[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 21225-21227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1100
       SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL AEROSPACE DAY

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 167), supporting the goals and 
ideals of National Aerospace Day, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 167

       Whereas the missions to the Moon by the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration are recognized around 
     the globe as one of the most outstanding achievements of 
     humankind;
       Whereas the United States is a leader in the International 
     Space Station, the first permanent human habitation and 
     scientific laboratory in space;
       Whereas the first aircraft flight occurred in the United 
     States, and the United States operates the largest and safest 
     aviation system in the world;
       Whereas the United States aerospace industry is a powerful, 
     reliable source of employment, innovation, and export income, 
     directly employing 831,000 people in the United States and 
     supporting more than 2,000,000 jobs in related fields;
       Whereas space exploration is a source of inspiration that 
     captures the interest of young people;
       Whereas aerospace education is an important component of 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education 
     and helps to develop the science and technology workforce in 
     the United States;
       Whereas aerospace innovation has led to the development of 
     advanced meteorological forecasting, which has saved lives 
     around the world;
       Whereas aerospace innovation has led to the development of 
     the Global Positioning System, which has strengthened 
     national security and increased economic productivity;
       Whereas the aerospace industry assists and protects members 
     of the Armed Forces with military communications, unmanned 
     aerial systems, situational awareness, and satellite-guided 
     ordinances; and
       Whereas September 16 is an appropriate date to observe 
     ``National Aerospace Day'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Aerospace 
     Day''; and
       (2) recognizes the contributions of the aerospace industry 
     to the history, economy, security, and educational system of 
     the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TONKO. 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 House Concurrent Resolution 167, the 
resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 167, supporting the goals 
and ideals of National Aerospace Day. Since it opened in 1976, the 
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum has been

[[Page 21226]]

the most popular museum in our Nation's Capital, with over 6 million 
visitors each year. This is indicative of our Nation's love of flight 
and the importance of flight to our country's well-being.
  In this museum, you can see the Wright Flyer, which was the world's 
first powered airplane. You can also see the X-1 that Chuck Yeager 
first powered past the speed of sound and the Apollo XI capsule that 
returned Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins from their 
remarkable trip to the Moon. These are truly great achievements, and 
they deserve their hallowed place in our Nation's history.
  The industry and individuals that support our aerospace endeavors 
also deserve our recognition, because they are the ones that make the 
great achievements in flight and space exploration possible.
  The aerospace industry directly employs over 800,000 people in the 
United States with high-paying and high-tech jobs. In addition, the 
industry supports more than 2 million jobs in related fields. The 
United States is the unquestioned leader in aerospace technology, and 
it is a leadership position made possible only through the dedication 
of the talented aerospace workforce.
  I want to thank Representative Ehlers for introducing this resolution 
to recognize the contributions of the aerospace industry to our country 
and urge my colleagues to support its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 167, supporting 
the goals and ideals of National Aerospace Day, introduced by my good 
friend Representative Vern Ehlers and cosponsored by a number of 
leading Members from both sides of the aisle.
  Domestic aerospace products, services and technologies underpin the 
Nation's quality of life, our security and economic vitality. These are 
fundamental to our ability to travel safely and conveniently throughout 
this country and the world. This enables our military to reach trouble 
spots quickly, to monitor those who wish to do us harm, and to 
accurately defeat imminent threats. Just as importantly, aerospace 
makes it possible for people and industries all across our country to 
quickly and inexpensively be part of our economic mainstream.
  The capabilities made possible by aerospace products in outer space 
are just as extraordinary. These have enabled safely landing men on the 
Moon, sending satellites to all the planets in our solar system, 
landing a satellite on an asteroid, building a permanently inhabited 
space station, monitoring weather, measuring changes to our planet, and 
providing instant communications to all parts of the globe. Space 
applications have enriched our lives and our understanding of the 
universe.
  The history of aerospace is long and storied, from the Wright 
Brothers, to the creation of the Federal National Advisory Committee on 
Aeronautics and NASA, to the vigorous industrial growth and 
technological innovation led by the likes of companies such as 
Rockwell, Mcdonnell Douglas, Grumman, North American, Boeing, Pratt and 
Whitney, and Beechcraft. That list could go on and on. These companies 
and many, many others have led the world in innovation and engineering 
excellence. It is because of their talented researchers, their 
engineers and machinists that our country leads the world in the 
production of aerospace products.
  Before closing, it bears repeating that aerospace products and 
services are one of the largest sources of export income in our balance 
of trade. Not only is aerospace a large source of domestic sales to our 
airplanes and our government, it is also an extraordinarily large 
source of foreign income.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 167 designates September 16th as National 
Aerospace Day to highlight the industry's importance to our economy and 
our way of life and to remind Americans of the extraordinary 
achievements it has fostered and continues to provide. I urge all 
Members to support this very worthwhile bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman 
from Michigan, Dr. Ehlers.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  As the author of this resolution and as a co-Chair of the House 
Aerospace Caucus, along with co-Chair Congressman Norm Dicks, I rise in 
strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 167, which supports the 
goals and ideals of creating a National Aerospace Day, in addition to 
recognizing the contributions of the aerospace industry to the history, 
economy, security and the educational system of the United States. I 
thank the gentleman from New York and the gentleman from Texas for 
their detailed recital of the many successes that the American 
aerospace industry has had, and I will not repeat those.
  But as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing 
this year, it is appropriate that we pass this resolution recognizing 
the important achievements made possible by the aerospace industry. In 
addition to landing on the Moon, some other noteworthy achievements 
include leading the International Space Station project, innovative 
developments in meteorological forecasting, national defense, 
communications, and creating the Global Positioning System which has 
come to be used by consumers throughout the world in guiding them where 
they travel in their daily lives.
  The United States also maintains the largest, most complex and safest 
aviation system in the world, comprised of more than 230,000 general 
aviation aircraft which use nearly 19,000 small and regional airports 
throughout our Nation, and more than 7,000 commercial passenger and 
cargo airline aircraft which utilize over 500 commercial airports. Our 
aviation system, especially business aviation, allows U.S. companies to 
stay competitive because our workers can be more productive and more 
efficient.
  The United States aerospace industry is a powerful, reliable source 
of employment, innovation and export income, employing more than 
840,000 people in the United States and supporting more than 2 million 
jobs in related fields. Although unemployment remains high, especially 
in my home State of Michigan, these high-value, good-paying jobs 
continue to be available because of the shortage of qualified workers 
in this field.
  Therefore, in order for the United States to remain at the forefront 
of aerospace development, we must do a better job of educating our 
children in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly 
referred to as STEM education. Flying and space exploration remain a 
powerful inspiration that captures the interest of young people, and I 
applaud the efforts by the aerospace community to get involved with 
children and schools to nurture this interest and improve our STEM 
education programs.
  I am proud to report that in my hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, a 
young gentleman, Patrick Johnson, who is a pilot, has formed the West 
Michigan Flight Academy, and been teaching aviation to children in the 
elementary schools, particularly those who are lagging behind. He has 
been helping them build model airplanes and fly them. Just about a 
month ago, I was with him when we went to a local meeting of the 
Experimental Aircraft Association chapter in my community.
  Many of these children went up in an airplane for the first time in 
their life. They got to stand by the airplanes and hear an explanation 
of what the different parts of the airplanes were and how they work. 
And, believe it or not, most of those children are now very interested 
in studying math and science to better understand aviation, and may 
enter an occupation they had never thought of before. So aviation also 
has a very important educational impact, and I am pleased that the 
aerospace industry has helped schools and teachers learn more and teach 
more about aviation, and through that has inspired

[[Page 21227]]

children to study science and mathematics.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring the aerospace industry 
for their good service by supporting the creation of a National 
Aerospace Day on September 16th. I also urge all members to vote for 
this concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 167.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I would again like to commend Representative 
Ehlers for his outstanding work on this resolution, drawing our 
attention to a National Aerospace Day. It is no small feat to have seen 
the history of the aerospace arena grow in leaps and bounds over the 
last century, and certainly writing much of that history was America 
and Americans who have, through their investment, given great 
opportunities to careers, to jobs that have been developed in that 
arena of a high-tech capacity, and certainly that have provided great 
hope and inspiration to many.
  With all that being said, I would strongly encourage the Members of 
the House to support H. Con. Res. 167.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Ehlers for his 
leadership on this bill and I am proud to be a cosponsor of this 
important legislation. National Aerospace Day recognizes the importance 
of NASA, its world-class employees and the decades of successes those 
employees have accumulated for NASA. NASA contributes greatly to the 
advancement of scientific research and is responsible for technology 
that we use every single day.
  Yesterday, the Summary Report by the Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight 
Plans Committee was released. The Committee's report confirms what 
we've known for a long time--NASA is underfunded. Supporting and 
adequately funding NASA's programs that contribute to its human space 
flight initiative is essential for the U.S. to maintain its global 
leadership.
  While I agree with the Commission that NASA's research centers like 
NASA Glenn in Brook Park, Ohio need more funding in order to achieve 
the mandates given to them by Congress and the President, I am 
particularly concerned with the recommendations in the Committee Report 
to privatize important parts of NASA. Privatization of a public 
resource is dangerous. We must not let ourselves fall for the lure of 
the potential for short term savings when privatization frequently ends 
up costing the taxpayer much more than purported savings, not to 
mention well-paying, stable jobs. At a time of record high unemployment 
rates, we cannot afford to compromise the integrity of one of our 
nation's greatest assets by outsourcing NASA's work.
  I want to also be clear that NASA must not become an arm of the 
Department of Defense. NASA has always focused on civilian research, 
which has allowed it to avoid becoming subsumed by the perpetual 
imperative of national security.
  NASA's aeronautics research is particularly important because NASA is 
able to develop longer term, high-risk enabling technologies that our 
private industry is unable and unwilling to perform. If we lose 
aeronautics at NASA, we will cede our global leadership in the field to 
Europe.
  I have the privilege of having the NASA Glenn Research Center in my 
district. NASA Glenn serves as an economic engine for the Greater 
Cleveland Community and for the State of Ohio. In the year 2007 alone, 
the economic output of NASA Glenn was $1.2 billion. As of 2007, NASA 
Glenn was responsible for over 8,000 jobs and household earnings 
amounting to $402 million in Ohio alone.
  NASA Glenn's employees have been global leaders in their field for 
decades. In fact, Glenn has won 98 of the 150 R&D 100 Awards from R&D 
Magazine that have been granted to NASA since 1966, more than all the 
other NASA centers combined. Of over 600 national laboratories, Glenn 
is in the top 10 for these awards.
  NASA Glenn specializes in space flight systems development, 
aeropropulsion, space propulsion, power systems, communications, and 
human-related systems. They develop cleaner technologies for space 
propulsion that is safer, more reliable and more affordable. NASA's 
expertise in renewable energy and energy efficient technologies will be 
critical to a burgeoning green economy.
  NASA Glenn plays a vital role in developing NASA's future generation 
of space flight vehicles and is the lead developer of the lunar 
lander's ascent stage propulsion system--the system responsible for 
getting our astronauts back to earth from the moon. The Center is vital 
in training and recruiting the next generation of employees that will 
work on future space flight missions to the Moon and Mars through its 
educational partnership programs with local universities.
  I am proud of the work done at NASA Glenn and of the important 
contributions NASA has made to our Nation. Congress has an obligation 
to fully support NASA and I strongly urge passage of this bill.
  Mr. TONKO. 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 New York (Mr. Tonko) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 167.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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