[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S8842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize a 
day that is certainly going to be remembered, as we go into the next 
millennium, as symbolizing this century. Each century has one or two 
things that define it. It is what schoolchildren remember. It is what 
adults remember. Everyone remembers where they were when certain events 
happened, whether it was President Roosevelt saying on the radio that 
the war was over, whether it was the assassination of President John 
Kennedy, or whether it was Neil Armstrong taking one giant leap for 
mankind.
  I believe July 20, 1969, 30 years ago, was clearly one of the 
defining moments of our century, although it would be very difficult to 
choose which moment had the most lasting impact. The day Neil Armstrong 
stepped on the Moon, the spirit of America was rejuvenated. It also was 
the culmination of years of discoveries, of scientific missions, of 
behind-the-scenes scientific experiments that were all a big show on 
July 20. I think it is important for us on a day such as today to 
recognize what all of those scientific experiences did and what we have 
gained from the space program.
  In fact, when we look at the cost of the Apollo project, it cost 
about $25 billion. In 1990 dollars, it would be about $95 billion. It 
was an investment. The good news is, because America was willing to go 
for it, because America said the Moon is there and we can do it, we 
have had a 9-to-1 return on every dollar we have invested.
  What is the 9-to-1 return? It is the newly created products and 
technologies and the new jobs that have come about as a result of those 
technologies that is the return on our investment. What space has given 
to our economy is a 9-to-1 return on our investment.
  There have been 30,000 spinoffs from our space research. Let me tell 
you a few.
  Satellites: Satellites are part of our daily lives. We now get 
instant access on the news anywhere in the world because of satellites. 
We can see press conferences anywhere in the world live because of 
satellites. We see satellites as part of our defense. A defense system 
for an incoming missile is going to result because we have satellite 
technology.
  Computers: The microchip--how has that made a difference in our 
lives? Who can even ask the question about what computers have done. We 
see people with laptops in the airports, on airplanes. It is just 
phenomenal. This started with space research, not on the Senate floor, 
Mr. President.
  High-quality software, high-performance computing, fiber-optic 
networks, water purification systems, Teflon--Teflon has improved the 
quality of life for all of us in this country who have spent even 1 
minute in the kitchen. Digital watches, cordless tools, and, most 
notable, in my opinion, is space explorations' contribution to medical 
science. CAT scans and MRIs are revolutionizing our ability to detect 
tumors early enough so we can save lives.
  Our quality of life has significantly improved since Neil Armstrong 
took the giant leap for mankind. It was to that moment that all of us 
related what America had accomplished. That happened 30 years ago 
today.
  I congratulate Neil Armstrong, the Apollo 11 crew, and all those at 
Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, who contributed to the giant leap 
for mankind and the quality of life that all of us live, because those 
brave astronauts were willing to take the risk and the chance.
  I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.

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