Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate and thank the gentleman from Alabama for having this Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, we are here tonight to shed light on the fentanyl crisis that continues ravaging communities nationwide. I must say, I am infuriated when I think about this.

More than 100,000 Americans overdose each year, most dying from fentanyl poisoning and fentanyl-laced drugs. It is estimated that China is fully responsible for nearly all the illicit fentanyl in the United States. Beijing has literally launched a chemical war on the United States of America.

Instead of demanding accountability, the administration under Biden continues promoting policies that actually increase our dependency on China, the very nation working tirelessly to ensure our annihilation.

Wait, there is more. Not only do we know where the drug comes from, but we know how it is getting into the country. About 90 percent of fentanyl flows across and through our open southern border, the same border that President Biden has gone out of his way to destroy and erase.

Who is in control of our border now, bringing this poison into our people? The Mexican drug cartels, that is who.

It only takes 1-16th of a teaspoon of fentanyl to kill a person, an amount so minuscule that it can fit into Abraham Lincoln's ear on a U.S. penny.

I am a healthcare provider, a dentist. I have done hospital dentistry in my career. Fentanyl does not belong on the streets. It belongs in the operating room.

Border Patrol has already seized enough fentanyl this fiscal year alone to kill over 3.1 billion people. So ask yourselves, what kind of President knows this information and continues to look the other way?

We are already witnessing a death toll equivalent to 9/11 every 15 days because of this deadly drug. How many more stories must we hear from parents who are mourning a child who has overdosed on a counterfeit pill that had fentanyl in it? How many more Americans must die for this President to finally act?

Every single Member of Congress should be outraged by Joe Biden's inaction and exacerbation of this horrible crisis. It truly is despicable.

Mr. President, hold China accountable, secure our southern border, and save American lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Captain William J. ``Bill'' Diehl after serving 13 years as the president of the Greater Houston Port Bureau.

Captain Diehl was born and raised in Olean, New York, as one of nine children. Of those, 6 served in the military, each retiring with more than 20 years of service. He is a 1982 United States Coast Guard Academy graduate with a master's degree from the University of Michigan in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

Before working at the Port Bureau, Captain Diehl spent 31 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. In his final assignment, he commanded the Coast Guard's largest operational unit: Sector Houston-Galveston. During Hurricane Ike, Captain Diehl served as the Coast Guard Incident Commander, leading 2,600 Coast Guard personnel who saved 235 lives. He also directed the clean-up of 240 oil spills and spearheaded the most substantial waterway restoration effort in the branch's history. In 2008, he retired with two Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the 9-11 Medal, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, among many other awards.

Captain Diehl joined the Greater Houston Port Bureau after his career in the Coast Guard. This organization serves more than 260 member companies in the Houston region and supplies its members with detailed vessel traffic information, market analysis, and maritime expertise on safety, security, and environmental issues. Under Captain Diehl's leadership, the Port Bureau dramatically increased in membership, expanded its business, and hosted countless port education sessions. He also worked with the Houston Congressional Delegation to advocate for dredging, coastal protection, and Project-11, an initiative to deepen and widen the Houston Ship Channel.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Captain Diehl, who has exemplified the Coast Guard's motto, ``Semper Paratus,'' throughout his career--both in and out of uniform. A special thank you to his wife, Annette; their children, Rachel, Daniel, and Michael; and 2 grandchildren, Avery and John--without their support, his accomplishments and service to country would not have been possible.

Congratulations to my friend. Bravo Zulu.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Pasadena Strawberry Festival located in Pasadena, Texas.

When the 1900 Galveston hurricane decimated the island, it flooded much of Pasadena's cropland. Afterward, Clara Barton--founder of the American Red Cross--was rendering aid to residents in the area when she realized the surrounding farmers were now in desperate need of a new cash crop. Acting swiftly, she arranged to have strawberry plants shipped to the city. The plants flourished, and strawberries quickly became the town's most popular commodity. Pasadena's strawberries, famous for their unique size and sweetness, earned the city the title of ``Strawberry Capital of the South.'' Trains carried freight cars full of the bright red berries as far north as Chicago.

By the late 1930s--and the rise of Texas's oil and gas industry-- refineries soon stood in place of the strawberry fields that once drove the town's economy. However, the historical impact on the community was not forgotten. In 1974, the city held its first Strawberry Festival to celebrate the opening of the Pasadena Historical Museum; the festival continues to this day.

Each May, Pasadena citizens gather to remember their town's heritage as the Strawberry Capital of the South. In fact, the festival is one of the largest and most beloved events in the area, drawing in visitors from across the state. In addition to the various attractions and entertainment offered, attendees can view the ``World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake,'' barbecue cookoffs, and beauty pageants. The festival also awards scholarships to local students.

Mr. Speaker, the Pasadena Strawberry Festival is a testament to the fortitude and ingenuity of Pasadena's citizens, and it is an honor to recognize this milestone. Congratulations to those involved in the festival's continued growth and success. May the next 50 years prove even more fruitful.

Mr. Speaker, severe storms delayed my flight on May 9, 2023, and I missed that evening's suspensions.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 203, and YEA on Roll Call No. 204.

Mr. Speaker, I am up here in my capacity as not only a United States Congressman, but also one of the co-chairs of the House Border Security Caucus.

On a monthly basis, we have had dozens of speakers come to speak to our Caucus. Normally, there are probably 30 who are present, but we have an enrollment in our Caucus of about 60 to 70, quite frankly.

It is amazing to me to hear our colleagues and friends on the other side of the aisle talk about humanity and humane treatment because I remember in the previous administration, when we had these so-called kids in cages.

I took a congressional delegation down to the Rio Grande Valley, we went to Donna, Texas, to see one of the detention facilities. After that, we went out to Carrizo Springs to the HHS facility there. Then we went, at a later time, to Fort Bliss out in El Paso. At each one of those, we saw these so-called kids in cages.

Then we went back after the change of administration and dramatically, there was nothing really different, except the enormous numbers of detainees in pods that were equipped to hold maybe 25 or 30, and they had a couple hundred people packed in these little pods.

I remember being told by the facilities there that the administration, the Biden administration, at the time that these unaccompanied children were coming in--and we are talking about 13,000 per month of unaccompanied children coming in now--that they were being so well cared for, and they were being reunited with their families and their loved ones.

I remember asking the folks who were in charge of these facilities, okay, if they are being taken care of, let me ask you a question because I have 17 grandkids. Kids mean a lot to me. My wife and I have been married 50 years. We have 5 children and now 17 grandkids. Kids need to be cared for, without question.

I said, are you doing any vetting of these so-called families?

Are you doing background checks?

Are you doing criminal history checks on them?

Oh, well, we don't have the resources to do that.

Are you doing DNA testing?

Well, we don't have DNA. We don't have the resources to do DNA testing, as well. Although during the Trump administration they were doing some DNA testing.

So now we come to the point where there are 85,000 unaccounted for children, UACs, under this administration's watch.

Where are these kids?

They are supposed to be followed up on by the authorities and the administration where these children are being sent. There are 85,000 that are unaccounted for.

We have seen a skyrocketing of violations of child labor laws. We know that there are some real shady deals going on in this country and that human trafficking, sex slavery, et cetera, is rampant.

Is this part of that deal? I am not up here pointing fingers in an accusatory way. But if you can't keep up with 85,000 UACs, we have got some real problems in this administration.

We have also had conversations with Alejandro Mayorkas, who is the DHS Secretary. I actually led that meeting. Of course, he is not under oath talking to our caucus.

Mr. Speaker, we are being told that Mr. Mayorkas says that he has operational control over the border. We are being told that his policies are actually being successful. We are told that we have a secure border.

Let me tell you something: We have anything but a secure border when you have 5 million people who come across our border, all of them getting a free education.

I am 300 miles away from the border. My district is Houston over to Louisiana. We have a school district there that is growing faster than just about any district in the country, and it is because of the influx of illegal aliens. We are mandated to not only provide them with healthcare but also with an education.

This is an enormous burden on our people, the local governments, and the school districts that we have. This bill needs to be passed. I urge my colleagues very strongly to vote ``yes'' on this.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack), my good friend, for having this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, for years our men and women in blue have endured relentless attacks by leftists who wish to see them defunded and abolished completely, incredible as it may seem, a sentiment so out of touch with reality that it is incomprehensible.

What rational person would abolish the very force, that thin blue line that prevents mayhem and murder in our society?

This incessant demonization has pushed police officers all across this great land to resign in record-breaking numbers. Why stay in a role where you are hated, you are targeted, and without the resources necessary to do your job? Especially when the past 3 years have proven that the Democratic Party actually celebrates lawlessness.

Since actions have consequences, we are watching a tsunami of crime wash over our entire Nation. Yes, the radical Democrats have sown the wind, and now we are going to reap the whirlwind and are doing so now. Between their defund the police agenda and soft-on-crime policies, the left has created a system where criminals thrive and prosper instead of law-abiding citizens.

Twenty-seven of the top thirty crime-ridden cities in the Nation are run by the Democratic Party. The crime rate in Washington, D.C., alone is up 24 percent.

America is a nation of laws, not anarchy. We need our police officers who run toward the danger and the chaos. They put their lives on the line daily and deserve our full support and utmost respect and admiration.

Today and every day, we must thank law enforcement for the courageous work that they do to keep us and our families safe. We must always back the blue.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a very heavy heart that I offer my prayers and sincerest gratitude to Ms. Jenn Wickre, a longtime staffer on House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

I had the honor of working with her under former Chairman Lamar Smith and now under Chairman Frank Lucas and their leadership. Jenn has been an integral part of the committee, and her departure will leave a void that will be absolutely impossible to fill.

Over the years, my staff and I have grown very close to Jenn, often relying on her expertise and strong work ethic. We have traveled together on several very meaningful and informative codels, very interesting ones, and I have always appreciated Jenn's input to and her service on these wonderful trips that we have taken.

She is reliable. She acts with thoughtfulness and has always been able to provide an insightful perspective in approaching policy. Throughout her time on the committee, Jenn has shown an unshakeable passion for serving our Nation and advocating for the goals of our Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Her professionalism and one-of-a-kind personality have left an enduring mark, and she will be greatly missed in the Halls of Congress.

I am sure that I speak for many in expressing my very deepest appreciation for Jenn and her years of service and lasting contributions. She is a shining example, without question, of public service. Whether she knows it or not, she has made a significant difference in the lives of many Americans.

We wish her and her family the very best during this time, and she is in our deepest prayers.

I thank Jenn. We are praying for her, and may God bless her always.

Madam Speaker, I am here today to share a bittersweet message. Over 6 years ago, I interviewed Ms. Lauren Ziegler for the job of legislative assistant. I saw something rare and special in Lauren, and she proved it from her very first day on the job.

As my colleagues will attest, Capitol Hill is overflowing with many talented people, but few possess the ability to do it all and to do it well and to do it with a smile, and that sums up Lauren Ziegler.

Lauren rose from a junior L.A. position to become our legislative director and our deputy chief of staff. However, for me, her most significant role has been as one of my most trusted advisers. In truth, I can think of no one who has better advised me over the years.

From day one, Lauren understood that our number one mission was to serve the needs and the interests of the good people of the Texas 36th Congressional District. I have received countless compliments from folks in Texas and here in Washington regarding the quality of her work. Frankly, I am shocked that no other office stole Lauren away from us. I am sure many have tried.

Lauren's loyalty was true to the Babin team. She has served us and Texas' 36th District with all of her heart. For that, we are very grateful.

Lauren's heart belongs to the Sunshine State. She will be returning home to Florida soon to continue serving our Nation in a different capacity at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

I have no doubt that, at NASA, Lauren Ziegler's rare and special qualities will contribute to their abilities to break barriers, explore the unknown, and send mankind back to the Moon and to places that we have never been before. I look forward to watching her future unfold down in Florida.

I hope that Lauren will look back on her time here in Washington with as much fondness for us as we have for her.

Lauren, you will always be part of Team Babin and an honorary member of the Babin family. I am very proud of you, and I am very proud to have been part of your history. Thank you for a job well done.

God bless.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a beloved community leader, Pastor Dwight Allen Pruitt of Dayton, Texas, who passed away on February 23, 2023, at 62 years old.

Pastor Pruitt was born on November 24, 1961, in Dayton, Texas, to the late Eural and Lois Lee Pruitt. As a young man, he was heavily influenced by his grandmother, Vester Lee Earls, who shared the gospel with him. Her testimony and lessons led him to accept Christ at an early age.

In the early 1990s, Dwight felt called to enter ministry. While attending St. Miles Missionary Baptist Church in Ames, Texas, he preached his first sermon. In time, Pastor Pruitt was ordained and called to serve as Pastor of St. Miles Missionary Baptist Church, a congregation he led for nearly 13 years.

In 2004, Pastor Pruitt obtained a Bachelor of Theology degree from the United Christian Theological Institution in Houston, Texas. During his tenure at St. Miles, he implemented Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and a prison outreach program, all of which still exist today and minister to the needs of Liberty County residents.

In addition to his ministry, Pastor Pruitt was devoted to and an advocate for his community. After serving on the Dayton City Council from 2012 to 2017, he was elected again in 2022 and was a member until his passing. He was also a member of the Liberty County Hospital District No. 1 Board, the Dayton Community Development Corporation, the City of Dayton Park Board, and retired from the Liberty County Appraisal District.

Mr. Speaker, it was a privilege to know and work with Pastor Dwight Pruitt. I will always appreciate his faith and leadership in our community, and my most sincere prayers remain with his family, friends, and church congregation during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Robert ``Bobby'' Garcia, a United States Air Force veteran, an esteemed educator, and a respected member of the community in Deer Park, Texas. Bobby passed away on March 3, 2023, at the age of 79.

Bobby was born on March 2, 1944, in San Antonio, Texas, to Elias Garcia and Minerva Garcia. Several years after his father returned from World War II, the Garcia family relocated to the Houston area, settling in Bellaire, Texas. At the age of 17, Bobby obtained his barber license and spent his time outside of school working for his father at the Triangle Barber Shop.

He stepped away from college and enlisted in the Air Force on January 24, 1966. He served three consecutive years overseas, which included time in England and Vietnam, where he was involved in the Mini Tet Offensive. When Bobby's tour of duty was over on July 10, 1969, he returned to Travis Air Force Base in California and received an honorable discharge.

Following his military service, Bobby went back to college, earning a bachelor's and master's in education and a doctorate in philosophy. Throughout his 42 years in education, Bobby received numerous awards as an educator and touched the lives of countless students, parents, and colleagues. He was always ready to provide guidance and encouragement to others.

In his retirement, Bobby served as Second Vice President for the Pasadena Area Retired School Educators and on the Deer Park Community Advisory Council. Outside of participating in church activities, Bobby focused on veteran outreach and was involved with organizations such as Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, Air Force Cyberspace and Air Traffic Control Association, Tan Son Nhut Association, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

Bobby was a treasured resource for my staff and me, often working with us to ensure local veterans received their rightful benefits. He also served on my Service Academy selection panel for the last seven years. His service in the Air Force and decades in education provided us with an insight unlike any other as we evaluated and selected America's future military leaders. My staff and I will miss him dearly.

However, I know we are not alone. Bobby's magnetic personality will be missed and remembered by all who had the pleasure of meeting him. He connected with others by sharing his stories, and he left behind a legacy of love, sacrifice, compassion, and wisdom.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Garcia: his brother, Daniel Garcia, and wife, Carol; his brother, David Garcia, and wife, Lisa; his daughter, Shelly Jaynes, and husband, Russell; his son, Thomas Garcia, and wife, Cindy; his son, Kevin Lee, and wife, Kristen; and his son, Ariel Pena. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, four great- grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, it is such a privilege to celebrate the life of a beloved community leader and my dear friend, Bobby Garcia. He would often quote, ``If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.'' I am certain that those of us who knew him will never be without a smile when remembering his commitment to God, his loved ones, and his friends, and my most sincere prayers remain with them at this time.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate very much my good colleague from Florida. Wow, very impressive, too, all those stats.

Madam Speaker, I rise today and thank my fellow Texan (Mr. Roy) for this Special Order that we are going to do on our Texas Rangers' 200th anniversary. I rise today to celebrate one of our country's most storied law enforcement agencies, the Texas Rangers.

Since its creation 200 years ago as a force to defend settlers on the frontier of Texas, the Rangers have been a central part of my State's rich, rich history.

This group of remarkable men and women have seen their fair share of legends themselves. Men like John Coffee Hays, who helped tame the vast wilderness of Texas and protect settlers in the early days; John B. Jones, who brought law and order during a time when the West was still very wild; Frank Hamer, who took down the infamous Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. In fact, my district, the 36th Congressional District, which includes Houston over to Louisiana, is home to a few legendary Texas Rangers itself.

Major James T. Thomas grew up in Newton, Texas, right down the road from my hometown of Woodville, Texas. He is the first known Texas Ranger to hold a doctoral degree and is a forensics expert. His fellow Rangers say that he is the epitome of what it means to be a Texas Ranger: a man who is devoted to his faith, to his wonderful wife, and is a great father to his children, and is a loyal friend and colleague.

I am also proud to represent other legends of the Texas Rangers. Brandon Bess, is known for using modern techniques like genetic targeting to solve cold cases that are decades old. Texas Ranger Joe Haralson, is the longest-serving Ranger in history. It is a great privilege to represent heroes like these three men.

Throughout history, the Texas Rangers have protected Presidents and dignitaries, captured bandits and burglars, and solved some of the most complicated criminal cases ever. They have always served their communities and the Lone Star State with distinction and bravery.

Madam Speaker, I thank them for their dedicated service, and may God continue to bless the Texas Rangers and our beloved Lone Star State.

Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate my very good friend and fellow Texan, Representative Weber, for this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the most important days in the history of this world, and that is Texas Independence Day. March 2 marks the day that 59 heroic Texians gathered at Washington-on-the- Brazos to ratify the Texas Declaration of Independence.

We know that this freedom didn't come without great bloodshed at sites like Gonzales, the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto. There is a painting of the Alamo right there.

The fortitude of these men and the countless others who gave their lives is why the Lone Star State exists today, 187 years later. As a lifelong student of history and a former member of the Texas Historical Commission, I am incredibly proud to represent the San Jacinto Battleground here in my district, in the 36th District of Texas, where a Texian army, under General Sam Houston, officially secured independence following a defining battle at San Jacinto that lasted a mere 18 minutes amid cries of ``Remember the Alamo.''

The Republic of Texas reigned as an independent nation for 9 years before being admitted into the United States as the 28th State of the Union. Since its addition, Texas has flourished as one of the most prominent States in the country, emerging as a leader in many vital sectors, including agriculture, space exploration, military readiness, technology, tourism, and much more.

Our State is also home to many of the Nation's top medical centers. I went to school at one, Texas Medical Center.

Texas leads in energy production. In fact, it creates twice as much energy as the next highest State in the Union. In fact, as its own country today, Texas would be among the top 10 largest economies in the entire world.

It is simply remarkable and no wonder why Texans have so much pride. After all, everything in Texas is bigger and better.

We Texans don't like to brag. We just tell the truth; it just sounds like we are bragging.

I believe that those who envisioned what Texas could be so long ago would be absolutely and mighty pleased to see how far we have come.

To all of my fellow Texans, I say happy Independence Day. May God continue to bless our beloved Lone Star State.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from California for this Special Order. I appreciate it very much.

Predictably, the President spent 72 minutes trying to sell us another bill of goods last night. He is so out of touch with reality that he thinks Americans are actually buying what he said.

But his time would have been much better spent apologizing to the country for being one of the weakest, if not the weakest, Commander in Chief in the history of our country.

From his botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, to his mismanagement of the economy, to his horrific border crisis, Joe Biden is a President of failure.

In just 2 years, he has successfully made us less on all fronts, less profitable, less sustainable, less safe, less prosperous, less free. His consistent weakness on the world stage has emboldened our adversaries and sent our allies running. I don't say this lightly.

You don't have to look hard for examples. The Chinese surveillance balloon that he allowed to fly across country, our entire country, last week, comes to mind. It took him 4 days to shoot it down and, yet he wants us to believe that he is being tough on China.

Give me a break.

The world is full of wolves. They know America is being led by a sheep.

President Biden spoke for over an hour, and yet he failed to thank our Border Patrol agents, mention border security, or take responsibility for the thousands of Americans dying from fentanyl that is being smuggled across our open and erased southern border.

Instead, he called for mass amnesty for millions of illegal aliens.

Nearly 300 Americans die of an overdose every single day. That is almost as many as our daily casualties during World War II. Think about that.

But if we are being honest, we all expected nothing more than a speech that left truth waiting on the sidelines. That is exactly what we got.

House Republicans have done more to restore and strengthen America in our first month in power than the Democrats have done in the last 2 years because where the left prioritizes authoritarian-style control, Republicans believe in the freedom that our forebears fought and died for.

As Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders so eloquently said last night, ``America is the greatest country the world has ever known because we are the freest country that the world has ever known.''

We don't bend to a woke mob pushing insanity or insane policies over common sense.

Republicans serving in this esteemed Chamber stand united and will be the hammer that shatters the Democrats' radical agenda. We are committed to ensuring America is secure and is strong, and is free. This is a promise that we will keep.

We will not leave you in the lurch. We are fighting for you and the American Dream that we all love.

Mr. Speaker, not many have tasted true freedom like Americans have because, in all of the world, there is no place like the United States of America.

But if we are not careful, this unique experiment that has persevered through depression, famine, sickness, terrorism, world wars, and a civil war will disappear before our very eyes.

The French philosopher Montesquieu wrote that ``the deterioration of every government begins with the decay of the principles upon which it was founded.'' This statement is as true today as it was in 1748.

Right now, we are literally witnessing the decay of our freedoms of speech. For years, we have watched one political party silence and discredit those they disagree with by de-platforming them, censoring them, shadow-banning them, and suppressing their ability to reach the public.

We have seen this tactic used against duly elected Members of Congress, professionals in countless fields, conservative media outlets like Newsmax and OAN, and even a sitting President.

The endless kowtowing to a political faction with an agenda so radical that you either have to bend the knee or be exiled goes against the very fabric of our Constitution. It is un-American, and it is a disgrace.

The left treats debate or, God forbid, even a simple difference of thought, as public enemy number one. Why is our freedom of speech so threatening to the democratic narrative?

We cannot stand idle while our freedoms are being extinguished. As President Reagan said, ``freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.''

I don't want my 17 grandchildren to spend their sunset years telling their children and their children's children what it was once like in the United States, when men and women were free.

We must ensure that America remains that beacon of hope, the city on a hill, a nation with a dream that anyone can grasp if they only have the courage to dare.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an exceptional public servant. NASA Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche, on receiving the prestigious Quasar Award for Economic Development Excellence from the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP). BAHEP presents its renowned Quasar Award to an outstanding elected official or business leader who has demonstrated a strong and continual effort to support the business foundations of the greater Bay Area Houston communities.

Serving as the 13th Director of Johnson Space Center (JSC), Vanessa Wyche oversees the home of America's astronaut corps, Mission Control Center, International Space Station, Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, Orion and Gateway programs, and the more than 11,000 civil servants and contractors in Houston and the White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Among her many responsibilities, Wyche manages a broad range of human spaceflight activities, including the development and operation of human spacecraft, commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and JSC's role in landing the next American on the surface of the Moon. Under her leadership, JSC was recognized by Forbes and Statista as the number one best employer among Texas' major employers.

Vanessa previously served as deputy director at JSC for 3 years, starting in 2018. Her previous leadership positions include assistant and acting deputy director of JSC, director of the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate, flight manager of several missions of the Space Shuttle Program, executive officer in the Office of the NASA Administrator, and led several other center-level technical and program organizations. Prior to joining NASA, Vanessa worked for the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C.

Director Wyche is a native of South Carolina. where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Master of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University. In 2019, she was inducted into the Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists at Clemson University. As a dedicated advocate for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, Vanessa serves as a member of Clemson University's College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences advisory board, the University of Houston's C. T. Bauer College of Business advisory panel, and is a past chair of the Space Center Houston board of directors. Additionally, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Science degree from Coastal Carolina University in 2022.

Throughout her distinguished career, Vanessa bas been recognized for her outstanding service. She is the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, 2 NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, 2 NASA Achievement Medals, a JSC Innovation award, a Woman at NASA award, a Rotary Stellar Nomination, a national Women Worth Watching honoree, and a Coastal Carolina University Inspiring Woman nomination. Vanessa is an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Associate Fellow and completed the International Women's Forum Fellows Program.

Vanessa Wyche is married to George Wyche Jr., Esq., and has one son, George Wyche III.

It is a distinct honor to congratulate my friend, Vanessa Wyche, for receiving the esteemed Quasar Award. She is an outstanding leader who has served both the Bay Area and America's space program exceptionally. I look forward to our continued work to take us back to the Moon, and in the near future, Mars. Onward and upward.