[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 16, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11616-H11619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
    COMMENDING NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER ON ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 222) commending NASA Langley 
Research Center in Virginia on the celebration of its 90th anniversary 
on October 26 and 27, 2007.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 222

       Whereas in 1917, the Nation's first civilian aeronautical 
     research laboratory was established by the National Advisory 
     Committee for Aeronautics in Virginia, and named Langley 
     Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory;
       Whereas such laboratory, now called the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA) Langley Research 
     Center, is one of the Nation's most prolific and most honored 
     aerospace laboratories with a rich history of pioneering 
     aviation breakthroughs, exploring the universe, and 
     conducting ground breaking climate research;
       Whereas NASA Langley Research Center helped give birth to 
     the space age by, among other accomplishments, conceiving and 
     managing Project Mercury, the first United States manned 
     space program, training the original seven astronauts, 
     proving the feasability of the lunar orbiter rendezvous, 
     developing the lunar excursion module concept and research 
     facilities for simulating landing on the Moon, and 
     successfully sending the first Viking landers and orbiters to 
     Mars;
       Whereas NASA Langley Research Center is one of the leading 
     aerospace research laboratories in the world and has 
     consistently been a source of technology that has made 
     aerospace a major factor in commerce and national defense;
       Whereas NASA Langley Research Center aeronautics research 
     has benefitted the United States military tremendously 
     through the application of new technologies to the Nation's 
     military, commercial, and experimental aircraft;
       Whereas NASA Langley Research Center continues to make 
     significant innovative contributions to aviation safety, 
     efficient performance, and revolutionary vehicle designs for 
     flight in all atmospheres, including developing key 
     technologies for the next generation of air transportation 
     systems;
       Whereas NASA Langley Research Center has contributed 
     through its research over the past several decades critical 
     technologies to the United States aviation industry, which is 
     a vital sector of the economy that employs over two million 
     Americans and comprises roughly nine percent of the country's 
     gross national product;
       Whereas NASA Langley Research Center continues to provide 
     critical research and development that advances the Nation's 
     future in space exploration, scientific discovery, systems 
     analysis, and aeronautics research while generating $2.3 
     billion in revenue and 21,000 high-tech jobs for the United 
     States economy;
       Whereas NASA Langley Research Center is known for 
     unparalleled technology transfer to both aerospace and non-
     aerospace businesses, and for its commitment to inspiring the 
     next generation of explorers, both of which have enormous 
     benefit to the public and the national economy; and
       Whereas NASA Langley Research Center celebrates its 90th 
     anniversary on October 26 and 27, 2007, and continues 
     pioneering the next frontier in aeronautics and space: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress congratulates and commends the men 
     and women of NASA Langley Research Center for their 
     accomplishments and role in inspiring the American people.

  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 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.

[[Page H11617]]

  I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 222 which honors the 
90th anniversary of NASA Langley Research Center.
  House Concurrent Resolution 222 was introduced by the late 
Representative Jo Ann Davis. Her four terms in Congress were 
characterized by hard work and dedication, and I am sorry that she 
can't be here today to take part in these proceedings.
  NASA Langley is a special place. Institutions come and go in our 
society. You have got to be impressed with an enterprise that has 
delivered so reliably over the past nine decades. Located not very far 
from here in coastal Virginia, Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory 
was the Nation's first government aeronautics laboratory.
  If I were to list all of Langley's diverse accomplishments, we would 
be here until midnight. Langley research teams earned many Collier 
Trophies over the years, an award bestowed each year for the top 
contribution to American aviation. Their wind tunnel expertise brought 
benefits to American aviation era after era. Their first Collier Trophy 
was one for engine cowling research, which brought immediate large 
benefit to the aviation industry, resulting in greater speed of travel 
and enormous cost savings. Later, Langley built the world's first full-
scale tunnel. The Harrier Vertical Takeoff and Landfighter; the F-16; 
American's supersonic transport, SST; the space shuttle; and the lunar 
landing test vehicle have all been evaluated in this facility, which is 
still in use.
  The science of aviation developed rapidly, with Langley often leading 
the charge. No ivory tower, Langley has been so effective because of 
its continual interactions with the aviation community. Our military 
aircraft, which have turned the tide again and again, did so with 
capabilities developed at Langley. Their aeronautics test and analysis 
capabilities brought American aviation and aerospace to world 
preeminence and maintained that standing.
  This is a great success story. Today, the aeronautics and aviation-
related industries are responsible for 11 million U.S. jobs and are 
America's largest source of exports. Americans rely upon the aviation 
industry's safe and reliable transport of people and products. In our 
country, aviation and aerospace account for 5.4 percent of the Nation's 
gross domestic product. Add in aviation-related industries, and it is 9 
percent. Investments in core technologies such as aeronautics pay off.
  Langley is also responsible for basic aeronautics research in support 
of the Next Generation Air and Traffic Control System, NextGen, which 
we are so anxious to have put into effect. Langley leads initiatives in 
aviation safety and in quiet aircraft technologies.
  The aerospace industry has changed rapidly, with Langley often 
leading the way. Langley staff work closely with Bell Aircraft 
Corporation and the Air Force in the design of the X-1, the first 
aircraft to break the sound barrier. Langley has been an important part 
of each U.S. space program, from Project Mercury through the space 
shuttle and the space station programs. It was a small group from 
Langley that determined the lunar orbit rendezvous strategy for sending 
Apollo to the Moon. Today, as one of NASA's 10 field centers, Langley 
NASA is an important part of the vision for space exploration.
  Langley is helping to develop a replacement for the space shuttle, 
evaluating conceptual designs and wind tunnels at speeds in excess of 
5,000 miles an hour. Langley has partnered with researchers around the 
world to study Earth from space. The clouds in the Earth's radiant 
energy system, or CERES, breaks ground in data accuracy. And NASA 
researchers at Langley are busy studying atmospheres on other planets 
in support of future exploration activities.
  So, Mr. Speaker, with this resolution Congress congratulates and 
commends the men and women of NASA Langley Research Center for their 
accomplishments and role in inspiring American people. I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman, Mr. Lampson, 
from Texas. I yield the first 4 minutes of our time to the gentlelady 
from Virginia, Mrs. Thelma Drake.
  Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 222, commending NASA Langley Research Center in 
Hampton, Virginia, on the celebration of their 90th anniversary, and 
out of respect to my friend and our colleague, Jo Ann Davis, who so 
ably represented NASA Langley and who introduced this, her last 
resolution, just 4 days before she passed away.
  Established in 1917 by the National Advisory Committee for 
Aeronautics, NASA Langley Research Center is the oldest of NASA's 10 
major field centers and the Nation's first civilian aeronautical 
research facility.
  Research there began with 15 employees. Today, NASA Langley boasts a 
workforce of over 3,600. And from the very beginning, NASA Langley has 
been on the cutting edge of research into all aspects of aeronautics, 
from fixed wing to rotor craft, from propeller engines to jet engines. 
In fact, whether subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic, NASA Langley 
Research Center has always been on the forefront of mankind's 
consistent refusal to keep both feet on the ground.
  NASA Langley is uniquely suited to realize the current 
administration's bold new vision for space exploration. In 1958, as 
Project Mercury was commencing, NASA Langley served as the main office 
for the first U.S. manned space program. In the early 1960s, NASA 
Langley served as a training center for rendezvous and docking in 
space, which became known as Project Gemini. And later that decade, as 
Project Apollo was preparing to land the first man on the Moon, NASA 
Langley's facility served as the astronaut training ground for lunar 
orbit and landing.
  Under Director Lesa Roe's dedicated leadership, NASA Langley will 
continue to play a critical role as we prepare to return to the Moon 
and look beyond to Mars.
  NASA Langley is performing an integral part of Project Constellation. 
They have been given the responsibility to manage the Launch Abort 
System for the new follow-on for the space shuttle, the Crew 
Exploration Vehicle, or CEV. In addition, they are greatly assisting in 
the design and wind tunnel testing of the CEV and Crew Launch Vehicle.
  Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago we commemorated the 40th anniversary of the 
launch of Sputnik and the beginning of the space race. It is fitting 
that today we commemorate NASA Langley Research Center, which has and 
will continue to play such an integral role in our Nation's constant 
pursuit of the next frontier. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. 
Resolution 222.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas, and I 
would like to rise in support of H. Con. Resolution 222, commending 
NASA on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the 
Langley Research Center, located in Hampton, Virginia.
  This legislation was introduced by our friend and colleague, 
Representative Jo Ann Davis, just a week before she succumbed to 
cancer; and it is with mixed emotion that I stand here today to talk 
about this resolution.
  Mrs. Davis was proud to represent the engineers and technicians at 
NASA Langley Research Center who have made the United States 
aeronautics research and testing the envy of the world for 90 years.
  First established as the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in 
1917, it was the Nation's first civil aeronautics research laboratory 
under the charter of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, 
the precursor to modern-day NASA. It was created at a time when the 
United States was clearly lagging behind its European counterparts in 
the development of aircraft capable of controlled powered flight.
  Our country's leaders well understood that the future economic and 
military well-being our country demanded development of advanced 
aeronautics capability, and Langley's founding was motivated in part by 
the evolution of aircraft used in the first World War and by our desire 
to match and exceed these capabilities.
  The center is named after one of America's earliest aeronautical 
pioneers, Samuel Pierpont Langley, who began his research into 
aeronautical

[[Page H11618]]

machines in 1886. Perhaps inauspiciously, Samuel Langley's final crewed 
test flight ended in failure when his aircraft, launched from the top 
of a houseboat, immediately plummeted into the Potomac River. Just 9 
days later, on December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright 
successfully achieved the first flight on the dunes of Kitty Hawk, 
North Carolina.
  During the ensuing decades, Langley Research Center's research and 
development activities advanced the science of aeronautics from simple 
propelled-driven aircraft into the jet age.
  Their accomplishments are too numerous to mention here, but it is no 
exaggeration to state that Langley was the nexus from which fundamental 
technological breakthroughs in propulsion, aerodynamics, materials, 
aircraft and wing designs propelled our Nation to become the world's 
preeminent designer and builder of high-performance military and civil 
aircraft.
  In 1958, responding to the launch of Sputnik, Congress passed 
legislation creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
and with it the Langley Research Center's mission was expanded to lead 
our Nation's earliest efforts in manned space flight.
  Many of the initial planning, design, test, and development 
activities related to Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo were conducted at 
Langley. Langley was the first of 10 research centers that now comprise 
NASA, and a number of highly talented engineers and scientists who 
began their careers at Langley eventually helped establish the other 
NASA centers.
  Langley's role in space continues to this day, contributing its 
talents to testing the design of the new Ares One Launch Vehicle and 
the design testing of the Orion Launch Abort System. The Langley 
Research Center is home to 3,600 civil service and contractor 
employees, and it houses several of the world's most advanced wind 
tunnels and aeronautics laboratories.
  Mr. Speaker, Langley's record of achievements in aeronautics and 
aerospace research is without comparison; and it is a testament to the 
creativity, dedication, hard work, and technical excellence of the men 
and women who contributed their talents to the agency's mission.
  But as a word of caution, it bears mentioning that U.S. aeronautics 
research and testing programs are declining, no matter that countries 
in Europe and elsewhere are investing heavily in aeronautics research. 
The health of the U.S. aviation industry depends upon aeronautics 
research and development, especially long-term research that private 
industry cannot perform itself, in order to compete in the world 
market. NASA is the only Federal agency that supports research on 
civilian aircraft. Their researchers are working to make our planes and 
our skies safer, and Mrs. Davis believed that this is a worthwhile 
investment of taxpayers' money.
  I am pleased to join with my colleagues to commemorate the Langley 
Research Center on its anniversary, and I urge members to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).
  Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding, and I 
rise today to commend the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Langley Research Center on its 90th anniversary, and, in doing so, 
express my respect for the resolution's sponsor, Representative Jo Ann 
Davis.

                              {time}  1930

  Congresswoman Davis worked tirelessly to fight for the constituents 
of the First District of Virginia. This resolution was the last measure 
that she introduced in this body before she passed on just 10 days ago 
on October 6. I see it as only fitting that we pass it in a timely 
manner to honor this research center and our late colleague.
  Since its inception as the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory 
in 1917, the focus of research at this facility has significantly 
changed, yet this research center remains on the forefront of 
scientific advances. These advances not only benefit the larger 
scientific community but have also played a crucial role in our 
national security and daily lives.
  The men and women of the Langley Research Center have made countless 
contributions to the scientific community and our aeronautic and space 
programs in particular. From its crucial role in advancing flight as 
early as the First World War to the training for operation of the lunar 
module of the Apollo program, which subsequently transported the first 
and only human life to the surface of the Moon, this facility has been 
responsible for numerous scientific breakthroughs for an astonishing 9 
decades.
  Aeronautics played a critical role in the First and Second World 
Wars, providing our military with a strategic advantage that 
contributed to our victories in these two major global struggles. 
Subsequent advances in this field and the field of aeronautics provided 
the United States with the ability to achieve superiority in space 
exploration. These efforts have been crucial to our national defense 
and continue to play a major role in combating terrorism.
  The Langley Research Center is also responsible for sending the first 
orbiters and landers to the planet Mars through the Viking program, and 
is also currently engaged in development of the next generation of 
spacecraft essential to maintaining our leading role in space 
exploration.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in commending this facility's 
contributions to the scientific world and the security of our country, 
and in doing so, honor our late colleague, Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and would yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I think that the NASA Langley is a real 
jewel for advancement of science and engineering in the United States 
of America, and I think it's fitting that we recognize this 
anniversary, their 90th, and at the same time, honor our colleague Jo 
Ann Davis for the hard work that she did, the great work that she did 
in the United States House of Representatives.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
Concurrent Resolution 222, because I believe NASA's Langley Research 
Center to be a national treasure. With this resolution we are 
acknowledging nine decades of outstanding technological achievement.
  However, before I continue, I must note with sadness that the driving 
force behind this resolution, Ms. Jo Ann Davis, is no longer with us. 
In addition to all of the other important causes and issues for which 
she was such an articulate spokeswoman, she was an ardent champion of 
the importance of NASA's aeronautics R&D programs. I shall miss her as 
we all will, and I am sorry that this is the last time that I will be 
able to have the opportunity to speak in support of one of her 
initiatives.
  One of the strengths of the Langley Research Center over the past 
nine decades has been that while Langley researchers are experts in 
scientific theory, they are able to work with many others throughout 
the aerospace community. They aren't an isolated research lab, but 
instead have always worked shoulder-to-shoulder with industry and with 
dynamic people at other government agencies, including DOD. In short, 
the researchers at Langley are problem solvers.
  Step into the Air and Space museum and with the first glance one 
grasps how rapidly aeronautics has developed. The X-1, the first manned 
aircraft to break the sound barrier, was designed by Langley staff. 
Nearby are biplanes from the First World War. The separation in time is 
just thirty years, but what a difference!
  The folks at Langley played a large role in that transformation, and 
in further advances in aeronautics and in space exploration, with the 
latter spanning their work on Mercury, Gemini, the Lunar Orbiter, 
Apollo, Viking, the Space Shuttle, and Space Station programs. They 
have been a critical enabler of our modern air transportation system.
  Last year, U.S. air passengers exceeded 750 million. To handle even 
busier skies, the Next Generation Air Traffic Control System (NextGen) 
is being devised. NASA Langley plays an important role in that effort.
  For example, to test advanced concepts of aircraft self-separation, 
Langley conducted air-traffic-management research in its Air Traffic 
Operations Lab, in partnership with NASA Ames Research Center, Boeing, 
MITRE Corp. and United Parcel Service.

[[Page H11619]]

  As another example, the NASA Aviation Safety Program--a partnership 
with the Federal Aviation Administration, aircraft manufacturers, 
airlines, and the Department of Defense that is led by Langley--
recently tested a new way to predict thunderstorm turbulence.
  We can't overlook the importance of military aviation to American 
freedom, and the importance of Langley to military aviation.
  For example, during World War II, Langley used wind tunnel expertise 
to design modifications to fighter aircraft to improve their 
performance. Aerial dogfights were mostly contests between 
technologies, and a small improvement could make the difference between 
life and death.
  Like the rest of NASA, NASA Langley promotes private sector 
participation with the Small Business Innovation Research program and 
the Small Business Technology Transfer program. The creation and 
transfer of innovation is a key goal at Langley. The Center delivers a 
steady flow of inventions and patents, across a range of technical 
areas.
  In aeronautics and in space flight, Langley's parade of achievements 
has inspired generations of Americans, and has helped set the pace of 
American technological advancement. We need places like NASA Langley, 
and I hope that as we look back over its 90 years and celebrate its 
achievements, we are mindful of our future and work to maintain a 
strong and vital aerospace R&D capability at Langley and throughout our 
nation.
  Mr. LAMPSON. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Walz of Minnesota). 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. 222.
  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. FEENEY. 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 motion will be 
postponed.

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