September 22, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8533 is being served by the provisions in the on Armed Services if a conference is held on HONORING DR. GUION S. ‘‘GUY’’ bill. this matter. BLUFORD, JR., AND THE 25TH Each of these properties has served This exchange of letters will be placed in ANNIVERSARY OF HIS HISTORIC the General Services Administration the Committee Report on H.R. 6524 and in- FLIGHT AS THE FIRST AFRICAN- purposes well, but the changing needs serted in the Congressional Record as part of AMERICAN IN SPACE the consideration of this legislation in the of the communities of Eastlake and House. Thank you for the cooperative spirit Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Koochiching County now require that in which you have worked regarding this Speaker, I move to suspend the rules the properties be repurposed. In both matter and others between our respective and agree to the resolution (H. Res. cases, the needs of the community can committees. I understand that you prefer to 1466) honoring Dr. Guion S. ‘‘Guy’’ be better served through adaptive reuse consider such property transfers in National Defense Authorization Acts and I greatly ap- Bluford, Jr., and the 25th anniversary of these properties. of his historic flight as the first Afri- I support the bill and encourage my preciate your courtesy in waiving further can-American in space. colleagues to do the same. consideration of H.R. 6524. I look forward to working with you as we The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in prepare to pass this important legislation. tion. strong support of H.R. 6524, a bill to authorize Sincerely, The text of the resolution is as fol- the Administrator of General Services to trans- JAMES L. OBERSTAR, lows: fer parcels of real property in Eastlake, Ohio, Chairman and Koochiching County, Minnesota. H. RES. 1466 The Koochiching parcel is approximately COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, Whereas Dr. Guion S. ‘‘Guy’’ Bluford, Jr., 51⁄2 acres located at 1804 3rd Avenue in Inter- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, born in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, national Falls, Koochiching, Minnesota. The Washington, DC, September 18, 2008. was trained as an aerospace engineer and an Koochiching Army Reserve Training Center Hon. JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Air Force pilot, conducted several combat missions, logged over 5,000 hours on numer- site includes the U.S. Army Armory Building. Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. ous aircraft, conducted scientific research on The bill transfers the property to Koochiching DR. MR. CHAIRMAN: On July 31, 2008, the computational fluid dynamics, and became a County, which will pay to have the roof re- Committee on Transportation and Infra- National Aeronautics and Space Administra- placed, install a new boiler and heating sys- structure ordered H.R. 6524, to authorize the tion (NASA) astronaut in 1979; tem, and make extensive repairs to the ceiling. Administrator of General Services to take Whereas in the early morning hours of Au- The Army reported the property excess in Jan- certain actions with respect to parcels of gust 30, 1983, Dr. Bluford became the first Af- uary 2006 and the General Services Adminis- real property located in Eastlake, Ohio, and rican-American to enter outer space as a tration, GSA, accepted the report of excess in Koochiching County, Minnesota, and for crew member of the STS–8 space shuttle mis- other purposes, to be reported. sion; February 2006. GSA screened the property Whereas Dr. Bluford’s pioneering STS–8 with other Federal agencies but there were no As you know, this measure contains cer- tain provisions that are within the jurisdic- flight was the first mission to both launch expressions of interest. tion of the Committee on Armed Services. and land at night; The conveyance will be by quitclaim deed These provisions transfer property for which Whereas this mission successfully deployed and the County of Koochiching will pay the Department of Defense has real property a satellite, tested operations of the shuttle’s $30,000 to GSA for the real property transfer. interests. For many years, our committee robotic arm, and released Getaway Special The General Services Administration will for- has authorized such transfers through an- canisters to support science experiments; ward to the Secretary of the Army the net pro- nual National Defense Authorization Acts Whereas on October 30, 1985, Dr. Bluford launched with the crew of STS 61–A, the first ceeds from the Koochiching transfer. (NDAA). Given the expressed need for the legisla- shuttle crew to include 8 members, to con- The parcel of real property in Eastlake is an duct the United States-German cooperative approximate 10-acre site which includes the tion to move expeditiously, and out of my re- spect for you and our friendship, I am pre- D–1 Spacelab mission that was dedicated to John F. Kennedy Senior Citizen Center. In pared to make an extraordinary exception to advancing our understanding of the human 1964, the city of Eastlake purchased the prop- my committee’s long-standing practice of al- vestibular and orientation systems and to erty and, consistent with the deed restriction, ways considering such property transfers in conducting microgravity research in mate- used the site for recreational uses for more the NDAA. rials science, life sciences, and communica- tion and navigation; than 40 years. The bill will lift the deed restric- Therefore, while we have a valid claim to Whereas Dr. Bluford went on to success- jurisdiction over this legislation, the Com- tions and thus allow the city to use the prop- fully complete 2 additional shuttle missions mittee on Armed Services will waive further erty for economic development purposes. The with the space shuttle Discovery’s launch of consideration of H.R. 6524. I do so with the city of Eastlake has provided a better location the STS–39 on April 28, 1991, and the STS–53 understanding that by waiving further con- for the senior citizens center. The city of East- on December 2, 1992; sideration of the bill, the Committee does Whereas among his other technical assign- lake will pay $30,000 to GSA for the real prop- not waive any future jurisdictional claims ments, Dr. Bluford worked on space shuttle erty transfer. over similar measures. In the event of a con- systems, the shuttle robotic arm, payload I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- ference with the Senate on this bill, the safety and flight software verification in the porting H.R. 6524. Committee on Armed Services reserves the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory and right to seek the appointment of conferees. Finally, I insert in the RECORD an exchange the Flight Systems Laboratory, and on of letters between Chairman IKE SKELTON, I would appreciate the inclusion of this let- Spacelab systems and experiments; Chairman of the Committee on Armed Serv- ter and a copy of the response in your Com- Whereas in remarking on his pioneering ices, and me. mittee’s report on H.R. 6524 and the Congres- role as the first African-American in space, sional Record during consideration of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COM- Dr. Bluford recounted, ‘‘I wanted to set the measure on the House floor. MITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND standard, do the best job possible so that Very truly yours, INFRASTRUCTURE, other people would be comfortable with Afri- IKE SKELTON, Washington, DC, September 22, 2008. can-Americans in space and African-Ameri- Chairman. Hon. IKE SKELTON, cans would be proud of being participants in Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the space program . . . and encourage others of Representatives, Washington, DC. back the balance of my time. to do the same.’’; and DEAR CHAIRMAN SKELTON: I write to you re- Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield Whereas in 1993, Dr. Bluford left NASA and garding H.R. 6524, to authorize the Adminis- back the balance of my time. retired as a Colonel in the Air Force to con- trator of General Services to take certain ac- tinue his distinguished service to the United tions with respect to parcels of real property The SPEAKER pro tempore. The States space program through leadership po- located in Eastlake, Ohio, and Koochiching question is on the motion offered by sitions in private industry and space-related County, Minnesota, and for other purposes. the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. organizations: Now, therefore, be it I appreciate your willingness to waive fur- DEFAZIO) that the House suspend the Resolved, That the House of Representa- ther consideration of H.R. 6524, notwith- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6524. tives— standing the jurisdictional interest of the The question was taken; and (two- (1) salutes the 25th anniversary of the pio- Committee on Armed Services. Of course, thirds being in the affirmative) the neering accomplishments of Dr. Guion this waiver does not prejudice any further ‘‘Guy’’ S. Bluford, Jr. as the first African- jurisdictional claims by your Committee rules were suspended and the bill was American in space; and over this or similar legislation. Further- passed. (2) extends its gratitude and deep apprecia- more, I agree to support your request for ap- A motion to reconsider was laid on tion for Dr. Bluford’s dedication, commit- pointment of conferees from the Committee the table. ment, and excellence as an astronaut and a

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:12 Sep 23, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22SE7.095 H22SEPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE H8534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 22, 2008 leader in support of the Nation’s space pro- history when he lifted off with the degree in aerospace engineering from gram. space shuttle crew of STS–8 as the first Pennsylvania State University in 1964, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- African American in space. During the a master’s of science degree with dis- ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from mission, the crew successfully deployed tinction in aerospace engineering from Maryland (Ms. EDWARDS) and the gen- a satellite, conducted operations with the Air Force Institute of Technology tleman from Texas (Mr. HALL) each the shuttle’s robotic arm and collected in 1974, a doctor of philosophy in aero- will control 20 minutes. measurements to improve our under- space engineering with a minor in laser The Chair recognizes the gentle- standing of how space affects bio- physics from the Air Force Institute of woman from Maryland. physiological systems. Technology in 1978, and a master’s of GENERAL LEAVE On October 30, 1985, Dr. Bluford flew business administration from the Uni- Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. with the crew of STS–61–A, a German versity of Houston, Clear Lake, in 1987. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that D–1 spacelab mission that included What is, perhaps, less well-known all Members may have 5 legislative over 70 scientific experiments in mate- about Guy Bluford is the service he has days to revise and extend their re- rials processing, in life sciences, in given to the Nation since leaving the marks and to include extraneous mate- fluid physics, and in navigation. astronaut corps. After leaving NASA in rial on H. Res. 1466, the resolution now I would add, Mr. Speaker, that, in- July 1993, he retired from the Air Force under consideration. deed, that was my mission at spacelab and held several executive-level posi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there while I was at Goddard Space Flight tions in America’s aerospace industry. objection to the request of the gentle- Center. Dr. Bluford also served the Nation in woman from Maryland? His third and fourth flights on shut- other capacities, including as a mem- There was no objection. tle STS–39 in 1991 and on shuttle STS– ber of the Columbia Accident Inves- b 1545 53 in 1992 involved deploying payloads tigation Board. He has been a member Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. and in conducting numerous experi- of the National Research Council Aero- Speaker, I yield myself such time as I ments. During his astronaut service, nautics and Space Engineering Board. may consume. Dr. Bluford logged over 688 hours in He has served on the board of trustees I rise in strong support of House Res- space. In 1993, Dr. Bluford left NASA of the Aerospace Corporation and on olution 1466, honoring Dr. Guion S. and retired from the Air Force to ac- the board of advisors for the Coalition ‘‘Guy’’ Bluford, Jr. on the 25th anniver- cept a position in private industry. for Space Exploration. sary of his historic flight as the first Mr. Speaker, Dr. Guion Bluford’s I am proud to support this resolution African American in space. leadership as an aviator, as an astro- honoring such a prominent American This year marks the 50th anniversary naut and as a private sector official is citizen, executive and astronaut. Mr. of the House Committee on Science and an inspiration for all Americans. I urge Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sup- Technology and also the 50th anniver- my colleagues in Congress to join me port House Resolution 1466. sary of the National Aeronautics and in saluting Dr. Guion S. ‘‘Guy’’ I reserve the balance of my time. Space Administration, NASA. Bluford, Jr. on the 25th anniversary of Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. I re- The past five decades of our space his historic flight as the first African serve the balance of my time. program have brought remarkable American in space and to honor his dis- Mr. BOOZMAN. If the gentlelady has achievements in human space flight tinguished service to the Nation and to no other speakers, I will go ahead and and in human exploration, in space and the space program. yield back the balance of my time. Earth science and in aeronautics. Mr. I reserve the balance of my time. Speaker, these achievements would not The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. have been possible without the con- objection, the gentleman from Arkan- Speaker, I yield back the balance of tributions of many individuals who sas is recognized. my time. have served NASA and our space pro- There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gram. Some of those individuals also Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield question is on the motion offered by broke barriers along the way and have myself such time as I may consume. the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. provided inspiration to all of those who I rise today in support of House Reso- EDWARDS) that the House suspend the have followed them. lution 1466, which honors the life and rules and agree to the resolution, H. Earlier this year, we honored the 25th accomplishments of an amazing man, Res. 1466. anniversary of Dr. Sally K. Ride’s astronaut Dr. Guy Bluford, Jr. The question was taken; and (two- flight as the first woman in space. Guy Bluford was born in West Phila- thirds being in the affirmative) the Today, we celebrate the 25th anniver- delphia, Pennsylvania on November 22, rules were suspended and the resolu- sary of Dr. Guion S. Bluford, Jr. as the 1942, and he is perhaps best known as tion was agreed to. first African American in space. the first African American in space. He A motion to reconsider was laid on Dr. Bluford’s path to his pioneering was selected for NASA’s astronaut pro- the table. flight exemplifies the ‘‘right stuff’’ so gram in August 1979, and he became a characteristic of NASA’s astronauts. mission specialist on the eighth space f He graduated from Penn State Univer- shuttle mission, which launched from sity with a degree in aerospace engi- the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINIS- neering. As a distinguished Air Force August 30, 1983. This was the third TRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT ROTC graduate, he went on to com- flight of the space shuttle Challenger OF 2008 plete pilot training and combat crew and the first mission with a night training, flew combat missions, and re- launch and with a night landing. Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. turned to serve with the 3630th Flying Dr. Bluford is a veteran of four space Speaker, I move to suspend the rules Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force flights. After STS–8, Dr. Bluford went and pass the Senate bill (S. 2606) to re- Base in Texas. on to serve as mission specialist on authorize the United States Fire Ad- Dr. Bluford went on to earn master’s STS–61–A, on STS–39 and on STS–53, ministration, and for other purposes. and doctoral degrees in aerospace engi- and he logged over 688 hours in space. The Clerk read the title of the Senate neering from the Air Force Institute of These early missions paved the way bill. Technology, and he held several posi- for the scientific research and inter- The text of the Senate bill is as fol- tions in the Air Force Flight Dynamics national cooperation that today are lows: Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air vital aspects of the International Space S. 2606 Force Base in Ohio. Station. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of In 1979, Dr. Bluford became a NASA Prior to his service with NASA, Guy Representatives of the United States of America astronaut. On August 30, 1983, he made Bluford received a bachelor of science in Congress assembled,

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