E98 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2020 from Mississippi State University, then re- trailblazing work in infrared light. The massive Dr. Champommier’s career demonstrates ceived his Masters from the University of Mis- amount of data collected by Spitzer has been his admirable dedication and service to his sissippi before answering the call to serve our used in over 8,700 scientific publications and community. I thank him for his 40 years of great nation in the United States Army during its data will continue to be available to the sci- contributions to Los Angeles and wish him WWII. entific community around the world for future nothing but the best in retirement. On August 22, 1948, Buster married Billie research. f Faye South, and they remained together for I have great appreciation and pride for the over 63 years. Buster’s love for basketball countless personnel that have worked to en- IN HONOR OF JOHN ROBERT brought him back to Belmont High School sure that Spitzer operated with precision, from MILLER where he became a basketball coach. He also design to data analysis, that allowed Spitzer to coached at both Kossuth High School in Cor- study the Universe with infrared light. The nu- HON. BRETT GUTHRIE inth, Mississippi and Thrasher High School in merous discoveries made move us closer to OF KENTUCKY Booneville, Mississippi. In 1962, Buster began shedding light on the profound mysteries of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES coaching at Itawamba Junior College in Ful- our Universe. I ask all members to join me in Wednesday, January 29, 2020 ton, Mississippi, and led the team to multiple honoring the achievements of the Spitzer Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today State Finals. He left his coaching career in Space Telescope and the hard-working indi- to honor the service of World War II veteran 1975 and started his career with Davis Ford. viduals and organizations that made Spitzer’s John Robert Miller of Barren County, Ken- He stayed with Ford for over 55 years. mission so successful. tucky. Left to cherish his memory are his daugh- f After growing up in Freedom, Kentucky, ters: Pam Davis Horton of Birmingham, Ala- CONGRATULATING DR. JEAN G. John Robert volunteered for the Army when bama, and Patti Davis Bennett of Fulton, Mis- CHAMPOMMIER ON HIS RETIRE- he was just eighteen years old in June 1941. sissippi; his grandchildren, great-grand chil- MENT He served in the Pacific theater until World dren, as well as many friends and extended War II concluded in 1945. During his Army family members. HON. JUDY CHU service, John Robert rose to the rank of tech- Buster’s life was one of service, grace, love nical sergeant in an artillery unit, and he wit- OF CALIFORNIA for his family, and community. He will be nessed General Douglas MacArthur stepping IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES greatly missed by all who he encountered. off the landing craft to make his triumphant re- f Wednesday, January 29, 2020 turn to the Philippines. Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Following his service in the Army, John TRIBUTE TO THE SPITZER SPACE Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Jean Robert became a fixture in the Barren County TELESCOPE G. Champommier on his retirement from a dis- community. He married his wife Christine in tinguished career in community organizing and 1945, and they were married for 67 years until HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF social work. He has dedicated his life to cre- her death in 2013. John Robert was a farmer OF CALIFORNIA ating programs that improve the lives of those with hogs, corn, and tobacco, and he also IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES in underserved communities throughout Los worked as a crop insurance adjuster. John Robert served as a Magistrate on the Barren Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Angeles County. Dr. Champommier began his career in so- County Fiscal Court for three years, and he Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today cial work during the 1960s when he took on a has served as an Election Commissioner to honor a National Aeronautics and Space field-work placement at the Kennedy Child since 1993. In 2016, John Robert was award- Administration (NASA) mission managed by Study Center in Santa Monica. Through this ed the Patriot Award by Barren County Vet- the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the position, he worked with children with develop- eran’s Association, and he was inducted into Spitzer Space Telescope. After 16 years of mental disabilities and their families, solidifying the Alumni Hall of Honor for Barren County discovering hidden truths of our Universe, his passion for helping his neighbors and his Schools. Spitzer will be retired on January 30, 2020. community. I thank John Robert for his service to our Designed to study the cold, old and dusty, Since 1983, Dr. Champommier has served country and to our community. Spitzer was launched in August of 2003 and as the Executive Director, and later President/ f used its sensitive sensors to study infrared CEO, of Alma Family Services. This agency light emitted by celestial bodies and cosmic provides communities throughout Los Angeles RECOGNIZING LEXI RODRIGUEZ objects from our own solar system to the fur- County with multilingual and multicultural serv- FOR BEING NAMED THE 2019–2020 thest reaches of the Universe. Spitzer returned ices, including helping families and individuals GATORADE ILLINOIS VOLLEY- data on space phenomena from asteroids to cope with substance abuse, emotional difficul- BALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR the most distant galaxies ever detected whose ties, and developmental challenges. Through light was emitted 13.4 billion years ago when his role at Alma, he expanded the agency’s HON. CHERI BUSTOS the universe was less than 5 percent of its first contract with the Los Angeles County De- OF ILLINOIS current age. It discovered the largest ring partment of Mental Health and oversaw IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES around Saturn made of dust particles, identi- Alma’s growth as a provider of community-in- Wednesday, January 29, 2020 fied the first Buckyballs in space, found distant tegrated social programs. During his tenure, Mrs. BUSTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today blackholes and mapped out our Milky Way Alma has added social rehabilitation programs to recognize Lexi Rodriguez, a junior from with unprecedented clarity. Spitzer gave us a for child abuse, gang prevention and reduction Sterling High School, who was named the view beyond the gas and dust clouds to study programs, and has grown to 16 sites through- 2019–2020 Gatorade Illinois Volleyball Player the youngest stars and the ingredients to cre- out Los Angeles County. In 2015, Dr. of the Year. ate planets, comets and other components of Champommier was appointed by County Su- Lexi led the Golden Warriors to a 36–6 our solar system. pervisor Hilda Solis to Los Angeles’ Public record and a second win at Class 3A State As with many NASA missions, the telescope Health Commission. Eventually serving as Championships this year. Showing her dedica- operated much longer than expected and has chair of the Commission, he supervised the tion to sports, she also took part of this sea- a long list of accomplishments beyond the Public Health Department’s programs and son to help Team USA win a gold medal at mission’s original science goals. Undoubtedly, made recommendations to the Board of Su- the FIVB Girls U18 World Championships in one of Spitzer’s greatest discoveries was pervisors to ensure that community input was Egypt. In addition, she is a three-year class seven Earth-size planets in around the star heard in matters of public health. president and a youth volleyball coach. As a TRAPPIST–1. Spitzer enabled scientists to Dr. Champommier’s impact stretches out- former athlete, I commend her for her deter- study exoplanets and identify atmospheric side his field work and into the classroom. He mination and attitude. Lexi is an example of molecules, temperature variations, and wind has taught courses in child welfare and com- the importance of dedication and a strong speed. munity organization at UC Santa Barbara, Cal work ethic. I am proud to see her represent As Spitzer is safely retired in deep space State Northridge, and Cal State L.A., and has Sterling so well throughout the state and the orbit far from Earth, the legacy of the mission also been an instructor in social work for USC country with her talent and passion. will be continued by the James Webb Space and UCLA. Additionally, he has coordinated It is because of student leaders such as Telescope, which will also conduct infrared as- conferences on youth empowerment and farm Lexi that I am especially proud to serve Illi- tronomy based on Spitzer’s pioneering and labor for UC Santa Barbara Extension. nois’ 17th Congressional District. Madam VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:00 Jan 30, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K29JA8.001 E29JAPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS January 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E99 Speaker, I would like to again formally con- Born in Georgetown, South Carolina, Mr. to help inform the public of the Administra- gratulate Lexi Rodriguez on being named the Johnson’s service to our country started in tion’s systematic disregard of Congress’ con- 2019–2020 Gatorade Illinois Volleyball Player 1969 when he joined the U.S. Air Force. He stitutional authority, separation of powers prin- of the Year. served in the prestigious Air Force Honor ciples, and the Impoundment Control Act. f Guard and, later, in the Air Force Legislative GAO DECISION Liaison Office at the Pentagon, rising to the Matter of: Office of Management and Budg- NEVER AGAIN EDUCATION ACT rank of Senior Master Sergeant.