[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 156 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2632-E2633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EXTENSION OF COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION LIABILITY REGIME

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                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today in 
support of House Resolution 3819 ``to extend the commercial space 
transportation liability regime.'' Extending this liability regime will 
ensure that commercial launches can continue to take place.
  This indemnification regime has been in place since 1988 and has been 
renewed four times. It is an important element in maintaining the 
economic competitiveness of the domestic U.S. commercial launch 
services industry. The regime helps protect against catastrophic third-
party liability claims when conducting Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA)-licensed launch activities.
  We are aware of the importance of the technological advances and 
services provided to the citizens of our nation as a result of the 
commercial launch industry--many of these services we all utilize on a 
daily basis. Allowing for these types of technologies to grow, prosper, 
and become more efficient and effective is an initiative that we want 
to continue. Ensuring progress in the commercial space industry by 
extending the current insurance indemnification regime will directly 
improve those initiatives.
  As the Member of Congress representing Texas' 18th Congressional 
District in Houston, near NASA's Johnson Space Center, laws related to 
space programs and the commercial space industry are near and dear to 
me and my constituents. Laws relating to commercial space 
transportation provide tools to further the goals that were outlined in 
the Augustine Commission to chart our next steps into space. This 
industry provides jobs and keeps U.S.-based companies and technologies 
competitive in a global market. It is extremely important that we 
support the furtherance of this industry and the technological services 
it provides.
  With soaring deficits facing our states and the looming costs of 
health care reform and energy reform before the nation, tough choices 
have been made. Surely, some argue that we cannot afford to gamble 
further money in space based initiatives.
  Yet others, like me and my constituents realize the benefits of 
ensuring the continuance

[[Page E2633]]

of the commercial launch industry, which we see as an investment, not a 
gamble. In the past, such investments paved the way for new innovations 
in agriculture, architecture, media technology, and even health care. 
The pace maker is just one of the many life saving technologies that 
have resulted from that same small step. This mastery of ``rocket 
science'' is what placed our nation in the driver's seat of technology 
and economics.
  We must also not forget that America's leadership in space plays an 
important role in our nation's national security. We have already seen 
the preeminent role that space based technology plays in modern warfare 
and intelligence gathering.

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