[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 95 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  TRIBUTE TO THE CREW OF ``APOLLO 11''

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                         HON. RICHARD W. POMBO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 1994

  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, and my constituents in 
the California 11th Congressional District, I am honored to rise before 
you today to pay tribute to the crew of Apollo 11. On this day 25 years 
ago, the Nation sat on the edge of their chairs as they watched Neil 
Armstrong become the first human to step on the Moon. Stepping off the 
lunar lander he uttered one of the most famous quotes in the 20th 
century, ``That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.''
  Though as a nation we will always be proud of the pictures sent back 
to Earth from the lunar surface, we also need to acknowledge the 
accomplishments of the thousands of men and women who participated in 
the Space Program. These individuals provide the talents, skills, and 
vision to make it possible to land a man on the Moon. The landing on 
the Moon is clearly more than just the actions of one single man, it 
represents what America as a nation can accomplish when its citizens 
set a goal.
  We must never forget that 25 years ago, America accomplished before 
any nation an act that to some was perceived impossible. It was that 
impossible act which has guided our Space Program. As I stand here 
today, above me, the crew of the space shuttle is pioneering new 
experiments in space inspired by the two men who walked on the Sea of 
Tranquility on July 20, 1969.
  This week we have seen fragments from the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet 
impact the planet of Jupiter. Even though the pictures from Jupiter 
have provided enormous insight into this unprecedented occurrence, 
there are still thousands of questions that will need to be answered in 
the future. It is because of events like these, that we as a nation 
must continue to try to solve the mysteries of the universe.
  After the lunar landing, Pan American Airlines began taking 
reservations for commercial trips to the Moon. Thousands of people 
signed up to travel to the lunar surface. Commercial space travel is 
still many years away, but until that time, individuals who want to 
travel to the Moon can only imagine that it was them 25 years ago 
making history. Someday in the future we may all be able to take 
``giant leaps'' and ``small steps'' on the surface of the Moon.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud our Nation is taking a moment to honor Neil 
Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and the over 400,000 men and 
women who worked on the Apollo Program.

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