[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2094]]
              PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE IN SPACE EXPLORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, today the House has passed the conference 
report of the bill making appropriations for the Departments of 
Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and Independent 
Agencies. This bill includes vital help for the city of Downey, 
California, as it adjusts to changes in America's space program.
  For nearly seven decades, Downey has been a creative center in our 
efforts to explore space. At one time, some 28,000 workers were 
employed at NASA's manufacturing facilities in Downey, producing the 
Apollo command and service modules that took Neil Armstrong and our 
other astronauts to the moon and back. In more recent times, Downey has 
produced the Space Shuttle, but now all manufacturing work is being 
phased out and the remaining 3,000 workers will leave Downey's plants 
by the end of this year.
  As the city makes the transition to new development and new jobs for 
this area, it also plans to preserve the rich heritage of Downey's role 
in our space program. This bill helps that effort by providing funds 
for a Space Science Museum and Educational Program as a key part of the 
new development.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the subcommittee chairman, 
Representative Jim Walsh, the ranking member, Representative Alan 
Mollohan, Representative Jerry Lewis and all of the other Members and 
staff who have helped make this assistance a realty. When a community 
loses 3,000 high-skill jobs, it is a devastating blow. I am confident 
that Downey will recover and that it will, in fact, thrive in the years 
ahead, but it is very appropriate that we assist that recovery in any 
way we can and that we do so in a way that not only preserves a 
heritage that is important to Downey but to all Americans.

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