[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 17, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E936-E937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOON LANDING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 17, 2019

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, since the beginning of mankind, we 
have been driven by curiosity and a wonder of what is next for 
humanity.
  We have wondered about our place in the cosmos for as long as we have 
been able to look out into the night sky and see the stars.
  And of course, we have been dared by our own sense of imagination and 
possibility to try to breach our gravity and the heavens.
  It is with an awe of that sense of exploration that I rise to 
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
  On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy stood in this chamber, 
before Congress, and declared that the United States would send a man 
to the moon and return him safely to the Earth.
  He implored us to do so, not because it was easy, but because it was 
hard.
  In one-fell swoop, he harnessed our competitive drive and merged it 
with mankind's relentless pursuit of discovery and information and 
knowledge.
  It was a bold proposition, not because of this challenge, but also 
because of our standing in the Space Race.

[[Page E937]]

  Just four years earlier, the Soviets had released Sputnik into orbit, 
as the first unmanned satellite, and in the process taken the leading 
the global space race.
  Our confidence shaken, we set out to work on the mission before us.
  The 1960s were a tumultuous time in our pursuit of the moon's 
surface. Our path was not linear and not without setbacks.
  Before we could celebrate the triumph of the Apollo 11 crew and the 
valor of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, we mourned the 
crew of Apollo 1, who died shortly after their capsule lifted off of 
Terra Firma.
  Before we could walk on the moon, it was necessary first to orbit the 
earth.
  Indeed, the journey to Mare Tranquillitatis was long, and a 
collective, national endeavor.
  The pursuit would be the pursuit of three presidents until, on July 
20, 1969, the crew of Apollo 11 touched down on the Moon's surface.
  The words uttered by Neil Armstrong were instantly immortalized, 
because, indeed, it was one small step for man, one giant leap for 
mankind.
  This moment was definitely a moment for joy and celebration for our 
entire nation.
  But for those of us from Houston, this moment is an occasion for 
particular and unique pride.
  The flight to the Moon, and indeed all manned flights, have been 
guided by the brilliant and hardworking men and women of Houston, who, 
for close to 60 years, have been the steady hand, guiding manned space 
exploration.
  I thank them for all that they do.
  As I conclude my remarks, I urge all within earshot of my voice to 
maintain that same sense of discovery and exploration, and wonder what 
lies next for us.
  And, I evoke President Kennedy's admonition to us from 58 years ago, 
that we should not be motivated simply by what is easy, but that we 
should meet the difficult challenge and savor what can be accomplished 
by our collective efforts.
  I congratulate all from NASA who have made the endeavor of space 
flight their life's work.

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