Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, we honor the United States Army, the oldest of the five military branches, on the 243rd anniversary of its founding. On June 14, 1775, America was under attack. The British forces occupied the city of Boston, but the minutemen of Massachusetts resisted. These patriots fought bravely at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, and inspired others from the surrounding colonies to join the fight. The Second Continental Congress took note of their courage, and when they convened in May 1775, they set out to create an army for the defense of all of the colonies. On June 14th, Congress officially established the Army, and the next day appointed General George Washington as its commander. With his marching orders, Washington rode out to his new command, where he successfully drove the British out of Boston. The newly-formed Continental Army spurred the colonies to victory in gaining their independence from their British oppressors. The Army has been steadfast in the defense of the American democracy ever since. During its illustrious history, the Army repelled the British attack on New Orleans, charged up San Juan Hill behind Teddy Roosevelt, and stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. The Army ranks have always produced the best and brightest in America. Countless members of Congress and fifteen presidents wore Army uniforms before stepping into public office. My father, TSgt Virgil Poe, served in the Army as a teenager, in combat, during the Second World War in Europe. The service of these Americans has not come without sacrifice. In the course of history, hundreds of thousands of Americans in the Army have given their lives in defending our country from harm. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to this rare breed of men and women, the American breed. Today, nearly half a million men and women make up the most formidable fighting force in the world. As artillery gunners, aviators, chaplains, cooks, dentists, doctors, engineers, infantrymen, intelligence officers, lawyers, nurses, tankmen, technicians, and veterinarians, these individuals are the backbone of the American military and continue to serve as they always have, with honor and distinction, and embody what it means to be Army Strong. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Army is a vital component of our democracy. They have protected us for 243 years, and wherever we go, you will always know that the Army goes rolling along. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, we honor the most recognizable symbol of our democracy: the United States flag. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress officially established a flag for the fledgling nation, decreeing ``that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.'' Throughout our nation's history, ``Old Glory'' has been an ever- present emblem of America. It billowed in the wind outside of Independence Hall as the Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution. It inspired the young poet Francis Scott Key in Baltimore Harbor in 1814, who penned the words of our national anthem after watching Fort McHenry withstand a British siege. It traveled west with the Lewis and Clark expedition and eventually with the pioneers as America expanded from sea to shining sea. It was raised high above Mount Suribachi by the Marines on Iwo Jima during World War II. It has flown at the North Pole, at the summit of Mount Everest, and on the moon. Both in good times and in bad, the Star Spangled Banner has always yet waved for the American people. Olympic champions held the flag above their heads in triumph, and first-responders have comforted victims of tragedies in its shadow. Our students pledge their allegiance to it each morning, and soldiers and peace officers salute it as they lay their fallen comrades to rest. It continues to remind us of our past, present, and future, flying permanently over the village green of Lexington, Massachusetts, the White House, and all United States customs ports of entry. Above all, the flag is an embodiment of our identity. Today, the fifty stars in the sea of blue are a visual reminder of our national motto: e pluribus unum. Out of many states came one united nation, and fifty stars, thirteen stripes, and a sea of blue together form a vital component of our one national flag. Mr. Speaker, all Americans should cherish and respect the flag. Old Glory honors the sacrifice of American men and women who died for the country, guides us to make tough decisions today, and inspires future generations to dream big. Thus, the Stars and Stripes will forever proudly fly over the land of the free and the home of the brave. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, America's Peace Corps and those volunteers are our angels abroad. They represent the very best in America. Here with us today in the gallery, we have one of those brave volunteers, Ms. Sara Thompson. Since she was a little girl, Sara dreamed of helping rural communities in Africa. When she grew up, the Peace Corps gave her that perfect opportunity. She served in Burkina Faso, where she worked to keep girls in school. Unfortunately, her dream turned into a tragedy when the Peace Corps prescribed medication called mefloquine to protect her from malaria. During her service, she began to have horrific nightmares and struggled with mental health. When she turned to the Peace Corps for help, the medical officer excused her symptoms as simply ``not adjusting well.'' One night, Sara woke up dizzy, nauseous, and threw up the entire night, so she went to the doctor, and the doctor told her it was an ear infection. Months later still, Sara struggled with nausea and nightmares. And with no support from the Peace Corps, she took matters into her own hands and started to research those medical problems. It was then that she realized the malaria medicine the Peace Corps had given her was making her sick. As it turns out, mefloquine's side effects are so terrible, Special Operation Forces in the Army won't even take that medication. Sara was never warned about these horrific side effects by the Peace Corps, and the doctors in her post country didn't seem to recognize the symptoms either. Our Peace Corps volunteers deserve better. They deserve better care than this, but, unfortunately, I have heard too many stories like Sara's about Peace Corps volunteers. Young, enthusiastic volunteers eager to make a difference in the world are let down by the organization that they once held in such high esteem. Peace Corps volunteers selflessly sacrifice years of their lives to help people that they have never even met, often in some of the most desolate, dangerous places on the globe. Their service to our country should not turn into a nightmare that ruins or even ends their lives because we don't take care of them. Small, commonsense changes could make a big difference in protecting our Peace Corps volunteers abroad and when they get home. That is why Representative Kennedy and I introduced the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act. This bill has passed our Committee on Foreign Affairs and takes important first steps for our angels abroad. It betters medical care for volunteers in the country, improves training on the side effects of malaria medications, and allows the Peace Corps to better prescribe other types of malaria medication. In addition, this bill better protects our volunteers from sexual assault and harassment when they are in foreign countries. When they return, it extends their health coverage, so they can get the care they need rather than stop taking care of them, as has happened in the past. There is still more that needs to be done to ensure the safety and security of those wonderful volunteers. They deserve to be protected by the United States and our law when we send them to far reaches of the world. When they return from service with injuries and sickness, volunteers should be able to make ends meet with the disability payment that they receive, which is not the case now. Mr. Speaker, I hope to see these provisions in law some day, but until then, the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act makes critical improvements for our volunteers. It is essential to see it become law. Peace Corps volunteers like Sara are the face of our country in places where America's shining beacon of hope and liberty to other people may not always shine so bright without Peace Corps volunteers. These individuals promote goodwill, a better understanding of the United States, and this helps us secure enduring partnerships with these nations. It also does good in the country that they are in. They change lives every day in local communities that they serve, and they do this many times when they are alone. We must ensure we are doing all we can to minimize unnecessary dangers for our Peace Corps volunteers, both at home and abroad. The Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act is a crucial first step, and I urge leadership to bring this bill to a vote soon. As a former judge, I can tell you that it is our duty to do everything within our power to protect these angels abroad. These goodwill ambassadors like Sara Thompson are some of America's best, and America must take care of them when they serve overseas, when they are helping people overseas, and when they return home to America from being overseas. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our supposed Turkish allies are holding Americans hostage. At least two Americans, Andrew Brunson and Serkan Golge, are being held by the Turkish regime on false charges. Dictator Erdogan, an Islamist who has arrested thousands of Turks who oppose him, believes that he can use imprisoned Americans as bargaining chips. He hopes that he can trade American hostages for political opponents who fled Turkey's dictatorship. Even if the individuals Erdogan wanted had clearly committed crimes, which there is absolutely no evidence they have, we should never engage in rewarding Turkey for taking hostages. Erdogan has proven he has no respect for the rule of law and, instead, rules by fear. We must not assist him in his destruction of democracy in Turkey. American hostages like Pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been held for more than 600 days, must be returned. Until then, the United States needs to reevaluate whether Turkey wants to be considered a friend or foe. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this year, the state of Texas mourned the loss of Wilton Lanning, the founder of the Dr Pepper Museum and W.W. Clements Free Enterprise Institute in Waco. Texas is a state rich with history, and certain people, places, and objects have become cultural icons. The Alamo, Sam Houston, Friday night lights, and country music, to name a few are all woven into the fabric of Texas. The popular soda Dr Pepper is one such Texas icon. While the refreshing, sweet beverage has become a hit with consumers around the world, Texans retain a special connection to the brand. Nowhere is this bond stronger than in Waco, where the soda was originally created in a corner drug store in the late 1800's. Although the company had moved on from its original location as its business continued to grow, Lanning sought to bring the iconic brand back to Waco. He set his sights on a disused building, an abandoned bottling facility, in downtown Waco to house a nonprofit museum dedicated to the heritage and history of the beloved soda. The odds were stacked against him. The city of Waco had still not completely recovered from the brutal tornado that tore through the city in 1953, and the neighborhood Lanning had his eyes on was run down and bereft of economic or social vitality. The building itself had been declared ``blighted'' by the city of Waco, hardly the ideal spot for a shrine of a world-famous soda product. There were more than a few naysayers, but Lanning did not let the doubters deter him. Instead, he took initiative to garner support from the Dr Pepper Company and convinced them to sell the building in 1988 with the purpose of converting it into a museum. The renovation began in 1990, and Lanning oversaw the conversion of the old, decrepit building into an exhibition dedicated to Dr Pepper. The museum opened to the public on May 11, 1991, 38 years to the day after the devastating tornado swept through Waco. 10,000 visitors passed through on the first day, and they continued to come. The museum itself continued to expand from humble origins, and in 1997, the entire building was open to the public. In the same year, Lanning also helped launch the W.W. Clements Free Enterprise Institute, an organization housed in the museum dedicated to educating visitors on the American economic system as personified in the soft drinks industry. Today, the museum has become a pilgrimage site for Dr Pepper aficionados from Texas and beyond, an essential institution to promoting the history and culture of our great state. None of this would have been possible without Mr. Lanning's leadership and vision. He will be missed not only for his role in the Dr Pepper Museum but also as an active, industrious citizen. He served his community with unrivaled passion and zeal as an Eagle Scout, a 50- year veteran of the Rotary Club, and an expert on Waco's history. Above all, however, the people of Waco and Texas will miss him as a friend and one whose unceasing optimism inspired those around him to be positive. Mr. Speaker, Wilton Lanning left an admirable example to imitate, and he embodied the best values of our citizenry. So next time you crack open a cold Dr Pepper, raise your glass to Mr. Lanning, a custodian of a Texas icon. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, they finally did it. For the first time in franchise history, the WASHINGTON CAPITALS are Stanley Cup champions. When time expired in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, throngs of red-clad fans inside the arena in Las Vegas and on the streets of Washington threw up their arms in jubilation, celebrating a victory that was a long time coming. Year after year in recent times, the CAPS posted impressive records during the regular season only to falter in the playoffs. Even this year, the CAPS found themselves with their backs against the wall throughout the playoffs, going down 0-2 in the series against Columbus and dropping three straight games against Tampa Bay. But the team never gave up and battled through adversity on their way to winning hockey's ultimate crown. The CAPS are loaded with some of hockey's top talent, from T.J. Oshie, whose dazzling shootout moves in a Team USA jersey captivated the world at the 2014 Winter Olympics, to Alexander Ovechkin, one of the NHL's most prolific goal scorers and long-time CAPS captain. And of course one cannot forget Braden Holtby, their goaltender, their masked crusader whose desperation save in Game 2 against Las Vegas embodied the CAPS' stern resolve in achieving their goal. Included in this formidable array of players is center Lars Eller, the first Danish player to hoist the Stanley Cup. Eller proved to be vital to the CAPS in their Cup run. He scored the game-winning goal in double-overtime against Columbus to prevent the CAPS from going 0-3 down in the series, and last week he put the puck into the Vegas goal with just minutes to go, breaking the game's deadlock and launching his team into the history books. Eller's family and friends were watching in a movie theater back in his hometown of Rodovre, Denmark, where the clock read 2:22am at puck drop and past 5am when Eller scored his fateful goal. He has since been hailed as a hero in his native country, with accounts of his Cup-clinching goal dominating the national media on Friday morning. Mr. Speaker, the CAPITALS' Stanley Cup triumph shows us why sports are so important to our society. They bring people together and inspire us to dream. So congratulations to Lars Eller, the rest of the CAPITALS organization, and the city of Washington on a historic victory. Today, we are ALL CAPS. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, ending the nuclear threat in North Korea is within our reach. The maximum-pressure campaign has demonstrated some clear successes in pushing North Korea to the negotiating table and pausing its nuclear and missile tests. This is serious progress, and if we maintain our focus on disarming Kim Jong-un, we can end this horrific danger. President Trump made history as the first United States President to meet with the leader of North Korea. I applaud President Trump for prioritizing the North Korean challenge, which has major global implications beyond just our own security. The Singapore Summit is the first step toward the complete denuclearization of the North Korean peninsula. North Korea has pledged their commitment to work toward this agreement. President Trump also reached an agreement to complete the recovery of United States' Korean war dead in the Korean Peninsula. This is, without a doubt, historic progress. I urge the White House to stand firm on ``complete, verifiable, and irreversible'' disarmament of North Korea. While this progress is promising, we must proceed with caution. This is not the first time the United States has attempted negotiations with this tyrannical state. In the aftermath of these preliminary negotiations, many questions do remain. Will China and Russia hold firm on their commitments of applying sanctions to North Korea? China and Russia have continuously undermined our efforts against a range of global bad actors. Will a traditional nuclear deterrence work with North Korea? If North Korea is able to produce nuclear weapons and use them to hold the world hostage and blackmail its neighbors, the world will become less safe. North Korea has played the United States for decades. Those days are over. President Trump has made this clear to Kim Jong-un. We cannot afford the same mistakes that were made with the Iranian nuclear deal to provide relief to a regime that would spread terror and chaos with whatever money is earned from sanctions relief. No more billions of American dollars secretly given to a rogue regime in the darkness of night on an isolated airstrip, like our Government did with Iran. We all want to disarm this evil regime, but giving concessions for the sake of ending the nuclear threat carries its own risk and moral dilemmas. Ensuring that Kim is able to hold on to power and continue to enslave his people presents massive problems. It seems to me that Kim's goal is to remain in power. He does not want the same fate as Muammar Qadhafi. There are other issues that need to be resolved. The regime still possesses a massive chemical, biological, and conventional arsenal that is capable of mass murder and destruction. The regime still desires to reunify the Korean Peninsula under its rule. The regime still provides weapons technology to other bad actors like Iran and Syria. The regime is still the number one abuser of human rights in the world. Whatever outcome is achieved in further negotiations, we must not forget who we are dealing with. The Kim dynasty is historically a brutal regime that remains a state sponsor of terror. We made the mistake of removing this label, believing North Korea negotiated in good faith. As we learned, they lied. Any agreements must have the most stringent verification safeguards. We must preserve the presence of United States forces in South Korea and the South China Sea. International inspectors should have access to all sites in North Korea, no side deals, no holds barred. Any indication of weakness by us or our allies will embolden the regime. Complacency has always been our enemies' best friend. Expectations for future talks must remain realistic and vigilance sustained. We still face many challenges ahead. North Korea must know they have no option but to change its ways. If we uphold our commitment to a peaceful and free world in steadfast alliance with our allies, we will overcome whatever challenge North Korea throws at the world. The ``Singapore Powwow'' is the beginning of a realization for North Korea that they must denuclearize and move forward as a peaceful nation. I urge the President to be strong, be strong, of good courage, and bold in dealing with Kim. We are on a path toward an unprecedented agreement, and the United States must not waver in our demand of complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization by North Korea. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

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

Mr. POE of Texas. 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. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the United States made the critical difference in the war to end all wars, World War I. The American doughboys turned the tide to victory in favor of the Allies in 1918, but victory was costly. More Americans gave their lives in the hellish trench warfare than in the wars of Korea and Vietnam combined. Now, 100 years later, Americans will be reminded of the courage and sacrifice of our doughboys with each letter they write. At the end of this month, the United States Postal Service will release a new stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of American victory in World War I. The stamp depicts a soldier of the American Expeditionary Force, one of 4 million young men who answered our Nation's call to ``go over there.'' As George Cohan wrote: ``They didn't come back till it was over, over there.'' Mr. Speaker, this stamp serves to honor the millions of doughboys who fought during the Great War, because the worst casualty of war is to be forgotten. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, May 29th marked the 3-year anniversary of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA). This legislation officially declared that modern-day slavery will not be tolerated in our country. Since its passage the United States has seen enormous efforts to find and protect victims of this scourge on society. While JVTA took an important step forward in the fight against human trafficking, much more must be done. The International Labor Organization estimates that there are still hundreds of thousands of victims of human trafficking in America. One challenge we face in this fight is the difficulty associated with finding and communicating with victims. Since 2006, the nonprofit organization `In Our Backyard' has been advocating and fighting against the horrors of human trafficking. Recently, this group has created a program known as CSAT--Convenience Stores Against Trafficking. Not only does this program train clerks to spot signs of human trafficking in victims, it also utilizes the convenience and isolation of the convenience store bathrooms as a way to reach victims. Convenience stores can be found on almost every corner, and they see hundreds of customers each day--making them an easy place for traffickers to bring their victims without the fear of being found out. Now, In Our Backyard is attempting to turn the tables on these criminals and transform convenience stores into places where victims can come across both highly trained staff members and information on hotlines and websites where they can get help. With over 11,000 convenience store locations in 29 states--including my home state of Texas--this organization has been able to help victims all over the country. The fight against human trafficking is not over. We must recognize and appreciate the volunteers and organizations such as In Our Backyard that have taken up this fight as well. Together, we will succeed in making trafficking a thing of the past. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Harvey hammered Houston last August, bringing with it a deluge of rain. In the nine months since then, Houston has begun to recover. Downtown Houston is full of students and workers of all ages, strolling the streets during their lunch break. However, there is still lots to be done. Only minutes north of downtown Houston, Minute Maid Park, and the Toyota Center is Kashmere Gardens, a neighborhood that 10,000 Houstonians have called home. Each street in this neighborhood has houses that are no longer habitable, with destroyed doors and gutted interiors. While the rest of Houston is flourishing, Kashmere Gardens is floundering. This is not due to the actions of any one agency, but rather the convoluted and bureaucratic disaster-response system that almost everyone agrees is failing to provide the necessary support in the wake of these disasters. Federal recovery funding currently comes from 17 different federal agencies, including HUD and DHS, which oversees FEMA. We must streamline the recovery process for the sake of those who are impacted by disasters. There are still Houstonians, including those in Kashmere Gardens, who are living in transitional housing because they are unable to navigate the government's cumbersome disaster recovery efforts. When someone's home is destroyed in a hurricane, wildfire, or volcanic explosion, they should not have to spend months trying to discern their eligibility for federal disaster relief. They should be able to focus on rebuilding their home and their life. Another hurricane season is just beginning, and it is expected to again be a season with above-average activity. We must learn from past disasters to better respond to disasters that are still to come. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, friends always bring out the best in each other. In the case of Fay Grant and Michelle Chavez, friendship yielded a business idea that would combat a social ill. These best friends have always had a heart for helping others. Several years ago, Grant had a full-time job as a music editor for Sony. On the side, however, she made tote bags by hand from old fabrics and clothing scraps, which she then sold to raise money to help the victims of human trafficking. Chavez, a music director for a website at the time, had also taken on roles to help fight human trafficking. She became an active campaigner, attempting to broaden awareness and exposure to fair trade and human trafficking. The two friends realized that they could do even more by combining forces, so they decided to turn Grant's bag endeavor into a full-time business, which they named the Tote Project. The main goals of this venture are to give back to others, to promote ethical manufacturing, and to spread awareness of human trafficking. The business took off, and soon Grant and Chavez were struggling to keep up with an ever-increasing demand for their eye-catching bags, with requests pouring in from not only from America but also from Australia, Germany, Japan, Korea, and several other foreign countries. Rather than selling these trendy, hip bags for profit, however, the two decided that they would use a portion of the proceeds to help victims of human trafficking. They found a willing partner in Two Wings, an organization that mentors human trafficking victims and helps them achieve their vocational and professional goals. Ten percent of the profits made by the Tote Project go directly to this organization. The two have gone a step further in providing not only financial assistance to human trafficking victims but also employment and job training. All of the bags for sale on the company's website are handmade by women who were either trafficked themselves or have deemed to be at risk of being trafficked. Human trafficking occurs in America and around the globe. Thousands of people are coerced or kidnapped to be trafficked, and thousands more are living with terrible physical and emotional scars as survivors of trafficking. The Tote Project's logo features the blue rose, a symbol of achieving the impossible and defying the odds to fight human trafficking. Mr. Speaker, we need more individuals in the world today like Fay Grant and Michelle Chavez striving to achieve the impossible and end this scourge on humanity once and for all. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it appears the past Administration would stop at nothing to boost Iran's economy, even if it meant violating the law. For years, we imposed sanctions on Iran restricting the Ayatollah's access to American financial institutions and to the U.S. Dollar. During the Iran deal negotiations, we received repeated assurances from senior officials at the U.S. Department of the Treasury that the U.S. would not give the Ayatollahs access to the dollar. But this week, a Senate report indicated that this was a bold-faced lie. Behind closed doors, the Treasury Department deliberately attempted to violate U.S. law. In early 2016, the Obama Administration secretly issued a license to let Iran sidestep U.S. sanctions so that it could convert billions in frozen assets through an American bank. Luckily, American banks refused and instead decided to comply with U.S. law. These former officials must be held accountable for trying to convince American banks to skirt U.S. law on behalf of a state sponsor of terrorism. Justice must be served. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, for most students here in the United States, recess is a time for recreation. For the pupils of Balkumari Primary School in Kathmandu, Nepal, recess is the only opportunity for them to get water. For decades, the school relied on a tiny stream as its only source of drinkable water, a 20-minute walk away. In 2013, however, the stream dried up, leaving the school without access to drinkable water. So the education stopped. Mr. Speaker, the story has a happy ending because the Balkumari Primary School received U.S. aid for water. Now with water access, students scramble out of the schoolyard, learning and developing with an education, as normal kids should. This is why the Water for the World Act that Representative Blumenauer and I authored is so important, which is now the law of the land. The legislation requires a comprehensive plan for the United States to aid other countries in securing clean water. We have it within our power to help kids like the Balkumari Primary School because, Mr. Speaker, water is life. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, lately Houston has become synonymous with flooding, but seven years ago a devastating drought caused our beloved Memorial Park to lose nearly 80 percent of its thousands of trees. Maybe you've never heard of Memorial Park. It is Houston's largest public space; its haven in the heart of Houston--and almost double the size of New York's Central Park. Daily commuters drive through winding, wooded roads, free of billboards and businesses, as they head to work. The park's 600-acre urban wilderness is one of the largest centrally located urban forests in the country. Memorial Park is also remarkable because it is home to Camp Logan, the only former World War I training camp site in the United States that is not completely developed. The 2011 drought underscored the need to fast-track Memorial Park's Master Plan to create the best urban park in America. This month Houston's Kinder Foundation granted $70 million to this effort and energized the park's public and private partners to invest up to $205 million more. These efforts will take the Master Plan from proposal to reality in just 10 years and enhance and protect Memorial Park for today and for generations to come. The restoration will be directed by the Memorial Park Conservancy, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and Uptown Development Authority. These partners have set new standards in green space planning and public-private funding partnerships. Kinder Foundation's inspiring public-private partnerships have changed Houston's color palette from gray to green. Some of their landmark successes include Discovery Green, Buffalo Bayou Park, and Bayou Greenways 2020. Their legacy continues with Memorial Park. Kinder Foundation chairman Rich Kinder said Memorial Park will now reach its full potential and include a signature land bridge, a restored prairie ecology, natural storm drainage and retention systems, in addition to adding over 30 miles of trails for hiking, biking, running, and equestrian use. Many joggers, runners and walkers hit the park's trail daily to make the nearly three-mile loop. I know this park well, Mr. Speaker. In my past life as a criminal court judge, I took to the gravel trail for my daily run, as later did my kids. I can't tell you how many miles I've run in Memorial Park, but I can tell you it's no overstatement to say the Kinder's grant along with the day-to-day work by its partners will save this cherished haven in Houston. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, transitioning into adulthood from high school to college can be a difficult time for anyone. Balancing things such as what classes to take for your major, meeting new people, and finding time to study can be overwhelming. Now imagine doing all of those things while having autism. Shaelynn ``Shae'' Castle was initially diagnosed with attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder in elementary school. It wasn't until middle school when she was properly diagnosed with autism. Shae struggled socially and academically, but with the support of her family and the Humble ISD Mosaic Program, she worked hard to learn the skills to advocate for herself. The Mosaic Program helps people with disabilities from ages 18 to 21 transition from high school to become more independent adults. While attending Mosaic, students have the option of participating in programs at Lone Star College-Kingwood. They are taught about the disability services that are available and the accommodations to support them in class. With guidance, these students have the option to be successful college students. At the age of 23, Shae graduated from Lone Star College-Kingwood on May 12 of this year with an associate's degree in education. She has big plans for her future. She does not let her diagnosis limit or define her. Shae utilizes the advocacy skills she learned to help students at Whispering Pines Elementary School, where she works as a tutor for special needs students. She intends on paying it forward by becoming a math teacher who helps special needs students like herself. When asked why she wants to be a special needs teacher, Shae replied ``My experiences help me to help other children who are struggling. I can say to them, `I know what you're going through.' '' Despite a large obstacle, Shae has embraced her uniqueness and always finds a way to accomplish her goals. She has the strength and willingness to overcome, and that is a quality that not all people possess. Congratulations, Shae, on all that you have accomplished and the best of luck with conquering the professional world. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the Houston Astros lead their division, Houstonians can't help but look forward to another exciting season of Astros baseball. As the home of the reigning champions, the people of Houston have a lot to be proud of, and a lot to remember. Today Astros games are played in the beautiful Minute Maid Ballpark, however many of us old timers remember watching the team's first game in the Astrodome in 1965. There was simply nothing else like the Dome. The players would stand in centerfield and try to hit balls straight up to see if they could hit the roof. It was a marvel for both the players and fans. It was the world's first domed stadium, the only stadium in sports to offer luxury suites, and--since everything is bigger in Texas--the largest dome on Earth. Home to the Houston Astros for three decades, the stadium has seen thousands of people from all over our country. But Mr. Speaker, baseball fans were not the only ones making their way through the iconic Dome's doors. Elvis Presley performed seven times in the stadium, the Battle of the Sexes tennis match was played here, and the world famous Houston Livestock Show and Radio was held in the Dome for many years. Though the Dome has seen its fair share of cowboys, movie stars, and baseball players, perhaps its greatest moment was when it was transformed into a home for over 60,000 refugees fleeing the destruction of Katrina. The Astrodome is not an abandoned baseball stadium; it is a part of Houston and Texas history. Nicknamed the Eighth wonder of the world, the Dome is a landmark loved by all Houstonians. Just recently it received its fitting designation as a Texas Historic Landmark. Though it has gone its many years without official recognition, the Astrodome has always been admired by those Houstonians and Texans who know its history. Now, the Astrodome takes its proper place in Texas history as an official Texas Historic Landmark. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailed westward past South America, he was struck by the serenity of the waters that lay before him. He then proclaimed this body of water Pacifico, meaning ``peaceful.'' This Pacific Ocean was thus a fitting backdrop for a meeting of a group of people attempting to bring peace into the lives of those affected by human trafficking. Last month, the Human Trafficking Radar Research and Data Roundtable hosted their annual Human Trafficking Research Conference. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean from their venue in Point Loma, California, individuals committed to ending human trafficking gathered to discuss and share important research and ideas. The featured speakers of the conference included accomplished academics and professionals, leaders in their fields to combat human trafficking. Two of the speakers, however, delivered a strong message by their mere presence together at the conference. Ebony Jones suffered sexual abuse as a young girl. Soon after her eighteenth birthday, she found herself a victim of modern day slavery. Since escaping her trafficker, she has become a strong advocate for victims of human trafficking. Motivated by her own personal experience, Jones has worked to spread her message, people outside of low-income backgrounds are not immune to exploitation by traffickers. Armand King once spent time behind bars for his life of crime, trafficking young women. But now, he's left his former life behind him. Armand is co-founder of Paving Great Futures, an organization that strives to drive at-risk individuals from a life of crime to opportunities of legitimate, respectable professions. King says he was lucky to be alive, and he relishes the opportunity to provide a unique and important perspective on human trafficking at the conference. Together, near the very spot where the first Europeans landed in California several hundred years ago, Armand and Ebony urged the conference to pursue a new beginning: a world without human trafficking. Mr. Speaker, America needs more individuals like Ebony Jones and Armand King coming together to discuss ways in which we can reduce or eliminate human trafficking altogether. This scourge on humanity traumatizes the lives of thousands of people around the world, and their perspectives and support are a valuable asset as we continue the fight against this heinous crime. Above all, Armand and Ebony strive to bring to the world what Magellan saw in those serene waters all those years ago: peace. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Kingwood Park Panthers are heading to the Texas UIL State 5A Baseball Championship for the first time in program history. It was a resounding game 3 win over Tomball Memorial this past weekend in College Station that sealed the Region III Championship. They will head to Dell Diamond Stadium in Round Rock, Texas to face off the V.R. Eaton Eagles this Thursday. Coach Bruce Cox came to Kingwood Park 5 years ago talking about playing at the Dell Diamond. He has had faith in his community since day one and has pushed the team to play like every game is a championship game. Coach Cox started out this season by intentionally scheduling five games against 6A schools ranked in the top 25 in the state. 12 of the 15 out-of-district games were against 6A teams. Coach Cox knew that the Panthers would quickly learn to handle the competition, and it certainly paid off. The Panthers have played this entire season with heart, grit, and respect for the game. Kingwood Park senior Bryson Jackson has signed to play both football and baseball for Texas Christian University. Jackson had the chance to enroll early and start practicing with the football team in Fort Worth, but instead decided to stay to help the Panthers make history. It was Bryson Jackson that hit a three-run home run against Tomball Memorial that clinched the team's trip to State. It's been a tough season for the Panthers with many tough opponents. One of the tougher games was against Santa Fe High School; just over 24 hours after 10 lives were lost at Santa Fe High School. The Kingwood Park Panthers stepped off the bus wearing ``Santa Fe Strong'' warm-up shirts. After the game, the Panthers presented the shirts to the Santa Fe players after every player hugged the entire team. It was an emotional game that meant so much more than baseball. One of the Panthers, Jason Rendon, said ``We played the strongest team in Texas, and now we play for them.'' No matter what the outcome of this weekend might be, these boys have shown true class and have represented the Kingwood community well. So this weekend, head to the Dell Diamond and support the Kingwood Park Panthers as they fight for the State Championship title. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this past year, the Houston area suffered a historic hurricane. My Congressional district was hammered by this flood. Hurricane Harvey left tremendous destruction in its wake. Kingwood High School was destroyed. But, the good folks at Humble Independent School District immediately went to work and the students returned to their newly renovated school this past spring. The people of Texas are a resilient bunch. The entire community pulled together, determined to put the school back together. There have been countless donations given by very generous folks in the Kingwood community. Now with the help of Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, Kingwood High School is one step closer to normalcy. After learning that Kingwood High School had lost their CPR Training Kits due to flooding, Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital donated two CPR in Schools Training Kits. The donation was an extension of the Memorial Hermann Northeast sponsorship of the 2018 Greater Lake Houston Heart Walk. The CPR in Schools Training Kit was created by the American Heart Association. About 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR can double a person's chance of survival, especially if performed immediately. It is the hope that the distribution of such kits to schools can help improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest through the coordination of proper CPR training. This curriculum is taught to both middle schools and high schools across the country. The American Heart Association is helping prepare more students, teachers, and families to save lives with the CPR in Schools Curriculum Training Kit. The kits are designed specifically for educational environments and can be facilitated by anyone. Each kit contains everything required to train 10 to 20 students in CPR in just under 30 minutes. Kingwood High School nursing staff and the Student Council organizes the training. Seniors were given two opportunities to take CPR training before graduation. Thanks to Memorial Herman, Kingwood High School was able to train over 380 seniors using the two CPR in Schools Kits. Because of Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, those 380 seniors have been given this lifesaving skill that was not as easily available to them before. These training kits will be used for years to come, training the next generation of lifesavers. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on the wall in my offices in Washington and Texas, hang pictures, faces, of fallen Texas warriors. These pictures remind all those who visit that freedom comes with a price. One man in southeastern Texas is commemorating the memory of these brave men and women in a unique way. Ken Pridgeon has a deep respect for the military. He served ten years in the Air Force as an electronics technician, until retiring from the military with a profound appreciation for the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform. During his time in the service, he developed his talents as an artist, transforming Sepia tone family pictures into color photos during deployments for his brothers-in-arms. During a time when he was stationed in Florida, he was even lucky enough to take an art class run by American legend Norman Rockwall. His artistic abilities led to him taking a job as a billboard artist in the Houston area after his retirement from the Air Force. Suspended 65 feet above the road, Ken painted advertisements on roadside billboards for decades. It was perilous work, but Pridgeon became a master of his profession. Ken's high esteem for America's servicemen never left him and eventually inspired him to pursue a new project that would combine this respect with his artistic side. Compelled to commemorate the sacrifice of fallen U.S. members of the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, he began to paint portraits of Texans who gave their lives in defense of our country in those conflicts. What started as merely a side project turned into a full-time calling, as Ken began expanding his collection to servicemen outside of Texas. To date, he has painted 200 portraits of fallen American warriors. He donates a print of each portrait to the family of the portrayed, and he tries to consult them in creating each piece so that he can add personal touches to the painting. Ken often spends up to fourteen hours a day painting, beginning before the crack of dawn and ending well after sundown. Ken began displaying these portraits in a gallery in Baytown, Texas, his hometown. Recently, he relocated his works to the newly opened Fallen Warriors Memorial gallery on Cutten Road in Houston. These portraits complement the nearby Fallen Warriors Memorial, and now visitors can come face to face with some of the fallen servicemen honored by the memorial in Ken's gallery. Mr. Speaker, General George Patton once said, ``While we mourn the loss of such men, we should thank God that such men ever lived.'' Ken Pridgeon's paintings provide a fitting tribute to our country's fallen warriors, a rare breed of Americans. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the First Republic of Georgia. Georgia first declared independence from Russia in 1918 and was free of Moscow's shackles till the Red Army invasion in 1921. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgia once again gained independence and has since been a beacon of hope in a region full of turmoil and corruption. Their faithful commitment to a strong democracy with free and fair elections serves as a shining example for other countries in Eastern Europe. Georgia has become one of the most valued partners of the United States and the European community. Russia however does not respect Georgia's independence and has occupied large portions of its territory since 2008. The hungry Russian Bear wants a return to its imperial days. The Kremlin will not stop until all former Soviet republics return to its orbit. The United States must remain dedicated to upholding Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. So that in another hundred years, we will still be standing side-by-side with a democratic and prosperous Georgia. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the cold, damp, dark rain of morning, thousands of young American soldiers sailed across the treacherous English Channel. The day was June 6, 1944; their destination, Normandy, France; the mission, not conquest, but liberation of Europe. Operation Overlord, or D-Day, called for a massive ally invasion of the continent during World War II. Securing the brutal Omaha and Utah beachheads inch by bloody inch, our boys finally declared victory, forcing Hitler to begin his long retreat into oblivion. That victory did not come without cost, however. Today, 9,387 white crosses and Stars of David overlook the silent beaches of Normandy, marking the final resting place of America's war dead. The soldiers buried there were part of the Greatest Generation, young men from every State and territory in the United States. We remember them, our warriors, those that were killed, those that returned, and those that returned with the wounds of war, because, Mr. Speaker, the worst casualty of war is to be forgotten. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this past Friday, the girls from Atascocita High School Softball team earned a trip to State by beating top ranked Katy. They claimed the Region III 6A Championship and are headed to State for the second time in three years. Congratulations. It is an honor to recognize a talented group of ladies on the field and off the field. The girls are set to play this Friday, in Austin, at McCombs Field against Plano. Atascocita High School softball team has six seniors on their team. Last November, three of them signed college scholarships to play at the next level: Lauren Bazan, Harding University; Kyla Snow, Texas Southern University; and, Lillie Grotenhuis, San Jacinto College. The name Grotenhuis is well known in my community. In 2014, Atascocita High School Head Softball coach, Jimbo Grotenhuis, unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. One of his daughters, Lillie, is a talented senior on the team. She never got to play for her father at the high school level, but she has his passion and drive for the game. Jimbo was a legend in the softball community, so much, that Humble ISD renamed the Atascocita High School softball field in his memory. Written in large black letters, on a red brick wall, behind home plate, it says ``Welcome to James ``Jimbo'' Grotenhuis Field''. The lessons Jimbo taught in the short time he coached at Atascocita High School were invaluable. It is said that the measure of a man is the influence that he has on the lives of others. I have no doubt, that the Atascocita High School Softball team will carry his spirit of hard work and dedication with them to State. For the last four years, AHS Head Coach Ashley Boyd has stepped up to the plate and filled Jimbo's cleats. Her team's record is impressive. In an interview earlier this year, Coach Boyd said, ``These players are proud of where they come from. They're proud of this community, and they're happy to get to represent them. They've worked their tails off.'' Coach Boyd's passion along with Assistant Alyssa Romero's dedication will guide the Lady Eagles not only at State but far beyond game time. The leadership of a coach not only improves an athlete's performance but works to instill values of hard work and discipline. So this weekend, grab the family, put on your red, white and blue, and head to Austin to cheer on our Lady Eagles. Let's play ball. And that's just the way it is.