[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 123 (Monday, July 30, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H8920-H8925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NASA 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 2750) to require the Secretary of the Treasury 
to mint coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 
establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and 
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows

                               H.R. 2750

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``NASA 50th Anniversary 
     Commemorative Coin Act''.

[[Page H8921]]

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration began 
     operation on October 1, 1958, with about 8,000 employees and 
     an annual budget of $100,000,000.
       (2) Over the next 50 years, the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration has been involved in many defining 
     events which have shaped the course of human history and 
     demonstrated to the world the character of the people of the 
     United States.
       (3) Among the many firsts by the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration are the following:
       (A) On December 6, 1958, the United States launched Pioneer 
     3, the first United States satellite to ascend to an altitude 
     of 63,580 miles.
       (B) On March 3, 1959, the United States sent Pioneer 4 to 
     the Moon, successfully making the first United States lunar 
     flyby.
       (C) On April 1, 1960, the United States launched TIROS 1, 
     the first successful meteorological satellite, observing 
     Earth's weather.
       (D) On May 5, 1961, Freedom 7, carrying Astronaut Alan B. 
     Shepard, Jr., was the first American space flight involving 
     human beings.
       (E) On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first 
     American to circle the Earth, making three orbits in his 
     Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft.
       (F) On December 14, 1962, Mariner 2 became the first 
     spacecraft to commit a successful planetary flyby (Venus).
       (G) On April 6, 1965, the United States launched Intelsat I 
     (also known as Early Bird 1), the first commercial satellite 
     (communications), into geostationary orbit.
       (H) On June 3-7, 1965, the second piloted Gemini mission, 
     Gemini IV, stayed aloft for 4 days and astronaut Edward H. 
     White II performed the first EVA or spacewalk by an American.
       (I) On June 2, 1966, Surveyor 1 became the first American 
     spacecraft to soft-land on the Moon.
       (J) On May 31, 1971, the United States launched Mariner 9, 
     the first mission to orbit another planet (Mars) beginning 
     November 13, 1971.
       (K) On April 12, 1981, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration launched the Space Shuttle Columbia on the 
     first flight of the Space Transportation System (STS-1).
       (L) On June 18, 1983, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration launched Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-7) 
     carrying 3 mission specialists, including Sally K. Ride, the 
     first woman astronaut.
       (M) In another historic mission, 2 months later the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched STS-8 
     carrying the first black American astronaut, Guion S. 
     Bluford.
       (N) On July 23, 1999, the Space Shuttle Columbia's 26th 
     flight was led by Air Force Col. Eileen Collins, the first 
     woman to command a Shuttle mission.
       (4) On April 9, 1959, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration unveiled the Mercury astronaut corps, 7 men 
     with ``the right stuff'': John H. Glenn, Jr., Walter M. 
     Schirra, Jr., Alan B. Shepard, Jr., M. Scott Carpenter, L. 
     Gordon Cooper, Virgil I. ``Gus'' Grissom, and Donald K. 
     ``Deke'' Slayton.
       (5) On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy, reflecting 
     the highest aspirations of the American people, proclaimed: 
     ``I believe this Nation should commit itself to achieving the 
     goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon 
     and returning him safely to Earth. No single space project in 
     this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more 
     important in the long-range exploration of space; and none 
     will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.''
       (6) On September 19, 1961, the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration announced that the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration center dedicated to human space 
     flight would be built in Houston, Texas.
       (7) On February 17, 1973, the Manned Spacecraft Center in 
     Houston was renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
       (8) On December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 took off atop a Saturn V 
     booster from the Kennedy Space Center for a historic mission 
     to orbit the Moon.
       (9) As Apollo 8 traveled outward, the crew focused a 
     portable television camera on Earth and for the first time 
     humanity saw its home from afar, a tiny, lovely, and fragile 
     ``blue marble'' hanging in the blackness of space.
       (10) This transmission and viewing of Earth from a distance 
     was an enormously significant accomplishment and united the 
     Nation at a time when American society was in crisis over 
     Vietnam, race relations, urban problems, and a host of other 
     difficulties.
       (11) On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. 
     Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin made the first lunar landing 
     mission while Michael Collins orbited overhead in the Apollo 
     command module.
       (12) Armstrong set foot on the surface, telling the 
     millions of listeners that it was ``one small step for a man, 
     one giant leap for mankind''; Aldrin soon followed and 
     planted an American flag, but omitted claiming the land for 
     the United States as had routinely been done during European 
     exploration of the Americas.
       (13) The 2 Moon walkers left behind an American flag and a 
     plaque bearing the inscription: ``Here Men From The Planet 
     Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon. Jul. 1969 A.D. We Came in 
     Peace for All Mankind.''.
       (14) On April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was 
     launched into space aboard the STS-31 mission of the Space 
     Shuttle Discovery and since then the Hubble has 
     revolutionized astronomy while expanding our knowledge of the 
     universe and inspiring millions of scientists, students, and 
     members of the public with its unprecedented deep and clear 
     images of space.
       (15) On July 4, 1997, the Mars Pathfinder landed on Mars 
     and on January 29, 1998, an International Space Station 
     agreement among 15 countries met in Washington, DC, to sign 
     agreements to establish the framework for cooperation among 
     the partners on the design, development, operation, and 
     utilization of the Space Station.
       (16) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's 
     stunning achievements over the last 50 years have been won 
     for all mankind at great cost and sacrifice; in the quest to 
     explore the universe, many National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration employees have lost their lives, including the 
     crews of Apollo 1, the Space Shuttle Challenger, and the 
     Space Shuttle Columbia.
       (17) The success of the United States space exploration 
     program in the 20th Century augurs well for its continued 
     leadership in the 21st Century; this leadership is 
     attributable to the remarkable and indispensable partnership 
     between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and 
     its 10 space and research centers as follows:
       (A) From small spacecraft to supercomputers, science 
     missions and payloads to thermal protection systems, 
     information technology to aerospace, the Ames Research Center 
     in California's Silicon Valley provides products, 
     technologies, and services that enable NASA missions and 
     expand human knowledge.
       (B) The Dryden Flight Research Center, the leading center 
     for innovative flight research.
       (C) The Glenn Research Center, which develops power, 
     propulsion, and communication technologies for space flight 
     systems and aeronautics research.
       (D) The Goddard Space Flight Center, which specializes in 
     research to expand knowledge on the Earth and its 
     environment, the solar system, and the universe through 
     observations from space.
       (E) The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the leading center for 
     robotic exploration of the Solar System.
       (F) The Johnson Space Center, which manages the 
     development, testing, production, and delivery of all United 
     States human spacecraft and all human spacecraft-related 
     functions.
       (G) The Kennedy Space Center, the gateway to the Universe 
     and world leader in preparing and launching missions around 
     the Earth and beyond.
       (H) The Langley Research Center, which continues to forge 
     new frontiers in aviation and space research for aerospace, 
     atmospheric sciences, and technology commercialization to 
     improve the way the world lives.
       (I) The Marshall Space Flight Center, a world leader in 
     developing space transportation and propulsion systems, 
     engineers the future to accelerate exploration and scientific 
     discovery.
       (J) The Stennis Space Center, which is responsible for 
     rocket propulsion testing and for partnering with industry to 
     develop and implement remote sensing technology.
       (18) The United States should pay tribute to the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration, and to its successful 
     partnerships with the space and research centers, by minting 
     and issuing a commemorative silver dollar coin.
       (19) The surcharge proceeds from the sale of a 
     commemorative coin would generate valuable funding for the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration Families 
     Assistance Fund for the purposes of providing need-based 
     financial assistance to the families of the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration personnel who die as a 
     result of injuries suffered in the performance of their 
     official duties.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--In commemoration of the 50th 
     anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration, the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue the following coins:
       (1) $50 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $50 gold coins 
     which shall--
       (A) weigh 33.931 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 32.7 millimeters; and
       (C) contain 1 troy ounce of fine gold.
       (2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 300,000 $1 coins of 
     each of the 9 designs specified in section 3(a)(3)(B), which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be 
     legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act 
     shall be considered to be numismatic items.
       (d) Mintage Level Limit.--Notwithstanding the mintage level 
     limit described under section 5112(m)(2)(A)(ii) of title 31,

[[Page H8922]]

     United States Code, the Secretary of the Treasury may mint 
     and issue not more than 300,000 of each of the 9 $1 coins 
     authorized to be minted under this Act.

     SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and 
     unparalleled achievements of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (B) an inscription of the year ``2008''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum'', and such other inscriptions as the Secretary may 
     determine to be appropriate for the designs of the coins.
       (3) Coin images.--
       (A) $50 coins.--
       (i) Obverse.--The obverse of the $50 coins issued under 
     this Act shall bear an image of the sun.
       (ii) Reverse.--The reverse of the $50 coins issued under 
     this Act shall bear a design emblematic of the sacrifice of 
     the United States astronauts who lost their lives in the line 
     of duty over the course of the space program.
       (iii) High relief.--The design and inscriptions on the 
     obverse and reverse of the $50 coins issued under this Act 
     shall be in high relief.
       (B) $1 coins.--
       (i) Obverse.--The obverse of the $1 coins issued under this 
     Act shall bear 9 different designs each of which shall 
     consist of an image of 1 of the 9 planets of the solar 
     system, including Earth.
       (ii) Reverse.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued under 
     this Act shall bear different designs each of which shall be 
     emblematic of the contributions of the research and space 
     centers, subject to the following requirements:

       (I) Earth coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued under 
     this Act which bear an image of the Earth on the obverse 
     shall bear images emblematic of, and honoring, the 
     discoveries and missions of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration, the Mercury, Gemini and Space Shuttle 
     missions and other manned Earth-orbiting missions, and the 
     Apollo missions to the Moon.
       (II) Jupiter coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued 
     under this Act which bear an image of the planet Jupiter on 
     the obverse shall include a scientifically accurate depiction 
     of the Galilean moon Europa and depict both a past and future 
     mission to Europa.
       (III) Saturn coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued 
     under this Act which bear an image of the planet Saturn on 
     the obverse shall include a scientifically accurate depiction 
     of the moon Titan and depict both a past and a future mission 
     to Titan.
       (IV) Pluto (and other dwarf planets) coin.--The reverse of 
     the $1 coins issued under this Act which bear an image of the 
     planet Pluto on the obverse shall include a design that is 
     emblematic of telescopic exploration of deep space by the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the ongoing 
     search for Earth-like planets orbiting other stars.

       (4) Realistic and scientifically accurate depictions.--The 
     images for the designs of coins issued under this Act shall 
     be selected on the basis of the realism and scientific 
     accuracy of the images and on the extent to which the images 
     are reminiscent of the dramatic and beautiful artwork on 
     coins of the so-called ``Golden Age of Coinage'' in the 
     United States, at the beginning of the Twentieth Century, 
     with the participation of such noted sculptors and medallic 
     artists as James Earle Fraser, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Victor 
     David Brenner, Adolph A. Weinman, Charles E. Barber, and 
     George T. Morgan.
       (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coin Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in proof quality only.
       (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular combination of 
     denomination and quality of the coins minted under this Act.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning 
     on January 1, 2008.
       (d) Issuance of Gold Coins.--Each gold coin minted under 
     this Act may be issued only as part of a complete set with 1 
     of each of the 9 $1 coins minted under this Act.

     SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be 
     sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coins;
       (2) the surcharge provided in section 7(a) with respect to 
     such coins; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of 
     such coins.
       (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Presentation.--In addition to the issuance of coins 
     under this Act in such other methods of presentation as the 
     Secretary of the Treasury determines to be appropriate, the 
     Secretary shall provide, as a sale option, a presentation 
     case which displays the $50 gold coin in the center 
     surrounded by the $1 silver coins in elliptical orbits. All 
     such presentation cases shall bear a plaque with appropriate 
     inscriptions that include the names and dates of the 
     spacecraft missions on which United States astronauts lost 
     their lives over the course of the space program and the 
     names of such astronauts.

     SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--All sales of coins minted under this Act 
     shall include a surcharge as follows:
       (1) A surcharge of $50 per coin for the $50 coin.
       (2) A surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 coin.
       (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, 
     United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary 
     from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be 
     promptly distributed as follows:
       (1) The first $4,000,000 available for distribution under 
     this section, to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for the 
     purposes of providing need-based financial assistance to the 
     families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries 
     suffered in the performance of their official duties.
       (2) Of amounts available for distribution after the payment 
     under paragraph (1), \1/2\ of the next $1,000,000 to each of 
     the following:
       (A) The Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational (D.R.E.M.E.) 
     Science Literacy Foundation for the purposes of improving and 
     strengthening the process of teaching and learning science, 
     math, and technology at all educational levels, elementary 
     through college through the promotion of innovative 
     educational programs.
       (B) The Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence for the 
     purposes of supporting the work of the Foundation in building 
     critical thinking skills, experiential teaching methods, 
     science literacy, and integrated approaches to learning and 
     individual responsibility in achieving excellence.
       (3) The remainder of the amounts available for distribution 
     after the payments under paragraphs (1) and (2), to the 
     Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution for the 
     preservation, maintenance, and display of space artifacts at 
     the National Air and Space Museum (including the Steven F. 
     Udvar-Hazy Center).
       (c) Audits.--The NASA Family Assistance Fund, the Dr. 
     Ronald E. McNair Educational Science Literacy Foundation, the 
     Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, and the Secretary 
     of the Smithsonian Institution shall be subject to the audit 
     requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States 
     Code, with regard to the amounts received under subsection 
     (b).
       (d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no 
     surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under 
     this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the 
     time of such issuance, the issuance of such coin would result 
     in the number of commemorative coin programs issued during 
     such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin program 
     issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, 
     United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment 
     of this Act). The Secretary of the Treasury may issue 
     guidance to carry out this subsection.

     SEC. 8. BRONZE DUPLICATES.

       The Secretary may strike and sell bronze duplicates of the 
     $50 gold coins authorized under this Act, at a price the 
     Secretary determines to be appropriate. Such duplicates shall 
     not be considered to be United States coins and shall not be 
     legal tender.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous 
material therein.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Allow me, first of all, to acknowledge the chairperson of the 
Financial Services Committee as I rise in strong support of H.R. 2750, 
the NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act. Chairman Frank has 
been an outstanding leader of his committee and has been very gracious 
in the formulating and finalizing of this legislation. I thank him 
again. I thank his staff and, of course, the staff of the ranking 
member.

[[Page H8923]]

  Let me also thank my colleague from Texas (Mr. Culberson), who joined 
me in introducing this legislation. And, of course, we have worked very 
handily together, if you will. I thank his staff. And together we are 
committed to affirming and celebrating the 50th anniversary of NASA and 
as well the 50th anniversary of the Jet Propulsion Lab.
  Let me just quickly acknowledge the founding of NASA in October, 
1958, and remind my colleagues of all the successes that we have 
accomplished through the belief, as John F. Kennedy said, that we can 
explore space.
  Might I acknowledge and remind my colleagues of February 20, 1962, 
John Glenn's becoming the first American to circle the Earth. On April 
6, 1965, the United States launched Intelsat I. On November 13, 1971, 
Mariner 9 was launched. In 1981, NASA launched the space shuttle 
Columbia. And on June 18-24, 1983, NASA launched the space shuttle 
Challenger.

                              {time}  2000

  Of course, we have faced some sad moments in NASA's history, but 
overall, as we look toward the future and have reflected on July 22, 
1999, Space Shuttle Columbia, and then of course July 20, 1969, Apollo 
11, we know that tragedy has faced NASA, but we also know that we have 
faced tragedy with a certain determination and commitment to space 
exploration.
  This coin bill will, in fact, allow us to commemorate a number of the 
centers and the 50 years of success of NASA and the Jet Propulsion Lab. 
But it also will provide a comfort to those families of Challenger and 
Columbia by providing aid to the families. It will give the coin 
collectors, I hope, a great day of celebration, and it will give those 
who are interested in studying and producing more Americans in math and 
science an opportunity to promote and support programs that will 
encourage young people to go into math and science.
  I believe that this bill is one that all of us can support. It is a 
bipartisan bill
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2750, the NASA 50th 
Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act. I would like to thank my colleague 
Mr. Culberson, who joined me in introducing this legislation, and 
Chairman Franks of the Financial Services Committee, for his excellent 
leadership in shepherding this historic legislation to passage on the 
House floor.
  The year 2008 will mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This important legislation celebrates 
NASA's 50th birthday with a commemorative coin. The legislation also 
honors the extraordinary partnerships between NASA and its 10 space and 
research centers.
  Madam Speaker, NASA has a distinguished history. The United States of 
America won the race to land a man on the moon and, thanks to the 
courage, dedication, and brilliance of NASA, America has continued to 
lead the world in the exploration of the solar system and the universe.
  On October 1, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
began operation. At the time it consisted of only about 8,000 employees 
and an annual budget of $100 million. Over the next 50 years, NASA has 
been involved in many defining events which have shaped the course of 
human history and demonstrated to the world the character of the people 
of the United States.
  Many of us remember how inspired we were when on May 25, 1961, 
President John F. Kennedy proclaimed: ``I believe this Nation should 
commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of 
landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth. No single 
space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or 
more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will 
be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.''
  Always at the forefront of technological innovation, NASA has been 
home to countless ``firsts'' in the field of space exploration, from 
the 1958 launch of Pioneer 3, the first U.S. satellite to ascend to an 
altitude of 63,580 miles, to the January 1998 signing of the 
International Space Station agreement between 15 countries, 
establishing the framework for cooperation among partners on the 
design, development, operation, and utilization of the Space Station. 
Over the past 50 years, NASA's accomplishments have included:
  On 20 Feb. 1962, John Glenn became the first American to circle the 
Earth, making three orbits in his Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft.
  On 6 Apr. 1965, the United States launched Intelsat I, the first 
commercial satellite (communications), into geostationary orbit. On 13 
Nov. 1971, the United States launched Mariner 9, the first I mission to 
orbit another planet (Mars).
  On 12 Apr. 1981, NASA launched the Space Shuttle Columbia on the 
first flight of the Space Transportation System (STS-1).
  On 18-24 Jun. 1983, NASA launched Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-7) 
carrying three mission specialists, including Sally K. Ride, the first 
woman astronaut. In another historic mission, two months later NASA 
launched STS-8 carrying the first black American astronaut, Guion S. 
Bluford.
  On 22 Jul. 1999, the Space Shuttle Columbia's 26th flight was led by 
Air Force Col. Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a Shuttle 
mission.
  On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. 
Aldrin made the first lunar landing mission while Michael Collins 
orbited overhead in the Apollo command module. Armstrong set foot on 
the surface, telling the millions of listeners that it was ``one small 
step for man--one giant leap for mankind.'' Aldrin soon followed him 
out and planted an American flag but omitted claiming the land for the 
U.S. as had routinely been done during European exploration of the 
Americas. The two Moon-walkers left behind an American flag and a 
plaque bearing the inscription: ``Here Men From Planet Earth First Set 
Foot Upon the Moon. Jul. 1969 A.D. We Came in Peace for All Mankind.''
  On April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into space 
aboard the STS-31 mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery. The Hubble 
has revolutionized astronomy while expanding our knowledge of the 
universe and inspiring millions of scientists, students, and members of 
the public with its unprecedented deep and clear images of space.''
  Madam Speaker, in addition to these historic events, NASA has greatly 
contributed to our understanding of our universe. In 1968, Apollo 8 
took off atop a Saturn V booster from the Kennedy Space Center for a 
historic mission to orbit the Moon. As Apollo 8 traveled outward, the 
crew focused a portable television camera on Earth and for the first 
time humanity saw its home from afar, a tiny, lovely, and fragile 
``blue marble'' hanging in the blackness of space.
  This transmission and viewing of Earth from a distance was an 
enormously significant accomplishment and united the Nation at a time 
when American society was in crisis over Vietnam, race relations, urban 
problems, and a host of other difficulties.
  The success of the United States space exploration program in the 
20th Century augurs well for its continued leadership in the 21st 
Century. This success is largely attributable to the remarkable and 
indispensable partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration and its 10 space and research centers. One of these 
important research centers is located in my home city of Houston. The 
Johnson Space Center, which manages the development, testing, 
production, and delivery of all United States human spacecraft and all 
human spacecraft-related functions, is one of the crown jewels of NASA 
and a lodestar Houston area. The other nine research and space centers 
are:
  1. The Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley provides 
products, technologies, and services that enable NASA missions and 
expand human knowledge in areas as diverse as small spacecraft and 
supercomputers, science missions and payloads, thermal protection 
systems and information technology.
  2. The Dryden Flight Research Center, the leading center for 
innovative flight research.
  3. The Glenn Research Center, which develops power, propulsion, and 
communication technologies for space flight systems and aeronautics 
research.
  4. The Goddard Space Flight Center, which specializes in research to 
expand knowledge on the Earth and its environment, the solar system, 
and the universe through observations from space.
  5. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the leading center for robotic 
exploration of the Solar System.
  6. The Kennedy Space Center, the gateway to the Universe and world 
leader in preparing and launching missions around the Earth and beyond.
  7. The Langley Research Center, which continues to forge new 
frontiers in aviation and space research for aerospace, atmospheric 
sciences, and technology commercialization to improve the way the world 
lives.
  8. The Marshall Space Flight Center, a world leader in developing 
space transportation and propulsion systems, engineers the future to 
accelerate exploration and scientific discovery.
  9. The Stennis Space Center, which is responsible for rocket 
propulsion testing and for partnering with industry to develop and 
implement remote sensing technology.
  NASA's stunning achievements over the last 50 years have been won for 
all mankind at great cost and sacrifice. In the quest to explore the 
universe, many NASA employees

[[Page H8924]]

have lost their lives, including the crews of Apollo 6, the Space 
Shuttle Challenger, and the Space Shuttle Columbia.
  The surcharge proceeds from the sale of a coin commemorating the 
contributions of NASA will generate valuable funding for the NASA 
Families Assistance Fund for the purposes of need-based financial 
assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of 
injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties. And 
equally important, proceeds from the sale of commemorative coins will 
also benefit the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational, DREME, Science 
Literacy Foundation, which is dedicated to improving and strengthening 
the process of teaching and learning science, math, and technology at 
all educational levels, elementary through college through the 
promotion of innovative educational programs.
  This legislation also benefits the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for 
Excellence which is dedicated to building critical thinking skills, 
experiential teaching methods, science literacy, and integrated 
approaches to learning and individual responsibility in achieving 
excellence. The remainder of the proceeds after distribution to the 
NASA Families Assistance Fund and the DREME and Jemison Foundations are 
slated to go the Smithsonian Institution for the preservation, 
maintenance, and display of space artifacts at the National Air and 
Space Museum (including the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center).
  Madam Speaker, in the centuries to come, when space travel will be 
commonplace and America will have successfully led the way for humanity 
to colonize and utilize the resources of other planets, these first 50 
years of NASA's existence will be remembered as the most significant 
era of human space exploration. It is, therefore, important that we 
commemorate the great achievements of NASA's first 50 years.
  In closing, Madam Speaker, let me also thank the Staff of the 
Financial Services Committee on this legislation. I also wish to pay 
special tribute to Yohannes Tsehai and Gregory Berry of my staff. 
Without their valuable contributions this significant legislative 
achievement would not have been possible. I strongly urge my colleagues 
to join me in supporting this historic legislation.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume in support of H.R. 2750.
  I want to, first of all, thank the chairman of the committee, 
Chairman Frank, for his insistence in bringing this bill to the floor 
throughout this process. I want to thank my colleague from Houston, 
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee. Thank you so much, Sheila. It's been 
a pleasure working with you on this important bill honoring the 50th 
anniversary of NASA, an organization whose exploration of outer space 
has truly touched the lives and hearts, I think, of every American 
today, can relate to the experience I know so many Americans had on the 
31st of January, 1958, when the very first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1, 
was launched into orbit. In response to the Soviet Union's launching of 
Sputnik, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which had been set up under the 
guidance of the United States Army, put together Explorer 1 and built 
it and launched it. And before the year was out, Congress had created 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on December 3, 1958.
  So next year is a golden anniversary for NASA, and the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration has given the people of the United 
States many, many things to be proud of. NASA has gone on to explore, 
from that first launch of that first satellite, the entire solar system 
and much of the visible universe with the help of the Hubble Space 
Telescope and the Spitzer Space Telescope.
  We now have telescopes in orbit, Madam Speaker, around the Earth that 
have identified up to 160 planets around other solar systems. NASA has 
discovered, with the Mars Rovers, that liquid water not only once 
existed on the surface of Mars, but it appears that there are large 
frozen lakes on Mars today.
  We have landed on the surface of the moon, Titan. We not only landed 
men on the moon with a very successful Apollo program, but we are 
today, under President Bush's vision and the leadership of our new NASA 
administrator, Mike Griffin, rapidly moving towards the day very soon 
when men and women will return to the surface of the moon.
  The accomplishments of NASA, JPL, and all of the research labs under 
NASA are absolutely extraordinary, but this exploration has not come 
without loss. As with all exploration that is new, it has been 
dangerous. On January 27, 1967, America tragically lost three Apollo 
astronauts on the launch pad because of a fire in Apollo I. Changes 
were made to the program, and the spacecraft became much safer and we 
moved on and beyond that terrible tragedy. And then of course we lost 
the Space Shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986, with its entire crew, 
a terrible day that I know many of us remember. And then most recently, 
tragically, on February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia was lost 
during reentry with its entire seven-man crew.
  Therefore, in the design of this coin set, my coauthor and I, 
Congresswoman Jackson-Lee, have proposed that the centerpiece of the 
coin will be a $50 high-relief-proof gold piece that will honor the 
lives of the astronauts who have lost their lives in the exploration of 
space. On that $50 gold piece will be an image of the sun. Then 
arranged around it will be nine silver-proof dollars, each one 
representing a different planet in our solar system and each one 
commemorating missions to that planet as put together by each of the 
different NASA centers. And the silver dollar for the planet Earth will 
of course have on the reverse side a design emblematic of the Apollo 
mission as well as Earth orbital missions.
  This commemorative coin set, Madam Speaker, is just one small piece 
of ongoing work that Congress is doing in support of NASA. And it's 
really difficult to measure the value of what NASA has done for the 
United States and for all mankind in exploring space. Asking what NASA 
has done for the United States and for all of humanity is a little like 
the question facing Americans 200 years ago when Congress authorized 
the Lewis and Clark Expedition. No one knew at the time what Lewis and 
Clark might find. They didn't know what resources might lie out there. 
They did not know what the unchartered blank spots on the western 
American map would yield. And it was impossible, 200 years ago, to 
measure the value of the discoveries, the minerals, the animal species, 
the incredible new horizons that Lewis and Clark would discover; no way 
to measure that.
  And I think equally here today, Americans standing on the brink of 
the 21st century cannot place a value or measure on the discoveries 
that the men and women of NASA, our brave astronaut core and all the 
scientists and engineers who work at NASA, the Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory, Goddard, the Applied Physics Lab, and all the research 
centers around the country that have helped the American space program 
lead the world.
  I am very proud to be a lead coauthor on this bill and helping honor 
the men and women of NASA and the extraordinary discoveries that NASA 
has made, and also to remind Americans of the value we each enjoy with 
miniaturization of computers, medical technology, heart pumps, valves, 
power generators, image processing, cell phone technology, CAT 
scanners, MRI machines. All of the extraordinary technological 
innovations that we touch on a daily basis have come from our work on 
the space program.
  I am proud to be here today with my coauthor, Congresswoman Sheila 
Jackson-Lee, on a bill that is strongly supported in a bipartisan way. 
It was passed unanimously last Congress. I am confident we will enjoy 
that kind of support today for this coin set honoring NASA's 50th 
anniversary.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 
such time as he might consume to the chairman of the Financial Services 
Committee, Mr. Barney Frank. And I thank him so very much for his 
leadership.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I am very happy to see 
this bill here today; one, because it is important that we commemorate 
NASA. And secondly, as a tribute to the persistence of the gentlewoman 
from Houston and the gentleman from Houston, I am particularly glad 
that we are passing this bill because it will mean I will get an extra 
2 hours a week because I've spent about 2 hours a week talking to them 
since January. So for both reasons, I am very happy that this very 
worthy bill is about to pass

[[Page H8925]]

  I submit the following correspondence:

                                   Committee on Ways and Means

                                    Washington, DC, July 30, 2007.
     Hon. Barney Frank,
     Chairman, Financial Services Committee,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Barney: I am writing regarding H.R. 2750, the NASA 
     50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over bills that raise revenue. H.R. 2750 
     contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for the 
     sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the bill, 
     and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Ways and Means.
       However, as part of our ongoing understanding regarding 
     commemorative coin bills and in order to expedite this bill 
     for Floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action. 
     This is being done with the understanding that it does not in 
     any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the 
     appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this bill or similar legislation in the future.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 2750, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the record.
           Sincerely,
                                                Charles B. Rangel,
     Chairman.
                                  ____



                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                    Washington, DC. July 30, 2007.
     Hon. Charles B. Rangel,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Charlie: I am writing in response to your letter 
     regarding H.R. 2750, the ``NASA 50th Anniversary 
     Commemorative Coin Act,'' which was introduced in the House 
     and referred to the Committee on Financial Services on June 
     15, 2007. It is my understanding that this bill be scheduled 
     for floor consideration shortly.
       I wish to confirm our mutual understanding on this bill. As 
     you know, section 7 of the bill establishes a surcharge for 
     the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the 
     bill. I acknowledge your committee's jurisdictional interest 
     in such surcharges as revenue matters. However, I appreciate 
     your willingness to forego committee action on H.R. 2750 in 
     order to allow the bill to come to the floor expeditiously. I 
     agree that your decision to forego further action on this 
     bill will not prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means with 
     respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar 
     legislation. I would support your request for conferees on 
     those provisions within your jurisdiction should this bill be 
     the subject of a House-Senate conference.
       I will include this exchange of letters in the 
     Congressional Record when this bill is considered by the 
     House. Thank you again for your assistance.
                                                     Barney Frank,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. CULBERSON. Madam Speaker, I thank my coauthor, and I urge Members 
of the House to pass this legislation honoring NASA's 50th anniversary.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. As I close, Madam Speaker, let me simply 
put in the Record the different research centers that will be honored: 
The Ames Research Center in California; Silicon Valley; the Dryden 
Flight Research Center; the Glenn Research Center; the Goddard Space 
Flight Center, that is our neighbor here in the Washington, D.C. area 
and represented by our own majority leader, Mr. Hoyer, which I would 
like to pay a special tribute and appreciation to, and to his staff and 
his chief of staff; the Jet Propulsion Lab that is in California; the 
Kennedy Space Center in Florida; the Langley Research Center; the 
Marshall Space Flight Center; the Stennis Space Center; and of course 
the Johnson Space Flight Center in Houston, Texas. All of these will be 
recognized.
  And certainly to the astronauts and certainly to the loved ones of 
those fallen, and yet the future astronauts, who will be trained by 
funding in this bill, I thank them again. Let me thank Mr. Obey of Mr. 
Frank's staff, and my staff, Mr. Tsehai and Mr. Berry.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I would be happy to yield.
  Mr. CULBERSON. If I could yield quickly for a point of legislative 
intent clarification.
  I notice the intent of my cosponsor that these centers, and I agree 
completely, they all need to be recognized and honored, but of course 
the front of the coin is going to represent each one of the nine 
planets. And it is your intent, as I know it is mine, that the reverse 
of the coin reflect and honor the research center that contributed to 
missions to that particular planet is what I'm confident you mean.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. The calling out of the names of the 
centers, if I may reclaim my time, is to indicate that all of them are 
part of the NASA family. And we are honoring NASA for its 50 years, so 
we wanted to make sure all of them were counted in the Record.
  Mr. CULBERSON. But in particular, in relation to those planets that 
they led the effort to explore.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. That is correct.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Thank you very much.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, we are hoping that all of 
the young people will enjoy this coin, and we hope that it will further 
science and exploration. I would ask my colleagues, and thanking my 
cosponsor and the 300-plus Members of this House, in supporting this 
bill.
  I ask my colleagues to support this bill and move us forward in 
science and opportunity for a greater future for this country
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to cosponsor H.R. 2750, which 
directs the United States Treasury to create a commemorative coin 
honoring the 50th Anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA). From the early space flights of the 1960s to 
Neil Armstrong's ``small step for mankind'' to last year's successful 
missions of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Space Shuttle Discovery, 
NASA's has a long and impressive record of accomplishments that should 
be a source of pride to all Americans.
  As a representative of the Gulf Coast of Texas, which is home to many 
of NASA's most significant triumphs, I have had the opportunity to meet 
many NASA employees. I have always been impressed by their 
professionalism and dedication to their mission.
  What philosopher Ayn Rand wrote of the moon landing in 1969 applies 
to all of NASA's missions: ``Think of what was required to achieve that 
mission: think of the unpitying effort; the merciless discipline; the 
courage; the responsibility of relying on one's judgment; the days, 
nights and years of unswerving dedication to a goal; the tension of the 
unbroken maintenance of a full, clear mental focus; and the honesty. It 
took the highest, sustained acts of virtue to create in reality what 
had only been dreamt of for millennia.'' I encourage all of my 
colleagues and all Americans to join me in commending NASA for 50 years 
of accomplishments by supporting H.R. 2750.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2750, as amended.
  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. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam 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.

                          ____________________