[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 121, 110th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
[NOTE: June 20, 2007 -  [H.Con.Res.76] INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL
YEAR--50TH ANNIVERSARY

Whereas the year 2007-2008 is the 50th anniversary of the International
Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-1958;

Whereas the IGY initiated the Space Age with the successful launch of
the first artificial satellites, Sputnik by the former Soviet Union,
and Explorer I by the United States;

Whereas the interdisciplinary approach of IGY and the use of new space-
based platforms enabled fundamental changes in the conduct of
research concerning the Earth and its surrounding space environment;

Whereas the interdisciplinary approach of IGY enabled coordinated,
synchronous, global observations and measurements of the Earth,
oceans, atmosphere, ice, and near-Earth space environment;

Whereas the IGY increased our understanding of the causes of magnetic
storms, ionospheric disturbances, and the origins of cosmic rays;

Whereas the use of new space-based platforms enabled the discovery of
the Van Allen radiation belts, which are trapped, charged particles
in the Earth's upper atmosphere, showed that those particles form
belts of energy around the Earth, and contributed to the
understanding of the Northern Lights;

Whereas the IGY, involved thousands of scientists from 67 nations;


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Whereas the IGY, which occurred during the height of Cold War tensions,
facilitated international cooperation in science and helped lead to
the Antarctic Treaty, which established the use of Antarctica for
peaceful purposes and promoted continued, cooperative scientific
investigations on the continent;

Whereas the IGY led to the creation of institutional structures that
continue to promote and enable the international exchange of
scientific research related to the Earth and space, including the
International Council on Science's Committee on Space Research
(COSPAR), Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and
Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR); and

Whereas this 50th anniversary celebration offers as an opportunity to
inspire our public and youth to build on the legacy of success of
the IGY, recognizing that a coordinated, international approach to
interdisciplinary scientific challenges such as climate change, high
energy physics, and space exploration contributes to the advancement
of knowledge and sustains the cooperative spirit and goodwill among
nations set forth in the IGY: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That the Congress--
(1) honors the 50th anniversary of the International
Geophysical Year (IGY) and its contributions to the scientific
investigations of the Earth and outer space; and
(2) encourages the public, and especially American youth, to
attend IGY celebrations and seminars, such as those being
planned at locations around the United States by the National
Academy of Sciences and other organizations, and participate in
discussions about the future of space science and Earth science.

Agreed to June 20, 2007.