A concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 29) authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This resolution authorizes the use of the rotunda on November 16 to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society.

Mr. Speaker, on May 25, 1961, President Kennedy spoke to a joint session of Congress. He said that it was time for a ``great new American enterprise--time for this Nation to take a clearly leading role in space achievement.'' He committed this Nation to achieving the ambitious goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him to Earth safely.

President Kennedy added, ``I believe we possess all the resources and talents necessary'' to accomplish the mission--and that we did as exhibited by the gentlemen to be honored in the rotunda this November.

Bravely pursuing the unknown, these four individuals helped this Nation achieve scientific and technological advancements which inspired the world.

Mr. Speaker, Neil Armstrong was the spacecraft commander for Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing mission in history. He was the first person to land a craft on the Moon and the first to step foot on its surface. His immortal words are forever etched in our national memory.

``Buzz'' Aldrin piloted the Lunar Module ``Eagle'' and was the second person to walk on the Moon.

Michael Collins piloted the Command Module ``Columbia'' in lunar orbit and helped his fellow Apollo 11 astronauts complete their mission on the Moon.

Seven-and-a-half years earlier, John Glenn paved the way for these achievements by becoming the first American to orbit the Earth in February of 1962.

Two years ago, on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic lunar landing, the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal Act was passed by Congress. Forty-two years ago, in July of 1969, millions of Americans were transfixed on a place over a quarter of a million miles away. Eyes watched as we stepped into the unknown, walked on the Moon and made history.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present this resolution today, and I urge my colleagues to support it in honoring the achievements of these national heroes.

House of Representatives,

Committee on House Administration,

Washington, DC, October 3, 2011.

Hon. John Boehner,

Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Lungren and Ranking Member Brady for their support on this matter.

I urge my colleagues to support this concurrent resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. Con. Res. 29, which would authorize the use of the Capitol rotunda for an event on November 16, 2011 to present Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award that this nation can bestow

on an individual. I would like to call to your attention in particular the deeds of one of those outstanding individuals, ``Buzz'' Aldrin.

Buzz Aldrin was born at Mountainside Hospital in New Jersey in 1930. He graduated from Montclair High School in 1946, turning down a scholarship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in favor of the chance to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated third in his class in 1951. I am proud to represent Montclair, and I am sure that the citizens of my Eighth District would agree that Buzz Aldrin is one of our most distinguished natives.

After graduating from West Point, Aldrin received his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He flew 66 combat missions during the Korean War, and shot down two enemy fighters during his distinguished service there. Following the war, Aldrin served as an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and later earned his Doctor of Science Degree from MIT. In 1963, he was selected to become a NASA astronaut.

On July 20th, 1969, Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon as a member of the crew of NASA's Apollo 11 mission. He was the second human being ever on the moon, following his crewmate Neil Armstrong. He is the first astronaut to both spacewalk and set foot on the moon.

Since his retirement from active duty in 1972 after 21 years of service, Col. Aldrin continues to advocate for space travel, appearing repeatedly on television, in print, and in person around the country. He has helped NASA to develop new training techniques, and has proposed innovative new ideas for manned missions to the planet Mars and its moons. As an author, he has published two science-fiction novels, two autobiographies, and several children's books.

Col. Aldrin has been honored with countless awards and distinctions for his service with the U.S. Air Force, with NASA, and to the country. These awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Buzz Aldrin also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2007. It is fitting that he now be bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal

The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing and commemorating the achievements of brave heroes such as Buzz Aldrin.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the citizens of New Jersey's Eighth District, and me in recognizing Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr. and his colleagues for their outstanding service to this nation in the name of science, education, and discovery.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 29 authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society. Their hard work and perseverance exemplify the work ethic we stand for as a nation, and I can think of no place better than the rotunda to honor their leadership and sacrifice in service to this country.

The rotunda of the United States Capitol offers the perfect venue to show the necessary respect to three men who risked their lives to change the course of history in the name of the United States of America. In the tension of the Cold War, when it seemed the existence of the free world had been brought into question, these three men stepped directly into harm's way in service to their country. A ceremony in the rotunda will evoke the honor and respect that we owe to these three brave men, and I offer my full support for the use of this space.

The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by Congress for outstanding deeds or acts of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award, and these men are deserving recipients.

The importance of this event is particularly relevant to the 18th district of Texas given the city of Houston's role in the Apollo legacy. Not long after President Kennedy set our nation on the course of putting a man on the moon, Houston became a key player in the realization of that goal. Before uttering his famous phrase, Neil Armstrong, communicated with Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center from the surface of the moon, stating ``Houston, the Eagle has landed.'' The historic lunar landing remains a cornerstone of the American legacy, and at a time when the very existence of NASA sits in question, it is especially important that we deliver a ceremony that will propel the memory of NASA pioneers into future generations.

Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr. were called to service by their country, in a time when two great nations challenged each other and boldly raced into space. In the bleak years of the Cold War, we conquered a new frontier, and in turn understood things about the universe we never thought possible. These men played an important role in American history that will benefit generations to come, and are well deserving of this honor.

It is in a spirit of deep appreciation that I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting S. Con. Res 29, authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 29, authorizing the use of the Capitol rotunda to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the crew of Apollo 11--Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Mike Collins--and to the first American to orbit the Earth, John H. Glenn.

These great Americans need no introduction. Yet no matter their heroic accomplishments, it is well worth remembering the huge risks each of these individuals confronted as they began to push the boundaries of human exploration in outer space.

While the technologies they relied on to conduct their flights were considered cutting edge during their day, many of these systems had never been fully tested except during the actual first flights performed by these men.

On February 20, 1962, John Glenn rode to orbit atop an Atlas rocket that had been adapted from a military design to carry the Mercury capsule Friendship 7 to orbit. His flight lasted nearly 5 hours before returning safely to Earth. Seven years and 5 months later, Apollo 11 astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Mike Collins were launched. After a 4-day flight, Neil and Buzz landed on the Moon, becoming the first humans to walk on its surface.

I was honored to chair a hearing just 2 weeks ago that included Neil Armstrong and fellow Apollo astronaut Gene Cernan, the last American man to walk on the Moon, as witnesses. Mr. Armstrong prefaced the hearing with a very dramatic video that included footage of his descent inside the Eagle lunar module to its landing.

Many of you, I'm sure, have seen this footage, but to hear Neil Armstrong offer a live narration as the Eagle descends and settles on the Moon's surface is something I'll never forget.

I also want to recognize my good friend Buzz Aldrin, whom I've come to know over the years. Buzz has never failed to counsel me on all things related to space and NASA, and I appreciate his commitment to our country and to our space program.

Mr. Speaker, the last Congress passed legislation, signed by the President, authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal for these brave astronauts. The legislation before us today, S. Con. Res. 29, authorizes the use of the Capitol rotunda on November 16, some 43 days hence, to formally make the award.

I support the resolution and urge all Members to support it as well.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol rotunda to award Congressional Gold Medals to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., for being pioneers of space exploration. The bill granting the medals was sponsored by former Representative Alan Grayson in the 110th Congress and was signed into law by President Obama on August 7, 2009.

It can be said that these four heroes are trailblazers, but their paths ensured they were not the last. They showed everyone that the impossible is possible and inspired generations to study, question, and explore the world beyond our own planet. For that, they have not only left a mark on history but on the will and determination of mankind.

As President John F. Kennedy noted in a speech to Congress on May 25, 1961, ``I believe that this Nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.'' And so we did.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me today in supporting this concurrent resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Mississippi, my friend.

I urge all Members to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.