[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S12633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petitions and memorials were laid before the Senate and 
were referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-366. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to space-related commerce; 
     to the Committee on Finance.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 33

       Whereas, As we approach the next millennium an 
     unprecedented surge in space technology and commercial 
     enterprise is creating a new space services era; and
       Whereas, Over 40 countries are vigorously competing to 
     participate in this rapidly expanding industry; and
       Whereas, At a time of increasing foreign launch 
     competition, the United States Air Force has stated that it 
     intends to encourage private development and become a 
     customer of launch facilities in lieu of its current role as 
     developer, operator, and maintainer of United States space 
     launch complexes; and
       Whereas, The recently completed Cox Commission report 
     concludes that it is in the national security interest of the 
     United States to expand our domestic launch capability; and
       Whereas, It is in the best interest of California's economy 
     to encourage the development of a robust commercial launch 
     industry so that the state can continue its role as an 
     international space ``center of excellence'' in the rapidly 
     growing commercial space market; and
       Whereas, California's educational institutions, aerospace 
     industries, and highly skilled work force have historically 
     played a dominant role in space education, research, 
     technology, manufacturing, services, and transportation, now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of 
     California respectfully memorializes the President and the 
     Congress of the United States to recognize the driving force 
     of space-related commerce in our economy and support Sen. No. 
     1239 and H.R. No. 2289, federal legislation to classify 
     spaceports as exempt facilities and enable state and local 
     entities to sell bonds for private or public development of 
     spaceport infrastructure; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate of the 
     United States, and to each Senator and Representative from 
     California in the Congress of the United States.

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