81R10049 CBE-D
By: Davis of Harris H.R. No. 701
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, During the last 50 years, space exploration has
ushered in an astounding array of technology that has enhanced
almost every facet of human life; and
WHEREAS, In an example of just one critical area, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration has transformed
health care through the development of MRI and CAT scan technology,
fetal heart monitors, programmable heart pacemakers, and other
important medical devices; and
WHEREAS, Texas is deeply influenced by the achievements of
NASA through the Johnson Space Center in Houston; as the agency's
lead human space flight center, JSC is home to the NASA astronaut
corps and is responsible for training space explorers from the
United States and partner nations; moreover, the Mission Control
Center at JSC directs all space shuttle missions and manages all
activity onboard the International Space Station; and
WHEREAS, NASA plays a vital role in the Texas economy by
employing more than 3,400 civil servants and some 13,000 contractor
personnel at the Houston center and by awarding more than $4 billion
in contracts annually; in addition, the agency's Space Alliance
Technology Outreach Program offers free technical assistance to
small businesses in Texas, hastening the transfer of space
technology to the private sector; and
WHEREAS, The people of Texas further benefit from such
programs as Texas Aerospace Scholars, the NASA Explorer Schools,
and the Network of Educator Astronaut Teachers, all of which seek to
nurture a new generation of astronauts and scientists; and
WHEREAS, The extraordinary contributions of NASA have
resulted in far-reaching advances in science and technology, and
the U.S. Space Exploration Policy has the potential to drive
continued innovation and progress in the 21st century; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress to
fully fund the National Aeronautics and Space Administration budget
request in support of the U.S. Space Exploration Policy, as
submitted to Congress for Fiscal Year 2010; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the chief clerk of the Texas House of
Representatives forward official copies of this resolution to the
president of the United States, to the speaker of the house of
representatives and the president of the senate of the United
States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to
Congress with the request that this resolution be officially
entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of
the United States of America.