[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 113 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            SUPPORT FOR NASA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, this year we celebrate many 
important anniversaries in our Nation's civil space and aeronautics 
programs. Earlier this year, I introduced H. Con. Res 287, which 
celebrated the 50th anniversary of the United States Explorer I 
satellite, the world's first scientific spacecraft, and which marked 
the birth of the United States space exploration program. Since the 
successful Explorer I launch, we have built the world's leading civil 
space and aeronautics enterprise. Our human expeditions into space, our 
robotic science probes exploring the Earth and beyond, and our 
aeronautical research and development initiatives continue to deliver 
inspiring results and provide benefits to society.
  Today, I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of three resolutions 
that mark other key milestones in our civil space and aeronautics 
activities: H. Res. 1315, Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration; H. Res. 1313, 
Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the First American Woman in Space; 
and H. Res. 1312, Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Space 
Foundation.
  H. Res. 1315 commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which was established on 
July 29, 1958, through the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. 
NASA has achieved countless successes over the 50 years since its 
creation and H. Res. 1315 recalls many of the agency's accomplishments 
in human exploration, aeronautics, and space and Earth science. I 
strongly agree with the sentiment expressed in H. Res. 1315, ``. . . in 
the last fifty years, NASA has positively impacted almost every facet 
of our lives.'' NASA's contributions to aviation, to increased 
understanding of our climate, to the advancement of our knowledge of 
the universe, and to the development of countless technologies that 
have made their way into broader societal applications have 
fundamentally changed our lives.
  Madam Speaker, the applied uses of NASA research and developments 
have enabled weather and environmental monitoring, commercial satellite 
communications, and major improvements in commercial aviation. H. Res. 
1315 marks NASA's successful launches of the first American manned 
spacecraft in 1961, the first human expedition to the Moon in 1969, and 
the first Space Shuttle in 1981. NASA's international cooperative 
ventures have allowed many of the world's nations to join together in 
advancing technology and knowledge through the peaceful uses of outer 
space. NASA's first 50 years have yielded truly remarkable discoveries 
and advances. I want to thank Mr. McCaul of Texas, who along with Mr. 
Lampson of Texas, introduced H. Res. 1315. H. Res. 1315 is an important 
opportunity to recognize NASA's half century of achievements and the 
men and women of NASA that have made them possible, and I am pleased to 
support it.
  As a result of NASA's human exploration program, we also celebrate 
the 25th anniversary of the first American woman in space, Dr. Sally K. 
Ride. H. Res. 1313 commemorates that date in June of 1983 when Dr. Ride 
flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, making history by becoming 
the first American woman in space. She went on to fly a second mission 
in 1984. When training for Dr. Ride's third mission ended as a result 
of the tragic Challenger accident, she continued her contributions to 
NASA and the Nation as an educator and advisor. H. Res. 1313 honors Dr. 
Ride's passion and dedication as a tireless advocate for young women 
and girls to pursue education and careers in science, mathematics, and 
technology. The opportunities she is creating for our youth, especially 
girls and young women, to acquire hands-on learning in science will go 
far in training the next generation of leaders in science and 
engineering. That is something I care passionately about, and I thank 
my colleague, Mr. Lampson of Texas for introducing H. Res. 1313.

  In addition to the important role of our Federal government in the 
Nation's space and aeronautics programs, many non-governmental 
organizations provide outreach, education, and advocacy that enhance 
our space and aeronautics activities. That is why I strongly support H. 
Res. 1312, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Space Foundation. 
The Space Foundation, which is headquartered in Colorado Springs in my 
home state of Colorado, is a non-profit organization dedicated to using 
space to benefit humanity and furthering space exploration, 
development, and education. Since 1983, the Space Foundation has helped 
to ensure the strength and leadership of our space programs, and I am 
pleased that we can acknowledge the Space Foundation's endeavors in 
this regard. I thank my colleague, Mr. Lamborn of Colorado, for 
introducing this resolution recognizing the Space Foundation for its 25 
years of excellence and service.
  Madam Speaker, our nation's space and aeronautics programs are 
critical sources of innovation and inspiration for our Nation. The 
contributions of NASA, our astronauts, and our space advocacy 
organizations provide benefits for our society, help strengthen our 
economy, and help train the next generation of scientists and 
engineers. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1315 
commemorating the 50th anniversary of NASA; H. Res. 1313 celebrating 
the 25th anniversary of the first American woman in space, Dr. Sally K. 
Ride; and H. Res. 1312 commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Space 
Foundation.

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