[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 158 (Thursday, October 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S13101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 50--COMMENDING NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH 
   CENTER IN VIRGINIA ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY ON 
                        OCTOBER 26 AND 27, 2007

  Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Webb) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation:

                            S. Con. Res. 50

       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 Administration (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 7 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 2,000,000 
     Americans and comprises roughly 9 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 
     $2,300,000,000 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 Senate (the House of Representatives 
     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.

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