HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOSHUA BAER

On 2026-07-15, Representative John R. Carter (R-TX-31) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOSHUA BAER" in the House.

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOSHUA BAER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 115 (Wednesday, July 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E695-E696] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOSHUA BAER ______ HON. JOHN R. CARTER of texas in the house of representatives Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Joshua Baer, a visionary entrepreneur, mentor, and community leader whose contributions transformed Central Texas into a global center for innovation. His passing is a tremendous loss for his family, the technology community, and our Nation. Born in Nashua, New Hampshire, Joshua earned degrees in Computer Science and Information and Decision Systems from Carnegie Mellon University, where he first demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit that would define his career by co-authoring the technical standard that allows millions of people to unsubscribe from email lists with a single click. After moving to Austin in 1996, Joshua became a driving force behind the city's emergence as a global technology hub. In 2009, he founded Capital Factory, which grew into Texas' leading startup accelerator and the state's most active venture investor, supporting more than 1,000 companies, later opening a second site in Washington, D.C.--Station DC. He recognized the vital connection between innovation and national security, playing an instrumental role in bringing Army Futures Command to Austin and strengthening the partnership between the military and the technology community. I had the privilege of knowing Joshua and witnessing firsthand his passion for advancing innovation in Texas. On his many trips to Washington, he often visited my Capitol Hill office, where he proudly delivered one of Capital Factory's iconic robots for my collection, showcasing the remarkable technology companies that call Texas home. I am grateful to have called Joshua a friend and to have borne witness to his genius. He tirelessly championed priorities I shared, above all, the advancement of technology for our Nation's defense. Those advancements safeguard us [[Page E696]] today, and his children and my grandchildren will reap their benefits for generations to come. I will always remember his enthusiasm, his generosity, and his unwavering commitment to strengthening both our innovation economy and our national security. Joshua is survived by his wife, Amy, and their children, Mikaela, Noah, and Sascha. Joshua Baer's legacy will live on through the entrepreneurs he inspired, the companies he helped build, and the innovation ecosystem he cultivated across Texas. On behalf of a grateful Central Texas, Mrs. Carter and I extend our deepest condolences to his family and to all who were fortunate enough to have known him. ____________________