof that the majority rule system gives too much power to the 51%. Not only that, but in the House of Representatives we see that a majority is able to control nearly all the actions of the government. We cannot simply ignore the voices of the minorities; they still play a vital role in the government. Though majority rule has its fair share of benefits, it also has an equitable amount of flaws. However, the government obligation is to serve and please as many of its constituents as it can, so majority rule serves as the best ideal for any governmental system.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Marshall Foster attends Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: Select an important event that has occurred in the past year and explain how that event has changed/shaped our country. This past year, President Barack Obama signed a nuclear agreement with Iranian leaders and other world leaders that would lift economic sanctions off of Iran in return for Iran's compliance concerning nuclear activities. This deal was put into place under the extremely dangerous mindset that a bad deal is better than no deal. President Obama and his administration have basically written a large check to a corrupt Iranian government, a government that funds and harbors terrorists, in return for their compliance with the rules they are already supposed to be following. This agreement severely weakens our great country and empowers Iran. We know that Iran is a radical Islamic state and yet this deal legitimizes Iran's nuclear program. We are now allowing Iran to continue to enrich uranium, after years of insisting they cease. The deal also allows Iran to keep over 6,000 centrifuges, something that will accelerate their capability to enrich the uranium. President Obama's promise that ``if Iran cheats, the world will know it'' is an empty one. Iran has proven time and time again that they have no problem violating agreements when it proves beneficial to them. Our inspections will most likely prove to be too little, too late to stop their illegal activities. In short, the deal provides only limited and unenforceable restraints on Iran's nuclear advancements while at the same time providing them with relief of economic sanctions. The world is watching. This deal makes the United States of America, the country who should be viewed as the greatest power in the world, look weak. We have made a deal with a country led by a man who refers to us as ``The Great Satan'' and funds the terrorist groups that call for the destruction of our nation. Iran has continually shown that they do not want to establish peaceful relations with the United States while they are fighting their ``Holy War'' against the West. We are giving power to a country who is by most seen as our most unpredictable and biggest nuclear threat. Our president and his administration have jeopardized the safety of our own country, as well as the safety of our allies. However, when being optimistic, it is possible that this display of weakness shown by the current president will show the American people that we need a stronger and smarter Commander in Chief.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chandler Garrison from Pearland, TX for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists to represent the state of Texas at the Congress of Future Science and Technology leaders. Chandler attends Glenda Dawson High School and is one of 13 high school honor students selected from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas. These students were selected as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders. This program was designed for high school students to be recognized for their hard work in school, as well as to support their aspirations of working in a science or technology field. The National Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves as president. The Congress is being held at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell from June 29th through July 1st. Chandler was selected by a group of educators to be a delegate for the Congress thanks to his dedication to his academic success and goals of pursuing science or technology. We are proud of Chandler and all of his hard work, and know he will make Pearland proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Chandler for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. Keep up the great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Cameron Burrell of Houston, Texas for setting the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record for the 60-meter dash. Cameron is a graduate of Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas who brought his talent as a sprinter to the Cougars at the University of Houston. As a junior, Burrell ran the 60-meter dash in 6.50 seconds, setting the second fastest time in the world for 2016. In addition to this, he also qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships. The 60-meter dash was held at Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama. Cameron broke not only the University of Houston's school record, but also beat LSU Alumnus Richard Thompson's 2008 record of 6.51 seconds. We are so proud of Cameron and can't wait to see where his talent takes him. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Cameron Burrell for setting the NCAA record for the 60-meter dash. Keep up the hard work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jared Holloway from Richmond, TX for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists to represent the state of Texas at the Congress of Future Science and Technology leaders. Jared is one of 13 high school honor students selected from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas. These students were selected as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders. This program was designed for high school students to be recognized for their hard work in school, as well as to support their aspirations of working in a science or technology field. The National Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves as president. The Congress is being held at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell from June 29th through July 1st. Jared was selected by a group of educators to be a delegate for the Congress thanks to his dedication to his academic success and goals of pursuing science or technology. We are proud of Jared and all of his hard work, and know he will make Richmond proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Jared for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. Keep up the great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michael Sporkin from Katy, TX for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists to represent the state of Texas at the Congress of Future Science and Technology leaders. Michael attends Cinco Ranch High School and is one of 13 high school honor students selected from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas. These students were selected as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders. This program was designed for high school students to be recognized for their hard work in school, as well as to support their aspirations of working in a science or technology field. The National Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves as president. The Congress is being held at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell from June 29th through July 1st. Michael was selected by a group of educators to be a delegate for the Congress thanks to his dedication to his academic success and goals of pursuing science or technology. We are proud of Michael and all of his hard work, and know he will make Katy proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Michael for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. Keep up the great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Deepshikha Karna from Fresno, TX for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists to represent the state of Texas at the Congress of Future Science and Technology leaders. Deepshikha is one of 13 high school honor students selected from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas. These students were selected as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders. This program was designed for high school students to be recognized for their hard work in school, as well as to support their aspirations of working in a science or technology field. The National Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves as president. The Congress is being held at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell from June 29th through July 1st. Deepshikha was selected by a group of educators to be a delegate for the Congress thanks to her dedication to her academic success and goals of pursuing science or technology. We are proud of Deepshikha and all of her hard work, and know she will make Fresno proud. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Deepshikha for being accepted into the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. Keep up the great work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the importance of being an active participant in the political process. Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues. Lauren Grover attends Clear Springs High School in League City, Texas. The essay topic is: Select an important event that has occurred in the past year and explain how that event has changed/shaped our country. In this past year there have been numerous significant events that have transpired and while many of them have shaped our country as a whole; I believe that there is one in particular that has changed our country by stating something that for a while has been suppressed. The Supreme Court case Obergefell vs. Hodges or as many people know it, the legalization of same sex marriage. While many people believe that it has caused the people to choose sides, I strongly believe that it has actually allowed people to come together in different ways and has slowly started to allow for more tolerance. Before this case, many people believed that implementing rules such as ``don't ask, don't tell'' would take care of awkward situations but by allowing the LGBT community to have legal marriage opportunities it will bring a new outlook for a new generation. This takes equality to the next level by allowing anyone and everyone to feel that they have the same rights as everyone else. As the younger generations become older the tolerance of the entire country will be greater. In the beginning the freedom was strictly meant for certain people which allowed for slavery and segregation which was later understood as being wrong to look down upon a person because of their skin color, then it was woman's rights which later turned into woman becoming an important role model and no longer living in a ``man's world'', and now the right to choose who will be able to love who comes into play and allowing everyone to have the same opportunities to be who they want to be. Everyone has the right to choose which path they want to travel without the fear that society will not approve of their decision. This country has had many ups and downs in the fight for freedom but the shape is becoming less strict and more accepting. Not only has the country become more tolerant but also open minded. The world is changing and the country is moving along with it. The amount of freedom given is in the hands of the people and it is their choice what happens with it.