[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 163 (Friday, November 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COLORADO HAS THE SECOND LARGEST AEROSPACE ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES

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                           HON. MIKE COFFMAN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 15, 2013

  Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of myself 
and my fellow members of the Colorado delegation, Representatives Diana 
DeGette, Cory Gardner, Doug Lamborn, Ed Perlmutter, Jared Polis, and 
Scott Tipton, about our home state's aerospace leadership and the long-
term plan for sustaining America's space-faring future. Space 
technologies benefit the everyday lives of all American citizens and 
Colorado has the second largest aerospace economy in the United States. 
In our great state, there are more than 165,000 employees of the 
aerospace industry, eight of the nation's top aerospace contractors, 
over 400 space-related companies, four space-related military commands, 
and universities among the world's best for aerospace-related degrees.
  The United States has lost the ability to put people into space with 
our own national assets at the end of NASA's Space Shuttle program. 
Colorado is key to regaining the ability for manned space exploration 
with programs such as Lockheed Martin's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew 
Vehicle, Sierra Nevada Space Systems' ``Dream Chaser'' and other low-
earth orbit missions aboard United Launch Alliance vehicles. Colorado 
was a significant contributor to one of the premier space events of 
this decade. The Mars Science Laboratory ``Curiosity'' mission, is at 
the center of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology, and 
is also a national leader developing satellites that support and 
protect our nation's civil, commercial and national security interests.
  Colorado seeks to remain on the leading edge of America's space-
faring future, pursuing designation as a commercial spaceport and 
leading advocacy for America's space exploration through organizations 
like the Space Foundation, Colorado Space Coalition, Colorado Space 
Business Roundtable, and Colorado's Official Air & Space Museum, Wings 
Over the Rockies.
  Wings Over the Rockies' Spreading Wings Gala on November 16, 2013 
will gather hundreds of aerospace executives and enthusiasts to honor 
leading advocates for America's space-faring future--Astronaut Edwin E. 
``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., second man to walk on the Moon, and Dr. Neil 
deGrasse Tyson, noted astrophysicist and host of the forthcoming 
``Cosmos'' television series.
  It is imperative that we strive to preserve and enhance United States 
leadership in space to inspire young people, spur innovation, and 
ensure continued national and economic security. Mr. Speaker, it is 
with great pleasure that we thank Astronaut Aldrin and Dr. Tyson for 
their positive vision of our space-faring future and commend Wings Over 
the Rockies and all of Colorado's aerospace community for their 
commitment to exploring new horizons in the frontier of space for the 
benefit of generations of American citizens.

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