Pete Olson

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Kathryn Carrabine attends Dulles High School in Sugar Land, Texas. The essay topic is: select an important event that has occurred in the past 15 years and explain how that event has changed our country. Changes occur in our country for many reasons and sometimes the impact is detrimental. In particular, the Obamacare abortion pill mandate that requires all employers to offer insurance and must include preventive care; which includes numerous birth controls and at least four of which cause abortions. Some companies are morally opposed to this; however, if they choose to not include this provision, they would have to pay $100 per employee every day. With this act a company is forced to follow this federal law or go bankrupt. As few companies try to go against a federal law, this one stands out to companies owned by devout Christians. As abortion is against what many Christians, as well as other religions, believe, why is this mandate included in a federal law? One case receiving notable attention, Hobby Lobby vs. Burwell, the Supreme Court voted against Hobby Lobby which could have caused the owners of the company to pay over $1.4 million a day. They had to contemplate bankruptcy or acting against their moral beliefs. As they were faced with a hard decision, they chose to remain in business and to provide the insurance; but what did this mean for what they believed in? Should they just sit back and hold their tongue on a very important topic to them and many more? Hobby Lobby is not the only ones who are upset with this mandate. Many Catholic hospitals and private schools are also having a hard time facing this mandate. Many have compromised their religious beliefs that abortion is not acceptable, but they are being forced by the government in order to comply with the mandate and to stay in business. How can Christian schools teach their religion that abortion is not acceptable, when they have to provide insurance that condones preventative care resulting in abortion? Many suggest that this is going against the 1st Amendment regarding freedom of religion. Every American has the freedom to believe in what they chose to believe regarding religion. Unfortunately, freedom of religion and compliance with government mandates are causing conflict for many Americans. The Obamacare abortion pill mandate has changed the country in a way that people are thinking for themselves and standing up for what they deem to be morally appropriate. As Americans contend with government requirements, one can only hope that government decision makers will seek to understand and respect the religious beliefs of all constitutes. As younger people are growing up, isn't this what we want in the world? As Americans, we strive to do our best and respect the government, but is the government respecting everyone else? As many things run through our head, such as this controversial topic, it changes the way we think, which changes the world little by little, day by day.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Riley Franks attends Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: select an important event that has occurred in the past 15 years and explain how that event has changed our country. About fourteen years ago, the United States never expected something like this to happen but on September 11, 2001, terrorism took a big turn. A series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda were set into play in New York City and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Two passenger airplanes were hijacked and crashed into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center; another was crashed into the Pentagon which caused a partial collapse of the western side, and the fourth plane was targeted at Washington D.C. but crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after some of the passengers tried to overcome the hijackers. A total 2,996 citizens died that day and was the deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers ever. This day has changed America for the better and the worse in these four major lasting impacts: more than a decade of war, immigration and deportation, the skies, and an increase in surveillance. Just a few weeks after the 9/11 event, the United States invaded Afghanistan to try and dismantle al-Qaeda and stop the terrorist group. Then two years later we attacked Iraq as a part of the War on Terror. Today, the U.S. is still entangled with Afghanistan and this War on Terror is now the longest-running war in U.S. history. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was established because of this tragic event. This agency was put into place to help deport criminals and stop those from coming into the U.S. illegally. In the decade after 9/11, deportations nearly doubled and in the first two years of the Obama Administration deportations hit a record high of 400,000 annually. Airport security took a turn for the better. Although the lines and security rules to get to your gate are outrageous, the skies have never been safer. Before all of these color- coded security threat warnings and fancy full body metal detectors and x-rays, pat downs were very uncommon, liquid was allowed, and passengers were even allowed to have knives, box cutters, and cigarette lighters on board. Finally, as a country, the U.S. boomed as a surveillance state after 9/11. This resulted in an increase of government intrusion of phone and web networks. By 2013, the United States had enacted 16 spy agencies and more than 107,000 employees that now make up the U.S. intelligence community. Therefore, after 9/11 the United States has improved in a lot of ways mainly in security and there can only be improvement from here on out and hopefully the U.S. will never have to go through another tragic event such as this.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Henri Duygulu attends Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: select an important event that has occurred in the past 15 years and explain how that event has changed our country. How The September 11 Attacks Has Changed the Country Thirteen years ago the terrorist attack of 9/11 on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon affected the United States of America greatly. Four main points were affected--first nearly a decade of war, deportation and importation, transportation, and the National Security Advisory (NSA). Within under a month the United States (US) deployed US troops into Afghanistan and within 2 years after in Iraq. The war became harder to gain the public's approval because in 13 years the US government spent around 42 billion dollars and between 2001 and 2011, nearly 2 million troops were deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq. In that time, more than 6,000 American troops were killed, and roughly 44,000 wounded. Of returning service members, more than 18 percent have post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, and almost 20 percent reported suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) during deployment. After 9/11 the Bush administration created the Department of Homeland Security in 2002. The Department of Homeland Security was meant to strengthen the US borders. After US Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations nearly doubled About 400,000 immigrants we're being deported annually per year, only half had been convicted of a criminal crime. As you can see after 9/11 it was much harder to become a US citizen or even get into the country due to more security for the citizens. The transportation industry had a huge impact on airports due to the hijacking of the planes directed at the towers and Pentagon. Back before the attack people could show up 30 minutes before their flight and walk through security without identification. After the attack airports became much more secure security-wise. To get threw an airport now a days it takes over an hour going through many checks and having to follow countless rules and in some cases getting patted down or arrested. Not only aviation was effected, leaving through the US borders requires a passport now and you get fully inspected. The country became safer after these changes, but made travel harder. Over the years, mini rumors have been said about the NSA. All of this traces back to the attacks on 9/11. 9/11 was the first terrorist attack on US soil and the attack devastated the country and it helped us realize that there were a lot of holes in our security and that a lot of people wanted to kill us. Because all these factors added up, the NSA watches over very carefully looking for threats within the country. The government funded the NSA 52.6 billion dollars in 2013 to use spy agency's to look through media and communication. Some US citizens find this scary, but in the long run who cares if the government knows a secret of yours? They are using it to keep us safe. Through these points, I have shown evidence of how the attacks of 9/11 have changed our country, some for the better some for the worse.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Michael Brenan attends Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. The essay topic is: in your opinion, what role should government play in our lives? The debate on the role of government has raged in politics since the very first inception of government in Sumeria over 5500 years ago. Today's society is certainly a far cry from those long-gone times, but the discussion on governance still continues on in our very own Congress to this day. The exact issues have changes with the times, but general views on the matter can be split into two groups: those who see the government only as a stabilizing political and economic entity, and those who also see it as a tool for significant change. Regardless of the merits of either side, there are many purposes of government which many consider inherent to its existence and for which it was originally established. In exchange for the ability to tax citizens for the money required for its operation, the government provides the critical services of public defense and order--police forces, military, civil courts, and so on. The government is usually also responsible for the universal system of standards (or at the very least, adopting and enforcing standards set by the ISO) as well as creating and maintaining transportation, a monetary system, and upholding private ownership (at least in a capitalist system). There are also a number of societal industries and organizations which could be left alone to their own mechanisms (by means of ultra-conservative laisses- fair policies), but governments usually take an active role in at least rudimentary regulation such as professional certification, education, basic human rights and labor laws, and controlling or mitigating the natural ebb of flow of an economy. Indeed, many of the aspects of government which allow higher society to function are great and necessary positives--the conflict arises in questions on using the government's greater powers. The unfortunate reality of the ideological divide between so called ``conservatives'' and ``liberals'' is that neither side is particularly more correct than the other (regardless of how much they may deride each other). However, it is well known how dangerous great power can be, and it follows from this that the society-changing power that a government has should be used sparingly. The government should use its ``social'' power when there is little other choice due to deep-rooted ideologies which directly contradict the concept of equality or threaten the safety and well-being of citizens, as in the 1960s when segregation had to be forcibly abolished or when government intervention seemed like the only way to pull the US out of the Great Depression. Most every individual has compassion for his common individual, but ``compassion'' cannot simply be legislated through extensive social programs, using money from people who may not even agree with these programs. In all cases, when so much money and so many lives may be at stake, caution must necessarily trump passion.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Avery Bayham attends Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: select an important event that has occurred in the past 15 years and explain how that event has changed our country. On September 11, 2001 four planes were hijacked by the terrorist group al-Qaeda. Two of these planes struck the World Trade Center in New York City, one of the planes hit the Pentagon, and the other was crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Hundreds of lives were lost as this event struck fear in the hearts of millions of Americans and dramatically changed the status-quo of the United States. Today, almost fifteen years later, we are still able to see the results of this devastating event in our everyday society. Among the most common effects of 9/11 is racism. I am a sophomore in high school, and every day as I walk down the vast halls of my very racially diverse school, I constantly hear racial jokes and stereotypes. After 9/11, the Islamic community in the United States was heavily discriminated against and criticized. These so called ``jokes'' aimed at certain members of our community are extremely disrespectful, immature, and absolutely unacceptable. The Declaration of Independence states that ``all men are created equal'' and no man has the right to place himself higher due to race. I personally believe that the racial dispute towards Muslims after the event generated and propelled forward the racism that we have in society today. Another gargantuan effect of 9/11 was that the security of the United States dramatically increased. This was the first event that seriously caught the attention of the entire population of America since the Cuban Missile Crisis. The security at airports was probably the most noticeable change with ways to try to find bombs, background checks, and body scans. The U.S. has been on the edge of its seat ever since we sent our boys into Afghanistan to put a stop to al-Qaeda, which was defeated with the death of Osama Bin Laden. Now, there is a new group known as ISIS, who is currently executing Christians in Europe while the rest of the world is watching helplessly from the sidelines. This group needs to be neutralized as soon as possible; although it isn't directly attacking the U.S., they are constantly attacking our society and relationships with others. This group was created in response to the elimination of Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind 9/11. I have seen friends abandon friends just because of what members of their race have done to each other, and I would hate to have that happen to myself. 9/11 was an absolutely devastating event in America, an event that is still attacking our society today. If 9/11 wouldn't have occurred, we would have significantly less racial discrimination as well as security threats in the United States. When did the U.S. begin to allow our enemies to change us?

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Alexandra Rebeles attends Foster High School in Richmond, Texas. The essay topic is: in your opinion, why is it important to be involved in the political process? An Undeniable Duty ``One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.''--Plato The American political system is an extremely complex system that impacts the lives of every single citizen who lives in our great country. Whether it's a presidential election or an election for local lawmakers, participation is essential in order for the system to be efficient and fair. A failure to vote or a choice to be ignorant in such important matters has severe consequences. Every election that takes place in the United States has a large degree of determining if a law will be passed or if a candidate will take the steps needed in order to create a better country and system. In a situation like a presidential election, every single vote carries great significance and could alter which candidate will win. In my opinion, it is ironic how you see various Americans who have not voted protesting over laws, representatives, or presidents they do not agree with. The majority of the protesters will admit they did not vote but still feel the need to protest. How can you protest a law or principle if you did not even care enough to vote in the first place? I think those who choose not to vote need to take a look in the mirror and realize they are doing our country a disservice. Participation is the first step in order to create a better America that can serve its citizens in more efficient ways. I have a firm belief that ignorance towards politics creates a veil that clouds the mind and leads to apathy and a lack of participation in political procedures. Ignorance in global and American affairs is one of the reasons why various people don't know or care about politics. Education in these subjects or matters greatly alters the ways a mind perceives political events. For example, watching an evening news program like the NBC Nightly News or the ABC World News can inform a viewer on the political matters plaguing or helping our country. Education can make a huge difference. Awareness of political matters is imperative in order for this country to keep moving forward. Without any input from citizens, how can our elected officials suggest legislation that could help America in the long run?

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Jude Kibodeaux attends Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: select an important event that has occurred in the past 15 years and explain how that event has changed our country. Making landfall on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina was the most destructive disaster in United States history. A Category 3 storm with winds faster than 100 miles per hour, the storm took a great toll on the country. Its social cost, at least in New Orleans, is obvious. Nearly 2,000 of its citizens were killed by the storm, and thousands more were displaced by the grievous destruction it caused. Even today, nine years later, the city is still recovering from its losses. But the effects of Hurricane Katrina were not limited to just the area hit. The winds of Katrina were felt throughout the entire nation, if not through physical destruction then through economic downturn and political discontent. The cost of the storm can be measured not only in deaths but also in dollars. This latter loss was not as tragic as the former, but it was significant enough to impact the rest of the country. The damage caused cost, according to the lowest estimate, a staggering $96 billion, only $40 billion of which was insured. And this does not even account for losses in the various affected industries. Its most serious impact was on oil production. Oil pipelines and offshore rigs were destroyed, causing national oil prices to rise and pushing the government to tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The sugar industry, worth $500 million annually in Louisiana alone, was also severely damaged. Chemical plants in the area, which accounted for one-fourth of the country's chemical production, were not spared either. The losses suffered by these important industries were great enough to stint the economic growth of the whole country. After Katrina, national GDP growth decreased from 3.8% to 1.3%. With all of these losses taken into account, the total cost of the hurricane amounts to $250 billion. It was undoubtedly a severe setback for the economy. The government stepped in to try and alleviate the storm's effects, but its efforts were not as cohesive as many would have hoped. On the federal level, it was days before the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an organization created for this kind of situation, got its act together in New Orleans. And even once it had established itself, FEMA lacked an effective strategy and had a minimal impact on the recovery. The organization was evidently unprepared to do its duty. The director of FEMA, Michael D. Brown, was forced to resign in the fallout, and the popularity of President George W. Bush plummeted, the beginning of a trend that ended Bush's political career. There was also much criticism at the local level. Most was directed toward the mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, for having understated the severity of the storm before it hit and responded inadequately in the aftermath. He managed to stay in office but faced serious criticism, making it difficult for him to implement policies. In all, Katrina caused just as much a political disturbance as an economic one. The winds of Katrina had proven themselves the winds of change as they caused great disturbances to the society, economy and government of this nation. Homes destroyed by the hurricane can still be seen today in New Orleans, serving as a testament to the lasting effect this storm has had.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Kanika Draksharam attends Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas. The essay topic is: in your opinion, what role should the government play in our lives? In my opinion, the role of the government in our lives should be to protect and help the people of the country when they are not able to do those things themselves. The topmost priority for a government should be the safety of the people living in that country. If the people are not safe, then the country will fall apart. Providing safety for the people includes a police force, military, a fire department or emergency response team, and an emergency medical system. Without a working police force, society would not be stable, as there would be large amounts of crime. This should be provided from a local government. A military is vital to a country's protection. A government must ensure that the borders of a country are protected. Federal protection is necessary in order to maintain the safety and well being of the people. The military should be provided from a federal level however. Federal and local law enforcement must be enforced. If a country did not have a fire department or emergency medical system, the safety of people would be threatened, and lives would be lost and endangered. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that people are safe. Another role the government must play in people's lives is to provide basic necessities such as education and infrastructure. It should be prioritized, that the citizens of a country are educated and are able to support themselves and benefit to the country. Providing education should be one of the roles of a state or local government to determine the standards of. Providing infrastructure lies in the role of the government, because water, roads, waste collection and electricity are needed. These things are required for a country to be functioning and to ensure the well being of the people. An equal priority, of the government should be to provide a democratic federal justice system. If an individual violates a law, the role of the government is to make sure this person is brought to justice. In conclusion, when we consider the role of the government in our lives today, my opinion is the role should be to provide defense, protection, infrastructure facilities, quality education, and a democratic justice system. These things all benefit the people themselves, but at the same time, do not have complete control over them.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Conor Devlin attends Tompkins High School in Katy, Texas. The essay topic is: in your opinion, what role should government play in our lives? Our government has evolved far beyond its original parameters. It now regulates entire economic industries, healthcare, going so far as to regulate the types of things we can and cannot buy. Our government has left its original designation as a Lassiz-Faire Democratic Republic to a borderline Socialist country like the rest of the European and the EU. Our government is an overgrown bureaucracy that costs us--the American people--trillions each year, and yet it fails to accomplish its task when its people are spiraling into debt and unemployment is skyrocketing. The job of the American government is to protect its citizens with an up to date military comprised of the most advanced arsenal. Secondly, the government needs to protect the welfare of its citizens and by that I mean low taxes that are not crushing small business and forcing Corporations to locate to other places like China and Japan because it is cheaper there, and a dissolution of the current welfare state which would put millions of American back to work if they no longer receive a monthly check for not being productive. The government needs to defend the rights of all its citizens by preventing foreign nations from infringing on our rights or any companies and agencies from infringing on our rights. The government also needs to stimulate the economy by providing a workplace that will foster economic growth in the private sector and not continually grow the bureaucracies in the public sector wasting the revenues generated by its citizens. Additionally, the government needs to step back and change its role in the healthcare system it should not waste taxpayer's dollars providing for other people's healthcare, which is that individual's choice not to be insured by the government. The government shouldn't waste money on useless agencies that can be easily cut down such as the EPA, the IRS, the USDA and many other branches that are full to the brim with useless employees wasting the American taxpayer's money. The American government's job is to protect the American citizens and their welfare. This does not include regulating major economic industries, driving companies and small businesses out of business and out of America, infringing on American's God-given rights and becoming a major player in an American citizen's life.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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 Roth attends Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. The essay topic is: in your opinion, why is it important to be involved in the political process? Why should you be involved? The United States was founded on the principle of freedom, freedom from oppression, freedom from foreign rule, and freedom to participate openly in our government. The United States rebelled against the British Crown so that they and future generations may experience the freedom they so desperately desired. The national voter turnout for the 2012 general election dipped all the way down to 57.5%. That's almost a situation in which one in every two people doesn't vote. Only 65.1% of the voting eligible general population was registered to vote in that general election. For a nation that prides itself on its democratic processes, it is quite ironic that less than three fourths of the nation actually participates in that democracy. Our nation politically travels the world masquerading as the ideal democratic country when we rank in the lower half of global voter participation. There are many in our country that complain about laws and decisions made by those on Capitol Hill. Yet the majority of these people have never contacted a congressman nor attempted to voice their opinions in a constructive way. ``No taxation without representation'' was the battle cry during the United States' quest for freedom. Even though there are more problems than taxation in our country today, the representation part fits our situation perfectly. Our government needs to be representative of the population as a whole. That means that everyone (or the majority) needs to participate. For a democratic government to function at its fullest capacity with the least amount of issues all demographics and cultures need to be represented so that all decisions that are made keeping the whole population in mind. Without an equally diverse voting populace some populations will not be represented as they should be. The majority of the problems that plague our country stem from the perception that some laws seem unfair to a certain group or groups in the nation. If everyone voted and voiced their opinion then those problems and perceptions would diminish greatly. Not only would these problems disappear there would also be an increase in national pride and patriotism. With an increase in voter participation more citizens would feel involved in how the nation is run and the democratic process. This increased national pride could lead to a decrease in social or hate crimes or perhaps even racial violence. If the populace feels included and an active part of the nation then they may look at themselves as a contributing member of the country and not an outsider in a foreign land. In conclusion voter participation is essential to the overall success of our country. Not only is it a founding principle of our country but it may also lead to an increase in common understanding between various social and ethnic groups decrease in violent crime and frustration over perceived unfair legislation.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Jack Hawkins attends Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: in your opinion, what role should government play in our lives? The most important reason I believe Americans should be involved in the political process is because of the right we were given to vote for the leaders of our country. One reason I believe this is a crucial role of citizens is because with this right it allows us to vote into office the people who we believe will pursue and advocate effectively what we as citizens are needing from our city, state, and federal government. This right is one of the primary reasons our great nation was founded, so that people could live in a democracy and advocate to officials what they needed instead of having a monarchal (or more commonly today) a dictatorship classification of government speak for them. But more importantly, I believe citizens should exercise this right because we have thousands of soldiers stationed all over the world helping to both defend this right for our country, and try to help others achieve the type of democratic government that we possess and believe in so prominently. Therefore by exercising this right, it is a small way to show our appreciation and gratefulness for our troops by exercising this right that they are fighting for so valiantly. The other important reason I believe Americans should be involved in the political process is because with the election of our nation's leaders it is has repeatedly proven by history that through former political leaders, specifically past American presidents, the United States has made substantial positive differences in both domestic and international affairs. For example with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt who transformed the country's economy. With the enacting of his New Deal policies Roosevelt was able to provide millions of Americans with jobs and economic security therefore helping America incredibly through the Great Depression. Also America has made major strides in international affairs such as through President Obama who with the aid of America's top military leaders and the United States' Navy SEALs team was able to kill Osama bin Laden, the leader of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda who was responsible for horrific acts including most infamously the bombing of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. Although it has not stopped Al-Qaeda completely, President Obama along with his esteemed colleagues made American history and showed the strength of the United States as an international power. The United States is the by far the best country in the world and it is repeatedly shown through the election of our country's leaders who throughout history and in the future will continue to show America's greatness both domestically and internationally if the citizens of our magnificent country continue to take an active role in America's political process.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Grant Dentry attends Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: select an important event that has occurred in the past 15 years and explain how that event has changed our country. An important event that has occurred in the past 15 years is the rapid evolution of technology in our everyday lives. From single function cell-phones, to compact flip phones with cameras, to the now pervasive ``smart phone'' that serves as a multi-function computer, phone, hi-resolution camera, personal assistant, and a comprehensive tracking device. I believe technology; although innovative and fun, can have a negative effect on our country. While technology has benefited our lives, its evolution has changed how America operates and is watched over. Even though technological evolution has made our lives easier, it can expose our personal and private business to the Government (and hackers) who can access our information at will. The evolution of technology has reshaped the security of American citizens. Our Constitutional freedoms as Americans have been infringed upon because of our technological devices do not guarantee secure privacy. Now that almost everyone in America has a laptop or cellphone, the Government is able to conduct surveillance on its citizens. Constantly being watched over has had unfortunate effects on what we consider personal, private, freedom. The effect of being watched over has caused citizens to be constantly vigilant of what they are doing on electronic devices, where they go, and what they say. The Government is able to read our text messages and listen to our calls as well as see us through cameras on streets, smartphones and computers. Although we are still technically free, it is not the freedom we used to have before technology evolved. Fifteen years ago, concerns about Government surveillance on citizens was not as alarming as today. The next 15 years will bring changes in the relationship between Governments and their citizens. While many found out in 2012 about Government surveillance, more and more Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about the issue of privacy now. Sadly, our media is distracting our citizens away from privacy issues. Many disapprove of the spying and frown upon the Government's decisions to monitor U.S. citizens. Since 9/11, security has been stepped up (rightfully so), but it has been taken to a level almost comparable to George Orwell 's Nineteen Eighty-Four in which everything is closely monitored and scrutinized. Overall, the surveillance technology revolution has changed our country drastically and has brought concern and worry to many American citizens. Monitoring citizens was not the intent when surveillance technology first developed, but now it has the potential for large scale abuse. While technology has benefited our lives in many ways, it has also changed how America operates, how we are kept safe, and how we view our Constitutional freedoms and our privacy. Hopefully, the next 15 years will bring us towards a balance between security, safety, and privacy.

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 into the concerns of our younger constituents and hopefully get 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. Caroline Jok attends Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. The essay topic is: in your opinion, what role should the government play in our lives? It is said: One can never have too much of a good thing. While it is certainly true that in many cases it is harder for a good thing to turn bad, it is impossible for this statement to be infallible with the absolute qualifier ``never'' hanging in the balance. For example, though water is essential to life, if one drinks too much of it they will face hyponatremia, otherwise known as water intoxication. While chocolate is undeniably sweet and pleasant, too much chocolate induces contrastingly unpleasant feelings, sickness, and even dangerous health conditions. Even something as wonderful and essential as freedom--the very virtue this great Nation is founded on, the very virtue that our ancestors fought and gave their lives for--can become a negative force if there is too much of it. The statement ``too much freedom'' sounds seemingly absurd, however, this is precisely why our founding fathers, despite the hard fought efforts to escape the oppression of one government, worked to build another. Too much freedom can result, ironically, in oppression, in chaos, in exploitation, and in a bloodbath driven by greed. This is where the role of our government comes in. Our government serves as a counterbalance to a good thing, not to control all things; it is the protector of this good thing. It is the role of our government to address and settle conflicts from an unbiased standpoint to the best of its ability. It is the role of our government to compose and enforce legislation that will benefit, protect, and create opportunity for its citizens, to set limitations on freedom so that freedom can be preserved and ensured. It is the role of our government to serve as the voice of the nation to the rest of the world, to serve as our representative, as our ambassador. It is the role of our government to serve the people who elected it. It is essential for our government to be involved in the day to day lives of its citizens, be it through the corporate world, cyberspace and security, on a local level, in education, immigration, in the health industry, and countless other niches, not to control these realms, but to serve as an equalizer, safeguard and creator of opportunity in each of these. Professor of Communication at American University, Leonard Steinhorn comments, ``[if many] Americans feel `unease' toward [our] government's role in our daily lives, it is either because they take much of what the federal government does for granted, or because the media tend to give a disproportionate voice to those whose ideological temper tantrums against government make for good copy and sound bites.'' Our government's involvement in day-to-day life proceedings is essential to balance and preserve a very good thing: freedom. This is precisely the role our government plays in our lives.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Ben Perez of Rosenberg, TX on being named a finalist in the HEB Excellence in Education Awards Program. Mr. Perez serves as the principal of Ray Elementary School in Rosenberg, TX. Mr. Perez began his career as a teacher's aide at the age of eighteen while simultaneously taking courses at the University of Houston- Downtown. After serving both as an elementary school teacher at Pink Elementary and as assistant principal at Ray Elementary, Mr. Perez was named principal after years of hard work and commitment to his school and his students. Mr. Perez was selected for this award due to his tireless work ethic, educational accomplishments, and passion for teaching. Both his fellow teachers and students are excited about his nomination, and eagerly await the program's decision. Mr. Perez is one of five exceptional elementary school principals who were nominated for this award, and the winner will be announced in Austin on May 2. On behalf of the residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Mr. Perez for being recognized as an outstanding principal.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Michelle Fokam of Katy, TX for claiming the honor of District 19-6A Most Valuable Player during the 2014-2015 basketball season. Ms. Fokam and the Seven Lakes girls' basketball team continue to lead Katy ISD in excellence and determination. Ms. Fokam is a junior at Seven Lakes High School, and was voted District 19-6A's MVP thanks to her key contributions as one of the leagues best inside defenders and rebounders, as well as her formidable offensive player skills. This honor comes after an exciting season as the Seven Lakes girls' basketball team won its fourth consecutive district championship and its second undefeated season. On behalf of the residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Michelle Fokam for being honored as the District 19-6A Most Valuable Player, and to the Seven Lakes girls' basketball team for your continued victories. We look forward to seeing what you will accomplish in the future.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ellie Campbell from Richmond, Texas for her selection to the Honor Orchestra of America. She is one of only two Harpists who performed at the Orchestra America National Festival in Indianapolis. Ellie performs with Virtuosi, a Houston-area orchestra, and the Region 13 Philharmonic Orchestra. With Virtuosi, she had the opportunity to perform the prelude music for Violinist Itzhak Perlman's performance with the Houston Symphony in Jones Hall. Music plays an important role in our lives and talented musicians like Ellie contribute to our ability to appreciate the beauty of classical music. I commend Ellie for all of her musical accomplishments in Houston and beyond. On behalf of the residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again Ellie Campbell for her achievements.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, EPA has proposed a new lower standard for ozone--smog--before America has finished her work on the current standard. We have made important gains in air quality, but this latest draft is so low that most of America will be out of compliance. Under current law, EPA can't even consider whether we have the technology to achieve the new low standard. EPA says that half the work to meet this new rule will come from technology that doesn't yet exist. This rule will mean lost jobs and lost opportunities. This week, the gentleman from Ohio, Bob Latta, and I reintroduced H.R. 1388, the Clean Air, Strong Economies Act. Our bill requires EPA to protect health and consider whether a rule can be met. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to help us balance clean air with a strong economy by supporting H.R. 1388.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Douglas Gorman of Katy, TX for being named the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year. He selflessly donates his time to serve the people of TX-22. Mr. Gorman has been a strong volunteer since he moved to Katy in 2008. He serves on the advisory board for the Fussell Senior Citizen Center and volunteers weekly at Katy Prairie Conservancy and St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He is also as a board member of the Katy Home Savers Association, and an advocate to preserve safe home environments for the elderly. We are lucky to have such a committed civil servant living in Katy. His selfless dedication to community service strengthens our community. On behalf of the residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Douglas Gorman for being selected as the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year. We appreciate your service and continued successes.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate two members of the Brazos Valley Community-Girl Scout Troop 28028--Sarah-Leanne Sherman and Katie Stone. These young women received the Silver Award, the second highest Girl Scout award and the highest award at the middle school level. Sarah-Leanne and Katie have continually showed their commitment to changing society and helping their community. They were awarded the Silver Award after running a cheer and dance camp for the children staying at the Fort Bend Women's Shelter over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. At the end of the camp, the children were able to perform their routine for their mothers. I am proud to represent two young leaders who possess a strong commitment to service. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Sarah-Leanne and Katie for earning this distinguished award. I look forward to seeing what Sarah- Leanne and Katie do in the future.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Rotary Club of Katy for receiving the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Award for Exceptional Service. Formed in 1946, the Rotary Club has served Katy for nearly sixty years. The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce selected the Rotary Club of Katy because of their dedication to our community. Every year they hold two large fundraisers. To date, they have raised and donated over $110,000 to local schools and charities in Katy. I thank the Rotary Club of Katy for their selfless dedication and focus on giving back to our community. With an emphasis on community service, Rotary Clubs across America play a vital role in strengthening our local communities. On behalf of the residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to the Rotary Club of Katy for being presented the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Exceptional Service Award. We look forward to their continued success in Katy, TX.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sgt. Matt Levan of the Sugar Land Police Department for being named the 2014 Officer of the Year. This award reflects his exceptional contributions to our community and his outstanding civic leadership. Sgt. Levan began his service for the Sugar Land Police Department 19 years ago and continues to display leadership and commitment to his job. As a member of the Houston Metro Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, he has taken a special interest in the welfare of children in Sugar Land. Always going a step further, he makes a practice of sharing his experience and insights to empower the public to better defend themselves from criminal threats. Thanks to officers like Sgt. Levan, residents of Sugar Land can sleep better at night knowing that our police officers are dedicated to serving our community and keeping us safe. I commend Sgt. Levan for his outstanding leadership and service to our community at the Sugar Land Police Department. On behalf of the residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Sgt. Matt Levan on being named the 2014 Officer of the Year.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Port of Houston Authority for successfully completing its certification process for International Organization for Standardization 14001 Environmental Management Systems. This tri-annual process certifies the ports' Central Maintenance facility and the Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals. International Organization for Standardization 14001 certification is one of the hardest to achieve in the environmental industry. Of the 360 seaports in the United States, only 10 are certified. This also marks the fifth consecutive successful certification for the Port of Houston Authority. In 2002, it became the first port in the United States to achieve ISO 14001 status. On behalf of the residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to the Port of Houston Authority for receiving this critical certification. The Port of Houston is an important asset for Houston, Texas and the nation. Best wishes on your continued success.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 108 I inadvertently voted ``nay'' when I intended to vote ``yay''.