[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 78 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H4868-H4869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL SPACEPORT ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California [Mrs. Seastrand] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. SEASTRAND. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow I will formally introduce the 
National Spaceport Act, but today, I would like to take a few minutes 
to discuss why I believe this is a critical and important step forward 
for American space policy as we prepare for the 21st century.
  America has always been a world leader in space development, 
exploration, technology, and most recently commercialization. Our 
Nation has always understand the importance of space and has exercised 
bipartisan cooperation when it came to advancing space issues. This 
bipartisan cooperation has come from every corner of the political 
spectrum because of a universal recognition that space is an area of 
national unity and importance. I recently saw this bipartisan 
cooperation first hand during the deliberations over the California 
Spaceport and its 25-year lease with the Air Force.
  We are now into the next frontier of space and that is the growing 
commercial arena. Commercial space was once an area dominated by the 
United States. However, over the past few years, we have relinquished 
our leadership position and stood by as other nation's have stepped in 
and vigorously embraced the vast
 opportunities presented by this market.

  Today, a European consortium controls over 60 percent of the 
commercial launch market. In addition, many other nations including 
China, Russia, Japan, India, Canada, and Australia are becoming 
stronger and stronger competitors. Most have the benefit of big and 
seemingly unlimited government subsidies. For example, earlier this 
year, the Japanese government announced a 5.1-percent increase in their 
overall space budget. The Russians have also approved a substantial 
increase in 1995 funding while the Indian Government increased their 
funding for 
[[Page H4869]] 1995-96 by 31 percent.There is a strong return on the 
investment. European industry expects to post sales of up to $12 
billion from commercial launches of Ariane rockets by the end of the 
decade.
  Although the United States remains a strong competitor with active 
spaceports and a healthy booster and satellite market, we have not 
charted a course to regain a leading role in what has become a very 
large market. Moreover, this very large market promises to be an even 
larger international enterprise in the 21st century.
  We have to take a step out of the box and employ a new approach with 
regard to commercial space. The first step is educating and making the 
case that space is more than a NASA, science, or an exploration issue. 
Space is a vast area of untapped economic potential for local 
communities, State, and most importantly our Nation.
  We are not looking for government to play the leading role, but 
instead we are looking to the private sector. But if we are to convince 
the private sector that commercial space is a worthwhile and ultimately 
profitable undertaking we have to demonstrate Government's commitment 
to a comprehensive commercial space policy and the development of 
commercial spaceports.
  A spaceport is a transportation center that moves surface 
infrastructure into space. I believe that we ought to look at 
spaceports in the same way that we look at airports and treat them just 
like we would airports. Rather than moving passengers from one place to 
another, spaceports move commerce from one place to another.
  The spaceport philosophy is a commitment to use-friendly 
environments, integrated launch services, and low-cost access to space. 
In addition it is important to recognize that facility development is 
separate from the overall commercial space industry. In the United 
States, the available parts of the market are launch bases, boosters, 
and satellites. The missing piece of the puzzle is a facility for the 
launches and timing is important. It is imperative that spaceport 
development progress quickly in order to maintain the other elements of 
the market.
  In America today, there are only two existing spaceports, but many 
more who want to become active spaceports. I would encourage all States 
who are interested in developing spaceports to get involved. Commercial 
spaceports means jobs--many jobs. Jobs in building the spaceports; 
manufacturing rockets and satellites; research, training, and 
education.
  Commercial spaceports produce positive economic return. In California 
for example, the growth of a spaceport helps in the revitalization of 
the high-tech industries which have been hurt by defense cuts. This 
means more high paying jobs, added business for local service 
providers, new hotels, homes, shopping centers, education centers, and 
research facilities.
  In America we want to do it a little differently than other nations. 
We want to reach a point where government acts as a facilitator not an 
obstacle. We want the government to be primarily a customer rather than 
a provider. We want to give States the flexibility necessary to develop 
commercial spaceports and attract private industry support. We want to 
encourage greater private industry support through tax-exempt bond 
financing. We want spaceport development to progress free of the 
traditional regulatory barriers imposed by Government.
  Mr. Speaker, commercial spaceport development is in the national 
economic interest. It is an issue of transportation and it should be 
pursued as part of a national transportation policy. It means jobs, it 
means economic opportunity, and it requires American leadership.

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