[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2096-S2097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NASA SPACE SHUTTLE RETIREMENT

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I wish to spend the rest of this time 
talking about a local matter of some concern. One of the nice things 
about being a Senator, you work on big matters and small matters and 
they are all enjoyable and all are important. This isn't small but more 
local, shall I say.
  With NASA searching for a new home for three soon-to-be-retired space 
shuttles, it is time to convince NASA that the Big Apple has the right 
stuff to showcase one of these iconic spacecraft.
  The perfect location for a retired space shuttle is the Intrepid Sea, 
Air & Space Museum on Manhattan's West Side in my hometown of New York 
City.
  Yes, it will be a huge boon to New York's economy and a magnet for 
tourists.
  But showcasing a genuine space shuttle will not only bring visitors 
by the millions, it will inspire multitudes to learn, explore and 
dream, of adventure.
  It is perfect for NASA, too: The agency's explicit goal is to have 
these magnificent vehicles seen--and their history understood--by the 
greatest number of people possible.

[[Page S2097]]

  No other location in the nation can offer the millions and millions 
of visitors who will stream into the Intrepid to view and experience 
the shuttle.
  Housing an iconic spacecraft in New York City--the media center of 
the world--guarantees it will appear in countless news and 
entertainment programs broadcast throughout the nation and world, 
providing incalculable public-relations value to NASA.
  Just yesterday I spoke to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and he 
has informed me that the Intrepid is in good shape to be the permanent 
hangar for one of the shuttles.
  The Intrepid is competing with museums in 25 other cities to win one 
of the shuttles, including Washington's Smithsonian National Air and 
Space Museum.
  NASA has been clear that they intend to award the shuttles to the 
sites where the most people could view them.
  With the Intrepid already drawing one million visitors a year it is 
clear that the Intrepid is the best possible spot for a shuttle.
  NASA also requires any potential host location to raise significant 
funds.
  I have no doubt that the Intrepid's drawing power and New York City's 
deep and diverse philanthropic community are more than able to compile 
all the resources needed.
  Yet skeptics may ask why a space shuttle should be brought to New 
York City.
  Perhaps they don't know that the Intrepid led the recovery of 
astronauts during the Mercury and Gemini programs in the 1960s.
  The exhibit will be sure to attract heavy foot traffic too: The 
Intrepid will house the shuttle in a glass enclosure on Pier 86--close 
to Times Square and many other tourist attractions, accessible from 
major airports, passenger-ship terminals and highways.
  Countless boys and girls, as well as adults, with boundless 
imaginations, will be able to stroll over to the West Side and take in 
the truly magnificent icon of science, exploration and innovation.
  With 20 institutions across the country competing to receive one of 
the retired shuttles, Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis, we should all 
join the fight to bring a space shuttle to the greatest city in the 
world. a no-brainer.
  It is a non-brainer.
  I, along with some of my New York colleagues, are working hard to 
land the shuttle here, and I hope we are able to convince NASA that we 
are ready, willing--and very able--to be the home for a shuttle.
  I yield the floor, and I note the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COBURN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I object until we discuss the order of 
business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Oklahoma.
  Mr. COBURN. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. COBURN. I assure my colleagues that----
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. SCHUMER. Without objection, Madam President.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (Mr. SCHUMER addressed the Chair.)
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New York.

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