[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 52 (Tuesday, May 2, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3262-S3263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

       By Mr. MOYNIHAN (for himself, Mr. Cochran, and Mr. Frist):

  S. 2498. A bill to authorize the Smithsonian Institution to plan, 
design, construct, and equip laboratory, administrative, and support 
space to house base operations for the Smithsonian Astrophysical 
Observatory Submillimeter Array located on Mauna Kea at Hilo, Hawaii; 
to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  legislation to authorize the smithsonian institution to construct a 
                     base facility in hilo, hawaii

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce today, 
with Senator Cochran and Senator Frist, legislation to authorize the 
construction of a base facility structure in Hilo, Hawaii, to house the 
staff and laboratory operations of the Smithsonian Astrophysical 
Observatory's Submillimeter Array (SMA) atop the summit of the ancient 
volcano Mauna Kea.

  The advanced SMA is an array of eight moveable radio telescope 
antennas. Its combined images can produce high-resolution detail 50 
times sharper than those achieved by any telescopes currently making 
observations at these wavelengths. Ultimately, this telescope array 
will be used to study a host of astronomical objects and phenomena 
emitting images in the submillimeter

[[Page S3263]]

range, the narrow band of radiation between radio and infrared waves, a 
portion of the electromagnetic spectrum largely unexplored from the 
ground. Using the latest technology, the array will be able to probe 
the murky clouds of the Milky Way where stars are born, peer into the 
hearts of exploding galaxies, study cool faint objects of our own Solar 
System, and explore other great questions in astronomy, gaining insight 
into the processes and cataclysmic forces involved in the ultimate 
formation and evolution of stars, planets and galaxies.
  Like the innovative Chandra X-ray Observatory, which is now sending 
back stunning images from space, essentially all of the Submillimeter 
Array's equipment was designed and prototyped at the Smithsonian 
Astrophysical Observatory's facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 
And, just as the Smithsonian collaborates with NASA on the 
groundbreaking Chandra project, it collaborates with the Institute of 
Astronomy and Astrophysics of the Academia Sinica of Taiwan on the 
advanced SMA.
  On September 29, 1999, by tracking and observing 230 gigahertz (230 
billion cycles per second) of radiation from Mars, Venus, Saturn, and 
Jupiter, SMA scientists made their first test observation--thereby 
achieving the submillimeter equivalent of ``first light''--and took a 
critical step in the ultimate success of this project. This is but yet 
another milestone in the history of the Smithsonian Astrophysical 
Observatory (SAO). Founded in 1890 by Secretary Samuel Langley as a 
center for ``the new astronomy,'' where one might study the physical 
nature of astronomical bodies as well as their positions and motions, 
SAO pioneered studies of the relationship between the solar and 
terrestrial phenomena. In the earliest days of the Space Age, SAO 
established and operated a worldwide network of satellite-tracking 
stations, including one on the island of Maui, and developed 
experiments for some of the first orbiting space observatories. Today, 
SAO, the Smithsonian unit with the largest budget, is headquartered--in 
a partnership with Harvard University--in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At 
that facility more than 300 scientists are engaged in a broad program 
of astronomy, astrophysics, and earth and space sciences supported by 
Federal appropriations, Smithsonian trust funds, Harvard University 
funds, and contracts and grants. In addition to the Submillimeter Array 
in Hawaii, SAO maintains a major data-gathering facility at the Whipple 
Observatory near Tucson, Arizona and operates the Oak Ridge Observatory 
in Massachusetts.
  The legislation I am introducing today authorizes the Smithsonian to 
plan, design, construct, and equip approximately 16,000 square feet of 
laboratory, administrative, and support space at the base of Mauna Kea, 
replacing inadequate, temporary leased space. It further authorizes an 
appropriation of $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and $2,500,000 in 
fiscal year 2002. This is a very modest investment to ensure the 
continuation of the scientific achievement and research excellence that 
have been a tradition at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for 
110 years.
  I urge the speedy passage of this legislation and ask unanimous 
consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2498

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FACILITY AUTHORIZED.

       The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution is 
     authorized to plan, design, construct, and equip laboratory, 
     administrative, and support space to house base operations 
     for the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Submillimeter 
     Array located on Mauna Kea at Hilo, Hawaii.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Board of 
     Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to carry out this Act, 
     $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, and $2,500,000 for fiscal 
     year 2002, which shall remain available until 
     expended.

 Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague, 
the Senator from New York (Mr. Moynihan) and fellow Smithsonian 
Institution Board Regent in introducing the legislation authorizing a 
permanent base facility structure at Hilo, Hawaii for the Smithsonian 
Astrophysical Observatory Submillimeter Array.
  The Submillimeter Array is part of the world-class web of major data-
gathering facilities of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. 
Other facilities are located in Arizona and its headquarters in 
Massachusetts. Together these facilities support some of the world's 
most advanced studies and discoveries in astronomy, astrophysics, earth 
and space science.
  This legislation will authorize the planning, design, construction 
and outfitting of the necessary laboratory and other operational space 
for the array of radio telescope antennas installed atop the ancient 
volcano, Mauna Kea. Funding is authorized in the amount of $2,000,000 
for Fiscal Year 2001 and $2,500,000 for Fiscal Year 2002. The new base 
station will replace a current system of rented, overcrowded space 
shared with astrophysical operations of other organizations and 
countries.
  Mr. President, I am proud of the Smithsonian Astrophysical 
Observatory 110-year history and its reputation around the world. Its 
work and discoveries are considered to be some of the most significant 
of the Twentieth Century. From the first orbiting space observatories 
to the newest images of our galaxy, the Smithsonian Astrophysical 
Observatory has worked independently and collaborated with the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration to explore and explain the wonders 
of the universe.
  I hope the Senate will work quickly to pass this legislation so the 
work of the Submillimeter Array can proceed.

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