III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 651 

Honoring the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the 50th 

anniversary of its establishment. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 1, 2008 

Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. BROWN, Mr. CARDIN, 

Mr. CORNYN, Mrs. HUTCHISON, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. MARTINEZ, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. SHELBY, Mr. VITTER, and Mr. 

VOINOVICH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration on the 50th anniversary of its establishment. 

Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was established on July 29, 1958; 

Whereas on May 5, 1961, NASA successfully launched 

America’s first manned spacecraft, Freedom 7, piloted by Alan B. Shepard, Jr.; 

Whereas on February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the 

first American astronaut to orbit the earth; 

Whereas in July of 1969 President John Kennedy’s vision of landing a man on the moon and returning 

him safely to Earth was realized with the Apollo 11 

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•SRES 651 IS 

mission, commanded by Neil A. Armstrong, Lunar 

Module Pilot Edwin ‘‘Buzz’’ Aldrin, Jr., and Command Module Pilot Michael Collins; 

Whereas on April 12, 1981, NASA began a new era of 

human space flight and exploration with the launch 

of the first Space Shuttle Columbia, commanded by 

John W. Young and piloted by Robert L. ‘‘Bob’’ 

Crippen; 

Whereas on June 18, 1983, Dr. Sally Ride became the 

first American woman in space as a crewmember of 

Space Shuttle Challenger for STS–7; 

Whereas NASA has greatly expanded our knowledge and 

understanding of our planet and solar system 

through various unmanned vehicles utilized on numerous missions; 

Whereas, during the Cold War, NASA’s achievements 

served as a source of national pride and captured the 

imagination of the world by demonstrating a peaceful 

use of our technological capabilities; 

Whereas NASA now serves as a model for international 

cooperation and American leadership through the 

International Space Station and other scientific endeavors; 

Whereas thanks to NASA and the far-reaching gaze of 

the Hubble Space Telescope, we have seen further 

into our universe than ever before; 

Whereas NASA space probes have landed on or flown by 

eight of the planets in our solar system; 

Whereas the aeronautics research by NASA has led to 

great discoveries and advances in aircraft design and 

aviation; 

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Whereas the work done by NASA has expanded the scope 

of human knowledge, created new technologies, and 

inspired young men and women to enter scientific 

and engineering careers; 

Whereas in the last fifty years, NASA has positively impacted almost every facet of our lives; and 

Whereas, thanks to the heroism, courage, and supreme 

sacrifice of our astronaut corps over the last five decades, we are now able to live and work in space for 

the benefit of all humankind: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, by the Senate That the Senate— 

2 (1) honors the men and women of the National 

3 Aeronautics and Space Administration on the occa4 sion of its 50th Anniversary; 

5 (2) acknowledges the value of NASA’s discov6 eries and accomplishments; and 

7 (3) pledges to maintain America’s position as 

8 the world leader in earth and space science, aero9 nautics and space exploration and technology. 

Æ 

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