Pete Olson

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, on March 6, 1836, nearly 200 Texans took their last breaths at the Alamo. A week before that, their commander, William Barret Travis, sent a final plea for help. Here are parts of that inspiring letter: To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world, I am besieged by a thousand or more Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion; otherwise, the Garrison are to be put to the sword. I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism, of everything dear to the American character to come to our aid. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor, that of his country, victory or death. May God and history always remember the Alamo.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, on March 2, 1836, 178 years ago, the Republic of Texas was born with the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The last paragraph on the sacred document reads: We, therefore, the delegates with plenary powers of the people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, do hereby resolve and declare, that our political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, Sovereign, and independent republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to independent nations; and, conscious of the rectitude of our intentions, we fearlessly and confidently commit the issue to the decision of the Supreme arbiter of the destinies of nations. May God always bless and never forget the Republic of Texas.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sugar Land Parks and Recreation on being named the Texas Recreation and Parks Society's ``2014 Texas Gold Medal Award Winner'' in the 50,000 to 100,000 population category. This award recognizes communities who excel in resource management, park planning, and coordinating community programs and events. Over the past three years, Sugar Land Parks and Recreation has gone above and beyond to improve our community. It established the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation to facilitate park project donations, doubled programmable space for seniors, and acquired 281 acres for future parks. Sugar Land commissioned an ``Art in Parks and Public Spaces'' program for community enjoyment and updated the Hike and Bike Trail Plan to encourage healthy and active lifestyles. Sugar Land Parks and Recreation also opened the City's first Indoor Recreation Center, featuring space for classes and events, as well as a gymnasium, kitchen, exercise rooms, and activity space. This award is a testament to the hard work of Sugar Land Parks and Recreation employees and their dedication to making Sugar Land a better place for all. On behalf of all residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, it's an honor to recognize Sugar Land Parks and Recreation on earning this prestigious award. We are all very proud of your hard work.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy which took place on February 25-26, 1992, when the town of Khojaly in the Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan was attacked by Armenian forces. Khojaly, which was home to 7,000 people, was completely destroyed; a total of 613 people were killed. As the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict still remains unresolved, the U.S. must increase its efforts to facilitate the resolution to the conflict in accordance with international law. Congress must also recognize that the current status-quo is dangerous and a solution to the conflict is necessary to allow hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani IDPs to return to their homes. There is no doubt that a settlement of this protracted conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan would let this region realize its huge potential and become prosperous. Mr. Speaker, as Azerbaijan, a tested and proven strategic partner of the United States, commemorates the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly massacre this year, I call on my colleagues in Congress to speak up on this tragedy and stand with the Azerbaijani people.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, on the issue of increasing America's national debt, President Obama is very different than Senator Obama. Senator Barack Obama, on the House floor, March 16, 2006: The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. Over the past 5 years, our Federal debt has increased by $3.5 trillion to $8.6 trillion. That is trillion with a ``t.'' That is money that we have borrowed from the Social Security trust fund, borrowed from China and Japan, borrowed from American taxpayers. Numbers that large are sometimes hard to understand. Some people may wonder why they matter. Here is why: this year the Federal Government will spend $220 billion on interest. Senator Obama later explained: That is more money to pay interest on our debt this year than we will spend on education, homeland security, transportation, and veterans benefits combined. After talking about Hurricane Katrina, Senator Obama shifted to the debt tax: And the cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in our Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees, robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education, health care reform, robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on. Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America's priorities. Instead, interest payments are a significant tax on all Americans, a debt tax that Washington doesn't want to talk about. If Washington were serious about an honest tax relief in this country, we would see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies. And Senator Obama finally brought up our debt to unfriendly nations: Now, there is nothing wrong with borrowing from foreign countries. But we must remember that the more we depend on foreign nations to lend us money, the more our economic security is tied to the whims of foreign leaders whose interests might not be aligned with ours. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that ``the buck stops here.'' Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit. Today, our national debt is $18 trillion with a ``t.'' Clearly, President Obama has forgotten Senator Obama's words, but the American people remember, and on their behalf, I ask President Obama to decrease our debt by working with Congress to reform our Tax Code to make it pro-growth and anti-debt.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Christian Martinez, a senior at Katy High School, on bringing home a gold medal from the University Interscholastic League State Wrestling Championship. Christian is one of the 28 talented wrestlers from Katy, TX to qualify for the state tournament. Christian, who took home a silver medal in 2013, captured this year's gold medal in the 132 lb. bracket after a hard-fought final match. Christian is the 10th state champion wrestler to come from Katy High School. Texas is home to many outstanding athletes, and becoming a state champion is not an easy feat. On behalf of all residents of the Twenty- Second Congressional District of Texas, I am honored to recognize Christian's accomplishment! Our community is proud of Christian Martinez.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate William Homalon, a senior at Morton Ranch High School in Katy, TX, on bringing home a gold medal from the University Interscholastic League State Wrestling Championship. William is one of the 28 talented wrestlers from Katy to qualify for the state tournament. William is a repeat state champion, finishing his senior year with an impressive record of 51-3. He went undefeated at this year's state tournament, pinning all four of his opponents to capture the gold in the 126 lb. division. Texas is home to many outstanding athletes, and becoming a state champion is not an easy feat. Becoming one twice is extraordinary. On behalf of all residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, I am honored to recognize William's accomplishment! Our community is proud of William Homalon.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ricky Regas, a junior at Cinco Ranch High School, on bringing home a gold medal from the University Interscholastic League State Wrestling Championship. Ricky is one of the 28 talented wrestlers from Katy, TX, to qualify for the state tournament. Ricky captured this year's gold medal in the 182 lb. bracket after a hard-fought final match. Ricky finished the year with a record of 34-0, an undefeated season. I hope to continue to see great things from Ricky in his senior season. Texas is home to many outstanding athletes, and becoming a state champion is not an easy feat. On behalf of all residents of the Twenty- Second Congressional District of Texas, I am honored to recognize Ricky's accomplishment. Our community is proud of Ricky Regas.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the talented young scientists at Fort Settlement Middle School in Sugar Land, Texas. Students Anish Mago, Siddanth Arora, Nithin Parsan, Dillion Ding and their science teacher, Karen Staley, were named first place winners in the 2014 Mars Rover Celebration. The Mars Rover Celebration is an annual competition that invites students interested in science and engineering to participate in the design and construction of a Mars Rover model that would carry out a specific mission. The Fort Settlement students' mission was to colonize Mars. The team's working model ``Amazement'' earned them first place in the solar-powered rover division. Having grown up in Clear Lake, near the Johnson Space Center, I too was interested in space exploration as a young student. At a time when America needs more talent in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, it's great to see this enthusiasm for space exploration in our future scientists and leaders. On behalf of all of everyone from the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, I'm proud to recognize these young scientists. Congratulations to the Fort Settlement Middle School team on earning this impressive accomplishment. I hope one day to see you all on your own mission to Mars. In this case, the sky is not the limit.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Jim Browne, the Director of Parks and Recreation for my hometown of Sugar Land, Texas, on being named the East Region 2014 Director of the Year by The Texas Recreation and Park Society, TRAPS. Browne was recognized by TRAPS for his professional leadership, public service and efforts to improve quality of life in Sugar Land. Browne has worked to enhance Sugar Land by opening numerous parks and community centers as well as expanding the city's already award winning special events. Under Browne's leadership, Sugar Land opened the Imperial Park Recreation Center, doubled program space for senior citizens at the recently renovated T.E. Harman Center and opened the first phase of the Sugar Land Memorial Park. These are just a few of the accomplishments Browne has achieved during his 35 year career in parks and recreation management. On behalf of all residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, it's an honor to recognize Browne's commitment to the Sugar Land community. Congratulations Mr. Browne, on earning this recognition for your valued work and thank you for helping to create a community that the Sugar Land residents are proud to call home.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize police officer Jason Wells of Pearland, Texas. On October 24, 2013 Officer Wells was involved in a severe off-duty motorcycle accident. This accident left Officer Wells with several broken bones, and his left leg had to be amputated below the knee. Officer Wells is a single father to two young children, and previously protected our Nation honorably as a Marine. Officer Wells still has a long road to recovery ahead of him. I'm pleased to be part of a community that has rallied to support him by hosting benefits for this hero. The proceeds will help fund Officer Wells' rehabilitation and the prosthetic limb he needs to get back on patrol. Every day in communities across America, police officers risk their lives to keep us safe. On behalf of all residents of the Twenty- Second Congressional District of Texas, I am honored to recognize Officer Wells. Our community is proud of Officer Wells for his service to protect Pearland, Texas and our nation. We wish him the best in his recovery.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Devanshi Udeshi on completing a Silver Award, the highest achievement a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. Devanshi, an eighth grader at Sartartia Middle School in Sugar Land, achieved this honor through her accomplishments in leadership, advocacy, and dedication to improving her community. After watching an episode of the Dr. Oz show about childhood obesity, Devanshi was inspired to make a positive impact in her community. For Devanshi's Silver Award project, ``Brocc N' Roll,'' she hosted a Nutrition Awareness Workshop at the Impact Church to bring more awareness to the issue of obesity. During the workshop, she gave a presentation to the adults on the importance of healthy eating and exercise. For attending children, she planned competitions and games to show them how fun exercise can be. In addition, Devanshi has volunteered her time at the Creative Dreams Outreach center, educating children on the importance of a balanced diet. On behalf of all of the residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, it's an honor to recognize Devanshi's accomplishment and desire to make her community a better place. We are all proud of Devanshi Udeshi.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Katarina Morton of Pearland High School, who earned All-American honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She is the first Pearland ISD volleyball player to be named an AVCA All-American. Katarina is among 100 of the nation's top high school senior volleyball players who represent 33 states and 90 high schools. In order to receive this distinction, she was first nominated by Pearland Lady Oilers head coach John Turner. Coach Turner has commented on Katrina's passion, incredible work ethic and love of the game. It is clear that these three attributes have served Katrina well. On behalf of all residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, it's an honor to recognize Katarina Morton and her accomplishment of earning All-American honors. We are all very proud of her and wish her the best of luck at Kennesaw State University.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a poetic tribute in honor of an American Hero, Astronaut Scott Carpenter's passing . . . Scott was the second American to orbit in space. God Speed America's son. I ask that this poem penned by Albert Carey Caswell be placed in the Record. To Where Hearts of Courage Roam (By: Albert Carey Caswell) To . . . To where hearts of courage roam! To such places the future now so owns! So where such courage belongs! So all by themselves, so out there all alone! To a place where exploration heart's so roam! Where life and death, so lies all on that edge! So etched all in history's home! To so find the answers, Which must now be known! As we looked up Scott, And you were gone! And if I were a Carpenter, I'd be The Right Stuff moving upward and on! As you and your friend John Glenn, such a dynamic duo had once so formed! As the bravest, and the boldest who shall live on! As a pioneer of space exploration, all in search of new frontiers! All out there on that cutting edge, all without fear! As your life Scott, to exploration was so pledged! While, against all odds you would not hedge! As an Astronaut heading into the sun! Raising ``The Mercury'', with the strength of ``Atlas'' to exploration you'd run! To win what so must be won! And then, under the oceans for so much more to come! So ready to pay with your own most precious life, as was America's heroic son who shone so bright! Pushing that envelope, so all in flight! All so that we could be here! As your family, anxiously so awaited all in their tears! Oh yes, you were a shining star! Carrying our Nation, out into the future so fast and far! To such new heights, and ever new frontiers! To a place where others fear!

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to share an amazing story of a police officer from Texas 22. At 3:30 a.m., on October 26, this officer from Stafford, Texas, noticed a car sitting at a green light with its left turn signal on. A few minutes later the Stafford officer stopped that car. As the officer approached the car, shots rang out. The officer was hit in the neck, face, and chest. The thugs sped off. The thugs had no idea who they shot. If they knew, they would have dropped their weapons and surrendered without a fight. They shot a wife, a mother of two young children, a former marine, who was the first female to join the Marine Corps' boxing team. They shot Stafford police officer Ann Carrizales. They messed with the wrong marine. Despite being wounded, Ann returned fire, blowing out the back glass of the thug's automobile. She jumped in her cruiser and joined the chase. She quickly got on the radio saying, ``Shots fired, shots fired, I've been hit.'' For 7 minutes Ann chased the shooters. The video of her dashboard camera shows how cool and in control Ann was. She chased the thugs through two counties with multiple law enforcement agencies joining the chase--the Stafford Police Department, Missouri City Police Department, Sugar Land Police Department, Houston Police Department, sheriff's deputies from Fort Bend County and Harris County, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, all joining in the chase. Despite her wounds, Ann stayed on the radio and kept everyone aware of her location, telling everyone all the streets that she was passing while she was chasing the thugs. Ann was in charge and everyone knew that. Ann followed those thugs into an apartment complex. Knowing the danger to arriving officers in an apartment complex and the danger to innocent Americans losing their lives from stray gunshots in those apartments, Ann continued to manage the scene. On Ann's dashboard camera, you can see Ann's fellow officers trying to take care of her wounds. Ann can be heard saying, ``Get out, it's not safe,'' and tell them to ``watch your back.'' Ann's shooter was caught later that day, and his two buddies were caught a few days later. I talked to Ann a week after she was shot. I had two questions for Ann. The first question: ``What did you think when you were shot?'' She told me that her mama bear instincts kicked in. Those punks tried to take her from her husband and her two kids. They were going to pay for that. I also asked Ann: ``Did you ever think you were going to die?'' She snapped, ``No, sir, my chief did not give me permission to die that night.'' Thank you, Ann, for wearing that badge and for your heroism. Semper fi, Ann, semper fi.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Clements High School Marching Band from my hometown of Sugar Land, Texas. They won top honors at the 2nd annual Texas Marching Classic in Round Rock, Texas. Not only did Clements take home the championship trophy, but they also received awards for best music, best visual and best general effects. Their award winning performance of ``Resistance is Futile'' featured music from J.J. Abrams' Star Trek. After winning the Texas Marching Classic, the band and color guard followed their win with a grand champion victory at the Sam Houston Marching Contest the very next weekend. In both cases, the band headed into the finals in second place but came out on top in the end. The Texas Marching Classic hosts 22 of the top marching bands in the State of Texas. I can only imagine the preparation that these young students had to put in these last few months. Their hard work and dedication has certainly paid off. The Marching Band has made Clements High School and our community proud. I'm proud to extend a Texas-sized congratulation to the Clements High School Marching Band for their musical achievements.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, my hometown of Houston, Texas, lost an icon last week, Bum Phillips. Bum coached the Houston Oilers in their heyday, 1975 through 1980. Twice during that tenure, they came within one game of going to the Super Bowl. Bum was loved because he was more than a football coach. He was a true Texan who happened to be a football coach--a Houston, Texas, football coach. Bum understood the rivalry between Dallas, Texas, and Houston, Texas. He said: The Dallas Cowboys may be America's team, but the Houston Oilers are Texas' team. He knew football was just a game. As he said: Winning is only half of it. Having fun is the other half. And he had fun. In 1977, the Oilers drafted a star running back from Texas, Earl Campbell, a Heisman Trophy winner, a University of Texas graduate, a Longhorn from Tyler, Texas. In their first practice, Earl finished dead last in the mile run of the whole team. A reporter asked Bum if he was worried about Earl, could he perform in the NFL. Bum dead-panned: When it's first and a mile, I won't give it to him. He loved his players, nobody more so than Earl Campbell. Bum showed his love for Earl by saying: I don't know if Earl is in a class by himself, but I do know that when that class gets together, it sure don't take long to call the roll. Love ya, Blue; love ya, Bum. Thanks for the memories. God has a small class waiting for you in Heaven, and, yes, it won't take long to take the roll. God bless Bum Phillips.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Welcome Wilson, Sr., who was named chairman of University of Houston's ``Drive to Tier One'' initiative. The University of Houston is on track for Tier One status. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Board of Regents at the University of Houston System. He was also inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2010, served in the executive office of President John F. Kennedy, was Houston chairman for the March of Dimes, and graduated first in his class from the Naval Officers School. Wilson will work to mobilize the community and alumni organization in support of the Tier One initiative. Elevating the University of Houston to one the Nation's elite research institutions would attract high- technology businesses seeking to form partnerships with universities and boost the economy of Houston and its surrounding area. Adding another top-tier university in Texas would also allow lower-income students to attend high-quality schools closer to home for less money. Great universities are built by great communities. Mr. Wilson is a leader who represents our community with distinction and honor. On behalf of all residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, it's an honor to recognize the appointment of Welcome Wilson, Sr., and I support Mr. Wilson and the University of Houston in their endeavors to achieve Tier One status.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, today President Obama and Senate Leader Reid got what they wanted--the Federal Government is shut down. House Republicans made four attempts to avoid a shutdown; all were denied a straight up-and-down vote in the United States Senate. And now they won't even agree to a conference committee to work out the differences between the two bodies, per the Constitution. Given this ``my way or the highway'' mentality, I want to briefly talk to the American people about what to expect in a bigger fiscal crisis, our impending default on the Federal Government's legal obligations by exceeding our debt limit. Without agreement between the President and Congress in a few weeks, America will default on its obligations for the first time in its history. And I fear that our President and congressional Democrats will play politics with our debt ceiling like they did with going with a government shutdown. And here are the words of a key player in this debate on increasing our debt ceiling. This was a speech in Congress on March 16, 2006: The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. Over the past 5 years, our Federal debt has increased by $3.5 trillion to $8.6 trillion. That is `trillion' with a `T.' That is money that we have borrowed from the Social Security trust fund, borrowed from China and Japan, borrowed from the American taxpayers. And over the next 5 years, between now and 2011, the President's budget will increase the debt by another $3.5 trillion. And the cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure. Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America's priorities. Instead, interest payments are a significant tax on all Americans--a debt tax that Washington doesn't want to talk about. If Washington was serious about honest tax relief in this country, we would see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies. Our debt also matters internationally. Now, there is nothing wrong with borrowing from foreign countries. But we must remember that the more we depend on foreign nations to lend us money, the more our economic security is tied to the whims of foreign leaders whose interests might not be aligned with ours. And finally: Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that `the buck stops here.' Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. America deserves better. I, therefore, intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit. Those words were the words of Senator Barack Obama. Senator Obama is now our President. Unfortunately, President Obama has forgotten his words as a Senator. In his first 4 years in office, he added more to our national debt than all the Presidents combined in the history of America. And now, instead of working with Congress to fix this debt crisis and the drivers of this debt--the entitlement programs, our President is demanding a naked increase in our debt ceiling. Mr. President, the government did not have to shut down today. Mr. President, America does not need to go into default. Work with us, please.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, the hearts of every American felt pain when we heard that a deranged man killed twelve innocent Americans at the Washington Navy Yard on September 16, 2013. My family and I were crushed when we learned that we knew one of the victims of this senseless crime, Marty Bodrog. We lived in the same neighborhood as the Bodrog family in Annandale, Virginia. It was a neighborhood where the neighbors truly cared about each other. During weekdays, the kids would go to school while the parents went to work. The weekends were unique as there was always an event or gathering of neighbors. My family would see Marty regularly, whether he was walking his dog or hanging out with his family at the pool on a summer day. He was part of the fabric that made our neighborhood such a special place. We miss him. Marty Bodrog's life was a life focused on others and service. A 1981 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Marty spent twenty-two years on active duty, rising to the rank of Commander. He was a surface warfare officer, known as a ``ship driver'' in the Navy. After retiring from active duty, Marty spent the rest of his professional career making sure that American Naval vessels were the best our world has ever seen. Marty also served the family he loved. He was married to the love of his life, Melanie, for twenty-five years. They were blessed with three incredible daughters: Isabel, Sophie, and Rita. No father as ever been more devoted to his family than Marty was. But, Marty's most important service was his service to the Lord. He created a regular Bible study in our neighborhood and was a religious education teacher in his church, Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield. A wise man once told me that the greatest gift one human being can give another is the gift of a smile, or a laugh, or an extra heartbeat of excitement. Marty spent a lifetime giving others those gifts. In closing, I'd like to say to my fellow Sailor and friend, ``Bravo Zulu on a life lived well. May you enjoy fair winds and following seas in your new, eternal life. We'll see you again, soon.''

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic efforts of a man from Manvel, Texas--an American hero, Colonel James Fleming of the United States Air Force. Colonel Fleming was the pilot of a helicopter in the 20th Special Operations Squadron. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action on November 26, 1968, in Vietnam. On that day, Colonel Fleming was ordered to rescue a six-man Special Forces patrol that was pinned down by enemy fighters. Already aware of one downed helicopter in the area, Colonel Fleming dropped his helicopter into the combat zone. Despite a failed first attempt and low fuel, Colonel Fleming did what every member of the U.S. military is trained to do--he left no man behind. He came back and hovered with an open cargo door while his helicopter was being raked by enemy fire. The six Green Berets jumped into his helicopter with the enemy 10 feet behind. Thanks to his heroic efforts, the six Green Berets made it out alive. I am proud to honor and remember the actions of Colonel James Fleming.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Energy Action Team, I want to open this Special Order by paying tribute to a man who made American energy independence possible in the 21st century, George Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell left us this past Friday. He was 94 years old, 6 years short of a century. He was truly a larger-than-life figure in Texas, America, and the world. He spent more than 20 years of his life risking tens of millions of his own dollars looking to unlock the natural gas and oil that he knew existed in shale plates all across this country. In the mid-1990s, Mr. Mitchell finally succeeded in tapping into the Barnett shale plate outside of Dallas and Fort Worth. He got his first operation well, profit well, after 35 wells. The 36th one was the one that made the difference. The Barnett shale plate led to the Haynesville shale plate in western Louisiana and eastern Texas. That led to the Marcellus shale plate in western New York, western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. That led to the Bakken shale plate in North Dakota and eastern Montana. And that led back home to the Eagle Ford shale plate south of San Antonio, going down to the Rio Grande border with Mexico. Mr. Mitchell came into this world with a very special title--``BOI,'' born on island, a title of reverence for someone who is born on Galveston Island. He was born on May 21, 1919. Galveston was still struggling to recover from America's worst natural disaster--the Galveston hurricane of 1900, in which at least 6,000 Americans died in one night in September of that year. But being ``BOI,'' Mr. Mitchell did not despair. He felt resurgence, he felt hope. He took that resurgence and hope to College Station and Texas A&M University where he studied petroleum engineering and geology. He finished first in his class and was the captain of the varsity tennis team. Texas A&M gave him the tools he needed to succeed. He gave tools back to Texas A&M. He donated $4.2 million for a new Aggie tennis stadium and $35 million for two new physics buildings. When Alzheimer's took his wife of nearly 70 years, Cynthia, he gave the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas' oldest medical school, millions to study research like Alzheimer's. He gave $20 million for biomedical research at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and brought Dr. Steven Hawking to Texas A&M to help with studying degenerative diseases, like the one Dr. Hawking had that he overcame for most of his adult life. George Mitchell literally built The Woodlands north of Houston, one of the fastest growing and safest communities in America. George Mitchell has a very special place in my heart because my daughter, Kate, saw her idol Taylor Swift at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands. Mr. Mitchell never forgot his hometown of Galveston, Texas. He had the vision to restore the Galveston Strand, bringing the cruise ships back to Galveston, and started a Mardi Gras celebration larger than New Orleans. George Mitchell was a visionary who tapped into American exceptionalism and left a lasting mark on Texas, America, and the world. George Mitchell gave my kids and every kid in America a very special gift--the gift of freedom that comes from knowing that a foreign nation cannot hurt our economy by taking away the oil and gas we need. I saw this firsthand in 1979 when the Ayatollah overthrew the Shah of Iran. The Shah came here to America in exile being treated for cancer that ultimately took his life. The Arab world was not happy that we let the Shah come to America, and so OPEC took away every drop of oil that they had been giving our country for over 20 years. I was 16 years old when that happened. I had just got my driver's license. My job was to drive our Chevy Silverado pick-up truck down to the gas station, depending upon the last digit of my license plate, odd or even, to fill up the truck with a maximum of 20 gallons of gasoline. The price of that gasoline doubled overnight. Because of George Mitchell, American children will never have to go through that again if we can follow his dream of developing shale plates all across this great Nation. George Mitchell embodied the qualities of hard work, innovation, compassion, and a can-do spirit that make America the greatest Nation on Earth. We are better off today because of George and Cynthia Mitchell. May God bless the Mitchell family, their 10 children, and everyone whose life was touched by their presence. In naval aviation we say ``bravo zulu, Mr. Mitchell, bravo zulu.'' You are cleared to depart the pattern and rejoin Cynthia in a life of shared eternity. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to support H.R. 2667 and H.R. 2668, bills that would delay the employer and individual mandates in ObamaCare. These mandates force businesses to provide health coverage to their employees and as well for individuals to purchase government-dictated health care or pay a penalty. President Obama cited the complexity of the mandate as the reason for his delay. A first-grader back home would say ``no kidding.'' Billion dollar corporations with access to the White House get excused from ObamaCare but the struggling American family gets left out. That's unfair, that's wrong, and more is coming. That is why I urge my colleagues to support these two bills until we can fully repeal ObamaCare and give every American quality health care at a price they can afford with a doctor of their choice.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chef Ronnie Killen and the staff of Killen's Steakhouse in Pearland, Texas. It's no secret that Texas is known for its beef. Killen's Steakhouse has been ranked the number one steakhouse in Texas and the number six steakhouse in the United States out of The Daily Meal's top 20 American Steakhouses. This is an exceptional honor, and reflects the hard work, talent and dedication to culinary craft that Chef Killen and his staff have contributed. This upscale steakhouse is the only restaurant in the Pearland area serving Allen Brothers USDA prime beef, and I am more than excited to be a loyal patron. Small businesses make up the backbone of the U.S. economy and play a crucial role in American productivity and economic vitality. We must continue to support small businesses like Killen's Steakhouse, and I look forward to hearing from Chef Killen as a small business owner about the needs and concerns of the small business community. Congratulations to Killen's Steakhouse for achieving this prominent ranking. On behalf of all residents of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, I am honored to recognize this achievement. Our community is proud that Killen's Steakhouse calls Pearland home. I wish Chef Killen and his staff the best of luck in the future.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, we lost an icon back home this past Saturday--Bev Carter. Every Thursday, Bev's paper, the Fort Bend Star, would be laying in my driveway. Usually, on page 3, Bev had a weekly column called ``Bev's Burner,'' in which she would light a fire under a public official with whom she disagreed. Occasionally, I was one of those public officials, but I enjoyed and respected Bev because we shared and still share a common bond--we both love Sugar Land; we both love Fort Bend County; and we both love the great State of Texas. As we say in the Navy, Bravo Zulu, Bev. May you enjoy the peace you've earned.