SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 252 WHEREAS, For six decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has inspired our nation and the world with its outstanding record of intrepid space exploration and scientific discovery; and WHEREAS, NASA's innumerable engineering advances have greatly benefited our nation's security, safety, and communications systems, and innovations pioneered by NASA scientists and engineers have led to such improvements in health care technology as the MRI and the CAT scan, the fetal heart monitor, and the programmable cardiac pacemaker; and WHEREAS, The agency's strong presence in the Lone Star State has long been a source of pride for all Texans; the Johnson Space Center in Houston is a global leader in human spaceflight, serving as the training center for America's corps of astronauts; the center is continuing that legacy by acting as the lead center for the development of the nation's latest spacecraft, the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle; this effort includes working with private partners and conducting advanced research that will strengthen the future of space exploration; and WHEREAS, The Johnson Space Center also plays a vital role in the Texas economy, employing thousands of civil servants and civilian contractors and awarding billions of dollars in contracts every year; in addition, NASA's Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program benefits small businesses across the state, and through education programs such as Texas Aerospace Scholars, NASA is nurturing and inspiring a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers; and WHEREAS, NASA continues to drive further innovation in the aerospace and high-tech industries, and its long-standing record of achievement in the development of technologies that simultaneously reach for the stars and better our lives here on Earth is truly deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize February 26, 2019, as Space Day at the State Capitol and honor the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for its immeasurable contributions to this state and nation. Taylor ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2019. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate