July 19, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5419 surely we can find better things to do with our REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER (1) the successful completion of the Space time as a congress than bash the courts. AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 3044 Shuttle Discovery’s STS–121 mission; and Why then is something as arbitrary as a bill (2) its pioneering work in space exploration Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask which is strengthening the Nation and bene- that would strip our Federal courts of their au- unanimous consent to remove my thority to hear an issue that the highest court fitting all Americans. name from cosponsorship of H.R. 3044. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- in our land has never spoke on at the top of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ant to the rule, the gentleman from our list of ‘‘things to do’’? Need I remind my objection to the request of the gen- California (Mr. CALVERT) and the gen- colleagues that the Supreme Court has never, tleman from Michigan? since the inclusion of the words ‘‘under God’’ There was no objection. tlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON- LEE) each will control 20 minutes. into the Pledge of Allegiance back in 1954, f discussed or ruled on its constitutionality? The Chair recognizes the gentleman Why then do we need this legislation at all? ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER from California. Why then do we need to offer this legislation PRO TEMPORE GENERAL LEAVE now? It is our rights as individuals that are at The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask stake right now—not the sanctity and preser- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair unanimous consent that all Members vation of the Pledge. will postpone further proceedings may have 5 legislative days to revise I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on this today on motions to suspend the rules and extend their remarks and to in- amendment. on which a recorded vote or the yeas clude extraneous material on H. Con. Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, how and nays are ordered, or on which the Res. 448, the concurrent resolution now much time do I have left? vote is objected to under clause 6 of under consideration. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman rule XX. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 1 from New York has 1 ⁄2 minutes. RECORD votes on postponed questions objection to the request of the gen- Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I will will be taken later today. tleman from California? not use the 11⁄2 minutes. I will simply f There was no objection. say that this amendment is dangerous Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield for the same reason that the bill is COMMENDING NASA ON COMPLE- myself such time as I may consume. dangerous. We should not say, in the TION OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE’S Mr. Speaker, today I rise in hearty case of this amendment, to someone SECOND RETURN-TO-FLIGHT MIS- support of H. Con. Res. 448, which com- who is a plaintiff in a court in a pend- SION mends the National Aeronautics and ing case, we are going to shut the Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I move Space Administration for its successful courthouse door in your face because to suspend the rules and agree to the completion of the space shuttle’s sec- we are afraid the Supreme Court might concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 448) ond return-to-flight test mission. issue a decision. It has not done it yet, commending the National Aeronautics NASA gave the United States a birth- but we are afraid the Supreme Court and Space Administration on the com- day present and the best fireworks might issue a decision that we disagree pletion of the Space Shuttle’s second show imaginable with the breathtaking with. We do not trust the courts. We do Return-to-Flight mission. launch of the Discovery mission, also not agree with them. Never mind that The Clerk read as follows: known as STS–121, on the Fourth of George Bush has appointed two new H. CON. RES. 448 July this year. members of the Court. We still do not Whereas, on July 4, 2006, the National Aer- The shuttle Discovery spent nearly 13 agree with it, and, therefore, we are onautics and Space Administration per- days in orbit, 9 of which were spent going to try to strip them of their ju- formed a successful launch of the Space docked to the international space sta- risdiction. Shuttle Discovery; tion. During the 18th shuttle mission Whereas this mission, known as STS–121, That way strips the protection of our to the international space station, the liberties from us. We need the courts to marks the second Return-to-Flight mission; Whereas the crew of the Discovery con- STS–121 crew members delivered over protect our liberties. Our constitu- 28,000 pounds of equipment and supplies tional rights can only be vindicated by sisted of Colonel Steve Lindsey, Commander Mark Kelly, Piers Sellers, Ph.D, Lieutenant and transported one additional crew the courts stepping in when the polit- Colonel Mike Fossum, Commander Lisa member to the station for a 6-month ical branches of government violate Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, and Thomas stay. The astronauts also performed the rights of unpopular minorities. Reiter; three successful space walks to test That is what the courts have done Whereas the STS–121 mission tested Space equipment and to conduct mainte- Shuttle safety improvements, building on throughout our history, and we need nance. that protection to continue. And that findings from Discovery’s flight last year, in- cluding a redesign of the Space Shuttle’s Ex- This Discovery mission is an essen- is why this bill is not only subversive tial building block for the Vision for of our constitutional rights, but uncon- ternal Tank foam insulation, in-flight in- spection of the shuttle’s heat shield, and im- Space Exploration to the Moon, Mars, stitutional. proved imagery during launch; and Beyond. NASA is already fast at The bill ought to be defeated. The Whereas the STS–121 mission re-supplied work on preparation for the next shut- amendment ought to be defeated. the International Space Station by deliv- Mr. Chairman, I yield back the bal- tle launch, with a window that begins ering more than 28,000 pounds of equipment on August 28, just a little more than a ance of my time. and supplies, as well as added a third crew The CHAIRMAN. The question is on member to the International Space Station; month away. This mission will resume the amendment offered by the gen- Whereas, due to the overall success of the the assembly of the international space tleman from Missouri (Mr. AKIN). launch and on-orbit operations, the mission station with the delivery of two truss The amendment was agreed to. was able to be extended from 12 to 13 days, sections and a set of solar arrays. Mr. AKIN. Mr. Chairman, I move allowing for an additional space walk to the NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, that the Committee do now rise. two originally scheduled; the Discovery crew, and the men and The motion was agreed to. Whereas the success of the STS–121 mis- women of NASA deserve accolades Accordingly, the Committee rose; sion is a tribute to the skills and dedication from the American public for a suc- and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. of the Space Shuttle crew, the National Aer- cessful STS–121 mission and for effec- onautics and Space Administration, and its MARCHANT) having assumed the chair, industrial partners; tively reviving America’s space pro- Mr. LATOURETTE, Chairman of the Whereas all Americans benefit from the gram to the heights of its glory. These Committee of the Whole House on the technological advances gained through the astronauts represent the best of hu- State of the Union, reported that that Space Shuttle program; and mankind. As the President stated upon Committee, having had under consider- Whereas the National Aeronautics and the return of the Discovery crew on ation the bill (H.R. 2389) to amend title Space Administration plays a vital role in Monday: ‘‘Your courage and commit- 28, United States Code, with respect to sustaining America’s preeminence in space: ment to excellence have inspired us all, Now, therefore, be it the jurisdiction of Federal courts over Resolved by the House of Representatives (the and a proud Nation sends its congratu- certain cases and controversies involv- Senate concurring), That it is the sense of lations on a job well done. America’s ing the Pledge of Allegiance, had come Congress that the National Aeronautics and space program is a source of great na- to no resolution thereon. Space Administration be commended for— tional pride.’’ VerDate Aug 31 2005 07:11 Nov 16, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORDCX\T37X$J0E\H19JY6.REC H19JY6 CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H5420 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 19, 2006 b 1415 So allow me to close by simply say- more than 100 high definition, digital, I urge the passage of H. Con. Res. 448. ing that this was unique not only be- video and film cameras assessed wheth- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of cause of its launch on July 4th, but be- er any debris comes off the external my time. cause of the new culture of safety; be- tank during the shuttle’s launch. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. cause I questioned whether this launch Mr. Speaker, the success of STS–121 Speaker, I yield myself such time as I should go forward in light of the safety is a tribute to the skills and dedication may consume.