[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 97 (Tuesday, July 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE INTRODUCTION OF ``THE APOLLO LUNAR LANDING LEGACY ACT''

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                         HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2013

  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, in 1969, led by the late Apollo Astronaut 
Neil Armstrong, American ingenuity changed history as humanity took a 
giant leap forward on the surface of the moon. That history, as 
preserved on the lunar surface, is now in danger, as spacefaring 
commercial entities and foreign nations begin to achieve the technical 
capabilities necessary to land spacecraft on the surface of the moon.
  The United States must be proactive in protecting our unique cultural 
heritage left by the seven Apollo lunar landings. I am excited to have 
introduced H.R. 2617, ``the Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act,'' which 
would expand and enhance the protection and preservation of the Apollo 
lunar artifacts while providing for greater recognition and public 
understanding of this achievement for generations to come. I would like 
to thank Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ranking Member of the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology, for her commitment to the space program 
and for being an original cosponsor of this bill. It is also 
significant that we have introduced H.R. 2616, ``the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act of 
2013,'' legislation that reauthorizes NASA and ensures the Agency 
remains a multi-mission agency with a balanced and robust set of core 
missions in science, aeronautics, space technology, and human space 
flight and exploration.
  The Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act will ensure that the scientific 
data and cultural significance of the Apollo artifacts remains unharmed 
by future lunar landings. This Act will endow the artifacts as a 
National Historic Park, thereby asserting unquestioned ownership rights 
over the Apollo lunar landing artifacts. The legislation will 
additionally require the Secretary of the Interior to pursue nominating 
the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing site, where humanity left its 
first steps on the moon, as a World Heritage Site. The bill builds on 
the recommendations of the 2011 report, ``NASA's Recommendations to 
Space-Faring Entities: How to Protect and Preserve the Historic and 
Scientific Value of U.S. Government Lunar Artifacts.''
  Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, this Act addresses an increasingly 
important aspect of our cultural heritage that I want to be available 
for future generations. I hope that all Members will join me in 
supporting ``the Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act'' by cosponsoring H.R. 
2617.

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