A joint resolution commemorating the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
PL 98-106 (H.J.Res.284), enacted 10/01/1983

PUBLIC LAW 98-106—OCT. 1, 1983 
97 STAT. 731 
Public Law 98-106 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Commemorating the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the National Aeronautics and 
—Oct. 1, Iviia— 
Space Administration. 
[H.J. Res. 284] 
Whereas the United States embarked on an urgent national effort to 
enter the space age which was inaugurated by adoption of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, whereby the Na- 42 use 2451 
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration was created on "°*®-
October 1,1958; 
Whereas, on October 11, 1958, NASA launched into Earth-orbit its 
first automated satellite, Pioneer 1; 
Whereas the first United States citizen was launched into suborbital 
space aboard his "Freedom 7" Mercury capsule on May 5, 1961; 
Whereas, on February 20, 1962, the first United States citizen was 
launched into Earth-orbit aboard his "Friendship 7" Mercury 
capsule; 
Whereas, subsequently, literally dozens of astronauts have been 
launched into Earth-orbit to perform useful work and research for 
periods lasting as long as three months at a time; 
Whereas, on July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 lunar module, "Eagle", 
carried the first manned expedition to the surface of the Moon 
and, subsequently, five additionsil two-man crews would explore 
the lunar front side for science; 
Whereas hundreds of unmanned satellites have scientifically ex-
plored near-Earth space, have mapped our planet's resources, 
charted its weather and provided a technical base from which 
commercial exploitation of space h£is become a reality; 
Whereas two-thirds of the planets in the solar system have been 
explored and observed in deteiil by increasingly complex genera-
tions of interplanetary craft; 
Whereas the birth of the first reusable space transportation system 
was realized on April 12,1981, with the successful launch, orbital 
operation and ground landing of the space shuttle Columbia; 
Whereas, drawing upon its NACA heritage, the agency has contin-
ued to push forward the horizons of aeronautical research and 
development; 
Whereas cooperative space projects with other nations of the World 
have greatly enhanced relations, communications, and under-
standing among the inhabitants of "Spaceship Earth"; 
Whereas, for twenty-five years, NASA has vigorously pursued the 
charter set forth by Congress—to realize the potential, practical 
benefits to be gained from aeronautical and space research and 
development—which has placed the United States in a preemi-
nent position worldwide to utilize this technology; and 
Whereas the twenty-fifth Anniversary of the birth of NASA pro-
vides an opportunity to recognize the enormous achievements by 
that agency in aeronautics and space research and development, 
and in related fields of science and technology: Now, therefore, 
be it 
97 STAT. 732 
PUBLIC LAW 98-106—OCT. 1, 1983 
Resolved by the Senate and House of 
Representatives of the United 
National 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the day October 1, 
Spier''*'''' ^"'^ 1^^^' ^ hereby designated the "Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the 
Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration", and the President 
twenty-fifth 
' is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the 
anniversary. 
people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities. 
Approved October 1, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 284 (S.J. Res. 170): 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): 
Sept. 27, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 29, considered and passed Senate.