[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of Texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2009

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H. Res. 
607, a resolution that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 
lunar landing. This resolution honors Neil Armstrong, Edwin Eugene 
``Buzz'' Aldrin, Michael Collins, and the countless number of 
individuals and organizations who helped the United States become the 
first Nation in the world to set foot on the Moon.
  I want to thank Congressman Ralph Hall for introducing this 
resolution, which celebrates the anniversary of one of our country's 
most important accomplishments. As a former Member of the House Science 
and Technology Committee, I am proud that this resolution recognizes 
the first human spaceflight along with those organizations, such as the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Mission Control 
Center, located in Houston, Texas, whose efforts played an instrumental 
role in extending our country's reach to new frontiers.
  President John F. Kennedy set a goal to reach the Moon by the end of 
the 1960s. He expressed admiration for this goal during a speech he 
gave before a joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961. During that 
speech, President Kennedy said, ``I believe that this nation should 
commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of 
landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.''
  Nearly 8 years later, on July 16, 1969, the Eagle landed, making Neil 
Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin the first people to ever walk on the Moon. 
This accomplishment launched the United States to the top of the 
science and space world. Armstrong and Aldrin represented not only 
themselves, but the entire Nation, as the United States became the 
first country to put men on the Moon.
  As we prepare for future space explorations, the Apollo spaceflight 
will continue to inspire us to push the limits of future missions, 
especially as we tackle some of our most pressing problems, like 
climate change. This resolution reminds us that we must once again 
reach for the stars. And, with the confirmation of General Charles 
Bolden, the first African American to head the agency, the United 
States is poised to reaffirm its prominence by boldly pushing the 
boundaries of space, aeronautics and exploration in the 21st century.
  Again, I would like to thank my good friend Congressman Hall for 
introducing this resolution and I encourage all my colleagues to join 
me in supporting it.

                          ____________________