Washington, D.C. –On Monday, November 30, 2020, U.S. Rep Randy Weber (R-TX), together with fellow Reps. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Bill Posey (R-FL), Don Beyer (D-VA), Brian Babin (R-TX), Kendra Horn (D-OK), and Mo Brooks (R-AL) introduced a bipartisan resolution celebrating 20 years of International Space Station (ISS) operations and continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit.
Read the text of the resolution here.
“The International Space Station is undeniably one of the most impressive human inventions ever built. The ISS has allowed for twenty years of continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit, resulting in countless scientific discoveries in areas such as medicine, agriculture, Earth science, and human exploration. It has even led to the invention of many household items we use each day. Humanity continues to see the benefits of science made possible by conducting experiments in a unique zero-G lab, orbiting some 250 miles above the Earth.
“I am incredibly proud of the exceptional work being done down the street at NASA’s Johnson Space Center where the ISS program office, astronaut training, and mission control are located. It is a privilege to represent over 7,000 NASA employees and contractors who call Texas’ 14th District home.
“There is bipartisan support for NASA’s many missions and ambitious goals. Congress understands the importance of U.S. leadership in science and innovation, and the ISS enables us to lead. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the House Science Committee to pass legislation to extend ISS operations and ensure full utilization of a key national capability. There are great things to come,” said Congressman Weber.
"This year, we celebrated 20 years of astronauts continuously living and working on the International Space Station. This is a truly remarkable achievement. Today, a whole generation knows only a world in which humans successfully live and work together in space. What we learn through the ISS improves life on Earth and is critical for NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and future mission to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.
“The International Space Station is a blueprint for American leadership in global cooperation. As we celebrate 20 years of continuous human presence in low Earth orbit, our Agency continues to contribute to the quality of life on Earth through the science being performed on this orbiting laboratory. I’m proud of our team at NASA, for their contributions to the continued success of the ISS missions. This is an international program led by the ISS program folks right here in Houston,” said Mark Geyer, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “As NASA develops missions to the Moon and on to Mars as part of our Artemis program, we have opened the space station for commercial business, facilitating the growth of a robust commercial market in low-Earth orbit for research, technology development, and crew and cargo transportation.”
"For 20 years, the International Space Station has been a shining star that has proven its worth many, many times over. The ISS will forever serve as an example of international cooperation and friendship through the heroic contributions made by more than 240 astronauts on behalf of all mankind,” said Bob Mitchell, President, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership.
###
