[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 16, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11612-H11614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAWN OF THE SPACE AGE

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 225) honoring the 50th 
anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age, and the ensuing 50 years of 
productive and peaceful space activities.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 225

       Whereas the dawn of the Space Age took place on October 4, 
     1957 with the launch of Sputnik 1, an event that was followed 
     soon after by the American launch of Explorer 1;
       Whereas the exploration of space evolved from cold war 
     competition into an endeavor that has been marked by 
     significant international cooperation, with results that have 
     benefitted all humanity;
       Whereas a new chapter in space exploration was opened when 
     cosmonauts and astronauts first orbited the Earth in the 
     early 1960s, culminating in the historic first steps taken by 
     astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. on the Moon 
     in 1969;
       Whereas robotic explorers have ranged throughout the solar 
     system, with Voyager and Pioneer spacecraft now on the verge 
     of entering interstellar space;
       Whereas from space, we have been able to increase 
     significantly our understanding of the universe and its 
     origin;
       Whereas observations from space have enabled large scale 
     monitoring of the Earth's weather and climate;
       Whereas satellites have become a part of our daily lives, 
     transforming communications, navigation, and positioning;
       Whereas the competition that accompanied the dawn of the 
     Space Age reinvigorated the Nation's interest in science and 
     technology, leading to an increased investment both in 
     research and in science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics education;
       Whereas these investments contributed to the development of 
     a technologically skilled generation of Americans that has 
     led the world in innovation and accomplishment;
       Whereas the new global competition for preeminence in 
     science and technology and innovation has led to a call for a 
     renewed commitment to research and to science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics education akin to that which 
     followed the dawn of the Space Age; and
       Whereas Congress has responded by renewing our national 
     commitment to science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics education with the recently enacted America 
     COMPETES Act: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) honors the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space 
     Age;
       (2) recognizes the value of investing in America's space 
     program; and
       (3) declares it to be in America's interest to continue to 
     advance knowledge and improve life on Earth through a 
     sustained national commitment to space exploration in all its 
     forms, led by a new generation of well educated scientists, 
     engineers, and explorers.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Lampson) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks, and to 
include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 225, the resolution now 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the space age arrived with a roar of the Soviet launch 
of Sputnik, which propelled our Nation, the leader of the free world, 
into a space race. We recognized we faced a challenge, and we 
responded. We made smart investments in our people and in knowledge 
acquisition to enable us to compete technologically.
  Specifically, we invested in what we now call STEM education, and we 
invested in science and engineering research. Those investments brought 
us preeminence in a new area of endeavor, and they inspired a 
generation of engineers and scientists.
  And just 12 years later, two Americans, Neil Armstrong and Buzz 
Aldrin, stood on the surface of the Moon. The competition with the 
Soviet Union on a world stage is what drove us initially, but it was 
strongly coupled with America's innate yearning to explore and 
discover.
  America was settled by people who already had lives elsewhere, but 
who wanted something more. They wanted to find out what was over the 
horizon. They wanted to determine if there was a better way. We are 
here today, we are the beneficiaries of that restless energy and that 
hard work.
  An array of spacecraft high above works for us. Satellites monitor 
weather and climate, forest fires, pollution, the growth of cities, and 
even the shrinking of ice mass. They augment our infrastructure by 
providing positioning information, and television, radio, telephone and 
e-mail communications. They help our Nation remain secure. And they 
serve our restless need to always know more as they go on missions for 
us throughout the solar system and, soon, even beyond that boundary.
  Every day people benefit: farmers, surveyors, pilots and sailors, and 
even moms using GPS to get the kids to soccer practice. For all of our 
relatively small investment, we get a lot back. That investment is a 
start-up payment that calls forth the strength of American 
entrepreneurship and taps America's restless energy.
  Today we must not sit back, content with these benefits that we owe 
the previous generation. It is not American in nature to do so.
  Congress recognizes that our Nation again faces a challenge. This 
time our adversaries are economic. In the space race we demonstrated 
the winning strategy and we need to maintain that commitment to a 
strong national space program. That includes human exploration beyond 
low Earth orbit, including missions to the Moon and beyond because 
rising to that challenge will bring out the best of us as a people.
  In addition, we must renew America's investment in STEM education, in 
science and engineering research.
  Congress got this under way with the recently enacted America 
COMPETES Act, and Congress will need to provide sustained support if we 
are going to maintain American technical superiority and if we are 
going to again inspire the world with our accomplishments.
  I want to thank Chairman Gordon for his leadership in introducing 
this legislation. I also want to thank Representatives Mark Udall from 
Colorado and Ralph Hall from Texas and Tom Feeney from Florida who have 
joined me as original cosponsors of this legislation. We want to honor 
this historic anniversary by offering this concurrent resolution.
  I would like to close by quoting a few lines and key phrases, namely: 
``Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House

[[Page H11613]]

of Representatives, that the Congress honors the 50th anniversary of 
the dawn of the space age; recognizes the value of investing in 
America's space program; and declares it to be in America's interest to 
continue to advance knowledge and improve life on Earth through a 
sustained national commitment to space exploration in all its forms, 
led by a new generation of well-educated scientists, engineers and 
explorers.''
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 225, and I 
yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 225 honoring the 50th 
anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age and the ensuing 50 years of 
productive and peaceful space activities.
  Fifty years ago, only 12 years after the end of World War II, America 
was enjoying the unprecedented peace and prosperity that characterized 
the 1950s.
  But on October 4, 1957, America was shaken out of its technological 
complacency. The Soviet Union launched a beeping 180-pound aluminum 
satellite into orbit. Sputnik's capability was a wake-up call because 
it represented a threat to America's national security and 
technological preeminence.
  Our early space program was born out of a clash of ideals between 
civilizations and systems of government, but it reinvigorated our 
interest in science and technology leading to increased investment in 
both research and in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
education.
  These investments contributed to a technologically skilled generation 
of Americans that has led the world in innovation and accomplishments.
  Our leadership over the last 50 years has encouraged international 
partnerships that allow us to harness the imaginations and technical 
talents of many nations for the benefit of all mankind. There is less 
direct competition and more cooperation.
  Today, about 60 percent of NASA's science missions and 100 percent of 
its human spaceflight activities are done in partnership with other 
nations. In the growing world economy, developing countries are 
imitating many of the values and traits that have made America 
successful, and we are adopting policies that promote education and 
investment in research and technology.

                              {time}  1900

  They clearly understand the link between an educated workforce, 
technological innovation and economic preeminence. The new global 
competition for preeminence in science and technological innovation 
must be met with a renewed American commitment to research and to 
science, technology, engineering and mathematics education akin to that 
which followed the dawn of the space age 50 years ago.
  Over the next 50 years, it will be more critical, and not less, that 
we remain world leaders. Our ability to shape our destiny and influence 
others will depend upon it.
  Mr. Speaker, as we mark the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the space 
age, Congress recognizes the value of investing in America's space 
program and declares that it is in America's interests to continue to 
advance knowledge and to improve life on Earth through a sustained 
national commitment to space exploration in all of its forms, led by a 
new generation of well-educated scientists, engineers and explorers.
  I thank the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, with that, I have no further speakers, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers and I thank the 
gentleman from Florida. I thank him for his comments, they were 
excellent, and certainly want to commend all of us who worked on this 
particular piece of legislation.
  You know, in a thousand years, people aren't going to remember 
whether it was Sputnik or whether it was the United States or Russia or 
any other country that entered us into this space race that took us 
into a new age. So I'm very proud to be a part of offering this, and I 
thank the gentleman for working with me on it.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. 
Con. Res. 225, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the dawn of 
the Space Age. I would like to thank my colleague Mr. Gordon for his 
excellent leadership in shepherding this important legislation to 
passage on the House floor.
  The year 2008 will mark the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space 
Age and the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA). I support the resolution because it affords the 
Congress an opportunity to pay tribute to the extraordinary partnership 
between NASA and its 10 space and research centers.
  Mr. 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 February, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to circle 
the Earth, making three orbits in his Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft.
  On 6 April, 1965, the United States launched Intelsat I, the first 
commercial satellite (communications), into geostationary orbit.
  On 13 November, 1971, the United States launched Mariner 9, the first 
mission to orbit another planet (Mars).
  On 12 April, 1981, NASA launched the space shuttle Columbia on the 
first flight of the Space Transportation System (STS-l).
  On 18 to 24 June, 1983, NASA launched space shuttle Challenger (STS-
7) carrying three mission specialists, including Sally K. Ride, the 
first woman astronaut. In another historic mission, 2 months later NASA 
launched STS-8 carrying the first black American astronaut, Guion S. 
Bluford.

  On 22 July, 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.
  Mr. 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.

[[Page H11614]]

  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 have lost their lives, including the 
crews of Apollo 6, the space shuttle Challenger, and the space shuttle 
Columbia.
  Mr. 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. I strongly 
urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this historic legislation.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
this bipartisan concurrent resolution.
  Human existence has marched through a great many generations, yet 
only in this last half century have humans taken to space.
  We have been transformed by the space program. We live our lives 
differently, with long-range weather forecasts and GPS positioning and 
international cell phone calls and international banking.
  We think of ourselves differently. Our space exploration has 
uncovered information about the universe that surrounds us. We now can 
conjecture about the first seconds of the life of the universe. We have 
learned much about where we are, and about what is happening around us, 
and about existence itself.
  We think of our own planet differently. The sight of this fragile, 
blue ball, seen from a distance in dark space, stirred us, and provided 
impetus for the fledgling environmental movement. We realized that we 
had to sustain ``Spaceship Earth.''
  As the chairman of the Science and Technology Committee's 
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, I observe the unique role that 
NASA plays in our technology capabilities.
  The aerospace industry is one of America's biggest successes, and one 
of the strongest contributors to our trade balance. It owes much to 
NASA's fundamental aeronautics research.
  Harder to quantify, but just as important, NASA's incredible 
achievements in space inspire young people to choose careers in 
technology fields. NASA recognizes this and has developed fine 
educational initiatives.
  We have many competing societal priorities that must be addressed, 
but it is vital that we invest in the future, too. Throughout human 
history, the winner has been the nation that was more technically 
powerful. Investing in science and technology, with the space program 
and STEM education, is an investment for a richer and wider future.
  If we aren't willing to make the investments to lead technologically, 
we know that others will take that lead. That isn't the future that I 
would like to see. Do we want a world in which our smart people are 
drawn to the work done in other countries, leaving us on the periphery?
  There are widespread reports that China and India are building 
significant R&D capacity by investing in research at universities, and 
are elevating their industrial policies towards higher end work.
  We have been warned. The National Academies' ``Rising Above the 
Gathering Storm'' laid it out. The investments that earlier generations 
made brought us our prosperous and secure lifestyle. Now it is time for 
us to renew these investments.
  I am pleased with the American COMPETES Act that Congress and the 
White House enacted. It boosts STEM education to prepare the next 
generation for the technological challenges of the future and it 
strengthens our country's research and innovation environment to keep 
America competitive in the global economy.
  Today when we look back over the 50 years of the space age, we feel 
proud. And I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution. It tells a 
success story. Now it is our job to write another success story, by 
continuing to invest in the fundamentals of a strong technology sector: 
STEM education, space exploration, and technology research.
  Mr. LAMPSON. 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 Texas (Mr. Lampson) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 225.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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