[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 267 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 267

 Declaring a national commitment to the exploration, development, and 
                             use of space.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 29, 1998

 Mr. Weldon of Florida (for himself, Mr. McKeon, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Gordon, 
  Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Lampson, Mr. Davis of Virginia, and Mr. Aderholt) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on National 
Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
   each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Declaring a national commitment to the exploration, development, and 
                             use of space.

Whereas the exploration, development, and use of space is fundamental to the 
        human need to imagine, invent, discover, explore, learn, grow, and 
        thereby improve the human condition;
Whereas the United States investment in space has profoundly shaped our Nation 
        through the latter half of the 20th century; has produced knowledge and 
        technologies that save lives and enhance our well-being; has created 
        economic opportunities that have helped our Nation to flourish and 
        prosper; and has generated a new understanding of our responsibility as 
        stewards of the home planet and our place in the universe; and
Whereas an aggressive national commitment by government, industry, and the 
        public to the continued exploration and use of space will best serve 
        individual citizens and our collective society, and the continued 
        exploration and use of space is a top national priority: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the exploration, development, and use of space is a vital bridge 
to a peaceful and prosperous world. In times of tight budgets and 
difficult policy decisions, visionary leadership is required to sustain 
and improve our quality of life in the next century, and that vision 
must include the exploration and use of space as a central component. 
Therefore, the Congress declares that a national commitment should be 
made to the following priorities in the commercial, civil, and national 
security space efforts:
            (1) Ensuring the existence of affordable and 
        technologically advanced launch capability to support America's 
        space goals.
            (2) Encouraging policies that promote private investment in 
        space products and services.
            (3) Speeding transfer of Government-developed technology to 
        the private sector and enhancing the availability of commercial 
        satellite systems.
            (4) Promoting Government purchase of commercial, off-the-
        shelf space products.
            (5) Increasing funding for the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration and other Government civil space agencies.
            (6) Ensuring a continuous and strengthened human presence 
        in space through the 21st century.
            (7) Continuing to explore our universe to advance 
        scientific discoveries and improve our understanding of the 
        planet Earth.
            (8) Funding space-related defense systems that give our 
        armed forces the greatest possible advantage during times of 
        national crisis or conflict.
            (9) Sustaining a leadership position in space national 
        security by developing new and more effective technologies.
            (10) Improving the cost efficiency and effectiveness of our 
        national defense through investment in space-based 
        communications, intelligence, and early warning capabilities.
                                 <all>