Affirming United States-Australia cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution.

Let me thank Mr. Castro for introducing this measure underscoring the importance of U.S.-Australia bilateral cooperation in space. I am grateful for his leadership in bringing this next-generation issue to our attention in the House.

The United States and Australia already share deep bonds of cooperation:

We are treaty allies;

We share intelligence as Five Eyes partners;

We are engaged on a range of issues around the world, from defense, to trade, to development;

We share a deep cultural connection rooted in our common values of democracy and openness;

And, of course, this is a friendship quite literally forged in blood. Americans and Australians have fought and perished side by side in every war since World War I.

In July, the U.S.-Australia relationship entered its 100th year, and we celebrated together ``100 Years of Mateship.'' We are already thinking about our cooperation over the next 100 years, and the U.S.- Australia partnership in space research, exploration, and utilization will surely be a key area.

The days are gone when human activity in space was limited to great powers competing with one another. Today, with telecommunication and weather satellites floating overhead, space plays a major role in the day-to-day lives of people all over the world.

Of course, not all countries interested in space exploration share our interests and values when it comes to space. That is why we want to ensure that the values that have underpinned the U.S.-Australia partnership are also carried into our collaboration in the space domain.

This resolution reaffirms those values and the importance of this forward-looking partnership. I am pleased to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro), the author of this bill and a valuable member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

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

Let me again thank Mr. Castro for putting forward this timely and important resolution. He has been a valued leader on policy on Asia and policy in Australia.

As we look to the future of U.S.-Australia relations over the next 100 years, I am confident that our countries will be able to expand our close collaboration in the critical domain of space exploration and research.

This resolution commends the Government of Australia for constituting the Australian Space Agency, which lays the foundation for our bilateral cooperation in space. It also underscores America's interests in prioritizing space cooperation in the years to come and in doing it with a good friend in Australia.

I support the passage of this resolution. I encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1052) affirming United States- Australia cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Representative Castro from Texas, for sponsoring this measure, which affirms the longstanding strategic alliance between the United States and Australia, and especially our extensive cooperation on space-related activities.

Australia has long played a key role in the U.S. space program. It hosts several facilities that are crucial for maintaining communications with our manned and robotic missions. These facilities also support U.S. satellites and spacecraft, including those related to military and intelligence-related activities.

The establishment of the Australian Space Agency, which was just announced this past year, will only add to this long history and will promote more mutually beneficial cooperation as advanced technologies create new opportunities for jobs in both countries.

This increased cooperation is especially timely, as Australia's importance to the U.S. national security is enhanced by the ongoing militarization of space that is being undertaken by both Beijing and Moscow. This resolution highlights the growing importance of our two countries' cooperation in this vital area and looks forward to even closer ties in the future.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Representative Castro of Texas, for sponsoring this measure.

Our cooperation with Australia in space-related activities is a key element of our broader strategic relationship. Those ties will become increasingly important as new technologies create expanded opportunities for peaceful endeavors and as Beijing and Moscow and others increasingly challenge U.S. national security in space.

Expanding our joint efforts in this area will enhance the interests of both countries and further strengthen our longstanding strategic alliance.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this timely, bipartisan measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1052 which affirms cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization between the United States and its great ally, Australia.

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the landing of Apollo 11 on the Moon, it is fitting that we acknowledge the contribution of NASA's tracking station located at Honeysuckle Creek in Australia and Australia's Parkes radio telescope to the success of the Apollo 11 mission.

Indeed, Neil Armstrong's famous words announcing humankind's first step on the Moon were first received by those facilities located in Australia before being relayed to the rest of the world.

Australia has been a crucial partner to the U.S. space program ever since.

For example, scientists and engineers from the Australian Space Agency worked with NASA at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex to support communications for the landing of rovers on Mars, the arrival of New Horizons to Pluto, and the entry of Juno into orbit around Jupiter.

And NASA will build on its experience conducting sounding rocket launch operations at Australia's Woomera Test Range by using the Equatorial Launch Australia launch range for several Astrophysics missions that are scheduled for 2019.

As Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, I have been engaged in ensuring that NASA establish the requisite building blocks to ensure the success of the Nation's space exploration program.

One of those building blocks will be international cooperation and partnerships.

The National Academies' Committee on Human Spaceflight recommended in its 2014 ``Pathways to Exploration'' report that NASA, among other recommendations, ``vigorously pursue opportunities for international and commercial collaboration in order to leverage financial resources and capabilities of other nations and commercial entities''.

Peaceful international cooperation has been a hallmark of NASA's approach since its inception. House Resolution 1052 resolution affirms the need for such cooperation and partnership with Australia.

I urge my fellow Members to pass this Resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Engel and Chairman Royce for all of their help on this piece of legislation.

I would also like to thank my colleague from New York, Elise Stefanik, for introducing this resolution with me, which honors the U.S.-Australia space cooperation.

This year marks 100 years of close cooperation between the United States and Australia. Dating back to World War I, our nations have cooperated diplomatically, culturally, militarily, and economically. Just as we come together on other concrete issues, we must also come together to better understand what lies beyond our own universe.

This July, Australia set up its national space agency. With this creation, Australia joined a chorus of nations seeking to understand our place in the universe.

This isn't the first time our nations have cooperated on space. The first images of Neil Armstrong on the surface of the Moon were transmitted to the world through radio stations in Australia.

We have also cooperated on securing our people's futures through defense cooperation in space. The establishment of Australia's first space agency is an opportunity to expand on this cooperation towards a more complete understanding of all of these issues. This includes manned and unmanned exploration, research across our universities on astrophysics and other issues, and the development of commercial options to access space.

This resolution recognizes the importance of this new space agency and the value of U.S. cooperation with Australia on space exploration. It also encourages our State Department to facilitate international cooperation on this issue through diplomatic channels. In doing so, we will strengthen our partnerships in the region and internationally.