April 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E479 educators for their extraordinary work Laurel’s intelligence, thoughtfulness, gen- cipal Laurie Ortel, and counselor Jess John- and dedication. There is no doubt that they erosity and practicality have earned her the son received a concerning message from a have touched the lives of students in Frisco, admiration and respect of teachers, staff, par- student via the STOPit app, an online platform Waynesboro, and beyond. ents and students alike. She knows how to get designed to allow students and parents to f things done. send anonymous reports of bullying to school In her advocacy for children of all abilities, officials. VETERAN OF THE MONTH—PAUL she co-founded Special Kids Parents Group of The North Texas educators soon discovered ANDERT Hillsborough and was president for three that the student was in Waynesboro, Vir- years. The group worked collaboratively with ginia—more than 1,000 miles from Frisco— HON. the superintendent, the school board, the and sprang into action. As Laurie Ortel said in OF OKLAHOMA Hillsborough Schools Foundation, and APG to an interview with the Morning News: IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES provide a welcoming, supportive school and ‘‘We didn’t know her, but in that moment, she Thursday, April 18, 2019 community environment for families with chil- became ours.’’ dren of all abilities. They helped launch three In spite of the distance, Jess Johnson Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam annual signature events: Special Kids Parents began communicating with the student, who Speaker, I rise today to share the work and Group Kick-Off Coffee, High School Night for was threatening suicide, on the STOPit app. life of my April Veteran of the Month, Tulsa’s Parents of Special Learners, and 5th Grade At the same time, Kim Frankson and Laurie Paul Andert. Transition Coffee for Parents of Special Learn- Ortel attempted to contact the Waynesboro Mr. Andert, a World War II veteran and ers. They improved recreational opportunities Police Department and administrators at the Tulsa icon, has devoted the recent years of with Hillsborough Recreation. And they rep- student’s school, which already had closed for his life to telling his story to keep alive the resented HCSD to San Mateo County SELPA winter break. Thanks to the efforts of the memories of the men and women who fought to share ideas and strategies across school North Texas teachers, local authorities in Vir- and bravely served our country. He’s lent his wisdom to countless student districts. In short, Special Kids Parents Group ginia were able to locate the endangered teen- groups, veterans organizations and churches could not have been a more effective advo- ager and provide lifesaving assistance. around the country. He appeared on Glenn cate. Thankfully, the student’s message for help Beck, authored the book ‘‘Unless You Have Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Laurel reached the right people. Been There,’’ about his war experience, and came to California and attended Miramonte On February 14, 2019, the Dallas Morning was an advisor on the 2014 World War II film High School in Orinda. While working as a News published an article telling their story. In Fury. camp counselor at John’s Hopkins Center for recognition of their lifesaving efforts, Kim Mr. Andert dropped out of school at the age Talented Youth in 1987, she met her husband Frankson, Laurie Ortel, and Jess Johnson of 17, lying about his age in order to join the Steve Miranda. In 1990, Laurel earned her BA were honored at the Frisco ISD board meeting army. By the time the joined in Quantitative Economics and English from on April 8, 2019. They were presented the in- World War II, he was leading his own infantry Stanford University and in 1997, she earned augural Helping Hands Life Saver Award from platoon. Mr. Andert led by example, knowing her JD/MBA from UC Berkeley. the makers of the STOPit mobile app, and that he could not ask his soldiers to do any- Laurel and Steve were married at Stanford have received well-earned praise from Ameri- thing he wouldn’t do himself. Memorial Church in 1993. She had a success- cans in North Texas, Virginia, and around the Spending three years on the frontlines of ful career at Oracle, Wells Fargo, and Charles country. the war, Mr. Andert had enough near misses Schwab. In 2000, with the birth of Robert Mi- As Members of Congress representing Fris- with death to fill a book—one he plans to randa, Laurel fully devoted her time to family, co, Texas and Waynesboro, Virginia, we ex- write. advocacy for children and school activities. tend our sincere gratitude to these North At 96 years old, Mr. Andert is still running Isabel Miranda was born three years later and Texas educators for their extraordinary work full steam ahead, pressing forward with his diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy at the and dedication. There is no doubt that they mission to share the stories of those who pro- age of eight months. There wasn’t a group have touched the lives of students in Frisco, tected our country. Laurel wasn’t involved in or a board she didn’t Waynesboro, and beyond. I am grateful for the sacrifices Mr. Andert serve on. Advocacy and community engage- f made to serve our country, and the work he ment are part of her DNA. In her current role as a board member of CuriOdyssey, she is CHLOE WILLIAMS AND ELLA does to preserve the memory of his fellow vet- BRALLIER erans. Tulsa, and all of America, is better off promoting exclusive hours and programming because of his dedication. for kids with special needs and their families f Madam Speaker, I ask the members of the HON. House of Representatives to rise with me to OF COLORADO IN RECOGNITION OF LAUREL recognize the long-lasting contributions Laurel IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BLACKETT MIRANDA Miranda has made to the Hillsborough City Thursday, April 18, 2019 School District. She is a remarkable commu- HON. nity leader who is effecting change in every- Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud students OF CALIFORNIA thing she touches. Chloe Williams and Ella Brallier for earning the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Best in Show Award for their creative and Thursday, April 18, 2019 IN RECOGNITION OF KIM unique mobile application (app) as part of the Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to FRANKSON, JESS JOHNSON, AND 2019 Congressional App Challenge. honor Laurel Miranda who is receiving the Cit- LAURIE ORTEL OF ASHLEY ELE- As first-time participants in the challenge, izen of the Year and Community Care Award MENTARY SCHOOL this team from the Northglenn STEM Launch from the Associated Parents’ Group of School built an app titled ‘‘Safe Space’’ to a Hillsborough for her tireless work improving HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS safe portal and resources for youth all over the lives of children of all abilities. OF TEXAS the world to assist with LGBTQ, teen preg- For twelve years, Laurel was instrumental in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nancy, eating disorders and other issues fac- shaping the Hillsborough City Student District ing students today. The students of STEM Special Education Program to include parent Thursday, April 18, 2019 Launch School spent countless hours and representation, field trips and a science over- Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise used numerous tools to learn about coding, night. It is an inclusive educational experience alongside Rep. VAN TAYLOR and Rep. BEN further advancing their STEM education. Each with opportunities on par with the General CLINE to honor Kim Frankson, Jess Johnson, team built their app in less than three months Education Program. In addition, she was ac- and Laurie Ortel of Ashley Elementary School which shows their perseverance and dedica- tive in all other aspects of school life, including in the Frisco Independent School District. At tion to this challenge and exemplifies the char- the parent group boards at South and Crocker the end of last year, these North Texas school acter and determination the faculty instills in schools and Art in Action. She served as administrators used quick thinking and team- the students at the school. president of both the Hillsborough Schools work to help save a life 1,200 miles away. I extend my deepest congratulations to Foundation and the Associated Parents’ In December 2018, Ashley Elementary these students for their hard work on this Group of Hillsborough. School principal Kim Frankson, assistant prin- project. I am certain these students will exhibit

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DONALD McEACHIN project on a pressing issue in the community. son received a concerning message from a OF VIRGINIA Hannah’s project focused on the needs of student via the STOPit app, an online platform families affected by domestic violence in the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES designed to allow students and parents to Rio Grande Valley. I applaud her research ef- send anonymous reports of bullying to school Thursday, April 18, 2019 forts and ability to provide necessary re- officials. sources at the Friendship of Women Shelter in Mr. MCEACHIN. Madam Speaker, I was un- The North Texas educators soon discovered Brownsville, Texas. She went above and be- avoidably detained on April 9, 2019 during roll that the student was in Waynesboro, Vir- yond the expectations, raising awareness in call no. 160, on Ordering the Previous Ques- ginia—more than 1,000 miles from Frisco— the community and working with partners, tion to H. Res. 294, Providing for consider- and sprang into action. As Laurie Ortel said in local organizations, and fellow Girl Scout Gold ation of H.R. 1644, Save the Internet Act; and an interview with the Dallas Morning News: Awardee—Victoria Hinojos. providing for consideration of H.R. 2021, In- ‘‘We didn’t know her, but in that moment, she A Brownsville native, Hannah leads her vesting for the People Act. Had I been became ours.’’ present, I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ I was also peers by example, excelling in academics and In spite of the distance, Jess Johnson unavoidably detained during roll call no. 161, community service. She works with the Uni- began communicating with the student, who on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 294, versity of Texas—Rio Grande Valley faculty to was threatening suicide, on the STOPit app. Providing for consideration of H.R. 1644, Save promote the conservation of the region’s na- At the same time, Kim Frankson and Laurie the Internet Act; and providing for consider- tive Red Crowned Parrot, serves as president Ortel attempted to contact the Waynesboro ation of H.R. 2021, Investing for the People of the Health Occupation Students of America, Police Department and administrators at the Act. Had I been present, I would have voted and leads the Varsity Volleyball team. Despite student’s school, which already had closed for ‘‘yea.’’ I was unavoidably detained during roll these extracurricular endeavors, Hannah ranks winter break. Thanks to the efforts of the call no. 162, on Motion to Suspend the Rules number one in her class at Veterans Memorial North Texas teachers, local authorities in Vir- and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 1759, the Build- Early College High School, Brownsville. ginia were able to locate the endangered teen- ing on Reemployment Improvements to De- It is a tremendous honor to recognize Han- ager and provide lifesaving assistance. liver Good Employment for Workers Act. Had nah Edelstein. Our district is very proud of her I been present, I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ service, and our community benefits greatly Thankfully, the student’s message for help from her leadership. I ask my colleagues to reached the right people. f join me in congratulating her for her work, On February 14, 2019, the Dallas Morning HONORING HANNAH EDELSTEIN service, and accomplishments. News published an article telling their story. In FOR RECEIVING THE GIRL f recognition of their lifesaving efforts, Kim SCOUT GOLD AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF KIM Frankson, Laurie Ortel, and Jess Johnson FRANKSON, JESS JOHNSON, AND were honored at the Frisco ISD board meeting HON. FILEMON VELA LAURIE ORTEL OF ASHLEY ELE- on April 8, 2019. They were presented the in- augural Helping Hands Life Saver Award from OF TEXAS MENTARY SCHOOL the makers of the STOPit mobile app, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have received well-earned praise from Ameri- Thursday, April 18, 2019 HON. VAN TAYLOR cans in North Texas, Virginia, and around the OF TEXAS Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to country. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES honor Hannah Edelstein, who has earned the As Members of Congress representing Fris- Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award. Thursday, April 18, 2019 co, Texas and Waynesboro, Virginia, we ex- Hannah joins a selective group of scouts, Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I rise along- tend our sincere gratitude to these North and she should be proud of this recognition. side Rep. MICHAEL BURGESS and Rep. BEN Texas educators for their extraordinary work This accolade symbolizes outstanding accom- CLINE to honor Kim Frankson, Jess Johnson, and dedication. There is no doubt that they plishments in leadership, community service, and Laurie Ortel of Ashley Elementary School have touched the lives of students in Frisco, career planning, and personal development. in the Frisco Independent School District. At Waynesboro, and beyond.

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