[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE DESIGNERS, SPONSORS, AND PILOT OF SPACESHIPONE ON 
    BEING THE FIRST PRIVATELY-FINANCED VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE EARTH'S 
                               ATMOSPHERE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 25, 2004

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and commend the 
designers, builders, sponsors, and pilot of SpaceShipOne on the 
occasion of its successful flight out of earth's atmosphere on June 21, 
2004. What is most remarkable about SpaceShipOne, of course, is that it 
is the first privately-financed and privately built vehicle to leave 
the Earth's atmosphere.
  SpaceShipOne was designed and built by Burt Rutan and piloted by test 
pilot Michael W. Melvill. It was launched successfully from Mojave 
California, reaching a height of 100 KM (62 miles) above the Earth's 
surface. Remarkably, SpaceShipOne is entirely privately-financed, 
chiefly by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen.
  According to the designers and financers of SpaceShipOne, the mission 
of this project is to demonstrate the viability of commercial space 
flight and to open the door for private space tourism. The successful 
completion of SpaceShipOne's maiden voyage demonstrates that relatively 
modest amounts of private funding can significantly increase the 
boundaries of commercial space technology. It constitutes a major leap 
toward their goal and demonstrates that private capital and private 
enterprise can be applied to enormous success all on its own. Those 
associated with this project represent the best of our American 
traditions, embodied in our enterprising and pioneering spirit.
  Their success should also be read as a cautionary tale for all of us 
in government. If only the United States had a taxation policy that 
limited government and thereby freed up more private capital, there is 
no telling how many more like Burt Rutan, Paul Allen, and Michael 
Melvill would be able to do great things to the benefit all of mankind. 
This not just in space exploration, but in medical research, 
alternative energy research, and any number of the problems that 
continue to perplex mankind. Private enterprise depends on results and 
success and therefore private capital is always targeted much more 
wisely than is monies confiscated by governments.
  With this successful maiden voyage, SpaceShipOne is now the leading 
contender for the $10 million Ansari X Prize, which is to be awarded to 
the first privately financed threeseat aircraft that reaches an 
altitude of 62 miles and repeats the feat within two weeks. I wish all 
those involved in this remarkable project the best of luck.

                          ____________________