[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;

[[Page H9494]]

       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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