[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 110 (Thursday, July 21, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H5300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SPACE PROGRAM'S END THREATENS AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM

  (Mr. HULTGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HULTGREN. Madam Speaker, Shuttle Atlantis returned to Earth at 
daybreak this morning, and it marked the end of America's 30-year 
shuttle history of scientific and engineering excellence in space.
  I am a strong believer in American exceptionalism, and at its heart, 
the story of America's exploration of space is a story of American 
exceptionalism. No other nation has mastered manned space flight like 
the United States, launched anything like the Hubble Space Telescope, 
or led efforts like the international space station.
  Forty-two years ago today, Americans first walked on the Moon. No 
other nation has come close to matching this achievement. But I am 
deeply concerned about America's future greatness. Today, the path 
forward for our space program is unclear. Save for empty political 
rhetoric, President Obama has been unwilling to lead or articulate a 
vision for future American endeavors in space.
  The Defense Department fears that the loss of our civilian space 
program will erode our aerospace industry base and threaten our 
technological edge in all fields. As a result, we are left relying on 
Vladimir Putin for rides into orbit. This is unacceptable and it's un-
American.
  I hope we will reform Washington's habit of borrowing and spending. 
And after we have cut, capped, and balanced, it's time to lead again in 
space. It's time again for American exceptionalism.

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