[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H931-H933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2019, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores) is recognized 
until 10 p.m. as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 175th 
anniversary of Baylor University.
  Baylor University, a private Christian university, was chartered by 
the Republic of Texas on February 1, 1845.
  The charter, signed by Republic of Texas President, Anson Jones, was 
supported by the efforts of Baptist pioneers who sought to establish a 
Christian university ``fully susceptible of enlargement and development 
to meet the needs of all ages to come.''
  Originally located in Independence, Texas, Baylor is the oldest, 
continually operating university in Texas, and was actually formed 
before Texas became a State.
  In 1886, Baylor moved its main campus to Waco, Texas, where it 
remains today, and combined with Waco University. The new flagship 
campus of over 1,000 acres along the banks of the Brazos River enabled 
the university to flourish in its new central Texas home.
  Today, Baylor continues to uphold their mission to educate men and 
women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic 
excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.
  Baylor's diverse student body is comprised of over 18,000 students 
from all 50 States and from over 90 countries. Both undergraduate and 
graduate students are propelled toward success by passionate and 
committed faculty and staff who recognize a calling to address 
society's greatest challenges.
  A nationally ranked and distinctly Christian research university, 
Baylor is on an ambitious path to become the ninth Research 1, or R1, 
university in Texas, and the world's preeminent Christian research 
university.
  As Baylor strives to attain the coveted R1 status, it is continually 
engaging in research at the highest levels as students work to fight 
disease, investigate environmental challenges, pioneer new 
technologies, and advance human flourishing.
  This university-wide commitment to excellence is evident through 
classroom teaching and a communal drive toward success. Faculty provide 
impactful services to Baylor students and support them academically, 
spiritually, personally, and in their future careers.

                              {time}  2145

  Baylor strives to enable each student to achieve at the highest 
levels of human performance in academics, arts, and athletics, 
preparing them for worldwide leadership and service.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the recent 175th anniversary of Baylor 
University in Waco, Texas, I applaud the university's ongoing 
commitment to Christian values and academic excellence.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over our Nation's 
Capitol to honor the 175 years of legacy and impact of Baylor 
University.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country, for our military men and women who protect us, and for our 
first responders who keep us safe at home.


                         Recognizing Ben Downs

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ben Downs of 
Bryan, Texas, as a 2019 inductee into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
  Ben's radio career began as a childhood fascination. Growing up in 
Hope, Arkansas, Ben dreamed of hearing his own voice over the radio. As 
a child, he recalls sitting up in the Hope Field House, pretending to 
give play-by-plays into an empty soda can.
  His dream came true on November 4, 1968, when, at the age of 14, Ben 
went on the air for the first time. Looking back, Ben says he 
``wouldn't let a 14-year-old run my station, but fortunately for me, 
the manager at that radio station did.''
  By the time he went away to college at Texas A&M University in 
College Station, Texas, Ben was a seasoned pro. After 4 years at the 
station in

[[Page H932]]

Hope, Ben decided to focus on his studies and enjoy the radio solely as 
a listener. This didn't last long, as he quickly found himself 
accepting a job offer from the local station in Bryan-College Station. 
That was in 1972, and he has been broadcasting ever since.
  It was at Texas A&M University that Ben and I first met during the 
fall of 1972 as students in our management 105 class. We are both proud 
members of the centennial class of 1976, and he and I remain close 
friends today.
  Since 1989, Ben has led Bryan Broadcasting. Under his leadership, the 
group has expanded significantly into a variety of genres and formats. 
He has worked hard to ensure that Bryan Broadcasting is always at the 
forefront of technology and constantly offering its listeners new and 
exciting content.
  The rise of the internet and streaming service has provided WTAW and 
Bryan Broadcasting with a platform for a wide array of programs and on-
demand podcasts while still promoting the traditional radio broadcast 
medium.
  Ben remains involved in the broadcasting community through the Texas 
Association of Broadcasters and the National Association of 
Broadcasters. He also consults regularly with Members of Congress and 
the Federal Communications Commission to address important issues to 
the broadcasting community. One issue that he is particularly 
passionate about is revitalization of AM radio.
  Outside of his work in the broadcasting industry, Ben has lived a 
life committed to service. During his time at Texas A&M University, Ben 
acquired a reputation for community service, which continues today. He 
has said that he is proud to be a part of a community that takes giving 
to heart. In 2018, Ben was named Citizen of the Year by the Bryan-
College Station Chamber of Commerce.
  It was Ben's philanthropic spirit which led him to meet his wife, 
Lillian, 44 years ago as he was working on a tennis tournament to 
benefit the local Boys and Girls Club. Today, Ben and Lillie have two 
adult children and three beautiful grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I am humbled to honor the many accomplishments of my 
friend, Ben Downs, for his induction to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, 
as well as his nomination for the Marconi Radio Award and the legendary 
Manager of the Year Award, both from the National Association of 
Broadcasters.
  For decades, Ben's career has been dedicated to the passion he found 
as a child, broadcasting, while continuing to push the industry to take 
advantage of ever-advancing technology. His accomplishments and his 
service-centric spirit are more than deserving of this amazing honor. 
He is a faithful community leader, selfless servant, husband, father, 
grandfather, and friend.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over our Nation's 
Capitol to honor Ben's meaningful accomplishments and contributions to 
the broadcasting industry and to our Brazos Valley community.
  As I close, I ask all our viewers to continue praying for our 
country, for our military men and women who protect us, and for our 
first responders who keep us safe at home.


                  Honoring the Life of George Aguilar

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of George 
Aguilar of Bryan, Texas, who passed away on January 13, 2020, after a 
battle with cancer.
  George was born on January 12, 1958, in San Antonio to Policarpio and 
Delores Aguilar.
  Growing up in a military family, George traveled a great deal across 
the United States and Germany. He graduated from Killeen High School in 
Killeen, Texas, and went on to attend Central Texas College, where he 
studied criminal justice.
  From a young age, George lived a life of service and was dedicated to 
giving back to his community. Following graduation, he served as a 
jailer in Killeen and then as a corrections officer in Huntsville, 
which led him to find his dream job as a police officer. In 1980, 
George joined the Bryan Police Department as a patrol officer.
  Over the next three decades, George served in many roles within the 
department. As part of his commitment to the Bryan community, he served 
on patrol, as a detective, as a school resource officer, and as a 
canine handler. He was instrumental in starting important programs, 
such as Camp PAL, which operated from 1994 to 2005. He was awarded six 
commendations throughout his career and eventually earned a master 
peace officer's license.

  After 34\1/2\ years on the force, George retired from the Bryan 
Police Department in 2015. However, his dedication to a life of service 
did not end there. Following his retirement, George went on to work as 
a bailiff for the Brazos County Associate Courts.
  George is remembered for his great sense of humor, his love of dance, 
and his bright, smiling face that brought joy to all of those around 
him.
  As a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, he attended as many games as he 
could, always cherishing the Cowboys v. Packers games he would attend 
with his son.
  Mr. Speaker, George's life was defined by his service to his 
community. He will forever be remembered as a father, a brother, a 
fiance, and a selfless servant.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our heartfelt condolence to the Aguilar 
family. We also lift up the family and friends of George Aguilar in our 
prayers.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country, for our first responders who protect us at home, and for our 
uniformed military service personnel who protect us around the world.


                    Honoring Dr. Stephen A. Holditch

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Stephen A. 
Holditch of College Station, Texas, who passed away unexpectedly on 
August 9, 2019.
  Before I continue our discussion about Steve, I want to give some 
context about the importance of his professional career. Let me state 
first that Steve considered his roles as a husband, father, and 
grandfather to be his most important. Because of the exceptional way he 
lived those roles, his legacy is readily apparent in the lives of those 
he left behind--his wife, Ann; his daughters, Katie and Abbie, and 
their five grandchildren.
  The discussion of his professional accomplishments starts with a 
description of current energy metrics. Today, the United States of 
America is blessed to be the number one producer of oil and natural gas 
in the world, and as of this year, we are a net exporter of oil and 
gas. Reserves of American oil and gas rank us among the top 10 
countries in the world. We also lead the industrialized world in the 
reduction of carbon dioxide emissions over the past few decades. Ten 
years ago, no one would have ever predicted we would be where we are 
today.
  This new world of American energy dominance is having dramatic 
implications, both domestically and internationally. We have secure, 
stable, environmentally responsible, and attractively priced energy 
resources for American families and businesses. We have become a 
reliable source of energy for our allies, giving them the flexibility 
to move away from unstable Russian and Middle Eastern suppliers. The 
oil and gas sector of our economy has created millions of good jobs and 
great paychecks for hardworking Americans. Our balance of trade 
payments has improved, and our geopolitical position has strengthened.
  This dramatic energy renaissance didn't happen by accident or by 
government. It is the result of American ingenuity, research, and bold 
leadership. While no one person is solely responsible for the seismic 
shift in American energy, there are a number of bold leaders who took 
challenges that looked impossible to solve and solved them, 
particularly in the area of stimulation of low permeability, or tight, 
reservoirs. Their developments, studies, research, and field 
experiments using horizontal drilling and very large hydraulic 
fracturing treatments revolutionized American oil and natural gas and 
transformed our economy and our security.
  One of those bold leaders was the late George P. Mitchell, Texas A&M 
class of 1940. Another is the person we are honoring today, Dr. Stephen 
A. Holditch, Texas A&M class of 1969.
  Stephen Holditch was born on October 20, 1946, in Corsicana, Texas, 
to Damon and Margie Holditch. Growing up, Steve and his family moved 
often while his father pursued a career in the oil and gas industry. He 
spent most of his childhood in San Antonio before moving to Richardson, 
Texas, for his final year of high school, where he graduated in 1965.

[[Page H933]]

  Following graduation, Steve attended Texas A&M University, where he 
joined the Corps of Cadets and began his journey as a Fightin' Texas 
Aggie. Steve quickly excelled both in academics and the corps. While at 
A&M, he was a member of Company F-1, a member of the prestigious Ross 
Volunteers Honor Guard, and a member of the Ross Volunteers Firing 
Squad. During his senior year, he served as second battalion commander. 
In 1969, Steve graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor of 
science degree in petroleum engineering. He continued at A&M to earn a 
master's degree in the same discipline.
  Steve began his career with Shell Oil Company in Houston, Texas. Much 
of his work over his 5 years with Shell focused on designing and 
pumping large hydraulic fracture treatments to stimulate production 
from the deep, low permeability geopressured gas reservoirs in south 
Texas. It was his work with hydraulic fracturing that inspired him to 
return to Texas A&M and set him apart from his peers as a true legend 
of the oil and gas industry for the advancement of this critically 
important technology.
  One day in 1970, Steve was riding the elevator at work and met Ann 
Friddle, who was also working at Shell. Steve and Ann were married 6 
months later on January 9, 1971, and they had been married over 48 
years when Steve passed away.
  He and Ann returned to College Station, and he pursued a Ph.D. in 
petroleum engineering, which he completed in 1975. In 1976, Steve 
joined the Texas A&M petroleum engineering faculty, and as if he didn't 
have enough to do as a young father and new professor, he started his 
own consulting company, S.A. Holditch & Associates.
  S.A. Holditch & Associates quickly became a worldwide powerhouse in 
the petroleum engineering space. Over the years, Steve earned a 
reputation for being able to solve the most difficult petroleum 
engineering problems, especially those dealing with low permeability 
reservoirs needing stimulation, typically through hydraulic fracturing. 
He was distinctly proud of the work that Holditch & Associates did 
alongside the Gas Research Institute to advance understanding of low 
permeability sandstones, shales, and coalbed methane.

  After over 20 years of success, Steve chose to sell Holditch & 
Associates to Schlumberger, where he stayed on as a fellow, the highest 
technical designation in that organization. As a Schlumberger Fellow 
for 5 years, Steve traveled extensively to help solve some of the 
world's most difficult petroleum engineering problems.
  In 1995, at the age of 49, Steve was elected to the National Academy 
of Engineering, the highest honor that can be given to an engineer. 
After many years of service to the Society of Petroleum Engineers, or 
SPE, Steve was elected to the board of directors, then vice president 
of finance, and finally president of this global organization with over 
70,000 members.
  He was awarded almost every recognition that SPE has to give, 
including three of the society's top technical awards. He was elected 
an SPE honorary member in 2006, the highest award that SPE can bestow 
upon an individual, and was officially named a Legend of Hydraulic 
Fracturing by SPE in 2014.
  While Steven enjoyed many professional successes in the commercial 
regime, many of his accomplishments were at Texas A&M University, where 
he served on the faculty for 37 years. During his tenure, he taught 97 
classes and served on over 150 graduate committees. From 2004 to 2012, 
Steve worked as head of the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum 
Engineering.
  During this time, he revitalized the Crisman Institute of Petroleum 
Research and saw the number of students in the petroleum engineering 
department more than double. Under his leadership, the department 
quickly earned a reputation as the number one ranked university 
petroleum engineering department in the world.
  It was during his time at A&M that he created this second legacy for 
America's hydrocarbon industry, the thousands of Aggie petroleum 
engineers who work around the world every day utilizing Steve's 
teaching and mentoring to solve the world's greatest energy challenges. 
Collectively, these pacesetters--George P. Mitchell, Michel T. 
Halbouty, and Dr. Stephen A. Holditch, and ones they taught and 
guided--have contributed significantly to America's energy dominance 
that is changing the world today.
  In 2013, Steve retired from the faculty after many years of dedicated 
service to the Texas A&M community. Throughout his life, Steve often 
credited Texas A&M University as the foundation from which his success 
grew. He praised the values instilled in all Aggies, and in 2014, he 
was named a Texas A&M Distinguished Alumnus, an honor he richly 
deserved for a life of service and devotion to his beloved university. 
In thanking the Aggie community, Steve said: ``You will look back at 
your years at Texas A&M as one of the best periods of your life. Always 
remember the Aggie Code of Honor.''
  In 2016, Steve was inducted in the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor, an 
award which made him prouder and happier than perhaps any other award 
he had ever received.
  Following retirement, Steve enjoyed spending time in Bryan/College 
Station, with his wife Ann, their two daughters, and their five 
grandchildren. As a season ticket holder to a variety of Texas A&M 
sports, Steve continued to support the Aggies, but Fightin' Texas Aggie 
Football remained closest to his heart. Steve contributed a great deal 
to the Texas A&M community and can be described as a model Texas Aggie, 
who was true to its core values of Excellence, Integrity, Leadership, 
Loyalty, Respect, and Selfless Service. One of my favorite phrases that 
Steve often used was ``I reserve the right to get smarter.'' That is 
what he did best, always pushing to find solutions to the world's 
toughest oil and gas challenges.
  Mr. Speaker, Steve's life was defined by his dedication to his family 
and friends, his world-changing accomplishments in energy, and his true 
love of Texas A&M University. He will be forever remembered as a true 
pioneer in his field, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, teacher, 
mentor and friend. My father has a saying--``go make a hand.'' Mr. 
Speaker, Steve Holditch truly ``made a hand'' for his family, his 
university, his community, our country, and the world.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to 
the Holditch family. We also lift his family and friends in our 
prayers.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over our Nation's 
Capitol to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Stephen A. Holditch.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country, for our veterans, for our military men and women who protect 
us, and for our first responders who keep us safe at home.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________