Eddie Bernice Johnson

Thank you, Subcommittee Chairman Larsen and Ranking Member Graves for holding today's hearing, which will allow our committee to delve into prospective paths to increase minority participation in the aviation industry.

I applaud you and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals for the amazing work you have done over the last four decades to encourage the advancement of minorities in all aviation and aerospace careers.

I want to say congratulations to Chairman Bowman, along with the Full Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ranking Member Frank Lucas, on successfully passing this bill on the floor by a very large bipartisan margin.

Today's hearing is very important, and the step we're taking with it is working toward achieving sustainability goals for our environment.

Leaders across the globe are wrestling with the need to reduce plastic waste, and I appreciate the fact that you, Chairwoman Stevens, and Congressman Gonzalez--this bipartisan leadership on legislation you introduced supporting research…

The bill called on the Federal Government to develop a strategic plan for plastic waste reduction.

I appreciate Chairwoman Stevens' and Congressman Gonzalez's bipartisan leadership on the legislation they introduced supporting research and development activities to help reduce plastic waste.

This past Earth Day I was proud to introduce the Plastic Waste Reduction and Recycling Research Act, alongside my colleague from Ohio, Congressman Anthony Gonzalez.

the US must invest in our space transportation infrastructure.

Commercial spaceflight is a topic with which I am very familiar.

there is broad political receptivity to making investments in these non-federal assets.

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about how they think FAA is doing when it comes to overseeing this expanding aerospace sector.

Thank you, Chairwoman Sherrill, for holding this important hearing on the future of ocean research in the United States.

There are a number of ocean technology industries with footprints, headquarters, in my district, including the geodata company Fugro.

It has been argued that a similar oceanshot is needed to spark the Nation's curiosity about our oceans.

The Great Lakes are central not only to defining who we are as a people--we rely upon them for the essentials of life--but also for our livelihoods.

It is important to realize that the weather we experience is greatly influenced by our oceans.

I'm really pleased and proud that some of the most important legislation that we took up in the last Congress, and again in this Congress, relates to issues relating to ocean science.

It is clear there is a lot of potential for the U.S. to become the global leader in ocean science and technology.

This Committee was instrumental in the passage of two bipartisan ocean acidification bills out of the House last month.

I look forward to today's discussion on what our country's future oceanshot should be, and how this Committee can help the United States live up to our leadership potential in this area.

Last year my legislation, that I authored along with Senator Gary Peters, the Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act, became law.

I have been questioned, certainly, but that obviously is reflected--reflective of the spirit of esprit de corps of this Committee.

We wish you the best, and, quite honestly, we need you to succeed.

I very much look forward to working with you throughout this Congress.