[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 60 (Monday, April 16, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H3391-H3393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL YEAR

  Mr. WILSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 76) honoring the 50th 
Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and its past 
contributions to space research, and looking forward to future 
accomplishments.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 76

       Whereas the year 2007-2008 is the 50th anniversary of the 
     International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-1958;
       Whereas the IGY initiated the Space Age with the successful 
     launch of the first artificial satellites, Sputnik by the 
     former Soviet Union, and Explorer I by the United States;
       Whereas the interdisciplinary approach of IGY and the use 
     of new space-based platforms enabled fundamental changes in 
     the conduct of research concerning the Earth and its 
     surrounding space environment;
       Whereas the interdisciplinary approach of IGY enabled 
     coordinated, synchronous, global observations and 
     measurements of the Earth, oceans, atmosphere, ice, and near-
     Earth space environment;
       Whereas the IGY increased our understanding of the causes 
     of magnetic storms, ionospheric disturbances, and the origins 
     of cosmic rays;
       Whereas the use of new space-based platforms enabled the 
     discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts, which are 
     trapped, charged particles in the Earth's upper atmosphere, 
     showed that those particles form belts of energy around the 
     Earth, and contributed to the understanding of the Northern 
     Lights;
       Whereas the IGY, involved thousands of scientists from 67 
     nations;
       Whereas the IGY, which occurred during the height of Cold 
     War tensions, facilitated international cooperation in 
     science and helped lead to the Antarctic Treaty, which 
     established the use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes and 
     promoted continued, cooperative scientific investigations on 
     the continent;
       Whereas the IGY led to the creation of institutional 
     structures that continue to promote and enable the 
     international exchange of scientific research related to the 
     Earth and space, including the International Council on 
     Science's Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), Scientific 
     Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and Scientific 
     Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR); and
       Whereas this 50th anniversary celebration offers as an 
     opportunity to inspire our public and youth to build on the 
     legacy of success of the IGY, recognizing that a coordinated, 
     international approach to interdisciplinary scientific 
     challenges such as climate change, high energy physics, and 
     space exploration contributes to the advancement of knowledge 
     and sustains the cooperative spirit and goodwill among 
     nations set forth in the IGY: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That the Congress--
       (1) honors the 50th anniversary of the International 
     Geophysical Year (IGY) and its contributions to the 
     scientific investigations of the Earth and outer space; and
       (2) encourages the public, and especially American youth, 
     to attend IGY celebrations and seminars, such as those being 
     planned at locations around the United States by the National 
     Academy of Sciences and other organizations, and participate 
     in discussions about the future of space science and Earth 
     science.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Wilson) and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WILSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous materials on House Concurrent Resolution 76, 
the resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. WILSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 76, 
honoring the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, 
and would like to take this opportunity to recognize Chairman Mark 
Udall for his hard work on this resolution. This resolution marks the 
50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, honors its 
contributions to space research and looks forward to future 
accomplishments.
  Mr. Speaker, the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958 was a 
highly successful international effort in involving 67 nations that 
came together during the Cold War to coordinate global observations and 
measurements of the solid Earth, the oceans, the atmosphere and the 
near-Earth space environment.
  During the IGY, the successful launches of the first artificial 
satellites took place, Sputnik 1 by the former Soviet Union and 
Explorer 1 by the United States, marking the dawn of the Space Age. 
Explorer 1 also enabled one of the most notable achievements of the 
IGY, the discovery of belts of trapped, charged particles in the 
Earth's upper atmosphere by the late Dr. James Van Allen of Iowa.
  This year's commemoration serves not only to remember the great 
scientific work that was done during the IGY, but also, Mr. Speaker, to 
inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, who will be 
critical to our continued progress and economic well-being. In that 
regard, Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 76 encourages the 
public, in particular our young people, to participate in the 
celebrations that are planned for this IGY anniversary year and to 
embrace challenging goals for future research in space science and 
Earth science.
  Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not mention the activity of 
the International Polar Year and its 200 approved IPY research efforts, 
including

[[Page H3392]]

studies of environmental changes in the Arctic and marine life in the 
Arctic Ocean.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 76 and 
honor this 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year. 
Through future research in Earth, science and space science, including 
that of the IPY, we have tremendous opportunities for new knowledge and 
new discoveries, and I hope we can look back 50 years from now on 
equally exciting accomplishments.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 
76, honoring the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical 
Year. In 1882-1883, the first International Polar Year counted 12 
participating countries, with 13 expeditions to the Arctic and two 
expeditions to the Antarctic to study the geophysical attributes of the 
polar regions.
  In order to expand research opportunities beyond the polar regions, 
in 1957 and 1958, organizers changed the name of the third 
International Polar Year to the International Geophysical Year. 
Beginning in March of 2007 and running through March of 2009, the 
fourth International Polar Year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 
International Geophysical Year.
  In the United States, not only NASA, which is highlighted in this 
resolution, but the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Energy are all 
actively participating in the fourth International Polar Year and the 
50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year.
  The International Geophysical Year brought about the launching of the 
first artificial satellites and successful scientific collaborations 
that continue today. The current International Polar Year and 50th 
anniversary celebration of the International Geophysical Year seek to 
encourage and challenge the young men and women in scientific and 
engineering careers to bring about fundamental advancements in many 
areas of science and technology.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent 
Resolution 76.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, the first International Geophysical Year was 
held from July 1957 to December 1958, and this year marks its 50th 
anniversary. The International Geophysical Year 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 the International Geophysical Year well because, as a 
youngster, it was reading about it that sparked my interest in science 
and set me toward the career in physics which I pursued before coming 
to Congress.
  The scientific activities spanned the globe from the North to the 
South Poles. For example, the research in the Antarctic yielded new 
estimates of the Earth's total ice content--a number of importance 
given today's melting of major glaciers due to global warming. In 
addition, radiation detectors to record cosmic rays, spectroscopes to 
analyze the aurorae, and balloons were put to use to explore the upper 
reaches of the atmosphere and the formation of thunderstorms. Finally, 
post-World War II developments in rocketry made possible the 
exploration of space, employing the exciting new technology of 
artificial satellites.
  Today, almost 50 years after Sputnik was launched, it is crucial that 
we reflect on how we responded to scientific challenges in the 
Geophysical Year and how we proceeded to invest in research and 
education in subsequent years. Today, we are falling behind other 
nations in many measurable ways, particularly in math and science 
education. Unlike 50 years ago with the launch of Sputnik, we are 
unlikely to have a sharp wake-up call before we find ourselves unable 
to maintain the leadership role and quality of life to which we are 
accustomed.
  Investment in education and research, as prescribed by, for example, 
the Democratic Innovation Agenda, would be a good idea in any year. It 
is particularly apparent that we should make these investments as we 
reflect today on the path we followed when Sputnik was a recent 
stimulus and the findings of the International Geophysical Year were so 
inspiring.
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 76 
honoring the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, 
IGY, and its past contributions to space research, and looking forward 
to future accomplishments.
  I would like to recognize the 50th anniversary of the International 
Geophysical Year and its past contributions to global observations and 
ocean research that led to the discovery of ocean ridges and creation 
of the Scientific Committees on Ocean Research and Antarctic Research. 
The memory of the success of the International Geophysical Year during 
the height of the Cold War should serve as inspiration in this age of 
global warming. The impacts of global warming will have impacts in all 
nations and addressing it and its repercussions including sea-level 
rise, increased number and strength of storms, and ocean acidification, 
will take a coordinated scientific effort, such as that generated by 
the International Geophysical Year, to monitor these changes, develop 
new technology to address them, and the ability to provide timely 
hurricane warnings.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak in support 
of House Concurrent Resolution 76, honoring the 50th anniversary of the 
International Geophysical Year, IGY.
  This resolution marks the 50th anniversary of the International 
Geophysical Year, IGY, honors its contributions to space research, and 
looks forward to future accomplishments.
  I am pleased that several of my colleagues from the Science and 
Technology Committee have joined me as cosponsors and would like to 
thank Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Calvert, 
Chairman Gordon, and Research and Science Education Subcommittee 
Chairman Baird for their support for this measure.
  I would especially like to thank the Chairman for his leadership in 
getting this bill on the floor today.
  The International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-1958 was an 
international collaboration to coordinate observations and measurements 
of the solid Earth, oceans, the atmosphere, and the near-Earth space 
environment on a global scale. Despite the tensions of the Cold War, 67 
nations and thousands of scientists came together to make the IGY a 
resounding success.
  A particularly significant aspect of the IGY was that it extended 
science into space through the launch of artificial satellites--
signifying the dawn of the Space Age. Explorer I, the first successful 
U.S. satellite launch, made possible an important scientific result of 
the IGY--the discovery of belts of trapped, charged particles in the 
Earth's upper atmosphere, which are now known as the VanAllen radiation 
belts.
  Equally importantly, the IGY has been a shining example of the 
benefits of international cooperation in scientific endeavors. The 
coordination of global interdisciplinary observations by researchers 
from multiple nations during a time of geopolitical tensions continues 
to be an inspiration and a model for those who recognize the 
significant contributions that can be achieved when nations come 
together in the peaceful pursuit of scientific knowledge.
  Indeed, scientists around the world continue to build on the 
impressive research legacy left to them by their IGY predecessors 50 
years ago. As a current example, I support the International Polar Year 
(IPY) and the IPY research efforts that are planned to take place over 
the next 2 years, efforts that will encompass a wide range of research 
topics--for example, on studies of environmental change in the Arctic 
and marine life in the Arctic Ocean.
  I introduced an IGY resolution in the 108th Congress, which passed 
the House, to mark the then-upcoming IGY and to encourage the 
celebration of its 50th anniversary throughout the country and across 
the globe. This year's IGY concurrent resolution both honors the great 
scientific work that was done during the IGY, as well as works to 
inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. We will be 
looking to those young men and women to continue to advance our 
knowledge, strengthen our nation's economy, and improve our quality of 
life. That is why H. Con. Res. 76 encourages the public, and in 
particular our young people, to participate in celebrations planned for 
the IGY anniversary year and to seek to build on the scientific legacy 
of the IGY by striving to achieve challenging new goals in space 
science and Earth science.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 76 and honor the 50th 
anniversary of the International Geophysical Year. The IGY set a high 
standard of achievement. I am confident that by means of future 
research in Earth science and space science, including that of the IPY, 
we can achieve equally meaningful advances over the next 50 years.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wilson)

[[Page H3393]]

that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent 
resolution, H. Con. Res. 76.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. WILSON of Ohio. 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 question will 
be postponed.

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