[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 179 (Tuesday, November 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9493-H9495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AFFIRMING UNITED STATES-AUSTRALIA COOPERATION ON SPACE RESEARCH,
EXPLORATION, AND UTILIZATION
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1052) affirming United States-
Australia cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1052
Whereas the United States of America and the Commonwealth
of Australia are treaty allies;
Whereas United States and Australia defense cooperation
extends back 100 years, to the Battle of Hamel in World War
I;
Whereas the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security
Treaty, also referred to as the ANZUS Treaty, has formed the
framework of the United States-Australia alliance since 1951;
Whereas the Australia-United States Ministerial
Consultation, also referred to as AUSMIN, has contributed to
a deeper partnership between the two nations;
Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) notes that, ``The United States and Australia have
been cooperating in civil space for more than 50 years'';
Whereas the United States Apollo missions and subsequent
space science and exploration conducted by the United States
benefitted greatly from the partnership with our Australian
allies;
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Whereas Neil Armstrong's first steps on the surface of the
Moon were relayed to Houston through the Honeysuckle Creek
site in Australia;
Whereas NASA also notes that, ``The Canberra complex is an
integral component of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN), the
world's largest and most sensitive scientific
telecommunications system'';
Whereas the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
(CDSCC) is one of NASA's largest tracking and communication
facilities outside the United States;
Whereas, on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Australian
Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey and Acting NASA
Administrator Robert Lightfoot signed a 25-year agreement for
continued cooperation on space cooperation, including on
space tracking;
Whereas the United States and Australian governments have
jointly committed to expanding Space Situational Awareness
(SSA);
Whereas United States-Australia cooperation on SSA is
critical to maximize defense capabilities, monitoring
environmental changes, avoiding space congestion and
collisions, and protecting against exploitation from the
growing counter-space capabilities of our adversaries;
Whereas, on September 24, 2017, the Government of Australia
under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull committed to creating
the Australian Space Agency, with operations beginning on
July 1, 2018; and
Whereas the Australian Space Agency commenced operations on
July 1, 2018: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the Australian Government in constituting the
Australian Space Agency;
(2) recognizes the value in United States-Australia
cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization,
including on terrestrial research, commercial activities, and
human and robotic space exploration;
(3) supports international cooperation on space research,
exploration, and utilization and other forms of space
diplomacy as being in the national interest of the United
States;
(4) encourages the Department of State to support and
facilitate international cooperation with Australia on space
research, exploration, and utilization through diplomatic
efforts, including through the Australia-United States
Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) forum and multilateral
initiatives with Japan, Canada, the European Union, and other
partners of both the United States and Australia; and
(5) supports deeper cooperation with our Australian allies
in contributing each country's unique strengths and resources
to mutual prosperity and security.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Representative Castro from
Texas, for sponsoring this measure, which affirms the longstanding
strategic alliance between the United States and Australia, and
especially our extensive cooperation on space-related activities.
Australia has long played a key role in the U.S. space program. It
hosts several facilities that are crucial for maintaining
communications with our manned and robotic missions. These facilities
also support U.S. satellites and spacecraft, including those related to
military and intelligence-related activities.
The establishment of the Australian Space Agency, which was just
announced this past year, will only add to this long history and will
promote more mutually beneficial cooperation as advanced technologies
create new opportunities for jobs in both countries.
This increased cooperation is especially timely, as Australia's
importance to the U.S. national security is enhanced by the ongoing
militarization of space that is being undertaken by both Beijing and
Moscow. This resolution highlights the growing importance of our two
countries' cooperation in this vital area and looks forward to even
closer ties in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution.
Let me thank Mr. Castro for introducing this measure underscoring the
importance of U.S.-Australia bilateral cooperation in space. I am
grateful for his leadership in bringing this next-generation issue to
our attention in the House.
The United States and Australia already share deep bonds of
cooperation:
We are treaty allies;
We share intelligence as Five Eyes partners;
We are engaged on a range of issues around the world, from defense,
to trade, to development;
We share a deep cultural connection rooted in our common values of
democracy and openness;
And, of course, this is a friendship quite literally forged in blood.
Americans and Australians have fought and perished side by side in
every war since World War I.
In July, the U.S.-Australia relationship entered its 100th year, and
we celebrated together ``100 Years of Mateship.'' We are already
thinking about our cooperation over the next 100 years, and the U.S.-
Australia partnership in space research, exploration, and utilization
will surely be a key area.
The days are gone when human activity in space was limited to great
powers competing with one another. Today, with telecommunication and
weather satellites floating overhead, space plays a major role in the
day-to-day lives of people all over the world.
Of course, not all countries interested in space exploration share
our interests and values when it comes to space. That is why we want to
ensure that the values that have underpinned the U.S.-Australia
partnership are also carried into our collaboration in the space
domain.
This resolution reaffirms those values and the importance of this
forward-looking partnership. I am pleased to support it, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Castro), the author of this bill and a valuable member of the
Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Engel and
Chairman Royce for all of their help on this piece of legislation.
I would also like to thank my colleague from New York, Elise
Stefanik, for introducing this resolution with me, which honors the
U.S.-Australia space cooperation.
This year marks 100 years of close cooperation between the United
States and Australia. Dating back to World War I, our nations have
cooperated diplomatically, culturally, militarily, and economically.
Just as we come together on other concrete issues, we must also come
together to better understand what lies beyond our own universe.
This July, Australia set up its national space agency. With this
creation, Australia joined a chorus of nations seeking to understand
our place in the universe.
This isn't the first time our nations have cooperated on space. The
first images of Neil Armstrong on the surface of the Moon were
transmitted to the world through radio stations in Australia.
We have also cooperated on securing our people's futures through
defense cooperation in space. The establishment of Australia's first
space agency is an opportunity to expand on this cooperation towards a
more complete understanding of all of these issues. This includes
manned and unmanned exploration, research across our universities on
astrophysics and other issues, and the development of commercial
options to access space.
This resolution recognizes the importance of this new space agency
and the value of U.S. cooperation with Australia on space exploration.
It also encourages our State Department to facilitate international
cooperation on this issue through diplomatic channels. In doing so, we
will strengthen our partnerships in the region and internationally.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time to close.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to
close.
[[Page H9495]]
Let me again thank Mr. Castro for putting forward this timely and
important resolution. He has been a valued leader on policy on Asia and
policy in Australia.
As we look to the future of U.S.-Australia relations over the next
100 years, I am confident that our countries will be able to expand our
close collaboration in the critical domain of space exploration and
research.
This resolution commends the Government of Australia for constituting
the Australian Space Agency, which lays the foundation for our
bilateral cooperation in space. It also underscores America's interests
in prioritizing space cooperation in the years to come and in doing it
with a good friend in Australia.
I support the passage of this resolution. I encourage my colleagues
to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Representative Castro of
Texas, for sponsoring this measure.
Our cooperation with Australia in space-related activities is a key
element of our broader strategic relationship. Those ties will become
increasingly important as new technologies create expanded
opportunities for peaceful endeavors and as Beijing and Moscow and
others increasingly challenge U.S. national security in space.
Expanding our joint efforts in this area will enhance the interests
of both countries and further strengthen our longstanding strategic
alliance.
For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
timely, bipartisan measure.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of
House Resolution 1052 which affirms cooperation on space research,
exploration, and utilization between the United States and its great
ally, Australia.
On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the landing of Apollo 11 on the
Moon, it is fitting that we acknowledge the contribution of NASA's
tracking station located at Honeysuckle Creek in Australia and
Australia's Parkes radio telescope to the success of the Apollo 11
mission.
Indeed, Neil Armstrong's famous words announcing humankind's first
step on the Moon were first received by those facilities located in
Australia before being relayed to the rest of the world.
Australia has been a crucial partner to the U.S. space program ever
since.
For example, scientists and engineers from the Australian Space
Agency worked with NASA at the Canberra Deep Space Communication
Complex to support communications for the landing of rovers on Mars,
the arrival of New Horizons to Pluto, and the entry of Juno into orbit
around Jupiter.
And NASA will build on its experience conducting sounding rocket
launch operations at Australia's Woomera Test Range by using the
Equatorial Launch Australia launch range for several Astrophysics
missions that are scheduled for 2019.
As Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
I have been engaged in ensuring that NASA establish the requisite
building blocks to ensure the success of the Nation's space exploration
program.
One of those building blocks will be international cooperation and
partnerships.
The National Academies' Committee on Human Spaceflight recommended in
its 2014 ``Pathways to Exploration'' report that NASA, among other
recommendations, ``vigorously pursue opportunities for international
and commercial collaboration in order to leverage financial resources
and capabilities of other nations and commercial entities''.
Peaceful international cooperation has been a hallmark of NASA's
approach since its inception. House Resolution 1052 resolution affirms
the need for such cooperation and partnership with Australia.
I urge my fellow Members to pass this Resolution.
{time} 1745
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1052.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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