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Recognition

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Week Ending October 19, 2007

H.CON.RES.225 Honoring the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age, and the ensuing 50 years of productive and peaceful space activities.

The Space Age dawned on October 4, 1957 with the launch of Sputnik I, Russia’s first effort to explore the Universe. Soon after the US launched Explorer I. It was in the early 1960s that astronauts first circled the earth and 1969 when Neil Armstrong and ‘Buz’ Aldrin, Jr. walked on the Moon.

The benefits of space exploration span from national security to weather and climate monitoring and a better understanding of the Universe and its origins.

More resolution below….

Sponsor:  Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN-6^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote October 16, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost

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Whereas the dawn of the Space Age took place on October 4, 1957 with the launch of Sputnik 1, an event that was followed soon after by the American launch of Explorer 1;

Whereas the exploration of space evolved from cold war competition into an endeavor that has been marked by significant international cooperation, with results that have benefitted all humanity;

Whereas a new chapter in space exploration was opened when cosmonauts and astronauts first orbited the Earth in the early 1960s, culminating in the historic first steps taken by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. on the Moon in 1969;

Whereas robotic explorers have ranged throughout the solar system, with Voyager and Pioneer spacecraft now on the verge of entering interstellar space;

Whereas from space, we have been able to increase significantly our understanding of the universe and its origin;

Whereas observations from space have enabled large scale monitoring of the Earth's weather and climate;

Whereas satellites have become a part of our daily lives, transforming communications, navigation, and positioning;

Whereas the competition that accompanied the dawn of the Space Age reinvigorated the Nation's interest in science and technology, leading to an increased investment both in research and in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education;

Whereas these investments contributed to the development of a technologically skilled generation of Americans that has led the world in innovation and accomplishment;

Whereas the new global competition for preeminence in science and technology and innovation has led to a call for a renewed commitment to research and to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education akin to that which followed the dawn of the Space Age; and

Whereas Congress has responded by renewing our national commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education with the recently enacted America COMPETES Act: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress--

(1) honors the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age;

(2) recognizes the value of investing in America's space program; and

(3) declares it to be in America's interest to continue to advance knowledge and improve life on Earth through a sustained national commitment to space exploration in all its forms, led by a new generation of well educated scientists, engineers, and explorers.

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