Providing for Consideration of H.R. 3070, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the fiscal year 2006 National Aeronautics and Space Administration authorization, and I congratulate the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), the ranking member; and the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), the subcommittee chairman; and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall), the ranking member, for their hard work on this bipartisan bill. I welcome a bill that comes to the floor with such unity, and I applaud their efforts.

On March 16, 1926 Robert Goddard of Auburn, Massachusetts, which happens to be in my congressional district, successfully launched the first liquid fueled rocket. The first-of-its-kind rocket reached an altitude of only 40 feet, and its flight lasted only 2 seconds; but it inspired generations of future astronauts and scientists. Dr. Goddard, recalling his childhood curiosity for physics wrote: ``I imagined how wonderful it would be to make some device which had even the possibility of ascending to Mars. I was a different boy when I descended the tree from when I ascended, for existence at last seem purposive.''

Robert Goddard would come to be known as the Father of Modern Rocketry. And I know Dr. Goddard would be pleased to know that the exploration of Mars is within our grasp.

By prioritizing human space travel, we are trying to maintain the United States as a leader in space exploration and aeronautics. Projects such as the International Space Station encourage worldwide efforts in science, and it is important that the U.S. continue to participate. Through these missions, we will be able to explore the long-term effects of space travel on humans, collect data regarding life on other planets, and gain greater knowledge of the universe.

Mr. Speaker, the safety of our astronauts must remain our top priority. So I am pleased that the committee has included funding in this bill for the Crew Exploration Vehicle. This vehicle will serve as a backup should problems arise with the International Space Station.

The spirit of Robert Goddard and NASA inspires children of all ages to imagine what is beyond the blue sky above. In my own district, Worcester Polytechnic Institute has received $1.5 million in the last 5 years for aerospace research projects.

WPI has also sent 150 undergraduate students to the Goddard Spaceflight Program, where they researched and developed products in gravity studies and contamination prevention. With ongoing partnerships with facilities across the country, WPI has formed a multidecade bond with NASA. The knowledge gained from these undergraduate programs fosters not only a love of learning, but also offers careers at NASA and other leaders in the aeronautics field.

NASA has always been a leader in educating young people about the wonders of space and aeronautics. Through outreach programs, NASA is able to engage students and encourage studies in math and science. This bill authorizes NASA to establish two annual Charles ``Pete'' Conrad Astronomy awards for amateur astronomers. The first award would be presented to astronomers who, using amateur equipment only, discover the brightest near-Earth asteroid during the past year.

The second award would be presented to the amateur or group who made the greatest contribution to the Minor Planet Center catalog of near-Earth asteroids. Each award amounts to $3,000. By promoting the pursuit of science through such awards, we can engage children and young adults. We can get them more interested in math and science, which is so incredibly important in the 21st century.

In the spirit of ingenuity, I am also pleased to mention $6.9 billion has been set aside for science, aeronautics, and education activities. This will allow scientists to research such projects as hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft that would have no hydrocarbon or nitrogen oxide emissions, and to study ways to reduce fuel consumption and noise levels of commercial aircraft. Important potential markets could be created from these new technologies, and in a society that is overdependent on fossil fuels, this money is well spent. In fact, the research that NASA is doing can help us make the world more environmentally safe.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank the authors of this bill for their hard work.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, let me just close by saying that this is an important bill. It is important because our space program yields many benefits to the people of this country and the world.

A lot of times people do not quite understand all that we gain from the space program. It is not just about rockets flying up in the sky. It is about improving aeronautics research. It is about communications, improving our communications systems. It is about protecting our national security. It is about learning more about science and our environment. It is about finding better ways to protect our environment here on Earth. We learn of medical breakthroughs, medical research goes on during these space flights. So it benefits us in multiple ways, and I think it is important for people to appreciate that because oftentimes people will ask, why do we need to spend all this money on the space program? The reason why is there are tangible benefits all around us that have been directly derived from the space program.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me again say I am grateful that this is a bipartisan bill, and I am grateful that there is no controversy on the rule. This is a unique moment because we have not had such a bill like this in a long time. I ask Members to support the bill and support the rule.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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