IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 267

Declaring a national commitment to the exploration, development, and use

of space.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 29, 1998

Mr. WELDON of Florida (for himself, Mr. MCKEON, Mr. BOYD, Mr. GORDON,

Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. LAMPSON, Mr. DAVIS of Virginia, and Mr.

ADERHOLT) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee

on National Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the

Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within

the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Declaring a national commitment to the exploration,

development, and use of space.

Whereas the exploration, development, and use of space is

fundamental to the human need to imagine, invent, discover, explore, learn, grow, and thereby improve the

human condition;

Whereas the United States investment in space has profoundly shaped our Nation through the latter half of the

20th century; has produced knowledge and technologies

that save lives and enhance our well-being; has created

economic opportunities that have helped our Nation to

flourish and prosper; and has generated a new under-
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standing of our responsibility as stewards of the home

planet and our place in the universe; and

Whereas an aggressive national commitment by government,

industry, and the public to the continued exploration and

use of space will best serve individual citizens and our

collective society, and the continued exploration and use

of space is a top national priority: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the exploration, development, and use

3 of space is a vital bridge to a peaceful and prosperous

4 world. In times of tight budgets and difficult policy deci5 sions, visionary leadership is required to sustain and im6 prove our quality of life in the next century, and that vi7 sion must include the exploration and use of space as a

8 central component. Therefore, the Congress declares that

9 a national commitment should be made to the following

10 priorities in the commercial, civil, and national security

11 space efforts:

12 (1) Ensuring the existence of affordable and

13 technologically advanced launch capability to support

14 America’s space goals.

15 (2) Encouraging policies that promote private

16 investment in space products and services.

17 (3) Speeding transfer of Government-developed

18 technology to the private sector and enhancing the

19 availability of commercial satellite systems.
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1 (4) Promoting Government purchase of com2 mercial, off-the-shelf space products.

3 (5) Increasing funding for the National Aero4 nautics and Space Administration and other Govern5 ment civil space agencies.

6 (6) Ensuring a continuous and strengthened

7 human presence in space through the 21st century.

8 (7) Continuing to explore our universe to ad9 vance scientific discoveries and improve our under10 standing of the planet Earth.

11 (8) Funding space-related defense systems that

12 give our armed forces the greatest possible advan13 tage during times of national crisis or conflict.

14 (9) Sustaining a leadership position in space

15 national security by developing new and more effec16 tive technologies.

17 (10) Improving the cost efficiency and effective18 ness of our national defense through investment in

19 space-based communications, intelligence, and early

20 warning capabilities.

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