Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the historic dive to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world's oceans, on January 23, 1960, and its importance to marine research, ocean science, a better understanding of the planet, and the future of human exploration.

I thank the distinguished gentlelady from Texas for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the author of House Resolution 1027 to ask Members to join together to celebrate one of the most historic scientific achievements in our Nation's history, and certainly one of the most daringly courageous feats of exploration in all of human history.

Fifty years ago on January 23, 1960, the United States Navy submersible Trieste, piloted by U.S. Navy captain Don Walsh and by Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard, dove 36,000 feet to the bottom of the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest known part of our world's oceans. The Trieste dive--a manned descent into the Challenger Deep--has never been repeated, and on only two occasions has an unmanned vehicle penetrated into this abyss during the last 50 years. Just think about that.

Over the last 50 years, responding to President Kennedy's challenge to put men on the Moon, 12 Americans made that incredible journey, reached that destination and put foot on the lunar surface. We have sent satellite messengers out beyond our solar system to send back word of what is there. We have established a permanent manned presence in the space station circling the Earth. We have placed remarkable robotic vehicles on our neighbor planet Mars, exceeding all expectation and for years exploring that far-off world.

Yet, throughout this period of outer space exploration, the 80 percent of our work covered by the oceans--our inner space--remains virtually unknown and unseen by human beings. Our Nation has stopped in its track to witness the brave exploits of its outer space explorers and lauded them as heroes.

Yet Captain Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard and the team of U.S. Naval personnel who made the dive possible are virtually forgotten. H.R. 1027 aims to correct that. This resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Trieste dive is meant to shine a light on what these brave men and

their support team accomplished. This resolution is meant to inspire us with the example of Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard and reinvigorate the commitment of our Nation and this Congress to unlocking the secrets of the oceans of this Earth, of which we know so little.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Piccard passed away in 2008. But Don Walsh is still alive, and he remains in every way an adventurer. Next month in a series of events, we will honor Mr. Walsh and the memory of Mr. Piccard here in Washington. There will be a dinner at the National Geographic Society, a reception at the Smithsonian, and press tours of the Trieste herself, which is housed just down the street from the Capitol at the U.S. Navy Yards. These events were scheduled for April, not January, because Don Walsh has only just returned home from working and exploring in Antarctica.

I encourage my fellow Members of the House to add to the honors that will be accorded Captain Don Walsh next month by passage of House Resolution 1027.

I also want to thank my colleagues, Ms. Bordallo and Mr. Farr, for their cosponsorship of this resolution. Even more, I want to recognize their continuing leadership in the protection of our oceans and the advancement of the scientific understanding of our marine environment.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to call attention to the newly designated Mariana Trench National Monument. This monument not only contains the Mariana Trench where the Trieste descended, but also three islands of my district--Uracas, Asuncion, and Farallon de Pajaros--as well as a multitude of undersea volcanoes, upwellings of liquid carbon dioxide, and other features believed unique in all the world.

The people of the Northern Mariana Islands are proud of this environmental treasure and are committed to its protection so that it may be a source of wonder to those who visit and of knowledge to those who come there to explore and discover as Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard did 50 years ago.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1027, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the historic dive to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world's oceans, on January 23, 1960, and its importance to marine research, ocean science, and the future of human exploration.

Human curiosity about our world is one of the driving forces that compels exploration, and looking at the achievements of the last several hundred years, the accelerated pace of exploration has been propelled by our technological ingenuity and sheer courage. However, as we rush towards conquering the next challenge, such as further manned explorations into space under the Constellation Program, it is valuable to occasionally stop and remember the great achievements of our past.

Only 5 percent of the ocean floor has been explored to date. The Mariana Trench is the deepest known part of the world's oceans. It is the meeting point of two tectonic plates underneath the Pacific Ocean. This geologically active area reaches a maximum depth of over 36,000 feet below sea level. The lowest part of the trench, which itself is over 1,500 miles long--nearly twice as long as my home State of Texas-- is called the Challenger Deep, so named after the vessel that explored its depth.

To put this in perspective, imagine that if you were to take Mount Everest, all 29,029 feet of her elevation, and place it at the bottom of the Challenger Deep, the top of Mount Everest would still be over 7,000 feet below sea level.

The Challenger Deep was first discovered in 1875 during the expedition of the HMS Challenger. Technology at that time prevented any substantial investigation of this region of the ocean, but such constraints have only encouraged humans to find new and innovative ways to break through these barriers.

Eighty-five years after discovery, two brave men had the courage and conviction to descend 5 hours in a converted submersible to reach the very bottom of the trench. U.S. Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard spent nearly 20 minutes at the bottom of the Earth before they had to begin their ascent.

This feat has been accomplished twice more since that day 50 years ago but with unmanned vehicles and far more advanced technology. Today we stand in awe of their achievement and honor the courage they have demonstrated in pushing the limits of human exploration. This act encouraged further expeditions to explore the Earth's oceans just as Alan Shepard's ride as the first American in space on Freedom 7 inspired us to reach for the stars.

Mr. Speaker, we honor these men and the many who have come before and after by courageously taking the next step in exploration. This resolution is as much about remembering our past as it is looking toward the future, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1027) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the historic dive to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world's oceans, on January 23, 1960, and its importance to marine research, ocean science, a better understanding of the planet, and the future of human exploration.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on House Resolution 1027, the resolution now under consideration.

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

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1027 recognizing the 50th anniversary of the historic dive to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world's oceans, on January 23, 1960, and its importance to marine research, ocean science, a better understanding of the planet, and the future of human exploration.

Today we recognize the achievements of Captain Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard, who piloted the U.S. Navy's Trieste to reach the deepest point of the world's oceans. They remain the only two humans to ever achieve this historic feat.

Exploration of the ocean floor has led to and will continue to lead to important breakthroughs in marine science. However, shockingly, only 5 percent of the ocean floor has been explored. We must continue to encourage research and exploration of the world's oceans and must make education of the next generation of ocean explorers a priority.

The Mariana Trench is truly one of the world's great ocean classrooms, and I hope that as we remember this remarkable achievement, we also remain committed to returning to the ocean floor in the future.

I am once again pleased to recognize the achievements of Captain Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard, and I would like to thank Mr. Sablan for his work on this resolution. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands, Congressman Sablan.

Mr. Speaker, let me express my appreciation to all of the staff as well as the Members who brought this forth.

I recommend that we support this resolution and pass it.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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