[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 9, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H6252-H6254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE GOAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 375) to honor the goal of the 
International Year of Astronomy, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 375

       Whereas the year 2009 represents the 400th Anniversary of 
     Galileo's astronomical use of the telescope;
       Whereas the year 2009 has been designated the International 
     Year of Astronomy (IYA) by the United Nations and UNESCO;
       Whereas astronomical observations and discoveries have 
     profound implications for the development of science, 
     philosophy, culture, and our general conception of our place 
     in the Universe;
       Whereas astronomy is one of the oldest basic sciences and 
     contributes fundamentally to the ultimate context of all 
     other sciences;

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       Whereas astronomy and astronomical discoveries continue to 
     capture the imagination of the American people;
       Whereas the United States is the home of the most advanced 
     astronomical research in the world;
       Whereas the many creative programs and activities planned 
     in the United States for IYA 2009 are strongly supported by 
     the staff, missions, and observatories of the National 
     Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration;
       Whereas science and technology awareness and education play 
     a critical role in the economic success of the United States; 
     and
       Whereas the astronomical sciences inspire students to study 
     science, mathematics, engineering, and technology: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) honors the goal of the International Year of Astronomy 
     to celebrate astronomical discoveries;
       (2) encourages the public to participate in IYA 
     celebrations and activities and discover more about the 
     Universe and the science of astronomy; and
       (3) applauds the efforts of the employees, centers, and 
     laboratories of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration and the National Science Foundation in 
     promoting public understanding of the astronomical sciences 
     during the celebration of the International Year of 
     Astronomy.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Lampson) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LAMPSON. 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 Concurrent Resolution 375, the 
resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 375, honoring the goal of the 
International Year of Astronomy. Astronomy seems to capture the 
imagination of the public more than almost any other discipline of 
science. Children everywhere gaze with wonder and amazement at the 
night sky. Images from the Hubble telescope grace the screensavers and 
wallpaper of our computers.
  Millions of people every year visit the many planetariums around the 
country, including the historic Adler Planetarium in Chicago, and the 
Burke Baker Planetarium in Houston, which is also used to train space 
shuttle astronauts in identifying starfields.
  The International Year of the Astronomy Committee is taking advantage 
of the public's enthusiasm by engaging ordinary citizens in real 
scientific projects, such as tracking binary stars and their eclipses 
from many different locations. In fact, three of the major goals for 
IYA 2009 are: One, increase scientific awareness; two, promote 
widespread access to new knowledge and observing experiences; and, 
three, support and improve formal and informal science education. These 
are also priorities for the Science and Technology Committee as 
reflected in last year's landmark COMPETES Act.
  I applaud the astronomy community for making the 2009 International 
Year of Astronomy not just a celebration of science by scientists but 
an opportunity to share the wonders and relevance of science with all 
citizens across the globe.
  As a Texan, I am particularly proud of the role that NASA and NASA 
centers, including the Johnson Space Center in my district, will have 
in celebrating the International Year of Astronomy and in promoting 
astronomy and space exploration. I thank Ms. Giffords for offering this 
resolution to recognize these important efforts and honor the goals of 
the International Year of Astronomy.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 375, to honor the goal of the International Year of 
Astronomy, along with the gentleman from Texas.
  In 1609, Galileo Galilei turned a telescope to the night sky and saw 
an amazing array of astronomical wonders. From that point on, mankind 
has been fascinated by the secrets of the universe and has been 
committed to understanding Earth and everything beyond through 
extraordinary scientific leaps.
  In honor of the 400th anniversary of Galileo's discovery, the United 
Nations has designated 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The 
purpose of the International Year of Astronomy is to help citizens of 
the world discover the impact astronomy has had on their daily lives 
and create a greater knowledge of what the universe has to offer. The 
International Year of Astronomy will be a worldwide celebration aiming 
to stimulate interest in astronomy and science, particularly in younger 
generations, coalescing around the central theme of, ``The Universe, 
Yours to Discover.''
  There are eight major goals of the International Year of Astronomy. 
They include:
  Increasing scientific awareness in the general public through the 
communication of scientific breakthroughs;
  Promoting widespread access to the universal knowledge of fundamental 
science through astronomy and sky-observing experiences;
  Empowering astronomical communities in developing countries by 
engaging in international collaboration;
  Supporting and improving formal and informal science education in 
schools and science centers;
  Providing a modern image of science and scientists to reinforce the 
connection between science education and science careers;
  Facilitating new and strengthen existing astronomical networks by 
connecting amateur astronomers with educators and scientists on a 
local, regional, and national level;
  Improving the gender balance of scientists at all levels and promote 
greater involvement by underrepresented minorities in scientific and 
engineering careers; and, finally
  Facilitating the preservation of the world's dark skies in places 
such as national parks and astronomical sites.
  The U.S. is taking a lead role in the International Year of Astronomy 
by heading up four of the 11 cornerstone projects outlined by the 
International Astronomical Union. They include the Galileoscope 
initiative, which aims to provide millions of people with an 
inexpensive telescope in order to make their own discoveries just as 
Galileo did so many years ago; and Dark Skies Awareness, a wide-ranging 
effort to preserve and protect the world's heritage of Dark Night Skies 
in astronomical observation sites.
  The U.S. is also taking part in From the Earth to the Universe, an 
exhibit of astronomical photographs from ground and space-based 
observatories to be displayed in public locations accessible to all. 
These projects are designed to help achieve one or more of the eight 
main goals that I went through before.
  The International Year of Astronomy is an effort in which the United 
States is pleased to take a leading role, and I applaud the efforts of 
the United Nations and the International Astronomical Union. Therefore, 
I am pleased to join today with the gentleman from Texas, and I urge 
all of my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 375.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as the gentlelady from 
Arizona (Ms. Giffords) would consume.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. I thank the gentleman.
  Next year will be the 400th anniversary of when the Italian 
astronomer Galileo Galilei first pointed a telescope into the night 
sky. Galileo did not invent the telescope, but he was the first one to 
use it for astronomy. The observations he made ultimately 
revolutionized humanity's understanding of the solar system and of the 
universe.
  Though his telescope was crude, certainly by modern day standards, he 
was able to see craters and shadows and mountains on the Moon. He also 
saw the planet Venus go through phases just like our moon does. And he 
saw moons orbiting the planet Jupiter. He saw all of this at a time 
when conventional wisdom held that all celestial objects orbited our 
planet, the planet Earth. These discoveries marked the beginning of 
modern astronomy.
  It is because of the importance of these discoveries that countries 
all around the world have chosen to recognize the 400th anniversary 
year, 2009, as the International Year of Astronomy. This celebration of 
astronomical discoveries is designed to increase interest in astronomy 
and science. Throughout next year, a wide variety of events

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and activities and meetings at parks and museums and other public 
spaces will promote a greater understanding and appreciation of 
astronomy and science throughout the United States and throughout the 
world.
  It is only befitting that the United States is taking a lead role in 
this international celebration, because today the United States is at 
the forefront in astronomical research. We have built telescopes that 
would astound Galileo and his contemporaries. We have telescopes on 
earth with mirrors 400 inches across. We also have telescopes that 
orbit our planet far above the earth's surface. Indeed, NASA's space-
based telescopes, including Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer, Chandra, 
and many others, regularly produce images that amaze and inspire people 
around the world and yield scientific discoveries on everything from 
the formation of stars and the solar systems to the fate of our 
universe itself.
  Now, I am particularly excited about the opportunity to use the 
International Year of Astronomy to engage and inspire young people in 
mathematics and science generally and particularly. I am pleased that 
the 110th Congress has come to great lengths to increase our Nation's 
emphasis on science and math, most notably by passing the America 
COMPETES Act last year. But we can always do more. And nothing captures 
and engages the mind of students, young and old alike, than the process 
of discovery. This is the fundamental essence of astronomy, and it is 
my hope that the events and the activities sponsored by the 
International Year of Astronomy will inspire many new young people to 
embrace worlds that will open them through the study of math and 
science.

                              {time}  1200

  Astronomy has a strong history in my southern Arizona district, and 
one of the brightest stars we have is Dr. Roger Angel, a professor of 
astronomy and recipient of a MacArthur Foundation genius award. In Dr. 
Angel's own words, ``from the study of astronomy, students today can 
learn about energy in all of its forms, as well as gain an appreciation 
for the beauty of the universe. They learn practical tools needed to 
address the energy and climate crisis. Astronomy know-how even has 
practical value. I am using it to figure out good ways to harness the 
sun's energy on Earth with big, telescope-like mirrors.''
  Thus, we see an example of how students today can build a foundation, 
and exactly the kind of scientific understanding and technological 
skill that we need to solve some of society's most pressing problems, 
climate change, global warming, and our energy needs in the future.
  In the United States, some key organizations sponsoring, promoting 
and organizing events and activities for the International Year of 
Astronomy include the American Astronomical Society, the Astronomical 
Society of the Pacific, the Astronomical League, the American 
Association of Variable Star Observers, NASA, and the National Science 
Foundation.
  Ultimately, astronomy is the study of everything that is not on 
Earth. It appeals to our sense of wonder and curiosity and our place in 
the vast cosmos. The German astronomer Johannes Kepler, whose laws of 
planetary motion are still used today said, ``The treasures hidden in 
the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in 
fresh nourishment.''
  It is those treasures of the heavens, and the men and women who study 
them, that we will celebrate and honor and discover in 2009 with the 
International Year of Astronomy.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank again the gentleman from 
Texas. All humanity has a common interest in what astronomy can provide 
to us, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support the bill.
  I want to thank staff on both sides for their work on this bill, 
including a young woman named Susan Gleiser. This is one of the first 
bills she has had a chance to work on. I urge unanimous adoption of 
this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I concur 
with Mr. Feeney and would ask that this bill pass.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Serrano). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
375.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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