[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5878-H5880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING NATIONAL AEROSPACE WEEK
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 292) supporting
the goals and ideals of National Aerospace Week, 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. 292
Whereas the missions to the Moon by the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration are recognized around
the globe as one of the most outstanding achievements of
humankind;
Whereas the United States is a leader in the International
Space Station, the first permanent human habitation and
scientific laboratory in space;
Whereas the first aircraft flight occurred in the United
States, and the United States operates the largest and safest
aviation system in the world;
Whereas the United States aerospace industry is a powerful,
reliable source of employment, innovation, and export income,
directly employing 831,000 people in the United States and
supporting more than 2,000,000 jobs in related fields;
Whereas space exploration is a source of inspiration that
captures the interest of young people;
Whereas aerospace education is an important component of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
and helps to develop the science and technology workforce in
the United States;
Whereas aerospace innovation has led to the development of
advanced meteorological forecasting, which has saved lives
around the world;
Whereas aerospace innovation has led to the development of
the Global Positioning System, which has strengthened
national security and increased economic productivity;
Whereas the aerospace industry assists and protects members
of the Armed Forces with military communications, unmanned
aerial systems, situational awareness, and satellite-guided
ordnances; and
Whereas the third week in September is an appropriate week
to observe ``National Aerospace Week'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Aerospace
Week''; and
(2) recognizes the contributions of the aerospace industry
to the history, economy, security, and educational system of
the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
General Leave
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam 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 H. Con. Res. 292, the
concurrent resolution now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Tennessee?
There was no objection.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
No matter how many times you fly, there is still something magical
about the first moment of takeoff when acceleration gives way to the
sudden lift and you soar into the clouds. Behind that moment of wonder
lies over a century of hard work, long hours, and sacrifice spent
uncovering the secrets of aerodynamics and mastering the engineering of
heavier-than-air flight. It should be a point of great pride that the
United States was a leader in making aviation a reality. So in
recognition of National Aerospace Week, we honor a national history of
achievement in both aeronautics and in space.
America's achievements in aerospace inspire awe and admiration around
the world. From the very first heavier-than-air flight in 1903 to the
Moon landing in 1969, America has led the way in aerospace.
Today, we continue to move forward by sending robotic probes to the
far reaches of the solar systems, sending observatories into space, and
leading the international team that constructed the international space
station.
American superiority in aerospace is part of the foundation on which
our security rests. Satellites provide our troops in distant lands with
everything from vital intelligence about local weather and terrain to
updates on NBA finals. Unmanned aerial vehicles and communications, and
satellite-based navigation and position systems are essential tools
that members of the Armed Forces rely on to do their job safely and
effectively.
Space-derived systems like GPS and weather satellites have become
integral to civil society as well.
The aerospace industry employs many hundreds of thousands of
Americans and is one of the most vibrant and innovative sectors of our
economy. Industry sales are estimated to reach $215 billion in 2010.
[[Page H5879]]
In addition to the 831,000 Americans who work in the aerospace
industry, an additional 11 million work in the field of commercial
aviation.
For its contributions to science and engineering, to our national
security and economy, as well as to the general well-being and progress
of humankind, the aerospace industry deserves recognition. With this
resolution, we take a moment to remember the glories of the past and
the anticipation of wonders for the future.
{time} 1250
I want to thank the sponsor of this resolution, Dr. Vern Ehlers, for
his long support of our Nation's aerospace industry and for his support
for science and technology generally during his tenure in Congress on
the Science and Technology Committee. We think of him as the conscience
of science, and we thank him for this good resolution today.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today, of course, in support of House Concurrent Resolution
292, designating the third week of September as ``National Aerospace
Week'' to recognize the contributions of the aerospace industry to the
history, economy, security, and educational system of the United
States.
This bill was introduced by my good friend, Representative Vern
Ehlers, who, as I am sure many Members know, is retiring at the end of
this Congress. I hate to lose this good man, and I will miss Vern very
greatly. He has been a steady voice of reason in the House of
Representatives and in the Science Committee. Dr. Ehlers has been a
tireless and articulate advocate for policies and programs aimed at
attracting the talents of our young people into the fields of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics. He will be greatly missed.
This Nation has always been preeminent in the international aerospace
industry and continues to lead the way today through the support of the
international space station by offering cutting-edge products and
services throughout the world and by fostering the development and
operation of the largest and safest aviation system in the world. The
United States' aerospace industry serves as a powerful, reliable source
of employment for 831,000 people and supports more than 2 million other
jobs in related fields.
Among its many diverse innovations, the aerospace industry developed
the Global Positioning System, sensors that give us the capability to
make long-range, reliable meteorological forecasts; aircraft and other
surveillance systems that help defend our shores; and tools to increase
economic productivity, improve our quality of life, and save lives. The
aerospace industry also assists and protects members of the Armed
Forces with military communications systems, unmanned aerial systems,
high-performance aircraft, and satellite-based precision surveillance
and navigation systems.
Finally, let me add that high-technology goods and services produced
by the aerospace industry help capture the interest of young people
here at home and around the world. It gives them tremendous inspiration
to tackle the more difficult class work that science and engineering
professions demand and which, in turn, will ultimately lead these
people to a much more enriching and rewarding life.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent
Resolution 292.
I yield such time as he may consume to Dr. Ehlers.
Mr. EHLERS. I thank my good friend for yielding to me.
As the author of this resolution and cochair of the House Aerospace
Caucus, along with Congressman Norm Dicks, who has just arrived on the
floor, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 292,
which supports the goals and ideals of creating a National Aerospace
Week. Last year, the House voice voted a similar resolution supporting
an Aerospace Day. However, considering the aerospace industry's
contribution to our history, economy, security, and educational system,
we believe an entire week is more appropriate.
Last year, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon
landing, and this year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of continuous
human presence in orbit on the international space station. These
important achievements are made possible by the aerospace industry.
In addition to landing on the moon, living in space, innovative
developments in satellites, meteorological forecasting, national
defense, and communications, the United States also maintains the
largest, most complex, and safest aviation system in the world.
Our aviation system, especially business aviation, allows U.S.
companies to stay competitive because our workers can be more
productive and efficient. In fact, aviation is becoming so widespread
that this evening I will be taking an exam toward my own pilot
certificate, and I hope to spend the remaining years of my life
learning more and more about aviation.
The United States aerospace industry is a powerful, reliable source
of employment, innovation, and export income, employing more than
840,000 people in the United States and supporting more than 2 million
jobs in related fields.
Although unemployment remains high, especially in my home State of
Michigan, these high-value, good-paying jobs continue to be in demand
because of the shortage of qualified workers.
Therefore, in order for the United States to remain at the forefront
of aerospace development, we must do a better job of educating our
children in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, commonly
referred to as STEM education. Flying and space exploration remain a
powerful inspiration that captures the interest of young people, and I
applaud the efforts by the aerospace community to get involved with
children and schools to nurture this interest and improve our STEM
education programs.
I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring the aerospace industry
by designating the third week in September as National Aerospace Week.
I urge all Members to vote for H. Con. Res. 292.
Let me also express my appreciation to both the chairman of the
Science Committee, Mr. Gordon, and also to Mr. Hall, the ranking member
of that committee. They have done an excellent job of leading the
committee this year, and we have accomplished great things in the
Science Committee.
I also wish to thank them as friends for the kind words they have
just uttered about my pending departure. In fact, I am receiving so
many accolades for my work in the Congress that I have decided I may
retire again and again, but I suspect I am limited to doing it only one
time.
But in any event, I have deeply appreciated my time in the Congress
of the United States. I strongly support the aerospace industry and
what it means to this country and, frankly, to this world, and we pray
that we will continue to serve well in exploring this marvelous
universe that the Lord has given us to explore.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, let me say all the accolades
that Dr. Ehlers has received have been well deserved. He has left a
thick trail of accomplishments in this body.
I now yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from
Washington State (Mr. Dicks), the chairman of the Defense
Appropriations Subcommittee.
Mr. DICKS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I want to also say we have appreciated the service of Bart Gordon as
chairman of the Science and Technology Committee and Mr. Ralph Hall for
allowing this bill to come to the floor.
I want to congratulate Mr. Ehlers, my colleague and cochair of the
House Aerospace Caucus, on introducing this important resolution.
I strongly support the goal of this legislation to call attention to
the importance of the aerospace industry in our Nation. The aerospace
sector provides our economy over 840,000 jobs and constitutes over $210
billion in annual sales and $78 billion in exports. It is a vital
sector that we appreciate all the more when other significant segments
of the economy are struggling.
Because I come from the Puget Sound region in the State of
Washington, it is hard not to have an awareness of the aerospace
industry. In my
[[Page H5880]]
home State, there are many companies developing and producing a wide
range of aerospace products. But, of course, the dominant presence is
Boeing. The Boeing company directly employs over 72,000 people in
Washington State, and they draw on over 2,700 suppliers in the State
while buying over $3.3 billion of goods and services per year.
I want to note that just this past December 15, Boeing's 787
Dreamliner made its first flight. This revolutionary aircraft is the
first major airliner to use composite materials throughout most of its
structure, which will yield significant efficiencies, reductions in
fuel consumption, and enhanced passenger comfort.
{time} 1300
Aerospace also is critical to our national defense. From my position
as chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I am keenly
aware of the role that aerospace plays for our national defense and our
intelligence community. Our Nation relies heavily on technology to give
us the military advantages that we enjoy over potential adversaries;
and aerospace is an area where our technological advantage gives us
unmatched capabilities and systems, such as air-to-air missiles,
stealthy platforms, supersonic fighters, and satellites that can detect
missile launch.
In many cases, the technologies that are developed and used for our
national security are unique because only the military has a use for
it. However, I want to point out that it is also not unusual for
military technologies to eventually have wide and dramatic benefits in
our lives. One example is the Global Positioning System, GPS, first
developed for military purposes, but now in use in a constantly
expanding range of applications across the entire world. GPS now is a
vital part of the safety and efficiency of the world's transportation
systems, the productivity of our farms, the management of our
resources, and the protection of our environment.
In closing, I want to mention that despite our national successes in
aerospace, there are a couple of issues that we must pay attention to
if we are going to continue to have a thriving aerospace sector that
contributes to our economy and our national defense. I continue to be
concerned about the health of our overall industrial base. One example
is our space launch industrial base. I also firmly believe that we must
pay more attention to educating and inspiring the future generation of
scientists, engineers, and technicians that will keep making important
technical advances and producing state-of-the-art products. Dr. Ehlers
mentioned the importance of education not only for our students, but at
the universities in our country.
Again, I want to thank Dr. Ehlers for introducing this resolution,
and I want to thank him for his leadership on the Aerospace Caucus and
for his friendship. We are going to miss him as well.
I urge my colleagues to join us in recognizing the important
contributions of the aerospace sector to our lives by voting for this
resolution.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 292.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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