[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING NEIL A. ARMSTRONG

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of the life 
and career of Neil A. Armstrong. Americans and people around the world 
paused when Mr. Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, to recall his 
heroic accomplishments and historic legacy.
  Neil Armstrong is remembered as a man who pushed the frontiers of 
space exploration and engineering. Over the course of his life and 
service to the Nation, he promoted the idea of never doubting what is 
possible. He inspired countless young men and women to pursue careers 
in science and engineering, many of whom became aeronautics workers at 
facilities like the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
  Mr. Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, OH, on August 5, 1930. He 
received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Perdue 
University, a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the 
University of California, and received honorary doctorates from 
multiple universities.
  Mr. Armstrong embarked on a remarkable career that would involve his 
flying more than 200 different models of aircraft including jets, 
rockets, helicopters and gliders.
  From 1949 to 1952, Mr. Armstrong served as a naval aviator, and in 
1955 joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, now the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. From 1955 through 1972, 
he served as an engineer, test pilot, astronaut, and administrator for 
our Nation's ambitious space program.
  Mr. Armstrong's transfer to astronaut status in 1962 led to his 
performing the first successful docking of two vehicles in space in 
March 1966 as the command pilot for Gemini 8. Mr. Armstrong 
subsequently became commander for Apollo 11, the first manned lunar 
mission, and was the first man to land a craft on the moon. At 10:56 
p.m. ET on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to step 
on the surface of the moon. It was one of the defining moments of the 
20th century and one of the proudest days for the American people.
  Following his career with NASA, Mr. Armstrong was a Professor of 
Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati between 1971 and 
1979. Mr. Armstrong was decorated by 17 countries and was the recipient 
of many special honors including: the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 
the Congressional Gold Medal, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, 
the Explorers Club Medal, the Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy, the 
NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the Harmon International Aviation 
Trophy, the Royal Geographic Society's Gold Medal, the Federal 
Aeronautique Internationale's Gold Space Medal, the American 
Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award, the Robert J. Collier 
Trophy, the AIAA Astronautics Award, the Octave Chanute Award, and the 
John J. Montgomery Award.
  Mr. Armstrong will be remembered not only for his famous words as he 
stepped foot on the moon--``That's one small step for a man, one giant 
leap for mankind''--but more importantly for inspiring generations of 
people around the world to explore and push the boundaries of what they 
believe is possible. Neil Armstrong was a true American hero who will 
be missed by many, but never forgotten.

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