Recognizing Artemis II Mission Engineers Daniel Baca and Jeremiah Hall

Floor Speech

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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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