[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14446-14447]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPACE FOUNDATION

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1312) commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 
Space Foundation.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1312

       Whereas, on March 21, 1983, the United States Space 
     Foundation was founded by a small group of pioneering 
     individuals in Colorado Springs, Colorado;
       Whereas 2008 marks the 25th year of excellence and service 
     of the Space Foundation;
       Whereas the mission of the Space Foundation is to advance 
     space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel 
     humanity;
       Whereas the Space Foundation has become the leading 
     nonprofit organization advancing the exploration, 
     development, and use of space and space education for the 
     benefit of all humankind;
       Whereas the Space Foundation embraces all aspects of space 
     including commercial, civil, and national security;
       Whereas the current national security environment requires 
     extensive use and advancement of space-based assets;
       Whereas the Space Foundation has contributed to space 
     education programs in all 50 States and also in Europe and 
     Asia;
       Whereas the Space Foundation is regarded internationally as 
     a leading space advocacy organization, and is a member of the 
     United States Delegation to the United Nations Committee on 
     the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space; and
       Whereas the Space Foundation hosts the National Space 
     Symposium and Strategic Space and Defense, 2 of the top 
     conferences for space professionals: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the contributions made by the Space 
     Foundation; and
       (2) commemorates the Space Foundation's 25 years of 
     excellence and support to the Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Lampson) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 1312, the resolution now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1312 which 
commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Space Foundation. The Space 
Foundation was founded in 1983 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the 
purpose of helping to advocate the Nation's space-related endeavors. 
Over the past 25 years, it has carried out that mission in an 
impressive fashion. It has grown to the point where it now undertakes 
space advocacy and space education initiatives in all 50 States.
  As someone who feels passionately about the importance of getting our 
young people interested and educated in math and science, I want to 
call particular attention to the foundation's educational activities. 
The Space Foundation has recognized that space exploration is something 
that can really inspire kids and propel them to study hard so that some 
day they, too, can be a part of the Nation's endeavors in space. The 
foundation is doing work, important work in promoting science 
education, and I salute them for it.
  In addition, the Space Foundation has involved itself in seeking the 
best path forward for the Nation across a range of commercial, civil, 
and national security space issues, and it consistently provides a 
respected forum for policy discussion and debates. In short, the Space 
Foundation is at the forefront of promoting the development and use of 
space for all humankind.
  I want to join Mr. Lamborn and other Members in congratulating the 
Space Foundation on 25 years of accomplishment and in wishing the 
foundation all the best for another 25 years of service.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I would yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1312 which 
commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Space Foundation. I want to 
thank its sponsors, Mr. Lamborn of Colorado and Mr. Lampson from Texas, 
for this very important resolution honoring the Space Foundation.
  The Space Foundation was established in Colorado Springs in 1983 to 
provide a nonpartisan source of credible information to a wide variety 
in the space community, from professionals to the general public.
  Over the last 25 years, the Space Foundation's mission has been to 
advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel 
humanity. The Space Foundation has developed alongside the space 
community by fostering and promoting a greater understanding and 
awareness and practical uses of space for the benefit of civilization 
in all aspects of space: commercial, civil, and national security.
  Perhaps the most notable has been the Space Foundation's commitment 
to space education programs. Since its inception, the Space Foundation 
has been a leading champion for bringing space science into the 
classroom. The Space Foundation's Summer Institute provides a unique 
educational environment in which teachers can continue their space 
studies and help enhance their students' classroom experience.
  In addition to the Summer Institute, the Space Foundation hosts the 
National Space Symposium and Strategic Space and Defense, two of the 
top three conferences for space professionals worldwide. I might say I 
had the honor of attending a recent conference in Colorado Springs. The 
Space Foundation has been useful in efforts to bring together all 
aspects of the space industry and has established itself a crucial 
member of the space community.
  I'm proud to support this resolution honoring a significant 
organization, and I urge my colleagues to also support House Resolution 
1312.
  With that, I would reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I will reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 4 minutes to the 
sponsor of the resolution, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn).
  Mr. LAMBORN. I thank my colleague from Florida.
  I rise today, Mr. Speaker, in support of this resolution, H. Res. 
1312, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the United States Space 
Foundation. Founded in March of 1983 by a small group of pioneering 
individuals in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Space Foundation serves 
to advance America's space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and 
propel humanity.

[[Page 14447]]

This nonprofit organization is a leader in advancing space exploration, 
development, and use of space and space education for the benefit of 
all humankind and embraces all aspects of space including commercial, 
civilian, and national security components.
  The Space Foundation's leadership in international space advocacy has 
led to their membership in the United States Delegation to the United 
States Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and recognize the 
contributions made by the Space Foundation and commemorate their 25 
years of excellence in support of this Nation.
  Mr. FEENEY. I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close.
  With that, I want to thank Mr. Lamborn and urge the resolution's 
adoption by the full House.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to congratulate Mr. Lamborn 
for his recognition of this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues 
to support it. The most important thing that I saw as a physical 
science teacher in high school for many years, particularly during the 
years of the Apollo missions to and from the Moon, was the excitement 
of young people, and this is exactly what this resolution is about and 
what the space advocacy has been about.
  I urge support of House Resolution 1312.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 1312, ``Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Space 
Foundation''. I would like to thank my colleague Doug Lamborn of 
Colorado for putting forth H. Res. 1312. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in supporting this legislation, and to commemorate the 25 years that 
the Space Foundation has spent endeavoring to advance our knowledge and 
understanding of space.
  This deserving piece of legislation will (1) recognize the 
contributions made by the Space Foundation; and (2) commemorate the 
Space Foundation's 25 years of excellence and support to the Nation.
  This resolution not only draws attention to the Space Foundation's 
many years of excellence and service, but it also recognizes the 
profound effect that a group of nonpartisan, pioneering individuals has 
had in helping to inspire, enable, and propel humanity to greater 
heights. For as a great pioneer, Neil Armstrong, once said, ``That's 
one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.''
  The Space Foundation has played a significant positive role in 
exploring, advancing and developing our understanding of space. The 
nonprofit foundation has done this by embracing all aspects of space 
including commercial, civil, and national security. In the current 
national and commercial environment in which space is often at the 
forefront of security or innovation, the work that the foundation does 
in promoting space education programs in all 50 States is critical. 
Furthermore, the Space Foundation's advocacy of peaceful and positive 
uses of outer space is crucial. Indeed, as John F. Kennedy, speaking in 
Houston, noted, ``We set sail on this new sea because there is new 
knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won 
and used for the progress of all people.''
  Houston has long been at the center of the American exploration of 
space. The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston has been NASA's 
center for human spaceflight activities. Houston has served as the 
Mission Control Center for every space mission since Gemini IV and 
directs all space shuttle and International Space Station Missions. The 
Johnson Center is also home to astronaut training, and Houston is a hub 
of scientific and space-related research. Houston's connection to space 
exploration has made evident to me the potential for growth and 
discovery that space holds. This connection has also inspired in me a 
great amount of respect and support for those organizations and 
individuals who pursue an awareness of space for the fostering of a 
peaceful and prosperous world.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation with me. I believe 
that what the Space Foundation has accomplished through more than 25 
years of diligent service is more than deserving of such a 
commemoration. Through their efforts in improving our commercial, 
national, and theoretical uses and understanding of space they have 
undoubtedly helped better our Nation.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1312.
  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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