[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 1999

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, today is the 30th anniversary of man's first 
steps on the moon. Everyone recognizes the historical importance of the 
Apollo 11 mission. But we must keep July 20, 1969, from fading from our 
thoughts as just another date in the history books. The 30th 
anniversary of the moon landing gives us an opportunity to revisit the 
drama and sense of wonder that accompanied that momentous occasion.
  Although the Soviet Union was first to put a man into space, 
President Kennedy upped the ante dramatically when he challenged our 
nation in 1961 to land a human being on the moon before the end of that 
decade. When our nation fulfilled that goal, it not only demonstrated 
our technological superiority, but also the patriotism and dedication 
of the American people.
  The success of the Apollo program was a testament to the hard work of 
many Southern California aerospace workers. Rockwell's production 
facility in Downey--now owned by Boeing--produced Apollo 11's Command 
and Service Modules. The energy, enthusiasm, and bold innovation of the 
aerospace workers in our area was a key component of our nation's 
fulfillment of President Kennedy's challenge. They brought worldwide 
recognition to Southern California as a leader in aerospace technology, 
a reputation that deservedly continues to grow today.
  Since aerospace technology has progressed so much in the past three 
decades, it is easy to forget how incredible a feat the moon landing 
was in 1969. It is still remarkable. The Saturn V launch vehicle for 
the Apollo 11 mission contained 960,000 gallons of propellant--enough 
fuel for a car to drive around the world more than 400 times. The 
engines of the Saturn V launch vehicle had combined horsepower 
equivalent to 543 jet fighters.
  Recent reports of an alternate speech that President Nixon was 
prepared to deliver in case of a disaster in the moon mission remind us 
how potentially dangerous the mission was. The possibility was very 
real that something could go terribly wrong with the mission, stranding 
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon. For their courageous 
willingness to sacrifice, they deserve our continuing gratitude and 
admiration, as do all of our men and women who have traveled into 
space.
  Our mission of space exploration continues today. The research 
conducted during space shuttle flights and on the International Space 
Station brings a wide range of benefits to our lives on Earth, from 
health care improvements to innovations in industrial processes. And 
unmanned exploration modules, such as the Pathfinder which went to 
Mars, expand our knowledge of our universe to a previously unimagined 
degree. Our space program has achieved things that generations of 
people never contemplated. If we keep a strong commitment to space 
exploration now, future generations can turn the science fiction of 
today into the reality of tomorrow.

                          ____________________