[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 76 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 76


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 18, 2007

         Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year 
(IGY) and its past contributions to space research, and looking forward 
                       to future accomplishments.

Whereas the year 2007-2008 is the 50th anniversary of the International 
        Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-1958;
Whereas the IGY initiated the Space Age with the successful launch of the first 
        artificial satellites, Sputnik by the former Soviet Union, and Explorer 
        I by the United States;
Whereas the interdisciplinary approach of IGY and the use of new space-based 
        platforms enabled fundamental changes in the conduct of research 
        concerning the Earth and its surrounding space environment;
Whereas the interdisciplinary approach of IGY enabled coordinated, synchronous, 
        global observations and measurements of the Earth, oceans, atmosphere, 
        ice, and near-Earth space environment;
Whereas the IGY increased our understanding of the causes of magnetic storms, 
        ionospheric disturbances, and the origins of cosmic rays;
Whereas the use of new space-based platforms enabled the discovery of the Van 
        Allen radiation belts, which are trapped, charged particles in the 
        Earth's upper atmosphere, showed that those particles form belts of 
        energy around the Earth, and contributed to the understanding of the 
        Northern Lights;
Whereas the IGY, involved thousands of scientists from 67 nations;
Whereas the IGY, which occurred during the height of Cold War tensions, 
        facilitated international cooperation in science and helped lead to the 
        Antarctic Treaty, which established the use of Antarctica for peaceful 
        purposes and promoted continued, cooperative scientific investigations 
        on the continent;
Whereas the IGY led to the creation of institutional structures that continue to 
        promote and enable the international exchange of scientific research 
        related to the Earth and space, including the International Council on 
        Science's Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), Scientific Committee on 
        Antarctic Research (SCAR), and Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research 
        (SCOR); and
Whereas this 50th anniversary celebration offers as an opportunity to inspire 
        our public and youth to build on the legacy of success of the IGY, 
        recognizing that a coordinated, international approach to 
        interdisciplinary scientific challenges such as climate change, high 
        energy physics, and space exploration contributes to the advancement of 
        knowledge and sustains the cooperative spirit and goodwill among nations 
        set forth in the IGY: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That the Congress--
            (1) honors the 50th anniversary of the International 
        Geophysical Year (IGY) and its contributions to the scientific 
        investigations of the Earth and outer space; and
            (2) encourages the public, and especially American youth, 
        to attend IGY celebrations and seminars, such as those being 
        planned at locations around the United States by the National 
        Academy of Sciences and other organizations, and participate in

        discussions about the future of space science and Earth 
        science.

            Passed the House of Representatives April 17, 2007.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.