[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1052 Engrossed in House (EH)]

<DOC>
H. Res. 1052

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     November 13, 2018.
Whereas the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Australia are 
        treaty allies;
Whereas United States and Australia defense cooperation extends back 100 years, 
        to the Battle of Hamel in World War I;
Whereas the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty, also referred 
        to as the ANZUS Treaty, has formed the framework of the United States-
        Australia alliance since 1951;
Whereas the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultation, also referred to 
        as AUSMIN, has contributed to a deeper partnership between the two 
        nations;
Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) notes that, 
        ``The United States and Australia have been cooperating in civil space 
        for more than 50 years'';
Whereas the United States Apollo missions and subsequent space science and 
        exploration conducted by the United States benefitted greatly from the 
        partnership with our Australian allies;
Whereas Neil Armstrong's first steps on the surface of the Moon were relayed to 
        Houston through the Honeysuckle Creek site in Australia;
Whereas NASA also notes that, ``The Canberra complex is an integral component of 
        NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN), the world's largest and most sensitive 
        scientific telecommunications system'';
Whereas the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) is one of NASA's 
        largest tracking and communication facilities outside the United States;
Whereas, on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Australian Ambassador to the United 
        States Joe Hockey and Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot signed 
        a 25-year agreement for continued cooperation on space cooperation, 
        including on space tracking;
Whereas the United States and Australian governments have jointly committed to 
        expanding Space Situational Awareness (SSA);
Whereas United States-Australia cooperation on SSA is critical to maximize 
        defense capabilities, monitoring environmental changes, avoiding space 
        congestion and collisions, and protecting against exploitation from the 
        growing counter-space capabilities of our adversaries;
Whereas, on September 24, 2017, the Government of Australia under Prime Minister 
        Malcolm Turnbull committed to creating the Australian Space Agency, with 
        operations beginning on July 1, 2018; and
Whereas the Australian Space Agency commenced operations on July 1, 2018: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the Australian Government in constituting the 
        Australian Space Agency;
            (2) recognizes the value in United States-Australia cooperation on 
        space research, exploration, and utilization, including on terrestrial 
        research, commercial activities, and human and robotic space 
        exploration;
            (3) supports international cooperation on space research, 
        exploration, and utilization and other forms of space diplomacy as being 
        in the national interest of the United States;
            (4) encourages the Department of State to support and facilitate 
        international cooperation with Australia on space research, exploration, 
        and utilization through diplomatic efforts, including through the 
        Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) forum and 
        multilateral initiatives with Japan, Canada, the European Union, and 
        other partners of both the United States and Australia; and
            (5) supports deeper cooperation with our Australian allies in 
        contributing each country's unique strengths and resources to mutual 
        prosperity and security.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.