[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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