[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 5, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  RECOGNIZING JOE MAYER'S LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING AMERICA'S 
        SECURITY AND HIS ADVOCACY FOR AMERICA'S MISSION IN SPACE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL POSEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 5, 2022

  Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a constituent from 
Florida's Space Coast who has dedicated his career to advancing the 
strategic security of our nation and strengthening America's 
technological capability, and who has been a well-known and passionate 
advocate of our mission in space--Mr. Joe Mayer.
  In 1976, Joe graduated from William Paterson College in New Jersey, 
then attended Georgetown University, and earned a Master of Science of 
Foreign Service degree focusing on national security. He got his start 
working on Capitol Hill as an aide to U.S. Senator Jake Garn of Utah, 
advising on defense and national security issues and helping to support 
the B-1B strategic bomber as well as funding for the Strategic Defense 
Initiative. Joe then went on to serve on the staff of the Senate Select 
Committee on Intelligence focusing on arms control.
  In 1986, Joe joined Rockwell International taking the lead on 
Rockwell's NASA space-related business. He worked to modernize the 
Space Shuttle program and became a leading advocate for the 
International Space Station. Joe later worked for The Boeing Company 
supporting their human space exploration efforts. He became the Chair 
of Citizens for Space Exploration, a pro-NASA, pro-space advocacy 
organization, received a NASA Space Flight Awareness award from the 
Boeing leadership team, and was named an Associate Fellow of the 
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
  In 2007 Joe joined the Lockheed Martin Space team in Houston 
representing the company in the community and advocating on behalf of 
the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV)/Orion spacecraft. He worked with 
community partners and traveled across the country meeting with the 
public, school children, community leaders and elected officials 
explaining the value of human space exploration. The Houston Mayor and 
City Council honored Joe for his professional and community 
contributions with a Declaration designating February 26, 2013, as `Joe 
Mayer Day in the City of Houston'.
  In 2013 Lockheed Martin dispatched Joe to Florida's Space Coast where 
he has served the space community in numerous civic and charitable 
positions and has been a leading voice for our nation's space program. 
Joe's local leadership roles have included Chairing the board of the 
Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, Chairing the 
Cocoa Beach Chamber as well as Chair of VISIT Florida and Space Coast 
Citizens for Space Exploration. He has served on the Boards of Brevard 
Cultural Alliance, Florida Defense Contractors Association, the 
Astronaut Memorial Foundation, and the Astronaut Scholarship 
Foundation. He is a member of the Space Coast Civilian-Military 
Association and serves on my Congressional Space Advisory Committee.
  After more than 40 years of service, Joe recently announced his plans 
to retire, and we thank him for his tireless service and commitment to 
our communities, and for his strong advocacy and support for our 
nation's space program. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Joe Mayer and wishing him and his family well in the 
years to come.

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