[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF SPACE-BASED 
OBSERVATIONS OF THE EARTH BY LANDSAT SPACECRAFT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO 
 SUSTAINING THE LONGEST, CONTINUOUS RECORD OF CIVIL EARTH OBSERVATIONS 
                              OF THE LAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a House 
resolution to celebrate 35 years of space-based observations of the 
Earth by Landsat spacecraft, an accomplishment that has helped 
revolutionize our understanding of the Earth's land surface as well as 
enable a wide range of applications of Landsat data that have had 
significant societal benefits.
  The Landsat program began with the launch of the first civilian Earth 
observation satellite on July 23, 1972, by the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, NASA. The satellite, originally known as the 
Earth Resources Technology Satellite, was later renamed Landsat 1. 
Since the first Landsat satellite, five follow-on spacecraft have been 
successfully launched to continue the space-based collection of land 
data. This series of Landsat satellites has established the longest, 
unbroken record of data on the global land surface.
  The extensive three and a half-decade record of Landsat data has 
allowed scientists to study changes to the Earth's land cover over 
time, including changes influenced by both human and natural causes. 
The applied uses of the data have served numerous purposes, including 
natural resource management, land use planning, cartography, and food 
security, to cite just a few examples.
  The data collected through the Landsat program are being used by many 
Federal agencies including NASA, the Department of the Interior and its 
U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of State, the Environmental 
Protection Agency, the Department of Defense, the Department of 
Agriculture, the Department of Justice, the Department of 
Transportation, and the Department of Homeland Security and its Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, among others. In addition, academic 
institutions, State, county, and local governments, private industry, 
foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations are users of 
Landsat data. The broad application of these data for scientific and 
societal benefit testifies to the Nation's sound investment in a public 
good.
  My home State of Colorado has two companies that demonstrate the 
excellent commercial applications that have developed from the initial 
Federal investments made in space-based remote sensing exemplified by 
the Landsat program. DigitalGlobe in Longmont and GeoEye in Thornton 
have both become international leaders in the remote sensing fields.
  I think it is important for this body to express our collective 
thanks to the many scientists, engineers, and program personnel who 
have contributed to Landsat's success over the past three and a half 
decades. As a result of their efforts, Landsat data has become an 
indispensable source for a host of beneficial applications that have 
improved our quality of life and enhanced our economic vitality. In 
addition, Landsat data are important scientifically. For example, the 
U.S. Climate Change Science Program has recognized the significance of 
the Landsat program, noting that ``Landsat data are invaluable for 
studying the land surface and how it affects and is affected by 
climate.''
  However, while today's resolution recognizes the benefits we have 
accrued from past investments in the Landsat program, it is clear that 
more can be gained from this program in the years to come. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in ensuring that the benefits that are possible 
from civil space-based land observations, as well as from commercially 
available remote sensing systems, continue to be realized. By 
supporting the research, technology, education, and tools required to 
improve Landsat data collection and applications, we can look forward 
to further scientific advancements and societal benefits from this 
critical national asset.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I again want to salute all those who 
helped make Landsat possible and who work to maintain its continued 
successful operation, and I hope that my colleagues will join me in 
supporting this resolution.

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