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 these with my House colleagues. Christopher Sabbagh is a senior at Kempner High School in Fort Bend County, Texas. His essay topic is: In your opinion, why is it important to be involved in the political process? The Power of One This country was founded as a beacon of hope, a land of opportunity and freedom. Our nation is prosperous because of the unique form of government that attracts so many individuals from across the world. Every resident of the United States enters into a social contract between the people and the government. According to John Locke, the government's power derives from the, ``consent of the governed.'' As citizens of America, it is important to be involved in the political process because we are all responsible for the actions of our government, just as our government is responsible for the protection of its citizens. My parents emigrated from Lebanon to America believing opportunities for their children in a progressive nation would outweigh the sacrifice of leaving behind family, friends, and social stability. They were able to escape restrictive conditions in pursuit of better prospects and became actively involved in different aspects of their new community. Sadly, my parents' participation stopped at an integral duty in American democracy--voting. As the 2012 Presidential Election neared, the importance of democratic participating became evident to me. Citizens across the nation would decide on a president to lead the nation for the next four years. This one person's decisions would affect the world's future, and we, the citizens of the United States, were entrusted with the final decision. Despite the enormity of this responsibility, many citizens, including my parents, would refrain from participating. My teacher, Mrs. Naomi Brown, and I decided to confront this community issue and organized a voter registration festival in Sugar Land, Texas, titled ``The Power of ONE: Because ONE Vote Matters.'' With the support of the Bezos Scholars Program and many other organizations, we registered a total of 618 citizens, including my mom and dad. My parents realized that they had escaped a place where credible elections were nonexistent, but here, they had the power to make a difference. Ultimately, it is important to participate in the political process because it is our duty as American citizens to do so. A democracy is not effective unless there is a direct contribution from the populace. From presidential elections to state, local, and school board elections, we have the responsibility and duty to place in power whoever we feel most competent. When we abstain from participating, we are essentially noncitizens. We have no voice in the government. We have no influence in decisions made for us. But through participating in the political process, all of these are made available to us. We become the gears that keep our country progressing.

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 these with my House colleagues. Carley Grable is a senior at Lutheran South Academy in Harris County, Texas. Her essay topic is: In your opinion, why is it important to be involved in the political process? Oftentimes, in a nation where people have become relatively desensitized to the acts of the world, it is easy for one to simply fade into the crowd and become a follower. However, without adequate leaders, any nation, regardless of its stature, is destined for degradation. Warren Bennis once stated that, ``Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality''. American citizens need to get involved in even the simplest of ways in the political process because without the opinions and ideas of the people, the foundation of America crumbles. One cannot completely understand something until they have immersed themselves into every facet of it. This proves to be axiomatic in the sense that numerous American citizens do not voice their opinions or take definitive sides on critical issues simply because of a lack of understanding of the political process. The American government is one of the most fascinating aspects of our nation purely because it was the first successful system of its kind. Nowhere else in the world had a group of people become so passionate about something and create something based on that passion that was functional and prosperous. In order for citizens to become the leaders that the nation so desperately needs, it is crucial that they educate themselves and become activists for the causes that they believe in. Although, in the past century, the world as a whole has made great strides in ideas and technology, many people across the globe live in an isolated mindset concerning only themselves and their family or community. One may ponder the relationship between government and one's service to others in the world, however, I believe that if one is to truly make a difference in the world, one must become an active promoter of his/her beliefs. America's future calls for leaders who have a global perspective and are willing to work alongside others in a means of compromise and combination of ideals in order to attain a nation that is concerned with foreign affairs and is willing to use the functional facets of the US government and use them as a model to assist developing governments. Since the age of Greeks and Trojans, leadership has been a quality that is cherished in society and is placed on a pedestal of honor if attained, The future of America relies on the upcoming generation to provide the knowledge and ideas that will evolve the already great nation into not only a force that remains highly influential in the economic world, but also one that shows compassion through its aid. The involvement with the political process is vital to the creation of new leaders of society because without experience, one is left with a nation led by people who formulate decisions based solely upon instinct, instead of intelligence. Edmund Burke noted that ``no one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little''. No amount of involvement in one's government is too small to make a difference.

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 these with my House colleagues. Brandon Pullig is a senior at Deer Park High School in Harris County, Texas. His essay topic is: In Your Opinion, What Role Should Government Play in Our Lives? Ever since the times of the philosopher John Locke to Revolutionary heroes such as Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine to the current President Barack Obama, people have had many different beliefs on how government should play a role in our lives. While there have been differing views since the start, there has been one thing in common; the explicit disagreement on the role of which government should follow. Yes, everyone believes their opinion is correct because that is the definition of a belief. However, I write today not to share why my beliefs are correct nor to express how the U.S. Government should be leading the nation, but to tell my Congress, the most powerful body of our government, what not to do. Now, I digress momentarily to inform you that I am not a writer. I am not a literary mastermind who can reach into thin air, pick out the perfect sentence, and transfer it onto paper for all to read. No; I am but a worried 17 year-old, frightened for the future of our country. Thus being said, I apologize for my lack of professionalism and formality. When asked to write this, I saw it as an opportunity to directly communicate with Congress and not as an assignment to write about my feelings whilst hiding behind fancy words causing a lack of personality. Ergo, I plead with you to listen to what I have to say and to take it to heart. As a young man on the verge of becoming part of the ``real world,'' leaving high school behind, I find it crucial that I involve myself into the world of government, trying to find what makes it tick. By doing so, I have found that our government is fantastic. The system our founding fathers established is the only reason we, as a nation, have survived the past 236 years. We have evolved the governmental process commendably as well. These facts do not, unfortunately, make up for the horrendous damage politics have caused. The concept of politics has torn apart our government. The lack of cooperation between the two major parties in the last decade and a half has been detrimental to the well being of our nation. Of course our government should tax, regulate trade, deal with foreign nations, create laws to protect the rights of the people, etc. Yet, we have fixated our beliefs so heavily on the ideals of one party or the other and I, as a concerned citizen, am tired of the gridlock that has been hopefully unintentionally created. I urge you to remember the prosperous years in which our nation's leaders, Congress, set aside their party and worked for the better good of all people. This may be hard to do because our minds have been corrupted into thinking black and white, but remember the generation--my generation--that must live with the mistakes made by the Republican and Democratic leaders who were too ignorant to look past their parties' beliefs and to accept what will benefit all. I write to defend my generation and for you to remember the true role of our government, which is to ``establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.''

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true leader in NASA's human spaceflight program. This individual is neither an astronaut nor a high-ranking NASA official, yet she has been deeply involved in our nation's achievements in space, and deserves public recognition. Virginia Barnes, or Ginger to those of us who know her, has been CEO and President of the United Space Alliance for the past three years. United Space Alliance is the company that was tasked by NASA to operate the Space Shuttle. During her tenure, both NASA and United Space Alliance were under tremendous pressure to complete the remaining flights necessary to finish construction of the International Space Station, as well as manage the transition and closeout of the Space Shuttle Program. This was an immense challenge given the size of the workforce, assets, and facilities affected. Adding to this pressure was the vast public attention given to the Space Shuttle on its final flights after 30 years of service. This process forced America to accept the reality that we would not fly in space in our own spacecraft, for quite some time. During this stressful and challenging period, Ginger guided the United Space Alliance with steady resolve, and calm leadership balancing decisions on what was in the best interest of the Space Shuttle Program. Painful choices were made that affected workers and their families, many of whom had dedicated their entire careers to the Space Shuttle. Ginger handled this process with grace, care and consideration. Now that the last files have been boxed up, the Space Shuttle orbiters have been transferred to their final display locations, and the facilities have been mothballed or transitioned to other programs, Ginger's work on behalf of the Space Shuttle program is complete. Thankfully, Ginger is not leaving the space program. She will be returning to the Boeing Corporation, where she worked for her entire career prior to assuming leadership at the United Space Alliance. Hopefully, she will have some more time to pursue her hobbies as a licensed commercial pilot and hot air balloonist, as well as spend time with her family. The space industry is lucky to be able to retain her exceptional knowledge and expertise as America embarks on our next space journey. I thank her for her service to our civil space program, and look forward to more accomplishments to come in the years ahead.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, Fort Bend Christian Academy rules. Yesterday, the Eagles won two State titles. The day started with the Lady Eagles winning their fourth State championship in softball, the fourth title in 7 years. Behind Coach Ferguson Carroll and Elizabeth Fox's 12 strikeouts, the Lady Eagles crushed Fort Worth Christian 4-0. Right after that game ended, the Fort Bend Christian men won their first State baseball title with a close 12-11 victory over Midland Christian. Coach Roman and the team never quit, scoring four runs in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead for good. There's an old saying in naval aviation: don't mess with an eagle unless you know how to fly. The Fort Bend Christian men and women are Eagles who know how to fly. Those Eagles are Texas State champs.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. I thank my colleague from the Buckeye State. Ohio has always been a coal State. Now, with the Utica Shale plate, it's an oil and gas State. Mr. Speaker, the HEAT Team is back for the 113th Congress. I'm proud to be joining the HEAT Team--the House Energy Action Team--as we talk about a dream: American energy independence. As part of that goal, I'll be talking this afternoon about power generation and grid reliability. In Texas, bigger is always better. Texas got bigger than any State in the last 10 years. We did it for simple reasons: no state income tax; a right to work State; commonsense regulations; and cheap, reliable energy. To sustain that growth, we need five new large power plants in the next 2 to 3 years. It could be a matter of life and death. If we have a power crisis such as the heat wave like we had in August of 2011, when the entire State was over 100 degrees for all 31 days of that month, if that happens again, in the next 1 or 2 years, power may go out over the State, with rolling brownouts, rolling blackouts. That could be life and death for the elderly, the young, the poor. The Obama administration's obstacles to fossil fuels is our greatest challenge. Radical environmentalists have killed two new, large power plants. One is the Las Brisas power plant near Corpus Christi, and the second is the White Stallion Power Plant, a coal plant, near Bay City, where we have two nuclear reactors. Las Brisas was like coal. It used petroleum coke to refine that to make it energy. Now we'll export that energy source overseas. We need options to make sure that mothballed power plants can come back on line if we need them in a crisis. But as we've seen in the past, these power plants run the risk of being sued for exceeding their environmental limitations from the EPA. I have reintroduced a bill, H.R. 271, in this Congress. It passed in the last Congress unanimously in the Energy and Commerce Committee, of which I'm a member. It passed unanimously on this floor last Congress. It's coming back in committee sometime in the next couple of weeks. By passing this bill, we send a simple message: if the person or entity that runs the power grid tells you to keep that power plant up and running, and you exceed the EPA limitations, you cannot be held liable for exceeding the limitations when some government agency has told you to keep the power plant up and running. That's common sense. I thank my colleague. I'm glad to be here because we have a chance again to make our country energy independent.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the Doolittle Raiders. Seventy-one years ago this Thursday, 16 Army bombers took off from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. The Hornet was spotted by the Japanese hundreds of miles before their intended launch point. Led by Colonel Doolittle, all 16 bombers were launched, knowing that they would not have the fuel for safe shelter and they would crash land in enemy territory. A short 4 months after Pearl Harbor, these heroes bombed Tokyo and sent a message to the world that America would win World War II. Eighty pilots took off that day. Four of them are still alive. They had their last reunion this week. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 1209, which will give a Congressional Gold Medal to the Doolittle Raiders and give them one final honor before their final flight home.

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, I rise today in strong support of the House Republican budget. When a family racks up debt, it can take decades to pay off. The interest alone can add up to thousands of dollars. That's money that can be spent on braces, college tuition, or on a bigger home. The same is true for government. Ignoring our debt will force us to break the promises we've made to seniors and to the poor. We won't be able to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security for those who need it. The House Republican budget cuts spending by $4.6 trillion over 10 years, and it balances our budget within 10 years without raising taxes. In stark contrast, the House Democrat budget balances when Jesus comes back. A budget that spends too much hurts all Americans, but the poor and elderly are hurt the most. It's time to fix our debt and get our country back on track. I urge my colleagues to support the Republican budget.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was stunned to watch the senior Democrat leader of the other body implying that the blame for Monday's tragic deaths of seven marines is the result of the recent automatic cuts to defense spending, also known as sequestration--``the sequester.'' His outrageous comments referring to the dead marines' training with explosives implied that the sequester which the President insisted upon was ``going to cut back this stuff''--their training. I'm appalled because this senior Democrat should know that the sequester cuts have not even been fully implemented. They could not have played a role in these marines' deaths. As an American who has proudly worn the uniform of a naval officer, I am furious that a Member of Congress would play politics with such a tragedy. The families of these seven marines deserve an apology. I pray that they will get it. Semper fi, Marines. Semper fi.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, my own district, Texas 22, is where Texas high school basketball champions reside. B.F. Terry High School in Rosenberg won the 4A State Championship last Saturday. Right after that game, the Travis Tigers took the court to chase after the Texas 5A title. Travis had lost in the State championship game last year. They were determined to bring the trophy home this year, and they did just that by defeating South Grand Prairie 46-38. Led by the Harrison twins, Aaron and Andrew, the Travis defense smothered Grand Prairie from the start by allowing two baskets in 20 attempts. Congratulations to Coach Brownson and the whole team. Find a spot in the school's trophy case because the Travis Tigers are the champs.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, around midnight last Saturday, I was standing with a group of spirited Texans in the parking lot of B.F. Terry High School. We were waiting for the triumphant return of the Terry men's basketball team. Three hours earlier, the Rangers were cutting down the nets as the Texas 4A State champions. The Rangers showed the heart of a true champion by defeating the two- time defending champions, Dallas Kimball, 55-47. Down eight at halftime, the Terry defense took over. In the second half, they held Dallas Kimball without a point for the last 3 minutes and 45 seconds. Congratulations to Coach Michael Jackson, MVP Derrick Griffin, and the whole team for bringing the hardware home to Rosenberg.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, 177 years ago on this day, the Alamo fell. Every Texan fighting for liberty was killed. I would like to read parts of the letter sent by the Alamo's commander pleading for help: To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world, I am besieged by 1,000 or more of the 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 if the fort is taken. I have answered that demand with a cannon shot. 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 and that of his country: victory or death. William Barret Travis, Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. Remember the Alamo, and God bless the republic of Texas.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the White House to lead and turn away from Mayan politics: the world is going to end. This strategy over the President's automatic cuts borders on untruthful. For example, the FAA released a list of 238 regional airports that could potentially close due to the President's cuts, saying that at least 100 of them would be closed. How can the FAA list 238 at-risk airports and admit that only 100 of them will close? It's Mayan politics. 238 affected airports puts more fear in people than 100 regional airports. Even with tomorrow's spending cuts, FAA operations and facilities will have $500 million more than 2008 levels, and air traffic is lower. More money, less traffic, and dramatic cuts? My seventh-grader would say, ``That's fuzzy math, Dad.'' It's true. He's right. The truth will prevail.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. I want to thank my friend and fellow Texan, Judge Ted Poe, for hosting this Special Order: celebrating the greatest Texan in Congress, Colonel Sam Johnson, on the 40th anniversary of his return home after 7 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. We've heard the stories of Sam's lifetime of service to our Nation. They are the stuff of legends--the best of the best. Sam was shot down on his 25th mission over Vietnam, captured and imprisoned by the enemy. He was put in a special prison known as Alcatraz. His 2 years in Alcatraz were described by Sam as ``hell on Earth.'' Twenty years after Sam left Alcatraz, I began my training to become a naval aviator. Part of that training included prisoner-of-war school, also known as SERE school--survival, evasion, resistance, and escape. In SERE school, we were locked in a dark box. We were deprived of sleep and exposed to interrogation techniques depicted in the movie ``Zero Dark Thirty.'' The main lesson I learned in SERE school was because of Sam Johnson: that my duty as a POW was to resist and to resist and to resist and to resist and to resist--to my breaking point as a human being. When I hit that point, my duty was to bend a little, give some incomplete and vague information, regroup, and start anew--to resist, to resist, to resist, to resist, and to resist. Because of Sam Johnson's experience, every U.S. military pilot who follows in his footsteps, like me, knows in his heart if we're captured, we will never stop resisting our captors, and we will always come home with honor, like Sam did. The heart of Sam Johnson, the Sam Johnson I know, can be summed up in the first sentence Sam reportedly said to his fellow POWs after he left solitary confinement: Lieutenant Colonel Sam Johnson, reporting for duty, sir. I imagine that our POW in charge responded to Sam with a slow, crisp salute saying, Colonel Johnson, take charge, and carry out the plan of the day. Sam has been taking charge and carrying out the plan of the day his whole life. I wasn't there to greet Sam when he came home 40 years ago, so I say it to my friend now: Welcome home, Sam. Welcome home.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. I thank my colleague from Lubbock, the 19th Congressional District. I rise today to pay tribute to a fellow swabbie, a fellow squid, and a fellow sailor, Navy Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle, an elite retired Navy SEAL who was much more than the sum of his parts. Chris Kyle lived his life the way he died--in defense of our country and helping his fellow man in their time of need. Assigned to SEAL Team 3, Sniper Element Charlie platoon within the Naval Special Warfare Command, and with over four tours of duty, Chris served in every major battle of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His service and sacrifice on behalf of America is well known. What is lesser known is his humanity as a devoted husband and a loving father. He was a decorated Navy hero with a bright future ahead of him. He was on track to become a master chief petty officer, maybe even the master chief petty officer for the whole United States Navy, the first time a SEAL would hold that title. But he stepped away from that career to devote his time to a higher priority--to his children and his wife. He was active in helping sailors and other veterans with their transition back to civilian life. Chris also paired with FITCO Cares Foundation, a nonprofit organization which created the Heroes Project. FITCO Cares provides free in-home fitness equipment, programs, personal training, and life coaching to any veteran with disabilities, Gold Star families--those are families who lost a loved one in combat-- or those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. Today, Texas honors our native son, Chris Kyle. As someone who wore the same uniform, I am deeply proud of his commitment to God, family, and our country. He was an American patriot, a defender of liberty, a husband, and a father. A grateful Nation says good-bye to a man taken from this Earth much too soon. May God bless Chris Kyle's wife, Taya, his children, his family, and all who loved him. I'm sure that in heaven, Chris Kyle is watching over his family and us. Chris, I wish you fair winds and following seas. If Chris were here today, I'd thank him for the gift he gave me and my wife, Nancy. When I took off in my P-3 Orion, I knew that if I were shot down and fortunate enough to survive the crash, Chris Kyle would come get me and take me home from wherever I was in the world, regardless of the challenges. We lost an American hero. Chris Kyle, I salute you.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, tonight the American people see if President Obama will keep his word regarding sequestration. At the third Presidential debate, President Obama said: First of all, the sequester is not something that I proposed. It's something that Congress has proposed. It will not happen. As you can see, the truth is that sequestration was a concept that came from President Obama's White House, and sequestration is happening unless Congress acts. President Obama must keep his promise to find the necessary cuts to get our fiscal house in order. We cannot fix this problem by taxing the American people more. Mr. Speaker, I urge the President to keep his promise to fix the current sequestration and maintain the needed cuts in spending.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, on April 12, 1981, the space shuttle Columbia blasted off into space to launch America's space shuttle program. She would complete 28 missions, with over 300 days in space. As every American knows, we lost Columbia as she came home on February 1, 2003. We all mourn the seven brave astronauts who lost their lives that day. We'll never forget Commander Rick Husband, Pilot Willie McCool, and the five mission specialists: Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Ilan Ramon from Israel, and Laurel Clark. As a Member of Congress who grew up with astronauts, I have been blessed to meet some of the families of Columbia's last crew. One of them said words I'll never forget: In their final moments, Columbia and her crew came home to Texas. May the Columbia crew rest in peace with our eternal thoughts and blessings.

Mr. OLSON

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. 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. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, on September 12, 1962, at Rice University, President John Kennedy committed America to put a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Unfortunately, tragedy struck America at 6:31 p.m. on January 27, 1967. During a ground test of the Apollo crew module, a fire broke out. Within a few minutes, three brave space pioneers had lost their lives. We lost Roger Chaffee, who was training for his first mission into space. We lost Gus Grissom, the second American in space behind Alan Shepard; and we lost Ed White, the first American to do a space walk, and the man my elementary school in Houston was named after. Two-and-a-half years after the Apollo 1 fire, Neil Armstrong put his left foot on the Moon. It was a giant leap for mankind, one that would not have happened without the sacrifice of the Apollo 1 crew. May the world always remember these heroes.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, on January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after launch. The whole world cried watching Challenger tumble back to Earth knowing that seven brave Americans had lost their lives. Commander Dick Scobee, pilot Michael Smith, mission specialist Judy Resnick, specialist Ron McNair, mission specialist Ellison Onizuka, payload specialist Greg Jarvis, and America's first and only teacher into space, Christa McAuliffe, all perished pursuing our dreams. The night of the disaster, President Reagan put all of our thoughts, our pain, and our prayers into words. He said: We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ``slipped the surly bonds of Earth'' to ``touch the face of God.''

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I want to give the American people seven facts about our fiscal crisis. Fact number one: we have a $16 trillion national debt that's expected to go up to over $22 trillion before President Obama leaves office. Fact number two: Washington's problem is not revenue. It's uncontrolled spending. Fact number three: in less than 14 hours, automatic tax hikes will give Washington more money to spend. Fact number four: the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says these automatic tax hikes threaten to put us back into another recession. Fact number five: the House has done its job to avoid this crisis by passing a bipartisan bill to stop the tax hikes. Fact number six: the Senate, with the President's approval, has refused to take up this bill. Fact number seven: we've done our job in the House. It's time for the Senate to do their job before the clock strikes midnight.

Mr. OLSON

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today wearing my space shuttle tie to honor my hero, my friend, Mike Coats. Tomorrow, Mike is retiring as Director of the Johnson Space Center of Houston. Mike and I have a few things in common. We both are naval aviators who love Coach Bill Krueger and Clear Lake High School basketball. But Mike has done things I only dream of. He logged over 463 hours in space on three space shuttle missions. Most importantly, he fought to keep the Johnson Space Center the home of U.S. dominance in human spaceflight despite the retirement of the space shuttle and the cancellation of the Constellation program. When I grow up, I want to be Mike Coats. Bravo Zulu, Mike. May you, Diane, your daughter, your son, and those two beautiful granddaughters, those twins, always have fair winds and following seas.