[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH 
                            PRODUCTS AGENCY

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                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2008

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, today I join a bipartisan team 
of my colleagues to introduce a resolution to recognize the 50th 
anniversary of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
  October 1957, the Soviet Union ushered in a new dimension to the Cold 
War with the United States when it successfully launched Sputnik I, the 
world's first artificial satellite, into space.
  So, on this day, in 1958 the Department of Defense established the 
Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) to serve under the secretary 
of Defense as the specialized technical engine for the United States 
Military. The threat of Soviet technological superiority and space 
domination could not be tolerated amid the growing tensions and 
developing arms race between the two superpowers. DARPA was tasked to 
confront this threat.
  As DARPA focused its technological strengths on the space mission, 
the agency achieved the unimaginable. The Saturn V rocket, which 
enabled the United States to launch the Apollo missions to the moon 
originated on a DARPA drawing board. Perhaps more important, DARPA 
developed the first surveillance satellites that gave our Nation 
accurate intelligence on Russian missile program activities throughout 
the world.
  As the military mission evolved throughout the last half century, so 
too did the DARPA focus. Recognizing the changing nature of warfare 
well in advance of today's battles, DARPA revolutionized the way our 
Nation fights wars. Instead of sacrificing more troops by putting them 
in harm's way, our military now uses stealth technology in our 
aircrafts, advanced precision munitions that can be dropped into 
theater without dropping in troops, and now the Predator and Global 
Hawk unmanned air vehicles dominate the world's airspace.
  DARPA's ongoing commitment to the military is not limited combat. The 
agency's programs are developing real-time accurate language 
translation, prosthetics that can be controlled by the brain, and 
alternative fuel sources for military vehicles that will help eliminate 
our Nation's dependency on foreign sources of oil.
  Of course, DARPA's success has not been limited to military 
innovation. ARPANET, the world's first operational packet switching 
network, led to the development of today's Internet. Since DARPA 
engineers first started to connecting remote computers to each other to 
talk about their shared ideas and work, the Internet has revolutionized 
the world with the creation of endless possibilities.
  The reason that DARPA's work engages the cutting edge of technology 
is a result of its unique business model. By limiting project managers 
to 4 to 6 year terms, DARPA optimizes the flow of new ideas by 
empowering industry experts to take risks, think outside the box and 
advance ground breaking research projects.
  DARPA continues to meet the growing needs of the Nation as it 
develops significant cutting edge technology elevates the U.S. to the 
forefront of innovation and propels our military to be the most 
superior fighting force in the world.
  I am proud to recognize DARPA's 50 years of innovation, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.

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