[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 24, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H1413-H1414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL YEAR (IGY)
AND SUPPORTING AN INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL YEAR-2 (IGY-2) IN 2007-08
Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 189) celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and supporting
an International Geophysical Year-2 (IGY-2) in 2007-08, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 189
Whereas the year 2007 is the 50th anniversary of the IGY of
1957-58;
Whereas the IGY, conceived in and promoted by the United
States, was the largest cooperative international scientific
endeavor undertaken to that date, involving more than 60,000
scientists from 66 nations;
Whereas the IGY legacy includes the dedication of an entire
continent to cooperative scientific study through the
Antarctica Treaty and the inauguration of the global space
age through the launching of Sputnik and Vanguard;
Whereas IGY cooperation continues as the model and
inspiration for contemporary world science and also, in this
strife-torn era, for the human species as a whole;
Whereas the IGY was conceived as a follow-on to the
International Polar Year of 1932 that would reflect new and
more globally comprehensive research and measurement
techniques in geophysics; and whereas in like-minded spirit
it would be appropriate for an IGY-2 to reflect global
developments in biology, genetics, the neurosciences, and
other areas of scientific research;
Whereas it also would be appropriate for an IGY-2 to
recognize interdisciplinary research that incorporates the
physical and social sciences and the humanities in enriching
understanding of diverse life on Earth;
Whereas the 35th anniversary of the IGY was commemorated by
the International Space Year, a globally implemented
congressional initiative conceived by the late Senator Spark
Matsunaga of Hawaii, that was highlighted by globally
coordinated environmental monitoring and research whose
ongoing legacy continues to benefit humanity; and
Whereas it is entirely fitting that Congress takes the lead
again, in the same spirit, in promoting global cooperation
through worldwide commemoration of the IGY with activities
reflecting the unity and diversity of life on Earth: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),
That it is the sense of Congress that the President should--
(1) endorse the concept of a worldwide IGY-2 for the 2007-
2008 timeframe;
(2) direct the Director of the National Science Foundation
and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, in association with the National Academy of
Sciences and other relevant governmental and nongovernmental
organizations, to initiate interagency and international
inquiries and discussions that explore the opportunities for
a worldwide IGY-2 in the 2007-2008 timeframe, emphasizing
activities dedicated to global environmental research,
education, and protection; and
(3) submit to Congress at the earliest practical date, but
no later than 6 months after the date of adoption of this
resolution, a report detailing the steps taken in carrying
out paragraphs (1) and (2), including descriptions of
possible activities and organizational structures for an IGY-
2 in 2007-2008.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Alabama (Mr. Bonner) and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bonner).
General Leave
Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 189, the resolution
under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Alabama?
There was no objection.
Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today we are considering H. Con. Res. 189 which
recognizes the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year
(IGY). I thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) as well as the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) for leading Congress in the
celebration of this important anniversary and milestone.
The IGY, spanning 1957 through 1958, was an internationally
coordinated effort to observe and collect data about Earth science.
More than 60,000 scientists from 67 countries participated in IGY.
Their efforts had a far-reaching effect on a variety of scientific
disciplines. IGY scientists paid particular attention to Antarctica,
representing the first and only time an entire continent was set aside
for cooperative research. That designation continues to this day and
was formalized with the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, which currently has
45 signatory countries.
Also, research to develop rockets and satellites for IGY, atmospheric
studies laid the technical foundations for the U.S. space program.
Modern-day weather and natural-disaster forecasting, including El Nino
forecasting and volcanic eruption predictions, are a direct result of
IGY research.
Yet many questions remain about the complex interactions of the
ocean, land and atmosphere; and today there are more advanced tools
scientists can use as they search for answers to these questions. H.
Con. Res. 189 calls on the National Science Foundation and the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration to pursue plans for a second
International Geophysical Year in 2007 and 2008. This will provide an
opportunity for today's Earth scientists to focus their efforts and to
inspire the next generation of scientists.
This resolution does not authorize any new money. It simply expresses
the sense of Congress about celebrating the anniversary of the first
IGY and endorsing the idea of a second IGY. I urge my colleagues to
support this timely and important resolution and thank my colleagues on
the Committee on Science for bringing this matter before us today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, as its author, I obviously support passage of this
concurrent resolution. I am pleased to be here today with the gentleman
from Alabama (Mr. Bonner) to discuss what the gentleman has just
acknowledged is an important resolution. I also want to extend my
thanks to the gentleman from New York (Chairman Boehlert) and the
ranking member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), for making
it possible for the House to consider H. Con. Res. 189 today. I am also
grateful to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), the chairman of
the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards, for his
support of the resolution.
Last year, I introduced this resolution calling for a worldwide
program of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary for the most
successful global scientific endeavor in human history, the
International Geophysical Year of 1957 and 1958. It is hard to imagine
not commemorating the historic global undertaking that was the historic
International Geophysical Year, popularly remembered as the IGY.
The 60 nations and 60,000 scientists who participated in the IGY left
an ongoing legacy that is beyond measure. Satellite communications,
modern weather forecasting, modern natural-disaster prediction and
management,
[[Page H1414]]
from volcanic eruptions to El Nino, they are legacies of IGY scientific
activities that spanned the globe and breached the space frontier.
In a broader context, the IGY marked the coming of age of
international science. Globally coordinated activities which save
millions of lives today, such as the campaigns to contain and find
cures for SARS and AIDS, owe their working model to the scientists from
throughout the world who banded together to implement the IGY.
My resolution calls for an IGY-2 that would be even more extensive in
its global reach and more comprehensive in its research and
applications. After all, the frontiers of science are continually
expanding. The biological sciences, genetics, computer sciences, and
the neurosciences, among others, have made tremendous advances
worldwide during the half century since the IGY.
IGY-2 would not only promote research, but it would also provide a
stage for showcasing the new scientific developments and a forum for
presentation and discussion of their continually unfolding
significance. It is entirely fitting that the United States take the
lead in launching an IGY-2 and that Congress, and particularly the
House, provide the impetus.
In 1985, to mark the 35th anniversary of the IGY, Congress passed a
resolution authored by Senator Spark Matsunaga calling for a year of
globally coordinated space activity. At President Reagan's direction,
the U.S. led a worldwide planning effort that culminated in the
implementation of an International Space Year in 1992, which made major
scientific contributions, notably in the field of global environmental
monitoring.
So we have both scientific and congressional precedent for the U.S.
to take the lead internationally in calling for an IGY-2. I join my
colleagues along with the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bonner) to join
me in promoting this initiative in support of modern science and
international scientific cooperation. I urge adoption of this
resolution.
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 189.
The first International Geophysical was held from July 1957 to
December 1958. It was modeled after the successful International Polar
Year of 1882 and its 50th anniversary in 1932. The International
Geophysical Year allowed over 60,000 scientists from 67 countries
around the world to take part in a series of coordinated observations
of various geophysical phenomena.
I remember it well because I was reading about the IGY that sparked
my interest in science and set me toward a career in physics that I
pursued before coming to Congress.
The scientific activities spanned the globe from the North to the
South Poles. In particular, the research in the Antarctic yielded new
estimates of the Earth's total ice content--a number of extreme
importance given today's melting of major glaciers due to global
warming. In addition, instruments to record cosmic rays, spectroscopes
to analyze the signals, and balloons were put to use to explore the
upper reaches of the atmosphere. Finally, post-World War II
developments in rocketry made possible the exploration of space
employing what was then the exciting new technology of artificial
scientific satellites with the launching of Sputnik and Vanguard.
Because 2007 will be the 50th anniversary of this most exciting
worldwide scientific undertaking, I wholeheartedly support H. Con. Res
189 for celebrating 2007 as the International Geophysical Year--2 and
recommend that Congress, as in 1957, promote world-wide cooperation in
the commemoration of the International Geophysical Year--2 with
scientific activities so that we humans can better understand our
environment and our place in the universe.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased that we are considering
this resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the International
Geophysical Year (IGY), and I thank my colleague from Colorado, Mr.
Udall, for his work in recognizing this important anniversary. I
distinctly remember the first IGY. I was a graduate student in physics
at that time. There was much excitement around this coordinated
research effort, which led to discoveries with far-reaching impacts on
every field of earth sciences. For example, research on making rockets
and satellites to better understand weather was a factor in building
the technological foundation for the U.S. space program.
As often happens with scientific research, the more we learn, the
more questions we develop. Much of the first IGY research focused on
Antarctica, setting aside an entire continent for cooperative
scientific research. In 1959, the Antarctic Treaty formalized this
arrangement by designating Antarctica for scientific investigation ``as
applied during the International Geophysical Year.'' I am pleased that
this resolution continues that spirit of scientific discovery by
directing the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration to pursue plans for a second International
Geophysical Year in 2007-08. A second IGY will inspire the next
generation of earth scientists to work collaboratively and across
international borders to study the most pressing Earth science
questions.
I urge my colleagues to support this timely and important resolution.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Mr. Udall for once
again showing leadership on an important environmental issue.
Additionally, I want to thank Chairman Boehlert for moving this
resolution to the floor so quickly.
The resolution properly commemorates the magnificent achievements of
the International Geophysical Year. A new IGY will be good for the
environment. It will also be very healthy for our standing as a nation
to take the leadership role in developing a new IGY for the 21st
century.
The IGY was conceived and promoted by the United States and has been
one of the largest cooperative international scientific endeavors
undertaken. IGY cooperation continues to be a model and inspiration for
contemporary world science.
In a similar spirit, it is appropriate for an IGY-2 to reflect global
developments in biology, genetics, the neurosciences, and other areas
of scientific research and recognize the interdisciplinary research
that incorporates the physical and social sciences and the humanities
in enriching an understanding of diverse life on earth. Therefore, it
is entirely fitting that Congress take the lead again, in the same
spirit, in promoting global cooperation through the worldwide
commemoration of the IGY.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bonner) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 189, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________