1999CRE2094 PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE IN SPACE EXPLORATION
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[Congressional Record: October 14, 1999 (Extensions)]
[Page E2094]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr14oc99-11]
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PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE IN SPACE EXPLORATION
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HON. STEPHEN HORN
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, October 14, 1999
Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, today the House has passed the conference
report of the bill making appropriations for the Departments of
Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and Independent
Agencies. This bill includes vital help for the city of Downey,
California, as it adjusts to changes in America's space program.
For nearly seven decades, Downey has been a creative center in our
efforts to explore space. At one time, some 28,000 workers were
employed at NASA's manufacturing facilities in Downey, producing the
Apollo command and service modules that took Neil Armstrong and our
other astronauts to the moon and back. In more recent times, Downey has
produced the Space Shuttle, but now all manufacturing work is being
phased out and the remaining 3,000 workers will leave Downey's plants
by the end of this year.
As the city makes the transition to new development and new jobs for
this area, it also plans to preserve the rich heritage of Downey's role
in our space program. This bill helps that effort by providing funds
for a Space Science Museum and Educational Program as a key part of the
new development.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the subcommittee chairman,
Representative Jim Walsh, the ranking member, Representative Alan
Mollohan, Representative Jerry Lewis and all of the other Members and
staff who have helped make this assistance a realty. When a community
loses 3,000 high-skill jobs, it is a devastating blow. I am confident
that Downey will recover and that it will, in fact, thrive in the years
ahead, but it is very appropriate that we assist that recovery in any
way we can and that we do so in a way that not only preserves a
heritage that is important to Downey but to all Americans.
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