[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 820 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                          October 7 (legislative day, October 6), 2004.
Whereas the Ansari X Prize competition was created to promote the emerging 
        commercial space transportation industry and inspire a new generation of 
        explorers by accelerating the development of low-cost space launch 
        vehicles for space exploration, tourism, science, and commerce;
Whereas the X Prize Foundation, headed by space entrepreneur Dr. Peter 
        Diamandis, offered a $10,000,000 prize to the first contestant to 
        privately finance, develop, and launch a spaceship capable of carrying 3 
        people to 100 kilometers (62.5 miles) above the Earth, returning safely 
        to Earth, and repeating the launch with the same ship within 2 weeks;
Whereas the Ansari X Prize inspired 26 teams from 7 nations to invest their 
        private funds and personal toil in pursuit of the dream of private space 
        flight;
Whereas Mojave Aerospace Ventures, led by aviation pioneer Burt Rutan and 
        software pioneer Paul Allen, designed and developed SpaceShipOne, the 
        winning entry in the Ansari X Prize competition;
Whereas on June 21, 2004, SpaceShipOne, piloted by Mike Melvill, accomplished 
        the first privately funded suborbital flight into space in the skies 
        above Mojave, California;
Whereas on September 29, 2004, SpaceShipOne, once again piloted by Mike Melvill, 
        successfully completed the first of 2 suborbital flights in pursuit of 
        the Ansari X Prize competition, flying to an altitude of 337,600 feet 
        (102.9 km); and
Whereas on October 4, 2004, SpaceShipOne, piloted by Brian Binnie, successfully 
        completed the second of 2 suborbital flights in pursuit of the Ansari X 
        Prize less than one week later, flying to an altitude of 368,000 feet 
        (112.2 km), and thereby winning the Ansari X Prize competition: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates Mojave Aerospace Ventures, led by Burt Rutan and 
        Paul Allen, for winning the privately funded $10,000,000 Ansari X Prize 
        and inspiring the next generation of space explorers to even greater 
        heights;
            (2) commends the pilots of SpaceShipOne for their skill and bravery; 
        and
            (3) commends the founders of, contributors to, and management of the 
        X Prize Foundation for spurring this achievement.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.