[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2004

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                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
express my concerns with the bill before us, H.R. 5382, the Commercial 
Space Launch Amendments Act.
  This bill establishes a regulatory mechanism for licensing commercial 
suborbital human spaceflight activities.
  The space exploration research program has been one of the most 
successful research programs in the history of this country.
  The rationale for human spaceflight is evolving due to a growing 
commercial motivation. Human spaceflight can profit from an increased 
synergy between the public and private sectors.
  Space tourism can benefit immensely from the development of the 
necessary infrastructure, while public space programs can benefit from 
increased awareness and support for human spaceflight, generated by 
high-profile space tourism flights and a growing perception that space 
travel is closer to being within the grasp of ordinary citizens.
  I supported this legislation when it was brought before the 
committee.
  However, one of my primary concerns is the regulation of safety, 
since space travel is inherently dangerous. Under no circumstances 
should we allow the desire for profits to ever interfere with the 
responsibility of maintaining safety and proper oversight.
  We can and should protect the safety of passengers on space flights.
  Legislation of this magnitude should have the benefit of bipartisan 
input from the appropriate committees with jurisdiction.
  Further negotiations would make this bill more palatable. I ask my 
colleagues to not act hastily in advancing this legislation.

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