[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 146 (Monday, October 3, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H6481-H6483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL ROTUNDA FOR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
CEREMONY
Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in
the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 29) authorizing the use of the
rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the
Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E.
``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in
recognition of their significant contributions to society.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
S. Con. Res. 29
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring),
SECTION 1. USE OF THE ROTUNDA OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL TO
PRESENT THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Authorization.--The rotunda of the United States
Capitol is authorized to be used on November 16, 2011 for the
presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively,
to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael
Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of
their significant contributions to society.
(b) Preparations.--Physical preparations for the conduct of
the event described in subsection (a) shall be carried out in
accordance
[[Page H6482]]
with such conditions as may be prescribed by the Architect of
the Capitol.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Harper) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Brady) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.
General Leave
Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Mississippi?
There was no objection.
Mr. HARPER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This resolution authorizes the use of the rotunda on November 16 to
present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A.
Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John
Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions
to society.
Mr. Speaker, on May 25, 1961, President Kennedy spoke to a joint
session of Congress. He said that it was time for a ``great new
American enterprise--time for this Nation to take a clearly leading
role in space achievement.'' He committed this Nation to achieving the
ambitious goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him to Earth
safely.
President Kennedy added, ``I believe we possess all the resources and
talents necessary'' to accomplish the mission--and that we did as
exhibited by the gentlemen to be honored in the rotunda this November.
Bravely pursuing the unknown, these four individuals helped this
Nation achieve scientific and technological advancements which inspired
the world.
Mr. Speaker, Neil Armstrong was the spacecraft commander for Apollo
11, the first manned lunar landing mission in history. He was the first
person to land a craft on the Moon and the first to step foot on its
surface. His immortal words are forever etched in our national memory.
``Buzz'' Aldrin piloted the Lunar Module ``Eagle'' and was the second
person to walk on the Moon.
Michael Collins piloted the Command Module ``Columbia'' in lunar
orbit and helped his fellow Apollo 11 astronauts complete their mission
on the Moon.
Seven-and-a-half years earlier, John Glenn paved the way for these
achievements by becoming the first American to orbit the Earth in
February of 1962.
Two years ago, on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic lunar
landing, the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal Act was passed by
Congress. Forty-two years ago, in July of 1969, millions of Americans
were transfixed on a place over a quarter of a million miles away. Eyes
watched as we stepped into the unknown, walked on the Moon and made
history.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present this resolution today, and I
urge my colleagues to support it in honoring the achievements of these
national heroes.
House of Representatives,
Committee on House Administration,
Washington, DC, October 3, 2011.
Hon. John Boehner,
Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,
DC.
Dear Speaker Boehner: I write to notify you that the
Committee on House Administration hereby waives further
committee consideration of S. Con. Res. 29, a concurrent
resolution authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United
States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold
Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. "Buzz"
Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr.,
in recognition of their significant contributions to society,
in order that the legislation may proceed expeditiously to
the House floor for consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel E. Lungren,
Chairman.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this concurrent resolution
authorizing the use of the Capitol rotunda to award Congressional Gold
Medals to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael
Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., for being pioneers of space
exploration. The bill granting the medals was sponsored by former
Representative Alan Grayson in the 110th Congress and was signed into
law by President Obama on August 7, 2009.
It can be said that these four heroes are trailblazers, but their
paths ensured they were not the last. They showed everyone that the
impossible is possible and inspired generations to study, question, and
explore the world beyond our own planet. For that, they have not only
left a mark on history but on the will and determination of mankind.
As President John F. Kennedy noted in a speech to Congress on May 25,
1961, ``I believe that this Nation should commit itself to achieving
the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and
returning him safely to the Earth.'' And so we did.
I urge all of my colleagues to join me today in supporting this
concurrent resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the distinguished chairman of the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Mr. HALL. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Senate Concurrent Resolution
29, authorizing the use of the Capitol rotunda to present the
Congressional Gold Medal to the crew of Apollo 11--Buzz Aldrin, Neil
Armstrong, and Mike Collins--and to the first American to orbit the
Earth, John H. Glenn.
These great Americans need no introduction. Yet no matter their
heroic accomplishments, it is well worth remembering the huge risks
each of these individuals confronted as they began to push the
boundaries of human exploration in outer space.
While the technologies they relied on to conduct their flights were
considered cutting edge during their day, many of these systems had
never been fully tested except during the actual first flights
performed by these men.
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn rode to orbit atop an Atlas rocket
that had been adapted from a military design to carry the Mercury
capsule Friendship 7 to orbit. His flight lasted nearly 5 hours before
returning safely to Earth. Seven years and 5 months later, Apollo 11
astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Mike Collins were launched.
After a 4-day flight, Neil and Buzz landed on the Moon, becoming the
first humans to walk on its surface.
I was honored to chair a hearing just 2 weeks ago that included Neil
Armstrong and fellow Apollo astronaut Gene Cernan, the last American
man to walk on the Moon, as witnesses. Mr. Armstrong prefaced the
hearing with a very dramatic video that included footage of his descent
inside the Eagle lunar module to its landing.
{time} 1700
Many of you, I'm sure, have seen this footage, but to hear Neil
Armstrong offer a live narration as the Eagle descends and settles on
the Moon's surface is something I'll never forget.
I also want to recognize my good friend Buzz Aldrin, whom I've come
to know over the years. Buzz has never failed to counsel me on all
things related to space and NASA, and I appreciate his commitment to
our country and to our space program.
Mr. Speaker, the last Congress passed legislation, signed by the
President, authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal for these brave
astronauts. The legislation before us today, S. Con. Res. 29,
authorizes the use of the Capitol rotunda on November 16, some 43 days
hence, to formally make the award.
I support the resolution and urge all Members to support it as well.
Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. I thank the gentleman from Mississippi, my
friend.
I urge all Members to support this resolution, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Lungren and
Ranking Member Brady for their support on this matter.
I urge my colleagues to support this concurrent resolution, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. Con. Res.
29, which would authorize the use of the Capitol rotunda for an event
on November 16, 2011 to present Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz''
Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., with the
Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award that this nation
can bestow
[[Page H6483]]
on an individual. I would like to call to your attention in particular
the deeds of one of those outstanding individuals, ``Buzz'' Aldrin.
Buzz Aldrin was born at Mountainside Hospital in New Jersey in 1930.
He graduated from Montclair High School in 1946, turning down a
scholarship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in favor of
the chance to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point,
where he graduated third in his class in 1951. I am proud to represent
Montclair, and I am sure that the citizens of my Eighth District would
agree that Buzz Aldrin is one of our most distinguished natives.
After graduating from West Point, Aldrin received his commission as a
second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He flew 66 combat
missions during the Korean War, and shot down two enemy fighters during
his distinguished service there. Following the war, Aldrin served as an
instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and later earned his Doctor
of Science Degree from MIT. In 1963, he was selected to become a NASA
astronaut.
On July 20th, 1969, Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon as a member of the
crew of NASA's Apollo 11 mission. He was the second human being ever on
the moon, following his crewmate Neil Armstrong. He is the first
astronaut to both spacewalk and set foot on the moon.
Since his retirement from active duty in 1972 after 21 years of
service, Col. Aldrin continues to advocate for space travel, appearing
repeatedly on television, in print, and in person around the country.
He has helped NASA to develop new training techniques, and has proposed
innovative new ideas for manned missions to the planet Mars and its
moons. As an author, he has published two science-fiction novels, two
autobiographies, and several children's books.
Col. Aldrin has been honored with countless awards and distinctions
for his service with the U.S. Air Force, with NASA, and to the country.
These awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the
NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the
Presidential Medal of Freedom. Buzz Aldrin also has a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of
Fame in 2007. It is fitting that he now be bestowed the Congressional
Gold Medal
The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is
rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing and commemorating the
achievements of brave heroes such as Buzz Aldrin.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the citizens of New
Jersey's Eighth District, and me in recognizing Edwin E. ``Buzz''
Aldrin, Jr. and his colleagues for their outstanding service to this
nation in the name of science, education, and discovery.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of Senate Concurrent Resolution 29 authorizing the use of the rotunda
of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional
Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz''
Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in
recognition of their significant contributions to society. Their hard
work and perseverance exemplify the work ethic we stand for as a
nation, and I can think of no place better than the rotunda to honor
their leadership and sacrifice in service to this country.
The rotunda of the United States Capitol offers the perfect venue to
show the necessary respect to three men who risked their lives to
change the course of history in the name of the United States of
America. In the tension of the Cold War, when it seemed the existence
of the free world had been brought into question, these three men
stepped directly into harm's way in service to their country. A
ceremony in the rotunda will evoke the honor and respect that we owe to
these three brave men, and I offer my full support for the use of this
space.
The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by Congress for
outstanding deeds or acts of service to the security, prosperity, and
national interest of the United States. The Congressional Gold Medal is
the highest civilian award, and these men are deserving recipients.
The importance of this event is particularly relevant to the 18th
district of Texas given the city of Houston's role in the Apollo
legacy. Not long after President Kennedy set our nation on the course
of putting a man on the moon, Houston became a key player in the
realization of that goal. Before uttering his famous phrase, Neil
Armstrong, communicated with Johnson Space Center's Mission Control
Center from the surface of the moon, stating ``Houston, the Eagle has
landed.'' The historic lunar landing remains a cornerstone of the
American legacy, and at a time when the very existence of NASA sits in
question, it is especially important that we deliver a ceremony that
will propel the memory of NASA pioneers into future generations.
Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins,
and John Herschel Glenn, Jr. were called to service by their country,
in a time when two great nations challenged each other and boldly raced
into space. In the bleak years of the Cold War, we conquered a new
frontier, and in turn understood things about the universe we never
thought possible. These men played an important role in American
history that will benefit generations to come, and are well deserving
of this honor.
It is in a spirit of deep appreciation that I am pleased to join my
colleagues in supporting S. Con. Res 29, authorizing the use of the
rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the
Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E.
``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in
recognition of their significant contributions to society.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Harper) that the House suspend the
rules and concur in the concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 29.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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