[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5012-5014]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING NASA ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE 
                      SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
resolution (H. Con. Res. 366) to congratulate the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration on the 25th anniversary of the first flight of 
the Space Transportation System, to honor Commander John Young and the 
Pilot Robert Crippen, who flew Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12-14, 
1981, on its first orbital test flight, and to commend the men and 
women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and all 
those supporting America's space program for their accomplishments and 
their role in inspiring the American people.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 366

       Whereas Space Shuttle Columbia was the first manned, 
     reusable spacecraft that was flown into orbit without benefit 
     of previous unmanned orbital test flights;
       Whereas the Space Shuttle Columbia was the first spacecraft 
     to launch with wings, using solid rocket boosters;
       Whereas the Space Shuttle Columbia was the first reentry 
     spacecraft to land on a conventional runway;
       Whereas the Space Shuttle program has allowed the United 
     States to partner with other nations to build and to inhabit 
     the International Space Station;
       Whereas the successful return to flight of the Space 
     Shuttle represents the first leg of the Nation's Vision for 
     Space Exploration;
       Whereas the men and women of America's Space Shuttle 
     program have been instrumental in ensuring the Nation's 
     preeminence in space exploration for 25 years;
       Whereas the very specialized and highly valued workforce of 
     the Space Shuttle program will contribute greatly to the 
     Vision for Space Exploration as we return to the Moon, and go 
     on to Mars and beyond;
       Whereas, like the explorers Lewis and Clark who explored 
     our great Nation, John Young and Robert Crippen opened a new 
     era of human exploration beyond our planet; and
       Whereas heroes such as John Young and Robert Crippen are a 
     great inspiration to our next generation of Americans as they 
     stimulate interest in the study of math and science: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) congratulates the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration on the 25th anniversary of the first flight of 
     the Space Transportation System;
       (2) honors Commander John Young and the Pilot Robert 
     Crippen, who flew Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12-14, 
     1981, on its first orbital test flight; and
       (3) commends the men and women of the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration and all those supporting America's 
     space program for their accomplishments and their role in 
     inspiring the American people.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Calvert) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 366.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall).
  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 25th 
anniversary of the first flight of the Space Shuttle.
  On April 12, 1981, Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen 
launched from the Kennedy Space Center in the Space Shuttle Columbia. 
Their successful 3-day test flight of the manned, reusable spacecraft 
marked the beginning of a long career for the Space Shuttle that 
continues today.
  Because of the design of the Shuttle, the spacecraft is uniquely 
qualified to help America build and supply the International Space 
Station. As we work with our international partners to complete the 
Space Station, the Shuttle will help us achieve that goal. For 25 
years, the men and women of our Shuttle program have done a remarkable 
job returning the Shuttle to flight year after year to continue 
America's prominence in space. This resolution not only commends the 
first flight of the Shuttle, but it also recognizes and honors these 
dedicated citizens who work every day to this singular goal.
  The Shuttle has seen glory and it has seen tragedy. The loss of 
Challenger and Columbia remind us that space travel is difficult and 
dangerous. Astronauts are today's Columbuses and Magellans--and their 
mission is a fragile and dangerous one. And yet, the Space Shuttle 
program continued on because of the men and women dedicated to the 
important work of the space program--work that benefits all sectors of 
society and improves the quality of all our lives.
  America now has a new Vision for Space Exploration. We have already 
achieved the first step in the new Vision for Space Exploration when 
the Space Shuttle returned to flight last summer. Commander Eileen 
Collins and her crew successfully executed the 14-day mission into 
outer space and delivered more than 6 tons of needed supplies to the 
Space Station. Like many of my colleagues, I am eagerly anticipating 
the Shuttle's next flight this summer.
  I am also looking forward to our next step in the process--the 
development of a new vehicle to replace the Shuttle. We need to make 
sure that the transition between these two spacecrafts is as seamless 
at possible because we cannot afford to lose the very specialized and 
highly valued Shuttle workforce. We also need to make sure that the new 
spacecraft includes a crew escape system because our astronauts deserve 
to be as safe as possible. I am pleased that NASA will require this 
system on the new crew exploration vehicle, and I will be continuing to 
monitor that development.
  America leads the world in space exploration, and this is due, in 
large part, to the men and women of the Space Shuttle program. And this 
is only the beginning. With astronauts like the ones who traveled over 
the years on the Space Shuttle, and specialists and staff at NASA, 
America will continue to push frontiers and lead the world in space 
exploration and discovery.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on April 12, 1981, two American heroes, Commander John 
Young and Pilot Robert Crippen, were strapped into their seats in the 
Space Shuttle Columbia and took off into history, orbiting the Earth 
for 54 hours, 20 minutes, and 53 seconds. This was the boldest test 
flight in history.
  The space shuttle was the first reusable spacecraft to be flown into 
orbit without the benefit of previous unmanned orbital test flights, 
and was the first spacecraft to land on a conventional runway at 
Edwards Air Force Base in my home State of California.
  Like the explorers Lewis and Clark who explored our great Nation and 
who opened up the West, John Young and Robert Crippen opened a new era 
of human exploration beyond our planet Earth. Now, as we move forward 
with the vision for space exploration, the successful return to flight 
of the space shuttle represents the first step toward going to the 
Moon, Mars, and beyond.
  Today as a Nation, we want to pay tribute to the National Space and 
Aeronautics Administration on the 25th anniversary of the first flight 
of the space shuttle. We want to honor Commander John Young and Pilot 
Robert Crippen, who flew the first Space Shuttle Columbia, on April 12-
14, 1981, on its first orbital test flight. We want to commend the men 
and women of NASA and our aerospace industry for the roles they play in 
inspiring the American people. This is what provides the inspiration to 
our next generation to study math and science. This is what keeps our 
Nation competitive.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my colleague and rise in strong 
support of H. Con. Res. 366, a resolution to commemorate the first 
flight of the Space Shuttle STS-1 and to honor its crew, Commander John 
W. Young and Pilot Robert L. Crippen.

[[Page 5013]]

  It is hard to believe now, but 25 years have passed since the Space 
Shuttle Columbia took off on its maiden voyage on April 12, 1981. The 
space shuttle was the first and remains the only reusable crewed 
orbital spacecraft in the world, and its design represented a dramatic 
step towards human space flight.
  Parenthetically, I might say I was talking to some of my younger 
staff today, and we who have been around for a while remember that 
flight well. But when you try to explain to young people, or to anybody 
for that matter, that these people were landing in this enormous and 
weighty bird that had never been tested, and it had no power, never 
been tested in this kind of conditions and it had no power, you 
understand the undertaking that these courageous crew members had set 
themselves up for.
  This vehicle, of course, had the capacity to carry twice the crew 
members of its predecessors, to launch large scientific instruments 
such as the Hubble Space Telescope, the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, 
as well as interplanetary probes like Galileo and Ulysses.
  On that same subject, I must say that, personally, I believe the deep 
space image of Hubble is something that struck me as powerful as the 
first images we saw of Earth in the early Apollo days. When that 
telescope looked off into the heavens at a tiny speck and saw thousands 
of galaxies, it is an awe inspiring sight that I think the entire world 
should perhaps contemplate what it means to us.
  More recently, of course, the shuttle has served as a workhorse for 
the assembly of the international space station, and on April 12, 1981 
those accomplishments were still in the future.
  On that day as the space shuttle crew carried two intrepid 
astronauts, John Young and Robert Crippen, into the heavens on that 
courageous journey, we all held our breath because therein lay the 
future of manned space flight and womaned spaced flight as we would 
later see on shuttles.
  We should not underestimate the magnitude of that task. STS was not 
the first time that the space shuttle would carry a crew of astronauts; 
it was the first time the space shuttle would be flown into space, 
period. The willingness of these brave commanders to accept this 
mission shows that they certainly had the right stuff and it is 
entirely fitting that this Congress commemorate their accomplishments 
on this, the 25th anniversary of the first flight of the space shuttle.
  I think it is also appropriate to express our appreciation to all of 
the individuals, whether civil servants or contractors, who have worked 
so hard over the many years on the space shuttle program and over, 
particularly, the last quarter century.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the adoption of H. Con. 
Res. 366. I hope that action will be followed by speedy adoption in the 
other body.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. DeLay), a champion of America's space program.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago, America and the world were introduced to a 
new generation of heroes and a new era of human imagination. The moment 
the Space Shuttle Columbia first launched into low-Earth orbit, every 
other mode of space transportation was rendered obsolete.
  The shuttle was then, and remains today, the most dependable and most 
technologically advanced spacecraft in the world.
  In the last quarter century, the shuttle has become a global icon of 
American ingenuity and American courage. Since Commander John Young and 
Pilot Robert Crippen took the shuttle's maiden voyage, dozens of men 
and women, scientists, soldiers and school teachers have followed them 
in NASA's mission to conquer the unknown. And in that time, 14 shuttle 
astronauts have been lost in the pursuit of that noble mission, men and 
women whose names we remember and whose valor we can never forget.
  Where I come from, the space shuttle is more than a symbol. It is 
part of our community. The shuttle's managers, engineers, astronauts, 
contractors and designers have long called the Houston region their 
home. They are the people who have made our Johnson Space Center 
America's ``laboratory of the impossible,'' and for 25 years have 
stretched both the technological capacity and the collective 
imagination of the American people.
  It is an honor to represent such heroes in this House and it is an 
honor to cast my vote in favor of this resolution congratulating NASA 
and America's space community for 25 years of making history and 
fulfilling dreams. I urge my colleagues to support NASA's heroes and 
support this resolution.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  I rise in support of this resolution honoring the Space Shuttle 
program at NASA on the anniversary of its test flight.
  Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen flew Space Shuttle 
Columbia on its first low-earth orbit flight for 3 days. Such a feat 
was made possible by the world-class workers and supporters of NASA, 
who are also commended in this resolution.
  The Space Shuttle was remarkable in part because it was the first 
spacecraft to launch with wings, using solid rocket boosters. It was 
also the first reentry spacecraft to land on a conventional runway. 
Notice that both these firsts are visual, if not literal, reminders of 
the strength of the agency itself: NASA excels in both spaceflight and 
flight in the atmosphere, or aeronautics. It is proof of the value of 
having an agency that is strong in both fields.
  It is unfortunate, then, that the Vision for Space Exploration, which 
has the potential to build on the Shuttle successes, has not been 
adequately funded. Instead, the proposed budget pits the Vision against 
aeronautics in an internal battle for insufficient funding. In fact, 
ever since the Vision for Space Exploration was released, there has not 
been adequate funding for it in the Administration's budget. The result 
is that other critical NASA programs lose money to the Vision as NASA 
is forced to pick one important program over another. For example, in 
FY06, there was a proposed cut in aeronautics of roughly $60 million. 
In FY07, that number is $179 million, despite Congress' clear support 
in both the appropriations and authorization bills last year. That is a 
20 percent cut in 1 year.
  This resolution before us today will send a message that Congress is 
proud of what NASA has accomplished. I urge my colleagues to prove 
their reverence by working to fund it.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 
366 to congratulate NASA on the 25th anniversary of the inaugural Space 
Shuttle mission.
  Twenty-five years ago on April 12th, all Americans were riveted to 
the activities taking place at Kennedy Space Center. The excitement was 
even more palpable in my Congressional District--America's Space Coast.
  How proud Americans were that day when, after 2 years of training and 
preparation, Space Shuttle Columbia lifted into space, boosted not only 
by 7 million pounds of thrust but, more importantly, by the ingenuity 
and imagination of the American people.
  America had selected two incredibly capable astronauts for this first 
shuttle mission--Bob Crippen, a decorated Naval aviator, and John 
Young, a veteran of the Gemini and Apollo programs. Our Nation needed 
the best astronauts for this mission since the risks were immense. As 
the most complex spacecraft ever built, the Shuttle Columbia had 
countless possibilities for error and serious disaster.
  STS-1 served as a 2-day test flight of the first reusable, piloted 
spacecraft's ability to go into orbit and return safely to Earth. 
NASA's goal was to herald in a new era of spaceflight and it succeeded.
  The astronauts are obviously the most visible face on Space Shuttle 
missions. And while I, like everyone else, extend the utmost praise to 
Young and Crippen for their extraordinary talent and boldness, it was 
the highly skilled and competent NASA and contractor workforce that 
made this shuttle mission possible. As with the astronauts, America 
needed its best and brightest to build and launch the Space Shuttle 
back in 1981 and it remains so today.
  From the scientists and engineers to the launch crews and contractor 
personnel, each Shuttle launch is a manifestation of the pride that the 
people of the Space Coast have in America's space program.
  Each launch lifts the spirits of all Americans and nothing gives 
those from the Space Coast

[[Page 5014]]

more honor than serving as America's entryway to space. Today, the 
people of the Space Coast feel as honored to be America's space launch 
center as they did 25 years ago.
  And as a representative from America's Space Coast, I share in the 
feelings of pride in past achievements as well as the expectation of 
success in the new NASA missions that will launch from our community.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of H. Con. Res. 366, legislation honoring the 25th anniversary 
of the first flight of the Space Transportation System at NASA.
  It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed since Space Shuttle 
Columbia took flight. Columbia was the first manned, reusable 
spacecraft that was flown into orbit.
  The heroic courage of Columbia astronauts and the NASA scientists and 
engineers on the ground has inspired a generation of future scientists, 
engineers and mathematicians.
  NASA and the Johnson Space Center have had a tremendous impact on the 
Texas economy. This partnership has led to the development of many new 
technologies and is an economic powerhouse for our State.
  The Johnson Space Center's combined workforce accounts for 16,000 
Texas jobs.
  The total economic impact of the Space Center on the State of Texas 
exceeds over 26,000 employees with personal incomes of over $2.5 
billion and total spending exceeding $3.5 billion.
  NASA also provides $72 million for grants and contracts to Texas 
universities and colleges, as well as $44 million to Texas non-profit 
organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, NASA touches every State in our great Nation, and I 
believe it is fitting to honor this milestone in NASA's history.
  My warm congratulations go to NASA and the Space Shuttle Columbia, 
its crew and team on the ground.
  I support this bipartisan legislation and urge my colleagues' 
support.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor all the men and women who have 
made our space shuttle program possible. I would like to commend 
Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen for being pioneers in 
their field. With the lift-off of the Space Shuttle Columbia on April 
12, 1981, we were launched into a new era of space flight and 
exploration. The importance of their mission to our Nation cannot be 
overestimated.
  Our desire to explore space, to go beyond this world, is rooted 
firmly in a human desire that has existed since the first of us stared 
into the night sky. It is a desire that has been passed down through 
human history and has found deep roots in America. We live in a land 
where pioneers stood on the frontier and bravely journeyed beyond what 
was known. Our space program continues that proud tradition of 
accomplishments.
  When challenged by President Kennedy to put a man on the moon before 
the decades end, America could not even put a man into earth's orbit, 
but we answered the call. We've stood on the Moon, and have begun to 
unlock many of the secrets of Mars. We could not have come so far 
without the knowledge and experience gained from the shuttle flights.
  With our accomplishments, we've also experienced tragedy. The brave 
men and women who gave their lives in pursuit of knowledge are a 
constant reminder that no matter how hard we try to ensure safety, 
exploration always comes with a risk. As a nation, we should not shirk 
these risks, just as our forbearers did not. We should use them as 
guideposts to remind ourselves of the challenges and difficulties of 
exploring space. The men and women of NASA have taken our dreams and 
made them real. I thank them for their vision, sacrifice, and 
dedication.
  Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in 1981, NASA embarked upon a new 
mission with an amazing vehicle that would take America's astronauts, 
satellites and space stations into the next age of man's exploration of 
the final frontier. Next week we will honor the 25th anniversary of 
that first Space Shuttle mission and reflect upon the great success of 
the Space Transportation System.
  The Space Shuttle is widely considered the most complex machine ever 
built, and to date is the only spacecraft capable of putting into orbit 
large payloads such as the Hubble Telescope and the Chandra X-ray 
Observatory. It is this capacity that enables NASA and its partners to 
build the International Space Station, which will pave the way back to 
the Moon, Mars and beyond.
  Accordingly, President Bush has laid out a plan that sets a goal of 
returning Americans to the Moon within 15 years.
  President Bush's ``Vision for Space Exploration'' is a plan that is 
again making space exploration an exciting and educational priority for 
America. He has made it clear, within the next half century America 
will be the world leader in space exploration.
  In this respect, the shuttle program remains an integral part of the 
President's vision as we continue the return to flight missions, 
complete the International Space Station and phase in the Crew 
Exploration Vehicle.
  Equally important is the Space Shuttle's role as an icon for manned 
space flight, a symbol for exploration and an example of man's eternal 
thirst for knowledge. In this role, the Space Shuttle's mission will 
never end.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 366.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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