[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 1808] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PRODUCTS AGENCY ______ HON. JAMES P. MORAN of virginia in the house of representatives Thursday, February 7, 2008 Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, today I join a bipartisan team of my colleagues to introduce a resolution to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). October 1957, the Soviet Union ushered in a new dimension to the Cold War with the United States when it successfully launched Sputnik I, the world's first artificial satellite, into space. So, on this day, in 1958 the Department of Defense established the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) to serve under the secretary of Defense as the specialized technical engine for the United States Military. The threat of Soviet technological superiority and space domination could not be tolerated amid the growing tensions and developing arms race between the two superpowers. DARPA was tasked to confront this threat. As DARPA focused its technological strengths on the space mission, the agency achieved the unimaginable. The Saturn V rocket, which enabled the United States to launch the Apollo missions to the moon originated on a DARPA drawing board. Perhaps more important, DARPA developed the first surveillance satellites that gave our Nation accurate intelligence on Russian missile program activities throughout the world. As the military mission evolved throughout the last half century, so too did the DARPA focus. Recognizing the changing nature of warfare well in advance of today's battles, DARPA revolutionized the way our Nation fights wars. Instead of sacrificing more troops by putting them in harm's way, our military now uses stealth technology in our aircrafts, advanced precision munitions that can be dropped into theater without dropping in troops, and now the Predator and Global Hawk unmanned air vehicles dominate the world's airspace. DARPA's ongoing commitment to the military is not limited combat. The agency's programs are developing real-time accurate language translation, prosthetics that can be controlled by the brain, and alternative fuel sources for military vehicles that will help eliminate our Nation's dependency on foreign sources of oil. Of course, DARPA's success has not been limited to military innovation. ARPANET, the world's first operational packet switching network, led to the development of today's Internet. Since DARPA engineers first started to connecting remote computers to each other to talk about their shared ideas and work, the Internet has revolutionized the world with the creation of endless possibilities. The reason that DARPA's work engages the cutting edge of technology is a result of its unique business model. By limiting project managers to 4 to 6 year terms, DARPA optimizes the flow of new ideas by empowering industry experts to take risks, think outside the box and advance ground breaking research projects. DARPA continues to meet the growing needs of the Nation as it develops significant cutting edge technology elevates the U.S. to the forefront of innovation and propels our military to be the most superior fighting force in the world. I am proud to recognize DARPA's 50 years of innovation, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. ____________________