[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E692-E693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF SPACE-BASED OBSERVATIONS OF THE EARTH BY 
                           LANDSAT SPACECRAFT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House 
yesterday passed my resolution, H. Res. 891, on Celebrating 35 Years of 
Space-Based Observations of the Earth by Landsat Spacecraft. I would 
like to thank my colleague, Representative Regula from Ohio, who has 
joined me as an original cosponsor of this resolution.
  It is only fitting that we celebrate Landsat and its thirty-five year 
record of space-based observations of the land at a time when we are 
beginning to address the current and future implications of climate 
change. The U.S. Climate Change Science Program recently recognized 
Landsat noting that ``Landsat data are invaluable for studying the land 
surface and how it affects and is affected by climate.'' I thank my 
colleagues in Congress for continuing to support Landsat and for 
enabling the development of these long time-series data that are so 
important for research on climate variability.
  The data collected by Landsat satellites are being used by almost all 
Federal agencies, by state, regional, and local governments, by 
researchers and private industry. I held a field hearing earlier this 
month in Colorado on the important ways in which remote sensing data, 
including Landsat imagery, can help our state and local officials carry 
out their responsibilities more effectively. The broad application of 
these data to provide scientific and societal benefits testifies to the 
nation's sound investment in space technology. We owe our thanks and 
appreciation to the talented and dedicated scientists, engineers, and 
professionals who have contributed to Landsat and its success.

[[Page E693]]

  Mr. Speaker, there is more to be gained from the data collected by 
Landsat satellites, and there are still issues to be resolved to ensure 
that the nation can get the best return on its investment in Landsat's 
capabilities. However, I have no doubt that through support for the 
research, technology, and education required to improve Landsat data 
collection and applications, the returns from this national investment 
will continue to multiply. I urge my colleagues to join me in ensuring 
that the benefits derived from this important record of civil 
observations of the land, as collected from Landsat satellites, 
continue to expand for another 35 years.

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