[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15018-15026]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              NASA 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 6455) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to 
mint coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 
establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

[[Page 15019]]

  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6455

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``NASA 50th Anniversary 
     Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds that--
       (1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration began 
     operation on October 1, 1958, with about 8,000 employees and 
     an annual budget of $100,000,000;
       (2) over the next 50 years, the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration has been involved in many defining 
     events which have shaped the course of human history and 
     demonstrated to the world the character of the people of the 
     United States;
       (3) among the many firsts by the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration are that--
       (A) on December 6, 1958, the United States launched Pioneer 
     3, the first United States satellite to ascend to an altitude 
     of 63,580 miles;
       (B) on March 3, 1959, the United States sent Pioneer 4 to 
     the Moon, successfully making the first United States lunar 
     flyby;
       (C) on April 1, 1960, the United States launched TIROS 1, 
     the first successful meteorological satellite, observing 
     Earth's weather;
       (D) on May 5, 1961, Freedom 7, carrying Astronaut Alan B. 
     Shepard, Jr., was the first American space flight involving 
     human beings;
       (E) on February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first 
     American to circle the Earth, making 3 orbits in his 
     Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft;
       (F) on December 14, 1962, Mariner 2 became the first 
     spacecraft to commit a successful planetary flyby (Venus);
       (G) on April 6, 1965, the United States launched Intelsat I 
     (also known as Early Bird 1), the first commercial satellite 
     (communications), into geostationary orbit;
       (H) on June 3 through 7, 1965, the second piloted Gemini 
     mission, Gemini IV, stayed aloft for 4 days, and astronaut 
     Edward H. White II performed the first EVA or ``spacewalk'' 
     by an American;
       (I) on June 2, 1966, Surveyor 1 became the first American 
     spacecraft to soft-land on the Moon;
       (J) on May 31, 1971, the United States launched Mariner 9, 
     the first mission to orbit another planet (Mars) beginning 
     November 13, 1971;
       (K) on April 12, 1981, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration launched the Space Shuttle Columbia on the 
     first flight of the Space Transportation System (STS-1);
       (L) on June 18, 1983, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration launched Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-7) 
     carrying 3 mission specialists, including Sally K. Ride, the 
     first woman astronaut;
       (M) in another historic mission, 2 months later, the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched STS-8 
     carrying the first black American astronaut, Guion S. 
     Bluford; and
       (N) on July 23, 1999, the Space Shuttle Columbia's 26th 
     flight was led by Air Force Col. Eileen Collins, the first 
     woman to command a Shuttle mission;
       (4) on April 9, 1959, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration unveiled the Mercury astronaut corps, 7 men 
     with ``the right stuff'': John H. Glenn, Jr., Walter M. 
     Schirra, Jr., Alan B. Shepard, Jr., M. Scott Carpenter, L. 
     Gordon Cooper, Virgil I. ``Gus'' Grissom, and Donald K. 
     ``Deke'' Slayton;
       (5) on May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy, reflecting 
     the highest aspirations of the American people, proclaimed: 
     ``I believe this Nation should commit itself to achieving the 
     goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon 
     and returning him safely to Earth. No single space project in 
     this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more 
     important in the long-range exploration of space; and none 
     will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.'';
       (6) on September 19, 1961, the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration announced that the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration center dedicated to human space 
     flight would be built in Houston, Texas;
       (7) on February 17, 1973, the Manned Spacecraft Center in 
     Houston was renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center;
       (8) on December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 took off atop a Saturn V 
     booster from the Kennedy Space Center for a historic mission 
     to orbit the Moon;
       (9) as Apollo 8 traveled outward, the crew focused a 
     portable television camera on Earth and for the first time 
     humanity saw its home from afar, a tiny, lovely, and fragile 
     ``blue marble'' hanging in the blackness of space;
       (10) this transmission and viewing of Earth from a distance 
     was an enormously significant accomplishment and united the 
     Nation at a time when American society was in crisis over 
     Vietnam, race relations, urban problems, and a host of other 
     difficulties;
       (11) on July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. 
     Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin made the first lunar landing 
     mission while Michael Collins orbited overhead in the Apollo 
     command module;
       (12) Armstrong set foot on the surface of the Moon, telling 
     the millions of listeners that it was ``one small step for a 
     man, one giant leap for mankind'', and Aldrin soon followed 
     and planted an American flag, but omitted claiming the land 
     for the United States, as had routinely been done during 
     European exploration of the Americas;
       (13) the 2 Moon walkers left behind an American flag and a 
     plaque bearing the inscription: ``Here Men From The Planet 
     Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon. Jul. 1969 A.D. We Came in 
     Peace for All Mankind.'';
       (14) on April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was 
     launched into space aboard the STS-31 mission of the Space 
     Shuttle Discovery, and since then, the Hubble has 
     revolutionized astronomy, while expanding our knowledge of 
     the universe and inspiring millions of scientists, students, 
     and members of the public with its unprecedented deep and 
     clear images of space;
       (15) on July 4, 1997, the Mars Pathfinder landed on Mars 
     and on January 29, 1998, an International Space Station 
     agreement among 15 countries met in Washington, DC, to sign 
     agreements to establish the framework for cooperation among 
     the partners on the design, development, operation, and 
     utilization of the Space Station;
       (16) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's 
     stunning achievements over the last 50 years have been won 
     for all mankind at great cost and sacrifice; in the quest to 
     explore the universe, many National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration employees have lost their lives, including the 
     crews of Apollo 1, the Space Shuttle Challenger, and the 
     Space Shuttle Columbia;
       (17) the success of the United States space exploration 
     program in the 20th Century augurs well for its continued 
     leadership in the 21st Century, such leadership being 
     attributable to the remarkable and indispensable partnership 
     between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and 
     its 10 space and research centers, including--
       (A) from small spacecraft to supercomputers, science 
     missions and payloads to thermal protection systems, 
     information technology to aerospace, the Ames Research Center 
     in California's Silicon Valley, which provides products, 
     technologies, and services that enable NASA missions and 
     expand human knowledge;
       (B) the Dryden Flight Research Center, the leading center 
     for innovative flight research;
       (C) the Glenn Research Center, which develops power, 
     propulsion, and communication technologies for space flight 
     systems and aeronautics research;
       (D) the Goddard Space Flight Center, which specializes in 
     research to expand knowledge on the Earth and its 
     environment, the solar system, and the universe through 
     observations from space;
       (E) the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the leading center for 
     robotic exploration of the Solar System;
       (F) the Johnson Space Center, which manages the 
     development, testing, production, and delivery of all United 
     States human spacecraft and all human spacecraft-related 
     functions;
       (G) the Kennedy Space Center, the gateway to the Universe 
     and world leader in preparing and launching missions around 
     the Earth and beyond;
       (H) the Langley Research Center, which continues to forge 
     new frontiers in aviation and space research for aerospace, 
     atmospheric sciences, and technology commercialization to 
     improve the way the world lives;
       (I) the Marshall Space Flight Center, a world leader in 
     developing space transportation and propulsion systems that 
     accelerate exploration and scientific discovery, including 
     the Michoud Assembly Facility, which has been a world-class 
     facility since 1961 for fabrication of large space 
     structures, including the Saturn V and the Space Shuttle 
     External Tank, and which will have a critical role in the 
     Constellation program, including manufacturing major pieces 
     of the Orion crew capsule, the Ares I upper stage, and the 
     Ares V core stage; and
       (J) the Stennis Space Center, which is responsible for 
     rocket propulsion testing and for partnering with industry to 
     develop and implement remote sensing technology;
       (18) the United States should pay tribute to the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration, and to its successful 
     partnerships with the space and research centers, by minting 
     and issuing a commemorative silver dollar coin; and
       (19) the surcharge proceeds from the sale of a 
     commemorative coin would generate valuable funding for the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration Families 
     Assistance Fund, for the purposes of providing need-based 
     financial assistance to the families of any National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration personnel who lose their 
     lives as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of 
     their official duties, and for other worthy and important 
     purposes.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--In commemoration of the 50th 
     anniversary of the establishment of

[[Page 15020]]

     the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the 
     Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to 
     as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the following 
     coins:
       (1) $50 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $50 gold coins, 
     which shall--
       (A) weigh 33.931 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 32.7 millimeters; and
       (C) contain 1 troy ounce of fine gold.
       (2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 300,000 $1 coins of 
     each of the 9 designs specified in section 4(a)(3)(B), which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be 
     legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act 
     shall be considered to be numismatic items.
       (d) Mintage Level Limit.--Notwithstanding the mintage level 
     limit described under section 5112(m)(2)(A)(ii) of title 31, 
     United States Code, the Secretary may mint and issue not more 
     than 300,000 of each of the 9 $1 coins authorized to be 
     minted under this Act.

     SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and 
     unparalleled achievements of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act, there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (B) an inscription of the year ``2008''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum'', and such other inscriptions as the Secretary may 
     determine to be appropriate for the designs of the coins.
       (3) Coin images.--
       (A) $50 coins.--
       (i) Obverse.--The obverse of the $50 coins issued under 
     this Act shall bear an image of the sun.
       (ii) Reverse.--The reverse of the $50 coins issued under 
     this Act shall bear a design emblematic of the sacrifice of 
     the United States astronauts who lost their lives in the line 
     of duty over the course of the space program.
       (iii) High relief.--The design and inscriptions on the 
     obverse and reverse of the $50 coins issued under this Act 
     shall be in high relief.
       (B) $1 coins.--
       (i) Obverse.--The obverse of the $1 coins issued under this 
     Act shall bear 9 different designs, each of which shall 
     consist of an image of 1 of the 9 planets of the solar 
     system, including Earth.
       (ii) Reverse.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued under 
     this Act shall bear different designs, each of which shall be 
     emblematic of the contributions of the research and space 
     centers, subject to the following requirements:

       (I) Earth coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued under 
     this Act which bear an image of the Earth on the obverse 
     shall bear images emblematic of, and honoring, the 
     discoveries and missions of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration, the Mercury, Gemini, and Space Shuttle 
     missions and other manned Earth-orbiting missions, and the 
     Apollo missions to the Moon.
       (II) Jupiter coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued 
     under this Act which bear an image of the planet Jupiter on 
     the obverse shall include a scientifically accurate depiction 
     of the Galilean moon Europa and depict both a past and future 
     mission to Europa.
       (III) Saturn coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued 
     under this Act which bear an image of the planet Saturn on 
     the obverse shall include a scientifically accurate depiction 
     of the moon Titan and depict both a past and a future mission 
     to Titan.
       (IV) Pluto (and other dwarf planets) coin.--The reverse of 
     the $1 coins issued under this Act which bear an image of the 
     planet Pluto on the obverse shall include a design that is 
     emblematic of telescopic exploration of deep space by the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the ongoing 
     search for Earth-like planets orbiting other stars.

       (4) Realistic and scientifically accurate depictions.--The 
     images for the designs of coins issued under this Act shall 
     be selected on the basis of the realism and scientific 
     accuracy of the images and on the extent to which the images 
     are reminiscent of the dramatic and beautiful artwork on 
     coins of the so-called ``Golden Age of Coinage'' in the 
     United States, at the beginning of the Twentieth Century, 
     with the participation of such noted sculptors and medallic 
     artists as James Earle Fraser, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Victor 
     David Brenner, Adolph A. Weinman, Charles E. Barber, and 
     George T. Morgan.
       (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary, after consultation with the 
     Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coin Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in proof quality only.
       (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular combination of 
     denomination and quality of the coins minted under this Act.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, including section 7(d), the Secretary--
       (1) may accept orders for the coins authorized under this 
     Act during the period beginning on January 1, 2008 and ending 
     on December 31, 2008; and
       (2) may mint and issue such coins required to fulfill such 
     orders during the period beginning on January 1, 2008 and 
     ending on December 31, 2009.
       (d) Exception to Program Limitation.--Notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law, the minting or issuance of coins 
     under this Act in 2009 shall not--
       (1) preclude the Secretary from including a surcharge on 
     the issuance of any other commemorative coin minted or issued 
     in 2009; and
       (2) be counted against the annual 2 commemorative coin 
     program minting and issuance limitation under section 
     5112(m)(1) of title 31, United States Code.
       (e) Issuance of Gold Coins.--Each gold coin minted under 
     this Act may be issued only as part of a complete set with 1 
     of each of the 9 $1 coins minted under this Act.

     SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be 
     sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coins;
       (2) the surcharge provided in section 7(a) with respect to 
     such coins; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of 
     such coins.
       (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Presentation.--In addition to the issuance of coins 
     under this Act in such other methods of presentation as the 
     Secretary determines to be appropriate, the Secretary shall 
     provide, as a sale option, a presentation case which displays 
     the $50 gold coin in the center, surrounded by the $1 silver 
     coins in elliptical orbits. All such presentation cases shall 
     bear a plaque with appropriate inscriptions that include the 
     names and dates of the spacecraft missions on which United 
     States astronauts lost their lives over the course of the 
     space program and the names of such astronauts.

     SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--All sales of coins minted under this Act 
     shall include a surcharge as follows:
       (1) A surcharge of $50 per coin for the $50 coin.
       (2) A surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 coin.
       (3) A surcharge of $1 per coin for any bronze duplicate 
     minted under section 8.
       (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, 
     United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary 
     from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be 
     promptly distributed as follows:
       (1) The first $4,000,000 available for distribution under 
     this section, to the NASA Family Assistance Fund, for the 
     purpose of providing need-based financial assistance to the 
     families of NASA personnel who lose their lives as a result 
     of injuries suffered in the performance of their official 
     duties.
       (2) Of amounts available for distribution after the payment 
     under paragraph (1), \1/2\ of the next $1,000,000 to each of 
     the following:
       (A) The Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational (D.R.E.M.E.) 
     Science Literacy Foundation for the purposes of improving and 
     strengthening the process of teaching and learning science, 
     math, and technology at all educational levels, elementary 
     through college through the promotion of innovative 
     educational programs.
       (B) The Challenger Center for Space Science Education, for 
     the purposes of creating positive learning experiences using 
     space science as a theme that raise student expectations of 
     success, fostering a long-term interest in mathematics, 
     science, and technology, and motivating students to pursue 
     careers in these fields.
       (3) The remainder of the amounts available for distribution 
     after the payments under paragraphs (1) and (2), to the 
     Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution for the 
     preservation, maintenance, and display of space artifacts at 
     the National Air and Space Museum (including the Steven F. 
     Udvar-Hazy Center).
       (c) Audits.--The NASA Family Assistance Fund, the Dr. 
     Ronald E. McNair Educational Science Literacy Foundation, the 
     Challenger Center for Space Science Education, and the 
     Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution shall be subject to 
     the audit requirements of

[[Page 15021]]

     section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States Code, with 
     regard to the amounts received under subsection (b).
       (d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no 
     surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under 
     this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the 
     time of such issuance, the issuance of such coin would result 
     in the number of commemorative coin programs issued during 
     such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin program 
     issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, 
     United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment 
     of this Act). The Secretary may issue guidance to carry out 
     this subsection.

     SEC. 8. BRONZE DUPLICATES.

       The Secretary may strike and sell bronze duplicates of the 
     $50 gold coins authorized under this Act, at a price 
     determined by the Secretary to be appropriate. Such 
     duplicates shall not be considered to be United States coins 
     and shall not be legal tender.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Al Green) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous materials thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the House leadership for allowing this most 
important piece of legislation to proceed expeditiously. I also thank 
Chairman Barney Frank, the chairman of the full committee, the 
Committee on Financial Services, which has jurisdiction.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6455, the NASA 50th 
Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act, which would require the Secretary 
of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary 
of the establishment of NASA.
  I would like to thank my colleague, Sheila Jackson-Lee from Houston, 
Texas, for sponsoring this most important piece of legislation.
  On October 1, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, NASA, began operations with about 8,000 employees and 
an annual budget of about $100 million. Today, NASA continues its 
mission to pioneer the future in space exploration, in scientific 
technology, in aeronautics, as well as to inspire Americans of all ages 
and backgrounds to experience firsthand the scientific wonders of our 
universe.
  For 50 years, NASA has been the world leader in space exploration. On 
December 6, 1958, the United States launched Pioneer 3, the first 
United States satellite to ascend to an altitude of 63,580 miles. In 
July 1969, NASA astronauts were the first humans to walk on the Moon. 
And in 1983, NASA also sent the first woman and the first African 
American into space. The astronauts were Sally Ride and Guy S. Bluford.
  It is through NASA technology and research that our world is a much 
safer and well-informed place. We are blessed to have NASA as a part of 
the American history and a part of our great American icons.
  In 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched, providing helpful 
insight into the history and fate of our universe. And in December of 
1999, Terra, the flagship of NASA's Earth-Observing System, was 
launched to monitor climate and environmental changes on Earth.
  Telecommunications would not be what they are but for NASA. Something 
as simple as the microwave is a development that has come into being as 
a result of NASA.
  It is with great pride and sincere appreciation that we commemorate 
NASA's 50th anniversary with a gold and silver coin that honors NASA's 
remarkable achievements, enlightening research, and dedicated 
employees.
  And on the note of the employees, let me just say that NASA employees 
are second-to-none. They are hardworking employees who have devoted 
much of their lives to the research that has made our lives much 
better, and we, by doing this, will pay them a great deal of respect 
and give an expression of gratitude.
  Many of NASA's employees, however, have lost their lives during space 
missions, including the crews of Apollo 6, and the Space Shuttle 
Challenger, and the Space Shuttle Columbia. These Americans are owed a 
debt of gratitude, as well as their families, and today, we want to 
thank them, their families, for the lives that were lost and the 
tribute that we will pay to them for the price that they paid to help 
us to explore the universe.
  This is not the first time that this Congress has voted to create a 
NASA 50th anniversary commemorative coin program. On July 30 of last 
year, the House passed H.R. 2750, a bill with 296 cosponsors that would 
require the creation of such a program. I was proud to be a cosponsor. 
The final vote of passage on the bill was 402-0.
  Recently, the Senate passed an amended Senate version of H.R. 2750 on 
June 19 of this year.
  As a result of the constitutional requirement that revenue-raising 
bills originate in the House, it was necessary to reintroduce the 
Senate bill as a new House bill. This bill, H.R. 6455, adopts the 
language of the Senate-amended bill.
  Again, I thank my colleague Sheila Jackson-Lee for introducing this 
bill. I urge my colleagues to support it.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                    Washington, DC, July 11, 2008.
     Hon. Barney Frank,
     Chairman, Financial Services Committee,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Barney: I am writing regarding H.R. 6455, the ``NASA 
     50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act.''
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over bills that raise revenue. H.R. 6455 
     contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for the 
     sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the bill, 
     and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Ways and Means.
       However, as part of our ongoing understanding regarding 
     commemorative coin bills and in order to expedite this bill 
     for Floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action. 
     This is being done with the understanding that it does not in 
     any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the 
     appointment of Conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this bill or similar legislation in the future.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 6455, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the record.
           Sincerely,
                                                Charles B. Rangel,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                    Washington, DC, July 14, 2008.
     Hon. Charles B. Rangel,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Charlie: I am writing in response to your letter 
     regarding H.R. 6455, the ``NASA 50th Anniversary 
     Commemorative Coin Act,'' which was introduced in the House 
     and referred to the Committee on Financial Services on July 
     11, 2008. It is my understanding that this bill be scheduled 
     for floor consideration shortly.
       I wish to confirm our mutual understanding on this bill. As 
     you know, section 7 of the bill establishes a surcharge for 
     the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the 
     bill. I acknowledge your committee's jurisdictional interest 
     in such surcharges as revenue matters. However, I appreciate 
     your willingness to forego committee action on H.R. 6455 in 
     order to allow the bill to come to the floor expeditiously. I 
     agree that your decision to forego further action on this 
     bill will not prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means with 
     respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar 
     legislation. I would support your request for conferees on 
     those provisions within your jurisdiction should this bill be 
     the subject of a House-Senate conference.
       I will include this exchange of letters in the 
     Congressional Record when this bill is considered by the 
     House. Thank you again for your assistance.
                                                     Barney Frank,
                                                         Chairman.

  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6455, the NASA 50th 
Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act. I want to thank the chairman of the 
Financial Services Committee, Mr. Frank, for his willingness to bring 
this bill to the floor.

[[Page 15022]]

  This is an easy bill to understand. What is a little difficult to 
fathom is why this bill has been so star-crossed, pun intended. The 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson) proposed this idea first several 
Congresses ago, and the House has passed it several times in 
substantially the same form, this year with the help of the gentlelady 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  For reasons that aren't clear, it has always had a harder time 
escaping the gravitational pull of the other body; although, it's 
always had support. This year, the Senate acted but sent back a Senate-
numbered bill with some minor amendments, and since the bill contains a 
revenue provision and thus has to be a House-numbered bill to go to the 
President, we are sending the Senate-amended language to them in this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson) speaks 
eloquently about the importance of the space program to the American 
economy, to United States national security, and to the advancement of 
science, and I'm honored to yield to my friend from Texas at this time 
for such time as he may consume.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues. Our pride 
and support for NASA is, indeed, bipartisan. Without regard to where we 
come from in this Nation or our party origins, we share that great 
pride in the accomplishments of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration. They've touched our lives in so many ways. I have 
always admired NASA, particularly as an amateur astronomer, as a native 
Houstonian.
  Mr. Price is right. I have passed this bill the last two Congresses, 
and for whatever reason, it has had problem escaping the gravitational 
pull of the Senate. And with the help of my good friend, Al Green, and 
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee we passed it again this year.
  This is going to be a remarkable and beautiful coin set that will 
contain a $50 high relief gold coin commemorating the lives lost in 
space. Those astronauts who gave their lives will be honored and 
recognized in that $50 high relief gold coin, with on the front coin a 
scientifically accurate image of the Sun and the reverse, a design 
commemorating those astronauts' sacrifice.
  The other coins will represent each one of the planets in the solar 
system, with the front of the coin with a scientifically accurate image 
of that planet and then the reverse of the coin with a design honoring 
the NASA flight center that was responsible for missions to that 
planet.
  And then, of course, now that Pluto has been called a dwarf planet, 
the Pluto coin will have a reverse that honors the Hubble telescope and 
the Goddard Space Flight Center and the remarkable achievements of the 
Hubble telescope.
  The proceeds of this coin will go to fund the NASA Families 
Assistance Fund. Those families who have lost a loved one in the space 
program will benefit directly from the sale of these coins.
  The Ronald McNair Education Science Literary Foundation will benefit 
from the sale of these coins. The Challenger Center for Space Science 
Education to increase interest in math, science and technology will 
benefit from the sale of this coin. And then finally, the Smithsonian 
Institute, National Air and Space Museum, will benefit from the sale of 
this coin.
  And because of the difficulties with the gravitational pull of the 
Senate, as my friend Mr. Price so eloquently points out, because this 
authorization bill is coming out a little late this year, the changes 
the Senate made are good ones, and that is to allow the Mint to sell 
the coins this year through December 31 of 2008, but to continue to 
mint them through next year so that people will have a chance to order 
them and the Mint will have plenty of time to complete the designs and 
to market them.
  It is going to be a beautiful set that the Mint estimates will raise 
a great deal of money for the benefit of the families, the benefit of 
these educational funds, and for the benefit of the National Air and 
Space Museum.
  I'm very grateful to my colleagues from Texas, Congresswoman Sheila 
Jackson-Lee, my good friend Al Green, and my good friend Congressman 
Tom Price of the Georgia delegation, next to Texas my favorite 
delegation in the United States Congress.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I yield myself 1 minute.
  Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank Mr. Price. He and I worked together on 
the Financial Services Committee. I thank him for his dedication and 
devotion.
  I'd like to thank my colleague and friend from Houston, Texas (Mr. 
Culberson) for his outstanding service on this bill as well. This is 
truly a bipartisan piece of legislation.
  At this time, I'm honored to yield to the sponsor of the legislation, 
Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee, as much time as she may consume.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank my colleague Mr. Green for his 
outstanding leadership on the Financial Services Committee in the 
management of this bill.
  Let me also thank his co-manager on the floor as well, and I'd like 
to thank the chairman of the Financial Services Committee and his 
ranking member. Chairman Frank has been a champion of this legislation. 
His staff and the Financial Services Committee has been a supporter as 
we have made our way from the House, through the committee process, 
through the Senate, back to the House, and now back to the Senate.
  I think it's important to note that the House has the ability to 
legislate on revenue matters, and it is important as we pass this 
legislation for it to pass quickly in the Senate in order for this very 
worthy acknowledgment of the NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin 
Act.
  I'm delighted to be the original cosponsor and author of this 
legislation, joined with my colleague Congressman John Culberson. I 
want to congratulate him and congratulate his staff. He has worked over 
a number of sessions, and we have collaborated on an institution that 
we've seen grow and thrive and improve over the years.
  This particular legislation is a commemoration of the 50 years of 
NASA. The year 2008 will mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. This important 
legislation celebrates NASA's 50th birthday with a commemorative coin. 
The legislation also honors extraordinary partnerships between NASA and 
its 10 space and research centers.
  As a long-standing member of the Science Committee, I had the 
opportunity to visit most of NASA's space and research centers, and I 
hope as we stand on the floor today, each and every one of them, 
wherever they are located, will view this as a special tribute to them.

                              {time}  1045

  This reflects the distinguished history of NASA. The United States of 
America won the race to land a man on the moon and subsequently had the 
opportunity to have women in space. And thanks to the courage, 
dedication and brilliance of NASA, America has continued to lead the 
world in the exploration of the solar system and the universe.
  On October 1, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
began operation. At the time, it consisted of only about 8,000 
employees and an annual budget of $100 million. Over the next 50 years, 
NASA had been involved in many defining events which helped to shape 
human history. We consider the astronauts our heroes. And I've always 
enjoyed saying that at my annual Christmas party with 3,000 youngsters, 
the astronauts are more popular than Santa Claus.
  Many of us remember how inspired we were when on May 25, 1961, 
President John F. Kennedy proclaimed, ``I believe this Nation should 
commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of 
landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth.'' We all 
know the phenomenon of ``The Right Stuff,'' the courageous men who 
first went into space. ``No single space project in this period will be 
more impressive to mankind, or more

[[Page 15023]]

important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so 
difficult or expensive to accomplish'' as President Kennedy said as he 
referred to landing a person on the moon.
  Always at the forefront of technological innovation, NASA has been 
home to countless ``firsts'' in the field of space exploration, from 
the 1958 launch of Pioneer 3, the first U.S. satellite to ascend to an 
altitude of 63,000 miles, to the January 1998 signing of the 
International Space Station agreement between 15 countries, 
establishing the framework for cooperation among partners on the 
design, development, operation and utilization of the Space Station.
  Over the past 50 years, NASA's accomplishments have included many. I 
think it is important, Mr. Speaker, to note that many who have gone to 
the Space Station--and I'm putting in my reservation--have indicated 
that it is massive, it is enormous, it is powerful, it is impressive, 
it is as large as a football field. That is the genius of America. And 
this is the genius that we celebrate by this commemorative coin.
  I note, very briefly, on February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the 
first American to circle the Earth.
  Briefly, on April 6, 1965, the United States launched Intelsat I, the 
first commercial satellite.
  On November 13, 1961, the United States launched Mariner 9, the first 
mission to orbit another planet, that was Mars.
  On April 12, 1981, NASA launched the Space Shuttle Columbia.
  On January 18-24, 1983, NASA launched Space Shuttle Challenger!.
  On July 22, 1999, Space Shuttle Columbia's flight was led by Air 
Force Colonel Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a shuttle 
mission.
  On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. 
Aldrin made the first lunar landing mission while Michael Collins 
orbited overhead in the Apollo command module.
  On April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into 
space.
  So many firsts, but yet, of course, there were tragedies. And today, 
as we commemorate this coin or pass this legislation, we also 
acknowledge the fallen heroes in Columbia and Challenger, and the 
others who have found their dream of going into space shortened by this 
tragic incident.
  It is not safe, it is not easy, it is risky, but there are men and 
women, Americans, who are willing to go into space to be able to push 
the envelope to ensure that humanity has the kind of health resources 
or health research in HIV/AIDS and stroke and heart attacks to be able 
to move this Nation and humanity around the world to its highest level.
  I'm very pleased that we, in the Houston area, celebrate the Johnson 
Space Center, representing so many space centers around the world. I am 
even more pleased to have the opportunity, on more than one occasion, 
to welcome home the astronauts as they've landed at the Johnson Space 
Center. What a remarkable experience to hear their stories, to see 
their eyes light up as they express what it's like to be in space, to 
take a space walk. As our most recent mission evidenced, how important 
it is that space has reflected the diversity of America--Asians, 
Hispanics, African Americans, Caucasians, men, women, people from all 
over this Nation, and yes, our international partners from Japan, from 
Russia, from many places around the world.
  And what will this coin do? And we encourage, if I might, for 
everyone to be excited about this coin. I'm hoping that you will 
commemorate the passage of this legislation by securing to you the 
value of the NASA coins. You can say this on the floor of the House, 
we're not marketing, but we think it will be an outstanding and special 
historical artifact that you will really want to have. But it also 
serves to further the dream, the dream of space, the dream in the 
hearts and minds of young people.
  In this very important legislation the proceeds of the sale will 
benefit the life and legacy of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, a friend, a 
neighbor, a member of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church; the late Dr. 
Ronald E. McNair whose Educational Science Literacy Foundation is 
strengthening the connection of minority youngsters to math and 
science. It will also help the Challenger Center for Space Science 
Education, for the purposes of creating positive learning experiences 
using space science as a theme that raise student expectations of 
success.
  All of this will be, as well, celebrated by adding dollars to the 
NASA Families Assistance Fund, and that is, of course, the fund that 
provides for those who have lost their loved ones in the course of this 
historic opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, let me acknowledge Jonathan Obee of the Financial 
Services Committee on this legislation. I also wish to pay tribute to 
Yohannes Tsehai of my staff, as I've indicated, again, to the chairman 
of the full committee, Mr. Frank, and of the subcommittees, and the 
ranking member of the full committee. I also want to acknowledge, as I 
indicated before, the manager of the bill from Houston and the manager 
from the minority who is managing this bill.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say this, that coins may represent 
some symbolism, but in the spirit of what NASA has meant to America, it 
is more than that. It is simply to say thank you; thank you to the 
brave men and women who are willing, yes, to sacrifice their life so 
that humanity can be lifted to a higher level.
  Learning what happens in space can improve the quality of lives of 
all Americans. And I hope this coin will remind young people today of 
the importance of math and science and pushing their own envelopes. I 
want to see more astronauts and more astronauts, more exploration, if 
you will, and the understanding of science to improve the quality of 
life of all of America and around the world.
  With that, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation and I 
thank Mr. Green for his time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6455, the NASA 50th 
Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act. I was pleased to introduce this 
bill and I thank my colleague, Mr. Culberson, who joined me in 
introducing this legislation, and Chairman Frank of the Financial 
Services Committee, for his excellent leadership in shepherding this 
historic legislation to passage on the House floor.
  The year 2008 will mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This important 
legislation celebrates NASA's 50th birthday with a commemorative coin. 
The legislation also honors the extraordinary partnerships between NASA 
and its 10 space and research centers.
  Mr. Speaker, NASA has a distinguished history. The United States of 
America won the race to land a man on the moon and, thanks to the 
courage, dedication, and brilliance of NASA, America has continued to 
lead the world in the exploration of the solar system and the universe.
  On October 1, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
began operation. At the time it consisted of only about 8,000 employees 
and an annual budget of $100 million. Over the next 50 years, NASA has 
been involved in many defining events occurred which have shaped the 
course of human history and demonstrated to the world the character of 
the people of the United States.
  Many of us remember how inspired we were when on May 25, 1961, 
President John F. Kennedy proclaimed: ``I believe this Nation should 
commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of 
landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth. No single 
space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or 
more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will 
be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.''
  Always at the forefront of technological innovation, NASA has been 
home to countless ``firsts'' in the field of space exploration, from 
the 1958 launch of Pioneer 3, the first U.S. satellite to ascend to an 
altitude of 63,580 miles, to the January 1998 signing of the 
International Space Station agreement between 15 countries, 
establishing the framework for cooperation among partners on the 
design, development, operation, and utilization of the Space Station. 
Over the past 50 years, NASA's accomplishments have included:
  On 20 Feb. 1962, John Glenn became the first American to circle the 
Earth, making three orbits in his Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft.

[[Page 15024]]

  On 6 Apr. 1965, the United States launched Intelsat I, the first 
commercial satellite (communications), into geostationary orbit.
  On 13 Nov. 1971, the United States launched Mariner 9, the first 
mission to orbit another planet (Mars).
  On 12 Apr. 1981, NASA launched the Space Shuttle Columbia on the 
first flight of the Space Transportation System (STS-1).
  On 18-24 Jun. 1983, NASA launched Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-7) 
carrying three mission specialists, including Sally K. Ride, the first 
woman astronaut. In another historic mission, two months later, NASA 
launched STS-8 carrying the first black American astronaut, Guion S. 
Bluford.
  On 22 Jul. 1999, the Space Shuttle Columbia's 26th flight was led by 
Air Force Col. Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a Shuttle 
mission.
  On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. 
Aldrin made the first lunar landing mission while Michael Collins 
orbited overhead in the Apollo command module. Armstrong set foot on 
the surface, telling the millions of listeners that it was ``one small 
step for man--one giant leap for mankind.'' Aldrin soon followed him 
out and planted an American flag but omitted claiming the land for the 
U.S. as had routinely been done during European exploration of the 
Americas. The two Moon-walkers left behind an American flag and a 
plaque bearing the inscription: ``Here Men from Planet Earth First Set 
Foot upon the Moon. Jul. 1969 A.D. We came in Peace for All Mankind.''
  On April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into space 
aboard the STS-31 mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery. The Hubble 
has revolutionized astronomy while expanding our knowledge of the 
universe and inspiring millions of scientists, students, and members of 
the public with its unprecedented deep and clear images of space.''
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to these historic events, NASA has greatly 
contributed to our understanding of our universe. In 1968, Apollo 8 
took off atop a Saturn V booster from the Kennedy Space Center for a 
historic mission to orbit the Moon. As Apollo 8 traveled outward, the 
crew focused a portable television camera on Earth and for the first 
time humanity saw its home from afar, a tiny, lovely, and fragile 
``blue marble'' hanging in the blackness of space.
  This transmission and viewing of Earth from a distance was an 
enormously significant accomplishment and united the Nation at a time 
when American society was in crisis over Vietnam, race relations, urban 
problems, and a host of other difficulties.
  The success of the United States space exploration program in the 
20th Century bodes well for its continued leadership in the 21st 
Century. This success is largely attributable to the remarkable and 
indispensable partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and its 10 space and research centers. One of these 
important research centers is located in my home city of Houston. The 
Johnson Space Center, which manages the development, testing, 
production, and delivery of all United States human spacecraft and all 
human spacecraft-related functions, is one of the crown jewels of NASA 
and a lodestar in the Houston area. The other nine research and space 
centers are:
  1. The Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley provides 
products, technologies, and services that enable NASA missions and 
expand human knowledge in areas as diverse as small spacecraft and 
supercomputers, science missions and payloads, thermal protection 
systems and information technology.
  2. The Dryden Flight Research Center, the leading center for 
innovative flight research.
  3. The Glenn Research Center, which develops power, propulsion, and 
communication technologies for space flight systems and aeronautics 
research.
  4. The Goddard Space Flight Center, which specializes in research to 
expand knowledge on the Earth and its environment, the solar system, 
and the universe through observations from space.
  5. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the leading center for robotic 
exploration of the Solar System.
  6. The Kennedy Space Center, the gateway to the Universe and world 
leader in preparing and launching missions around the Earth and beyond.
  7. The Langley Research Center, which continues to forge new 
frontiers in aviation and space research for aerospace, atmospheric 
sciences, and technology commercialization to improve the way the world 
lives.
  8. The Marshall Space Flight Center, a world leader in developing 
space transportation and propulsion systems, engineers the future to 
accelerate exploration and scientific discovery.
  9. The Stennis Space Center, which is responsible for rocket 
propulsion testing and for partnering with industry to develop and 
implement remote sensing technology.
  NASA's stunning achievements over the last 50 years have been won for 
all mankind at great cost and sacrifice. In the quest to explore the 
universe, many NASA employees have lost their lives, including the 
crews of Apollo 6, the Space Shuttle Challenger, and the Space Shuttle 
Columbia.
  The surcharge proceeds from the sale of a coin commemorating the 
contributions of NASA will generate valuable funding for the NASA 
Families Assistance Fund for the purposes of need-based financial 
assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of 
injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties. And 
equally important, proceeds from the sale of commemorative coins will 
also benefit the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational (D.R.E.M.E.) Science 
Literacy Foundation, which is dedicated to improving and strengthening 
the process of teaching and learning science, math, and technology at 
all educational levels, elementary through college through the 
promotion of innovative educational programs.
  This legislation also benefits the Challenger Center for Space 
Science Education, for the purposes of creating positive learning 
experiences using space science as a theme that raise student 
expectations of success, fostering a long-term interest in mathematics, 
science, and technology, and motivating students to pursue careers in 
these fields. The remainders of the proceeds, after distribution to the 
NASA Families Assistance Fund, the DREME Foundation, and the Challenger 
Center for Space Science Education, are slated to go to the Smithsonian 
Institution for the preservation, maintenance, and display of space 
artifacts at the National Air and Space Museum (including the Steven F. 
Udvar-Hazy Center).
  Mr. Speaker, in the centuries to come, when space travel will be 
commonplace and America will have successfully led the way for humanity 
to utilize the resources of other planets, these first 50 years of 
NASA's existence will be remembered as the most significant era of 
human space exploration. It is, therefore, important that we 
commemorate the great achievements of NASA's first 50 years.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me also thank Jonathan Obee of the 
Financial Services Committee on this legislation. I also wish to pay 
special tribute to Yohannes Tsehai of my staff. Without their valuable 
contributions this significant legislative achievement would not have 
been possible. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this historic legislation.
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to say how pleased we are 
that this bill has come to the floor. I want to commend my friend from 
Texas for shepherding this through previous Congresses. I want to 
commend the gentlelady from Texas for painting a picture of the wonder 
of NASA that we all know and love. The byproducts of the NASA program 
have been remarkable.
  I remember myself that day in July of 1969 when we landed on the 
Moon, and watching that, and what a special source of pride that was 
for all Americans. I remember thinking--actually, every time that NASA 
has a flight--the incredible energy that it takes to boost those 
rockets into space.
  This bill is going to get something that's very special on the floor 
of this House, and that's a vote; that's a vote, Mr. Speaker. We would 
appeal to the Democrat majority leadership to allow a vote on other 
bills, other bills that have items of import, like the energy that it 
takes for every single American to live each and every day. Just a 
vote, that's all we ask for, just a vote.
  We had many of our friends come to the floor earlier today and talk 
about the issue of energy. And we, on our side of the aisle, believe 
that a comprehensive solution is absolutely necessary.
  We've got to have conservation, and Americans are doing their share 
on that score as we speak. We've got to have an alternative fuel 
source. And I'm one of those that's hopeful that it's not a source of 
energy that is selected by this Congress but that utilizes the 
ingenuity and the entrepreneurship and the genius of the American 
people to come up with that alternative fuel.
  But we know that we also need a short-term, a near-term solution, and 
that's the increase in supply. And that's what we ask for for the floor 
of

[[Page 15025]]

this House is to allow a vote on an increase in supply for onshore 
fossil fuels, for offshore deep sea exploration, for clean coal 
technology, for oil shale, for increasing refining capacity so that the 
energy that was put into the space program can be harnessed for the 
energy that will solve the challenges that we have for our Nation in 
terms of American-made energy for Americans.
  So that's what we ask for, Mr. Speaker, a vote, a vote not just on 
this bill--which we know we'll get, and we're very grateful for that--
but a vote on the bills of significant import to the American people in 
this day and in this time so that we can make certain that we do, in 
fact, increase American-made energy for Americans.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. I'm pleased to yield to my friend from Texas.
  Mr. CULBERSON. I thank the gentleman for yielding because I wanted to 
point out to the House some of the remarkable research that NASA is 
doing. In fact, at Rice University in Houston, Texas that my friend Al 
Green and I and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee are proud to represent 
Rice University, they're developing a quantum wire, with the help of 
NASA, using carbon nanotubes that transmit electricity ballistically 
with zero resistance, essentially room temperature superconductors that 
will allow the storage and transmission of electricity in ways we 
cannot even imagine today, carrying electricity in a wire the width of 
your little finger 10 to 20 times the electricity carried in those 
giant overhead power lines from Los Angeles to New York with no loss of 
electricity.
  NASA research at Rice University with the quantum wire and carbon 
nanotubes will increase the efficiency of solar cells so dramatically 
that, for example, when you put carbon nanotubes into a solar cell, you 
increase the efficiency to 60 and 70 percent.
  So commemorating NASA today, we're commemorating the great 
technological advances that NASA has brought to all of us as Americans 
today. My wife often teases me about all these electronic devices I 
carry to communicate with my district on Quick.com and Twiter.com--and 
let me see, I've got one in this pocket right here.
  We all benefit from the technological research that NASA does, but 
the future holds greater promise for us, with the carbon nanotube work 
and combining that with solar cell technology, truly holds the promise 
of making America energy independent in the years to come.
  But in the meantime, my friend from Georgia is exactly right, we need 
to drill here, drill now, and we will certainly pay less. And the 
Congress is all that's standing in the way of drilling here and 
drilling now. And I hope they will give us a vote on that.
  But in the meantime, today we can honor the great technological 
achievements of NASA and the carbon nanotube research that holds the 
promise for making America energy independent in the long term.
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. I thank my friend for his comments.
  And I appreciate just a glimpse into the wonderful genius of the 
American people and what we're able to do when we harness the energy of 
the American mind and have it move in a focused direction, like 
increasing the supply of energy.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to support this bill and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time 
is remaining on each side.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas has 5\1/2\ minutes 
remaining. The gentleman from Georgia has 5\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentlelady from Texas.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman from 
Texas as well.
  I'm very pleased to add to the debate on the floor of the House and 
how far-reaching NASA has come as it relates to all academic 
institutions. I'm very proud of the partnership that NASA has had with 
Texas Southern University, one historically black college located in 
the 18th Congressional District, as well as Oakwood College located in 
Huntsville, Alabama. But there are many, many colleges that NASA has 
collaborated with. It's been a particularly important partnership with 
historically black colleges and Hispanic-serving colleges. As it 
relates to Texas Southern University, they've worked on aeronautics. 
They have, in fact, engaged in fellowships with young people to be able 
to expose them to the importance of the work that NASA has done.
  I think even more so, it is important for the American people to know 
that the payload that the astronauts have taken to the Space Station 
and actually worked on includes the work of elementary, middle school 
and high school students. What better way for there to be an excitement 
about space and what we enjoy but doing it in that way.
  I'm delighted that my colleagues have joined in discussing the 
broadness of our energy policy. I think in the passing of Dr. DeBakey 
we should make note of the great medical research that goes on with 
NASA. And as I've indicated with HIV/AIDS, with heart attacks or heart 
disease or stroke, it is not known to most Americans how much medical 
research is done on the Space Station and how many different countries 
are there and the medical doctors that go into space as well.
  I know that we will work for a unified energy policy that involves, 
if you will, all of the elements, including conservation and wind and 
solar--Texas being the largest State with wind power. And I look 
forward to us having a fossil fuel, wind, solar, conservation, and we 
will do that as we move together.
  NASA is so much a part of this extended research on climate change. 
And these commemorative coins will celebrate the diversity of NASA, how 
valuable it is for us. I hope my colleagues will enthusiastically 
support this particular legislation that will cause us to make sure 
that we are reminded of the great work of this great organization, 
serving all of the people of the United States of America.
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank my good 
friends from Texas once again for bringing this bill to the floor and 
thank the chairman of the committee for bringing this bill to the 
floor.
  In closing, I will just say that my constituents and many 
constituents and many Americans that I hear from all across this Nation 
say they remember fondly the wonderful enthusiasm with which this 
Nation gathered around, challenged by a President in the early 1960s to 
go to the Moon. And NASA was absolutely pivotal and instrumental in 
that. And it's that kind of enthusiasm that my constituents and so many 
Americans believe we ought to be putting into the same kind of program 
to discovering that alternative fuel that will lead us and allow us to 
lead throughout the 21st century.

                              {time}  1100

  So this bill will get a vote. And for that we are very, very 
grateful.
  We would ask, Mr. Speaker, and appeal to the leadership to allow a 
vote on increasing the supply of American energy for Americans and 
providing a program that allows for the expansive development of 
alternative fuel.
  With that, I am pleased to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in commemorating NASA's 50 years, the 50th anniversary, 
if you will, we are talking about great accomplishments. We are talking 
about the past. We are talking about the destinations that NASA has 
taken us to. We have gone to the Moon; that's a destination. We have a 
space station; that's a destination. We plan to go to Mars; that's a 
destination. But our destiny is beyond the Milky Way. Our destiny is 
beyond Alpha Centauri. Our destiny is beyond the stars. NASA is in its

[[Page 15026]]

infancy, and it will take us to our destiny.
  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. Al Green) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 6455.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________