[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SHUTTLE ``ATLANTIS'' LAUNCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2007

  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to 
recognize John ``Danny'' Olivas, who, with the launch of the Space 
Shuttle Atlantis this past Friday, became the first El Pasoan to enter 
space.
  Astronaut Olivas worked his way through the El Paso school system, 
and, upon graduating from Burges High School, went on to receive a B.S. 
in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso, an 
M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston, and, 
finally, a doctorate in mechanical engineering and materials science 
from Rice University.
  Beyond being the first El Pasoan in space, Astronaut Olivas is also 
one of only a handful of minorities, and even fewer Hispanics, to 
participate in a Shuttle mission. The importance of Mr. Olivas' 
participation in this space flight is underscored by the lack of 
minorities in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. 
According to the U.S. Census, as of 2000, only 4.4 percent of jobs 
related to science and engineering were held by African Americans, with 
only 3.4 percent being held by Hispanics. It is estimated that by 2050, 
over 50 percent of the population under the age of 18 will be a racial 
or ethnic minority. It is imperative that we work to engage our 
minority populations in these fields.
  In the face of growing foreign competition from technology sectors in 
India, Japan, and China, among others, it is increasingly important 
that we support opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and 
math. Advancing our understanding of these areas guarantees the 
vitality of our nation as a whole by ensuring that our country remains 
a leader of technological innovation and economic competitiveness. In 
creating opportunities for minorities, we ensure that the face of our 
high-tech workforce reflects the true face of America, and that our 
face in space echoes our face on Earth.
  I have long supported NASA in its pursuit of greater understanding of 
the universe through exploration. Supporting NASA creates not only 
opportunities for people like Mr. Olivas, but also tangible benefits 
that affect our everyday life. Airmen and -women flying training 
maneuvers over El Paso's Fort Bliss-Biggs Army Airfield, and Army 
PATRIOT units deployed at home and overseas, use technology developed 
by NASA. Additionally, the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, where 
Astronaut Olivas first developed his fascination with space exploration 
at the age of seven, provides jobs for Texas, and, in doing so, fuels 
our local economies through tourism and contracting. As Astronaut 
Olivas noted in a recent interview, NASA itself is like a rocket 
engine: hundreds of thousands of small parts, working in tandem within 
the machinery of our Nation to fuel the engine of progress.
  Having met Danny Olivas on a number of occasions, I applaud the 
example he encapsulates; wish him and the whole crew of Atlantis a safe 
return; and look forward to a successful mission!

                          ____________________