BUSINESS to BUSINESS www.bayareahouston.com BAHEP extends its sincere appreciation for the continued support of THE DAILY NEWS through this monthly supplement. June 2019 Congressman Babin speaks of legislative focus, meets with regional mayors to discuss issues

The Bay Area Houston continues to be an incredi- continuous U.S. human Congressman Babin told Economic Partnership ble economic driver not just presence in low earth orbit the mayors that he wanted hosted Congressman Brian in Texas, but in the U.S. and authorized NASA to to be kept informed of Babin, DDS, who repre- economy as a whole, and I operate the ISS until 2030, their issues and ways that sents Texas’ 36th Congres- have and will continue to or until there was a demon- his office can assist with sional District, at a lunch- advocate for harbor re- strated, sustainable, lower them. He said that he eon held May 28, 2019, at sources and to have the cost alternative. would also appreciate being the Hilton Houston Port here in Houston informed of the impact of NASA Clear Lake. The dredged and widened.” Mayors discuss federal actions on local congressman spoke of his Relative to the nation’s regional issues communities. legislative focus during the space industry, the con- Following the luncheon, The mayors who at- 1st Session of the 116th gressman remains commit- Congressman Babin met tended the briefing were: Congress. He emphasized ted to ensuring that the privately with that while he has a strong Johnson Space Center B A H E P and vested interest in his maintains a leading role in P r e s i d e n t role as Ranking Member NASA’s human space Bob Mitchell of the House Subcommit- flight, science, technology and a group tee on Space & Aeronau- development, and deep of Bay Area tics, his district represents Congressman Brian Babin, DDS space exploration efforts. H o u s t o n just about every industry Last session he proposed mayors in constituency there is from H.R. 6910, the Leading order to pro- transportation and infra- bills that targeted billions of one of his priorities in order Human Spaceflight Act, vide them an structure, to agriculture dollars in relief funds and to allow and promote free which recognized NASA opportunity and energy, and healthcare mitigation dollars for flowing commerce, which JSC as the logical center to to express to homeland security. Texas. The week prior to includes harbor mainte- serve a lead role in program their con- Since he was elected in the luncheon, Congressman nance. Dr. Babin has long management, systems engi- cerns regard- 2014, he has engaged in all Babin joined other Texas supported harbor mainte- neering, program integra- ing issues these areas. members to make a push nance, from advocating for tion, and operations out- important to that these billions of dollars, additional port funds in the lined in NASA’s Human the region. Congressman speaks which are held up by several presidential budget to re- Space Exploration Cam- M i t c h e l l Todd Caliva, CEO, HCA Houston of legislative focus federal agencies, are re- cently sending a letter to the paign and the Administra- began the Healthcare Clear Lake and BAHEP Congressman Babin said leased within 60 days. Administration calling for tion’s Moon to Mars ef- discussion by board chair, welcomes members of that his legislative focus Additionally, the con- the Port of Houston to be forts. Additionally, H.R. explaining to the organization to the luncheon this session remained the gressman reported that dredged and widened. He 6910 promoted a policy the congress- featuring the congressional update. same as last session – pro- regulatory reform remains said, “The Port of Houston leading to a permanent and man how the actively working with the M a y o r s ’ majority to find common Roundtable ground to move legislation was formed in 2018 as an Michel Bechtel, City of which impacts the district, effective means of taking a Morgan’s Point; Pat Hal- Texas, and the nation. His regional approach to re- lisey, City of League City; most noteworthy activities gional issues. Issues dis- Jon Keeney, City of Taylor included: cussed during the meeting Lake Village; Thom Kolup- • Threat Assessment, Pre- included: surge suppression ski, City of Seabrook; and vention, and Safety systems and the coastal Louis R. Rigby, City of La (TAPS) Act – H.R. 838 is spine; a Harbor Mainte- Porte. Also in attendance a proactive measure fo- nance Trust Fund; the state were John Baumgartner, cused on school and com- of regional collaboration City Manager, City of munity safety by assessing related to manmade and League City; Galveston the early warning signs natural disasters; FEMA County Commissioner Ken from individuals who per- responses to cities; the Clark; Dr. Glenn Freed- petrate these acts of vio- Army Corps of Engineers’ man, group facilitator; lence. This bill is endorsed Following the luncheon, Congressman Brian Babin met privately with BAHEP responses to regional issues; Kelly Waterman, District by more than 40 organiza- President Bob Mitchell and a group of Bay Area Houston mayors. Shown the relocation of Battleship Director for Congressman tions across the country above are (l to r): Mayor Louis R. Rigby, City of La Porte; Mayor Thom Kolup- Texas; I-14 interstate pro- Babin; BAHEP Member- and has strong bipartisan ski, City of Seabrook; John Baumgartner, City Manager, City of League City; gress which would assist ship Director Harriet Pil- support. Mayor Michel Bechtel, City of Morgan’s Point; Galveston County Commis- military bases and Texas grim; and BAHEP Com- • I-14 Expansion and Im- sioner Ken Clark; Mayor Pat Hallisey, City of League City (seated); Con- ports; and regional four- munications Manager provement Act of 2019 - gressman Babin; Mitchell; and Dr. Glenn Freedman, group facilitator. county drainage issues. Kathryn Paradis. This legislation, also re- ferred to as the “Forts to Ports” bill, will extend the future I-14 interstate high- way to additional areas in BAHEP leads national delegation on 28th annual trip Texas and along the Gulf Coast. This bill will further to Capitol Hill in support of fully-funded NASA program connect key military instal- lations to strategic sea- ports, enhancing their The 2019 Citizens for Four members of Con- Key messages readiness as well as Amer- Space Exploration (CSE) gress made remarks at the included continuity ica’s national security. congressional visits were Congressional Reception for NASA human Further, Dr. Babin was very successful and helped held on May 21. They were: space exploration influential in helping pass to advance support for hu- Rep. Brian Babin, Rep. programs, robust several hurricane recovery man space exploration and Sheila Jackson-Lee, Rep. funding for NASA’s demonstrate a large, grass- Trent Kelly, and Rep. return to the moon roots constituency for space Randy Weber. The recep- (Artemis), and BUSINESS to exploration. tion was well attended by NASA’s role in sup- BUSINESS is a monthly The 28th annual trip to more than 50 staffers. porting American Bay Area Houston Washington, D.C., organ- leadership, educa- Economic Partnership ized and coordinated over Key messages tion, innovation, publication in partnership several months by the Bay delivered healthcare, and qua- with THE DAILY Area Houston Economic Each CSE team consisted lity of life for less NEWS. BAHEP is a Partnership, was held from of a leader and two or three than half of one member-driven organiza- May 20-22. It included 92 other travelers, including at percent of the fede- tion that provides the travelers, representing 28 least one student. The ral budget. Strengthening relationships is always an import com- leadership to stimulate states, who conducted 391 teams visited congressional Talking points regional economic devel- ponent of congressional visits. Shown above are (l to congressional office visits. offices of their home states, also included concern r): Mayor Michel Bechtel, City of Morgan’s Point; BA- opment and employment The diverse group of discussed the exploration about challenges to in southeastern Texas. Its HEP President Bob Mitchell; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz; travelers included elected programs, and solicited U.S. leadership in spa- and Houston City Council Member Dave Martin. members include more officials, 32 students study- feedback from the office ce and the importance than 265 business partners ing engineering or related concerning the value and of restoring U.S. space encompassing 14 cities, technical fields, industry direction concerning Amer- launch capabilities to Important feedback Galveston and representatives, and com- ica’s space exploration pro- support human space flight. understanding of NASA’s gathered Harris counties, the Hous- munity leaders. gram. space exploration programs ton Airport System, and The teams gathered impor- and support for Mars as the Port Houston. tant feedback from their ultimate destination. For membership informa- visits, which is crucial in • There was strong support tion, contact Membership determining future messag- for NASA to stay the Director Harriet Pilgrim ing. This information in- course on the human space at 832.536.3250. cluded: programs and apparent • Members of Congress are willingness to fund them. Bay Area Houston more receptive to the 2024 • Recognition of the bene- Economic Partnership lunar mission than asteroid fits resulting from the space 18045 Saturn Lane capture. program including areas of Houston, TX 77058 • Finding the $1.6B re- STEM education, work- 832.536.3255 quired in the revised Presi- force development and dent’s Budget Request is general contributions to “Like” us on Facebook: going to be a challenge. local economies. BayAreaHoustonEcon • ISS extension to 2030 has The 29th annual CSE Follow us on broad support. trip to Washington, D.C., Twitter: @BAHEP • Strong bipartisan support will be held from May 18- CSE students have become a vital part of each annual trip to Capitol Hill. for NASA. There was more 20, 2020.