[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 651 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

  2d Session
S. RES. 651

Honoring the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the 50th 
                   anniversary of its establishment.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 1, 2008

Mr. Nelson of Florida (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Brown, Mr. Cardin, 
 Mr. Cornyn, Mrs. Hutchison, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Martinez, Ms. Mikulski, 
  Mr. Obama, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Vitter, and Mr. Voinovich) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

           September 22 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Honoring the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the 50th 
                   anniversary of its establishment.

    Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was 
            established on July 29, 1958;
    Whereas on May 5, 1961, NASA successfully launched America's first 
            manned spacecraft, Freedom 7, piloted by Alan B. Shepard, 
            Jr.;
    Whereas on February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American 
            astronaut to orbit the earth;
    Whereas in July of 1969 President John Kennedy's vision of landing 
            a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth was 
            realized with the Apollo 11 mission, commanded by Neil A. 
            Armstrong, Lunar Module Pilot Edwin ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., 
            and Command Module Pilot Michael Collins;
    Whereas on April 12, 1981, NASA began a new era of human space 
            flight and exploration with the launch of the first Space 
            Shuttle Columbia, commanded by John W. Young and piloted by 
            Robert L. ``Bob'' Crippen;
    Whereas on June 18, 1983, Dr. Sally Ride became the first American 
            woman in space as a crewmember of Space Shuttle Challenger 
            for STS-7;
    Whereas NASA has greatly expanded our knowledge and understanding 
            of our planet and solar system through various unmanned 
            vehicles utilized on numerous missions;
    Whereas, during the Cold War, NASA's achievements served as a 
            source of national pride and captured the imagination of 
            the world by demonstrating a peaceful use of our 
            technological capabilities;
    Whereas NASA now serves as a model for international cooperation 
            and American leadership through the International Space 
            Station and other scientific endeavors;
    Whereas thanks to NASA and the far-reaching gaze of the Hubble 
            Space Telescope, we have seen further into our universe 
            than ever before;
    Whereas NASA space probes have landed on or flown by eight of the 
            planets in our solar system;
    Whereas the aeronautics research by NASA has led to great 
            discoveries and advances in aircraft design and aviation;
    Whereas the work done by NASA has expanded the scope of human 
            knowledge, created new technologies, and inspired young men 
            and women to enter scientific and engineering careers;
    Whereas in the last fifty years, NASA has positively impacted 
            almost every facet of our lives; and
    Whereas, thanks to the heroism, courage, and supreme sacrifice of 
            our astronaut corps over the last five decades, we are now 
            able to live and work in space for the benefit of all 
            humankind: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, by the Senate That the Senate--
            (1) honors the men and women of the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration on the occasion of its 50th 
        Anniversary;
            (2) acknowledges the value of NASA's discoveries and 
        accomplishments; and
            (3) pledges to maintain America's position as the world 
        leader in earth and space science, aeronautics and space 
        exploration and technology.
                                 <all>