Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and its past contributions to space research, and looking forward to future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I missed rollcall votes during the week of April 16, 2007. On rollcall vote No. 214, the motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 1677, the Tax Payer Protection Act, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 215, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 196, supporting the goals and ideals of World Water Day, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 216, the motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended, to H. Con. Res. 100, condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 217, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 273, supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 218, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 76, honoring the 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall vote No. 219, ordering the previous question, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 220, agreeing to H. Res. 301, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 1257, Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 221, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 306, offering heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families regarding the horrific violence at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 222, agreeing to the Chabot of Ohio Amendment No. 1, I would have voted ``nay''; on rollcall vote No. 223, agreeing to the Chabot of Ohio Amendment No. 2, I would have voted ``no''; on rollcall vote No. 224, the motion to recommit, with instructions, H.R. 1361, the Relief for Entrepreneurs: Coordination of Objectives and Values for Effective Recovery Act, I would have voted ``nay.''

On rollcall vote No. 225, passage of H.R. 1361, the Relief for Entrepreneurs: Coordination of Objectives and Values for Effective Recovery Act, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 226, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 300, commending the achievements of the Rutgers University women's basketball team and applauding the character and integrity of their student-athletes, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 227, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 293, supporting the goals and ideals highlighted through National Volunteer Week, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 228, ordering the previous question on H. Res. 317, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 229, agreeing to H. Res. 317, providing for consideration of H.R. 1905 and H.R. 1906, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 230, the motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 1905, I

would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 231, passage of H.R. 1905, the District of Columbia Voting Rights Bill, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 232, passage of H.R. 1906, Adjustment of Estimated Tax Payment Safe Harbor for Individual Taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income Greater than $5 Million, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall vote No. 233, the motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 234, passage of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 235, the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1591, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 236, agreeing to the Sessions Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 237, agreeing to the Garrett Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 238, agreeing to the Campbell Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 239, agreeing to the McHenry Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 240, agreeing to the Price Amendment, I would have voted ``No.''

On rollcall vote No. 241, agreeing to the Putnam Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 242, agreeing to the Price Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 243, the motion to recommit H.R. 1257, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 244, passage of H.R. 1257, the Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak in support of House Concurrent Resolution 76, honoring the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, IGY.

This resolution marks the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, IGY, honors its contributions to space research, and looks forward to future accomplishments.

I am pleased that several of my colleagues from the Science and Technology Committee have joined me as cosponsors and would like to thank Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Calvert, Chairman Gordon, and Research and Science Education Subcommittee Chairman Baird for their support for this measure.

I would especially like to thank the Chairman for his leadership in getting this bill on the floor today.

The International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-1958 was an international collaboration to coordinate observations and measurements of the solid Earth, oceans, the atmosphere, and the near-Earth space environment on a global scale. Despite the tensions of the Cold War, 67 nations and thousands of scientists came together to make the IGY a resounding success.

A particularly significant aspect of the IGY was that it extended science into space through the launch of artificial satellites-- signifying the dawn of the Space Age. Explorer I, the first successful U.S. satellite launch, made possible an important scientific result of the IGY--the discovery of belts of trapped, charged particles in the Earth's upper atmosphere, which are now known as the VanAllen radiation belts.

Equally importantly, the IGY has been a shining example of the benefits of international cooperation in scientific endeavors. The coordination of global interdisciplinary observations by researchers from multiple nations during a time of geopolitical tensions continues to be an inspiration and a model for those who recognize the significant contributions that can be achieved when nations come together in the peaceful pursuit of scientific knowledge.

Indeed, scientists around the world continue to build on the impressive research legacy left to them by their IGY predecessors 50 years ago. As a current example, I support the International Polar Year (IPY) and the IPY research efforts that are planned to take place over the next 2 years, efforts that will encompass a wide range of research topics--for example, on studies of environmental change in the Arctic and marine life in the Arctic Ocean.

I introduced an IGY resolution in the 108th Congress, which passed the House, to mark the then-upcoming IGY and to encourage the celebration of its 50th anniversary throughout the country and across the globe. This year's IGY concurrent resolution both honors the great scientific work that was done during the IGY, as well as works to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. We will be looking to those young men and women to continue to advance our knowledge, strengthen our nation's economy, and improve our quality of life. That is why H. Con. Res. 76 encourages the public, and in particular our young people, to participate in celebrations planned for the IGY anniversary year and to seek to build on the scientific legacy of the IGY by striving to achieve challenging new goals in space science and Earth science.

I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 76 and honor the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year. The IGY set a high standard of achievement. I am confident that by means of future research in Earth science and space science, including that of the IPY, we can achieve equally meaningful advances over the next 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 76) honoring the 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and its past contributions to space research, and looking forward to future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on House Concurrent Resolution 76, the resolution now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 76, honoring the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, and would like to take this opportunity to recognize Chairman Mark Udall for his hard work on this resolution. This resolution marks the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, honors its contributions to space research and looks forward to future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958 was a highly successful international effort in involving 67 nations that came together during the Cold War to coordinate global observations and measurements of the solid Earth, the oceans, the atmosphere and the near-Earth space environment.

During the IGY, the successful launches of the first artificial satellites took place, Sputnik 1 by the former Soviet Union and Explorer 1 by the United States, marking the dawn of the Space Age. Explorer 1 also enabled one of the most notable achievements of the IGY, the discovery of belts of trapped, charged particles in the Earth's upper atmosphere by the late Dr. James Van Allen of Iowa.

This year's commemoration serves not only to remember the great scientific work that was done during the IGY, but also, Mr. Speaker, to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, who will be critical to our continued progress and economic well-being. In that regard, Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 76 encourages the public, in particular our young people, to participate in the celebrations that are planned for this IGY anniversary year and to embrace challenging goals for future research in space science and Earth science.

Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not mention the activity of the International Polar Year and its 200 approved IPY research efforts, including

studies of environmental changes in the Arctic and marine life in the Arctic Ocean.

I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 76 and honor this 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year. Through future research in Earth, science and space science, including that of the IPY, we have tremendous opportunities for new knowledge and new discoveries, and I hope we can look back 50 years from now on equally exciting accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, the first International Geophysical Year was held from July 1957 to December 1958, and this year marks its 50th anniversary. The International Geophysical Year was modeled after the successful International Polar Year of 1882 and its 50th anniversary in 1932. The International Geophysical Year allowed over 60,000 scientists from 67 countries around the world to take part in a series of coordinated observations of various geophysical phenomena.

I remember the International Geophysical Year well because, as a youngster, it was reading about it that sparked my interest in science and set me toward the career in physics which I pursued before coming to Congress.

The scientific activities spanned the globe from the North to the South Poles. For example, the research in the Antarctic yielded new estimates of the Earth's total ice content--a number of importance given today's melting of major glaciers due to global warming. In addition, radiation detectors to record cosmic rays, spectroscopes to analyze the aurorae, and balloons were put to use to explore the upper reaches of the atmosphere and the formation of thunderstorms. Finally, post-World War II developments in rocketry made possible the exploration of space, employing the exciting new technology of artificial satellites.

Today, almost 50 years after Sputnik was launched, it is crucial that we reflect on how we responded to scientific challenges in the Geophysical Year and how we proceeded to invest in research and education in subsequent years. Today, we are falling behind other nations in many measurable ways, particularly in math and science education. Unlike 50 years ago with the launch of Sputnik, we are unlikely to have a sharp wake-up call before we find ourselves unable to maintain the leadership role and quality of life to which we are accustomed.

Investment in education and research, as prescribed by, for example, the Democratic Innovation Agenda, would be a good idea in any year. It is particularly apparent that we should make these investments as we reflect today on the path we followed when Sputnik was a recent stimulus and the findings of the International Geophysical Year were so inspiring.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 76, honoring the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year. In 1882-1883, the first International Polar Year counted 12 participating countries, with 13 expeditions to the Arctic and two expeditions to the Antarctic to study the geophysical attributes of the polar regions.

In order to expand research opportunities beyond the polar regions, in 1957 and 1958, organizers changed the name of the third International Polar Year to the International Geophysical Year. Beginning in March of 2007 and running through March of 2009, the fourth International Polar Year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year.

In the United States, not only NASA, which is highlighted in this resolution, but the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Energy are all actively participating in the fourth International Polar Year and the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year.

The International Geophysical Year brought about the launching of the first artificial satellites and successful scientific collaborations that continue today. The current International Polar Year and 50th anniversary celebration of the International Geophysical Year seek to encourage and challenge the young men and women in scientific and engineering careers to bring about fundamental advancements in many areas of science and technology.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 76.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.