Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards Act

Bill: 108-hr-912
Sponsor: Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-46]
Introduced: 2003-02-25 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Asteroids
Astronauts
Astronomy
Awards, medals, prizes
Commemorations
Directories
Names
Space activities

Summary:
action_date: 2003-02-25
text: Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to: (1) establish the Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards Program to reward outstanding amateur astronomers who make asteroid discoveries and to augment the Government's asteroid discovery efforts; and (2) contract with the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory to administer the program. Provides for annual awards to: (1) the amateur astronomer who, using amateur equipment only, discovers the largest absolute magnitude new asteroid having a near-Earth orbit during the preceding calendar year; (2) an amateur astronomer for pre-discovery and recovery efforts; and (3) the amateur astronomer, or the professional not funded for optical astronomy, who provides the greatest service to update the minor planet catalogue.
action_date: 2004-02-11
text: 
Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards Act - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish the Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards Program.
 
Requires the Administrator to make awards based on the recommendations of the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (Minor Planet Center). 
 
Directs the Administrator to make one annual award, unless there are no eligible discoveries or contributions, for each of the following categories: (1) the amateur astronomer or group of amateur astronomers who discovered the intrinsically brightest near-Earth asteroid among the near-Earth asteroids that were discovered by such astronomers or groups; and (2) the amateur astronomer or group of amateur astronomers who made the greatest contribution to the mission of the Minor Planet Center to catalogue near-Earth asteroids.
 
Limits the amount of an award under such Program to $3,000.
 
Bars any individual who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States at the time of such individual's discovery or contribution from receiving an award.
 
Makes the Administrator's awards decisions under this Act final. 
 
Authorizes appropriations.

action_date: 2004-03-03
text: 
Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards Act - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish the Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards Program.
 
Requires the Administrator to make awards based on the recommendations of the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (Minor Planet Center). 
 
Directs the Administrator to make one annual award, unless there are no eligible discoveries or contributions, for each of the following categories: (1) the amateur astronomer or group of amateur astronomers who discovered the intrinsically brightest near-Earth asteroid among the near-Earth asteroids that were discovered by such astronomers or groups; and (2) the amateur astronomer or group of amateur astronomers who made the greatest contribution to the mission of the Minor Planet Center to catalogue near-Earth asteroids.
 
Limits the amount of an award under such Program to $3,000.
 
Bars any individual who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States at the time of such individual's discovery or contribution from receiving an award.
 
Makes the Administrator's awards decisions under this Act final. 
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-03-04
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2004-03-03
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 1 (Roll no. 35). (text: CR H758)
action_date: 2004-03-03
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-03-03
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 1 (Roll no. 35).(text: CR H758)
action_date: 2004-03-03
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H787-788)
action_date: 2004-03-03
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2004-03-03
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 912.
action_date: 2004-03-03
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H757-759)
action_date: 2004-03-03
text: Mr. Rohrabacher moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2004-02-11
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 240.
action_date: 2004-02-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 108-418.
action_date: 2004-02-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 108-418.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
action_date: 2003-02-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science.
action_date: 2003-02-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-02-25
text: Introduced in House