[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E949-E950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SPACE DAY: A GLOBAL CELEBRATION AND EXTENSION OF THE R&D TAX CREDIT

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                          HON. DEBBIE STABENOW

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 1998

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate Space Day, which is a 
day for people of all nations and ages to look back with pride on our 
extraordinary achievements in space exploration; and a day to look 
forward with hope and anticipation to the benefits and opportunities 
that lay ahead. It is a day to inspire future generations of 
scientists, engineers, computer programmers and astronauts to fulfill 
the vision of our early space pioneers.
  Space Day is supported by international leaders within the education, 
space, communications, corporate and scientific communities as well as 
a network of enthusiastic Space Day partners. Together they have 
designed a package of interactive and multi-disciplinary activities for 
teachers to use with their students; and they have launched an official 
web site that provides resources for teachers, parents, students and 
other space enthusiasts. I encourage all of my colleagues and our 
constituents to visit www.spaceday.com and to celebrate Space Day by 
registering as an official ``Friend of Space Day.''
  In my district alone, Mr. Speaker, over 2,000 children and their 
parents have expressed their interest in math, science, engineering and 
space exploration by attending events that I have sponsored called 
``Great Space Adventures.'' I applaud their curiosity and their sense 
of adventure; and I am very happy to join with them in celebrating 
Space Day today.

[[Page E950]]

  Mr. Speaker, on this day, I also want to urge my colleagues to enact 
legislation that will extend the research and development tax credit 
because it is set to expire in only a few weeks. The R&D tax credit 
enjoys strong, bipartisan support and it is supported by all of 
America's leading science and technology industries, including 
aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, and telecommunications. The R&D 
tax credit is specifically designed to encourage our companies to 
invest in thousands of high-paying, high skilled jobs that support U.S. 
based research and development. Availability of these jobs has the dual 
benefit of fueling our nation's scientific and technological leadership 
and enticing our youth to pursue careers in math, science, engineering 
and education.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support Space Day by permanently 
extending the R&D tax credit.

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