[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 149 (Tuesday, November 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7471-H7472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1550
        CONGRATULATING NASA FOR HELPING TO RESCUE CHILEAN MINERS

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1714) congratulating the 
engineers, scientists, psychologists, and staff of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for helping to successfully 
rescue 33 trapped Chilean miners from a collapsed mine near Copiapo, 
Chile.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1714

       Whereas, on August 5, 2010, 33 Chilean miners were trapped 
     by the collapse of a gold and copper mine near Copiapo, 
     Chile;
       Whereas, on August 22, 2010, all 33 miners were discovered 
     alive after an intensive 17-day rescue effort;
       Whereas, on August 27, 2010, the Chilean government asked 
     the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to 
     provide technical advice that might be of assistance to the 
     trapped miners;
       Whereas NASA's vast knowledge and experience with extreme 
     isolation, analog missions, undersea environments, and space 
     flight uniquely suited the agency to help with this historic 
     rescue;
       Whereas sustaining, supporting, and rescuing the trapped 
     miners was an extremely challenging task;
       Whereas, on August 30, 2010, NASA employees from the 
     Johnson and Langley Space Centers traveled to Chile to assist 
     with the rescue efforts;
       Whereas the NASA team worked closely with the Chilean 
     government, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of 
     Mining, the Chilean Navy, and the Chilean Space Agency;
       Whereas NASA assisted the Chilean government by sharing 
     knowledge acquired during space flight missions for the 
     provision of medical care and psychological support in 
     extreme isolation;

[[Page H7472]]

       Whereas NASA engineers provided recommendations for the 
     design requirements for the Phoenix capsule used to rescue 
     the miners;
       Whereas the Chilean Navy used the Phoenix capsule to bring 
     the miners to the surface nearly 69 days after the mine's 
     initial collapse;
       Whereas, on October 13, 2010, all 33 miners were 
     successfully rescued; and
       Whereas NASA's help was instrumental in the historic rescue 
     of all 33 miners: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the engineers, scientists, psychologists, 
     and staff of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration for helping to successfully rescue 33 trapped 
     Chilean miners from a collapsed mine near Copiapo, Chile; and
       (2) recognizes that the experience and knowledge of the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration has acquired 
     through space flight is beneficial to human life on Earth and 
     was critical to the successful rescue of the Chilean miners.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Olson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. 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. Res. 
1714, the resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  I would like to urge my colleagues to support this resolution now 
under consideration. While we often think of NASA's inspiring 
achievements in launching humans into space, assembling and operating 
the international space station, and deploying probes that deliver 
stunning images of the Earth, our Sun, planetary systems, and the 
universe, NASA's role in assisting the Chilean Government in the 
successful rescue of 33 miners trapped underground in northern Chile 
shows us a different side of NASA's greatness. It shows us the 
contributions of NASA's skills and technologies to benefiting people 
back here on Earth--whether here in the United States or around the 
world.
  Based on NASA's extensive experience in working with extreme 
isolation, analog missions, undersea environments, and spaceflight, the 
Chilean Government sought guidance from NASA in addressing this task of 
rescuing 33 miners trapped over 2,000 feet underground--particularly on 
the nutritional and behavioral health of the trapped miners, which was 
extremely challenging. A team of NASA personnel from the Johnson Space 
Center in Texas and the Langley Research Center was assembled, 
including two medical doctors, a psychologist, and an engineer, who 
traveled to Chile to support the Chilean Government's rescue efforts. 
The NASA team worked diligently and tirelessly to provide input and 
information that could help preserve the health and well-being of the 
33 trapped miners during and after their confinement as well as aid in 
their rescue.
  Mr. Speaker, when called to help the Chilean Government, the NASA 
team responded with unwavering excellence and commitment. This 
enthusiasm is characteristic of the NASA workforce at the Johnson 
Center and at each of the other centers. The support of NASA and its 
team to the Government of Chile and the successful rescue of the 33 
trapped miners is just the latest example of NASA's accomplishments in 
applying space technology, scientific knowledge, and operational and 
other skills to enrich the lives of Americans and people across the 
world. Those accomplishments include the use of NASA-developed research 
and rescue technologies to identify distressed ships and sailors at 
sea; the use of NASA air and space-based imagery to provide details on 
the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill; and the application of software 
developed to process Earth science imagery to the diagnostic 
interpretation of medical imagery.
  The United States' investment in our space program and its workforce 
has far-reaching benefits for our economy, our national security, our 
international relations, and our humanity at large. NASA's contribution 
to the Chilean Government's rescue operation demonstrates the 
importance of ensuring a robust future for NASA as a multimission 
agency. NASA continues to provide the United States strong leadership 
in science, aeronautics, human spaceflight, and exploration, and that 
preserves and nurtures the world-class talent.
  The NASA workforce is the heart of our space program's greatness. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the NASA team and its 
contributions to the Chilean Government's successful and inspiring 
rescue mission that brought 33 trapped miners to freedom and safety.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1714, congratulating the 
engineers, scientists, psychologists, and staff of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration who contributed to the successful 
rescue of the 33 Chilean miners. NASA employees provided technical 
advice to the Chilean Government based on the agency's long experience 
in protecting humans in the hostile environment of space, including 
recommendations on medical care, nutrition, psychological support, as 
well as aiding the design of the device used to extract the miners.
  As the world watched, Chile's Government turned its full attention to 
locating the 33 miners following the mine collapse on August 5. 
Seventeen days later, rescuers located the miners by successfully 
boring a half mile below the surface to a safe haven where the men had 
taken shelter. The fact that the drilling operation found its target on 
the first try in itself is a miracle, but it was also a testament to 
the skills and collaboration of many men and women working on the 
surface.
  One day after locating the men, Chile's Government contacted NASA 
asking for technical advice regarding the best approach to ensure the 
miners were receiving appropriate psychological support and medical 
care. NASA also offered its advice to Chilean authorities on design 
requirements for the extraction vehicle. A week later, a five-member 
team of NASA employees visited Chile and the mine site as part of the 
agency response, offering their advice and their expertise.
  I would like to recognize Dr. Michael Duncan, Dr. Albert Holland, and 
Dr. James Polk from the Johnson Space Center in the district I 
represent; Clint Cragg from the Langley Research Center; and Albert 
Condes from NASA headquarters, for their role in helping this grand 
rescue effort, just another example of how the world benefits from 
American human spaceflight.
  I would like to thank my fellow colleague, Congresswoman Eddie 
Bernice Johnson, for her hard work in getting this resolution to the 
floor. I urge all Members to support this resolution.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1714.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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