To honor the goal of the International Year of Astronomy, and for other purposes.

I thank the gentleman.

Next year will be the 400th anniversary of when the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei first pointed a telescope into the night sky. Galileo did not invent the telescope, but he was the first one to use it for astronomy. The observations he made ultimately revolutionized humanity's understanding of the solar system and of the universe.

Though his telescope was crude, certainly by modern day standards, he was able to see craters and shadows and mountains on the Moon. He also saw the planet Venus go through phases just like our moon does. And he saw moons orbiting the planet Jupiter. He saw all of this at a time when conventional wisdom held that all celestial objects orbited our planet, the planet Earth. These discoveries marked the beginning of modern astronomy.

It is because of the importance of these discoveries that countries all around the world have chosen to recognize the 400th anniversary year, 2009, as the International Year of Astronomy. This celebration of astronomical discoveries is designed to increase interest in astronomy and science. Throughout next year, a wide variety of events

and activities and meetings at parks and museums and other public spaces will promote a greater understanding and appreciation of astronomy and science throughout the United States and throughout the world.

It is only befitting that the United States is taking a lead role in this international celebration, because today the United States is at the forefront in astronomical research. We have built telescopes that would astound Galileo and his contemporaries. We have telescopes on earth with mirrors 400 inches across. We also have telescopes that orbit our planet far above the earth's surface. Indeed, NASA's space- based telescopes, including Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer, Chandra, and many others, regularly produce images that amaze and inspire people around the world and yield scientific discoveries on everything from the formation of stars and the solar systems to the fate of our universe itself.

Now, I am particularly excited about the opportunity to use the International Year of Astronomy to engage and inspire young people in mathematics and science generally and particularly. I am pleased that the 110th Congress has come to great lengths to increase our Nation's emphasis on science and math, most notably by passing the America COMPETES Act last year. But we can always do more. And nothing captures and engages the mind of students, young and old alike, than the process of discovery. This is the fundamental essence of astronomy, and it is my hope that the events and the activities sponsored by the International Year of Astronomy will inspire many new young people to embrace worlds that will open them through the study of math and science.

Astronomy has a strong history in my southern Arizona district, and one of the brightest stars we have is Dr. Roger Angel, a professor of astronomy and recipient of a MacArthur Foundation genius award. In Dr. Angel's own words, ``from the study of astronomy, students today can learn about energy in all of its forms, as well as gain an appreciation for the beauty of the universe. They learn practical tools needed to address the energy and climate crisis. Astronomy know-how even has practical value. I am using it to figure out good ways to harness the sun's energy on Earth with big, telescope-like mirrors.''

Thus, we see an example of how students today can build a foundation, and exactly the kind of scientific understanding and technological skill that we need to solve some of society's most pressing problems, climate change, global warming, and our energy needs in the future.

In the United States, some key organizations sponsoring, promoting and organizing events and activities for the International Year of Astronomy include the American Astronomical Society, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the Astronomical League, the American Association of Variable Star Observers, NASA, and the National Science Foundation.

Ultimately, astronomy is the study of everything that is not on Earth. It appeals to our sense of wonder and curiosity and our place in the vast cosmos. The German astronomer Johannes Kepler, whose laws of planetary motion are still used today said, ``The treasures hidden in the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment.''

It is those treasures of the heavens, and the men and women who study them, that we will celebrate and honor and discover in 2009 with the International Year of Astronomy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 375, to honor the goal of the International Year of Astronomy, along with the gentleman from Texas.

In 1609, Galileo Galilei turned a telescope to the night sky and saw an amazing array of astronomical wonders. From that point on, mankind has been fascinated by the secrets of the universe and has been committed to understanding Earth and everything beyond through extraordinary scientific leaps.

In honor of the 400th anniversary of Galileo's discovery, the United Nations has designated 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The purpose of the International Year of Astronomy is to help citizens of the world discover the impact astronomy has had on their daily lives and create a greater knowledge of what the universe has to offer. The International Year of Astronomy will be a worldwide celebration aiming to stimulate interest in astronomy and science, particularly in younger generations, coalescing around the central theme of, ``The Universe, Yours to Discover.''

There are eight major goals of the International Year of Astronomy. They include:

Increasing scientific awareness in the general public through the communication of scientific breakthroughs;

Promoting widespread access to the universal knowledge of fundamental science through astronomy and sky-observing experiences;

Empowering astronomical communities in developing countries by engaging in international collaboration;

Supporting and improving formal and informal science education in schools and science centers;

Providing a modern image of science and scientists to reinforce the connection between science education and science careers;

Facilitating new and strengthen existing astronomical networks by connecting amateur astronomers with educators and scientists on a local, regional, and national level;

Improving the gender balance of scientists at all levels and promote greater involvement by underrepresented minorities in scientific and engineering careers; and, finally

Facilitating the preservation of the world's dark skies in places such as national parks and astronomical sites.

The U.S. is taking a lead role in the International Year of Astronomy by heading up four of the 11 cornerstone projects outlined by the International Astronomical Union. They include the Galileoscope initiative, which aims to provide millions of people with an inexpensive telescope in order to make their own discoveries just as Galileo did so many years ago; and Dark Skies Awareness, a wide-ranging effort to preserve and protect the world's heritage of Dark Night Skies in astronomical observation sites.

The U.S. is also taking part in From the Earth to the Universe, an exhibit of astronomical photographs from ground and space-based observatories to be displayed in public locations accessible to all. These projects are designed to help achieve one or more of the eight main goals that I went through before.

The International Year of Astronomy is an effort in which the United States is pleased to take a leading role, and I applaud the efforts of the United Nations and the International Astronomical Union. Therefore, I am pleased to join today with the gentleman from Texas, and I urge all of my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 375.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank again the gentleman from Texas. All humanity has a common interest in what astronomy can provide to us, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support the bill.

I want to thank staff on both sides for their work on this bill, including a young woman named Susan Gleiser. This is one of the first bills she has had a chance to work on. I urge unanimous adoption of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 375) to honor the goal of the International Year of Astronomy, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 375, the resolution now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 375, honoring the goal of the International Year of Astronomy. Astronomy seems to capture the imagination of the public more than almost any other discipline of science. Children everywhere gaze with wonder and amazement at the night sky. Images from the Hubble telescope grace the screensavers and wallpaper of our computers.

Millions of people every year visit the many planetariums around the country, including the historic Adler Planetarium in Chicago, and the Burke Baker Planetarium in Houston, which is also used to train space shuttle astronauts in identifying starfields.

The International Year of the Astronomy Committee is taking advantage of the public's enthusiasm by engaging ordinary citizens in real scientific projects, such as tracking binary stars and their eclipses from many different locations. In fact, three of the major goals for IYA 2009 are: One, increase scientific awareness; two, promote widespread access to new knowledge and observing experiences; and, three, support and improve formal and informal science education. These are also priorities for the Science and Technology Committee as reflected in last year's landmark COMPETES Act.

I applaud the astronomy community for making the 2009 International Year of Astronomy not just a celebration of science by scientists but an opportunity to share the wonders and relevance of science with all citizens across the globe.

As a Texan, I am particularly proud of the role that NASA and NASA centers, including the Johnson Space Center in my district, will have in celebrating the International Year of Astronomy and in promoting astronomy and space exploration. I thank Ms. Giffords for offering this resolution to recognize these important efforts and honor the goals of the International Year of Astronomy.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as the gentlelady from Arizona (Ms. Giffords) would consume.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I concur with Mr. Feeney and would ask that this bill pass.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the memory of Margaret Lois Pryor Queen. Born 86 years ago in Henderson County, North Carolina, Lois Queen was a tireless advocate throughout her life for children in western North Carolina.

In 1942, Lois Queen graduated from Western Carolina Teachers College as the first female majoring in physical education. Throughout the 1950's and 1960's, she worked as a schoolteacher and an elementary school principal in North Carolina and Fairfax County, Virginia. She earned a master's degree in education from American University in 1969, while serving as a school principal.

In 1972, Queen was instrumental in the creation of the Southwestern Child Development Commission, a nonprofit agency designed to coordinate and generate community resources to support high quality child care services, including developmental day care, in the westernmost seven counties of North Carolina. Queen became the director of the Southwestern Child Development Commission in 1972. The organization now has a staff of over 300, and serves more than 2,000 children per month.

In the 1980's, Lois Queen continued to advocate for children as the chair of the North Carolina Day Care Commission. Even during her retirement, she served on the boards of the Southwestern Child Development Commission and REACH of Haywood County.

Lois Queen leaves behind 5 children and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. I offer my sincere condolences to them. They are in my thoughts and prayers. I would also like to offer my gratitude to those who follow the legacy of Lois Queen, and work with the Southwestern Child Development Commission to advocate each day on behalf of the children of western North Carolina.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing remorse at to the passing of Lois Queen. Her life was an example of service and advocacy for all of us to follow.