[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H575-H576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING THE X PRIZE FOUNDATION
Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 907) congratulating the X PRIZE Foundation's
leadership in inspiring a new generation of viable, super-efficient
vehicles, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 907
Whereas the United States is heavily dependent on foreign
sources of oil that are concentrated in tumultuous countries
and regions;
Whereas the national security and economic prosperity of
the United States demand that we move toward a sustainable
energy future;
Whereas the ability of foreign governments to assert great
control over oil production allows unfriendly regimes to use
energy exports as leverage against the United States and our
allies;
Whereas continued reliance on the use of greenhouse gas
intensive fuels may impact global climate change;
Whereas the automotive sector is heavily dependent on oil,
which makes Americans vulnerable to oil price fluctuation and
is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions;
Whereas average fuel economy in the United States has
increased slowly during the last 20 years;
Whereas many promising technologies exist that can lead to
a breakthrough vehicle that will meet the need for
sustainable transportation;
Whereas breakthroughs are often achieved by the free market
fueling the entrepreneurial spirit of inventors and
investors;
Whereas the Automotive X PRIZE is a private, independent,
technology-neutral competition being developed by the X PRIZE
Foundation to inspire a new generation of viable, super-
efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and
stem the effects of climate change;
Whereas the Automotive X PRIZE will award a multimillion
dollar reward to teams that can design, build, and
demonstrate production-capable vehicles that achieve 100 MPG
or its equivalent; and
Whereas such prize competitions generate involvement and
innovation across a broad spectrum of known and untapped
talent such as the $25,000 Orteig Prize won by Charles
Lindbergh which leveraged $400,000 worth of additional
research by teams trying to win the prize and spurred a
$250,000,000,000 aviation industry, and the $10,000,000
Ansari X Prize which leveraged $100,000,000 worth of
additional research: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the X PRIZE Foundation's leadership for
inspiring a new generation of viable, super-efficient
vehicles that help break our addiction to oil through the
Automotive X PRIZE competition;
(2) congratulates the X PRIZE Foundation on their
innovation and vision to bring together some of the finest
minds in the public and private sectors, including
government, academia, and industry, to advise and participate
in the Automotive X PRIZE competition; and
(3) applauds the X PRIZE Foundation's ongoing commitment to
find solutions to some of humanity's greatest challenges as
exemplified in the Automotive X PRIZE.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Melancon) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.
General Leave
Mr. MELANCON. 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 House Resolution 907, the resolution now
under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Louisiana?
There was no objection.
Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, on June 21, 2004, Space Ship One became the first
privately funded craft to take a person into space. Space Ship One flew
again on September 29, 2004, and on October 4, 2004, and upon
successful completion of these flights, Mojave Aerospace Ventures, the
developers of Space Ship One, captured the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE.
Just as important as Space Ship One's historic flights, the competition
for the X PRIZE spurred the creation of a private spaceflight industry
in this country.
It is with this past success in mind that I rise to speak in support
of the new Automotive X PRIZE. This new prize will award a
multimillion-dollar prize to teams that can design, build and
demonstrate production-capable vehicles that achieve 100 miles per
gallon or its equivalent. With the current price of oil hovering around
$100 per barrel, it is more important than ever that our country
develops technologies that increase the efficiencies of our
[[Page H576]]
automobiles. To this end, I was pleased to support H.R. 6, which
significantly raised CAFE standards, and would do much to increase the
efficiency of American automobiles.
However, the government does not hold a monopoly on innovation. Many
of the great discoveries of our time were accomplished by private
individuals and companies. From Thomas Edison's discovery of the light
bulb to Henry Ford's perfection of the automobile, private innovators
have changed the face of America. It is my hope that the Automotive X
PRIZE will once again spur the creative and innovative spirit of
American citizens to help us in our fight for energy independence and
security.
I would like to thank Mr. Lungren for introducing this resolution,
and I urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H. Res. 907, as amended, which recognizes and
congratulates the forward-thinking X PRIZE Foundation on one of its
latest contest endeavors, the Automotive X PRIZE.
There is a rich history in this country of prizes sponsored by
private entities leading to innovations in science and technology.
Starting with the Ansari X PRIZE, the privately funded X PRIZE
Foundation has successfully been able to build on the concept of the
1927 Orteig Prize, which awarded $25,000 to the first person to be able
to make a nonstop transatlantic flight. While the actual Orteig Prize
name may not be well known, the recipient of this prize, Charles
Lindbergh, certainly is. The benefits of the $400,000 of investment
teams made in an effort to win this prize certainly have been realized,
and the $250 billion aviation industry that took off shortly thereafter
certainly continues to prosper. Likewise, the 2004 Ansari X PRIZE
leveraged over $100 million in research by teams vying for a $10
million price for private spaceflight. Won by Mojave Aerospace
Ventures, the Ansari X PRIZE changed the public's perception of
personal spaceflight.
Now the Automotive X PRIZE is poised to produce similar results for
the next generation of automobiles, viable, super-efficient vehicles.
As the resolution states, our ``national security and economic
prosperity demand that we move toward a sustainable future.'' This
prize certainly helps us move in that direction. It will be awarded to
the team that can design, build and sell super-efficient cars that
achieve 100 miles per gallon and are not concept cars, but cars that
people will want to buy. If successful, the end result in and of itself
will be impressive, but the overall benefits to the Nation will be too
numerable to measure. This prize, like those before it, will generate
millions of privately funded research dollars producing research that
may not in the end win the prize, but could spur additional
technologies. Likewise, this prize will stimulate the entrepreneurial
spirit of inventors and investors alike, both known entities and
brilliant minds working in backyard garages.
I congratulate the X PRIZE Foundation's leadership in creating a
private, independent competition designed to help move us closer to a
sustainable energy future. I wish them much success, look forward to
seeing the results it produces, and encourage my colleagues to support
this resolution.
With that, I would reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, at this time I have no recognized Members,
I think Mr. Feeney does, so I will reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 1 minute to Dr.
Bartlett, my friend from Maryland.
Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, just a few days ago, Shell Oil
Company sent out a press release saying that by no later than 2015 the
world would not be able to meet the demands of our economies for oil
and natural gas. At just about the same time as that, a group came to
my office to brief me on the Automotive X PRIZE. You may have noticed
how much harder people will work for a prize than they will for money.
Just note the Olympics and what these athletes will do for a prize. So
I am very, very supportive of this fantastic idea. I bought the first
Prius in Maryland, I bought the first Prius in Congress, and I want to
buy the winning car from this competition.
I have here a note from Donald Foley, who is the executive director
of the Automotive X PRIZE, and he has noted my desire to buy that
winning car. So hopefully we will be driving that to the Congress in
not too long.
Thank you very much for yielding.
{time} 1530
Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
colleague and friend from Nebraska (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, prizes have a history of
encouraging innovation by promoting competition and expanding the
talent pool to include a numerous and diverse array of groups and
individuals. Those unable or unwilling to secure grants can participate
in the race for the goal. With prizes, government funding is not used
to pick technological winners and losers. The prize is only awarded if
the goal is met. Prizes encourage the investment of private capital and
research, even beyond the monetary value of the prize.
I applaud the X PRIZE Foundation for spurring competition and
innovation in the race to a more efficient automobile. When the 100
mile-per-gallon vehicle is achieved, citizens of my home State of
Nebraska will be able to drive across the State on Interstate 80 on
only 4\1/2\ gallons of fuel. This tremendous efficiency would
dramatically reduce our Nation's dependence on foreign oil, it would
stimulate our economy, and certainly improve our national security.
I am grateful for the vision and enterprise of men like Dr. Peter
Diamandis who kindle the spark of innovation that leads to
revolutionary technologies.
Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to make sure that I check with Mr. Smith
whether that is stopping for red lights that takes 4\1/2\ hours to go
across Nebraska.
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 Louisiana (Mr. Melancon) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 907, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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