82R8423 JGH-F
By: J. Davis of Harris H.R. No. 444
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The aerospace industry has contributed
significantly to the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, The NASA Johnson Space Center and the surrounding
aerospace community directly employ more than 18,000 people, and in
fiscal year 2010 they received nearly $5.3 billion in procurement
obligations; the economic impact of this was enormous, with 85
large businesses performing approximately $3.6 billion of work in
Texas, and some $119 million worth of work being provided to small
businesses; moreover, the industry contracted nearly $14.2 million
in grants and agreements with Texas universities, $70.4 million
with women-owned businesses, $10.3 million with veteran-owned
businesses, and $14.5 million with Texas nonprofit organizations;
and
WHEREAS, The state aerospace industry leads the nation's
human space exploration program, and among its responsibilities are
flying the space shuttle fleet until its retirement, completing the
assembly and continuing the operation of the International Space
Station, and developing the Orion crew module, which will be used on
the nation's next launch vehicle; and
WHEREAS, Thanks in part to the efforts of the Bay Area Houston
Economic Partnership, Congress overwhelmingly passed the 2010 NASA
Authorization Act, and it was signed into law by the president; this
legislation charts a path for future space exploration that
includes three shuttle flights in 2011, continuing support for the
International Space Station at least through 2020, development of a
new launch system that leverages investments already made in the
Ares launch systems, and continued funding of a multipurpose crew
vehicle that uses the designs, systems, and safety features of the
Orion project; and
WHEREAS, The human space exploration program is essential to
America's global leadership, economic competitiveness, and job
creation, and the technological innovations pioneered by NASA
benefit not only the nation's safety and security, but also the
communications and health care industries, as well as others; and
WHEREAS, NASA and the entire aerospace community have long
made a vital and positive difference in the Lone Star State, and
they are indeed deserving of recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby honor NASA and the aerospace industry for their
leadership and accomplishments in the State of Texas.