[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 15, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ARTEMIS II MISSION ENGINEERS DANIEL BACA AND JEREMIAH HALL

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                           HON. RYAN K. ZINKE

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 15, 2026

  Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 
achievements of Daniel Baca and Jeremiah Hall from Montana's Flathead 
Valley, who both played key roles in NASA's historic Artemis II 
mission.
  On April 1, 2026, the Artemis II mission sent four astronauts on a 
journey around the moon and back, marking our Nation's first crewed 
return to the Moon in more than half a century. This mission is testing 
critical systems that will eventually pave the way for future lunar 
landing and an eventual mission to Mars.
  For the first time since the Apollo era, astronauts are venturing 
beyond our planet. The Artemis II mission is a symbol of American 
leadership in space and a bold step toward the future. Among those 
contributing to this historic effort are Flathead Valley natives Daniel 
Baca and Jeremiah Hall. Working as aerospace engineers they help ensure 
the performance and success of this mission, showing the talent and 
determination that is found in Montana.
  Jeremiah Hall works within the thermophysics group on the spacecraft 
and Daniel Baca is the lead for the European Service Module, the 
spacecrafts powerhouse. Both Montanan's work with essential systems 
that keep the astronauts aboard alive in the harsh environments of 
space and their contributions are the foundation to the mission's 
success.
  For the Flathead Valley, this achievement is a source of immense 
pride. These two engineers' journeys from local schools in Montana to 
the forefront of space exploration prove that no dream is too big. 
Their success serves as an inspiration to the next generation of 
scientists and engineers across Montana.
  Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate this historic mission, I ask we also 
honor the hardworking Americans behind it. The West has always been 
home to pioneers and adventurers. From those who risked everything to 
homestead in the Dakota Territory to those pushing the frontier today, 
that spirit of exploration and willingness to brave the unknown still 
lives in our communities. Daniel and Jeremiah embody that tradition and 
have made Montana proud.

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