Committee Reports
108th Congress (2003-2004)
House Report 108-418
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Committee Reports for the 108th Congress | |
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29-006
2d Session
108-418
--CHARLES `PETE' CONRAD ASTRONOMY AWARDS ACT
[To accompany H.R. 912]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 912) to authorize the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish an awards program in honor of Charles `Pete' Conrad, astronaut and space scientist, for recognizing the discoveries made by amateur astronomers of asteroids with near-Earth orbit trajectories, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
| CONTENTS | Page | |
| I. | Amendment | 2 |
| II. | Purpose of the Bill | 2 |
| III. | Background and Need for the Legislation | 2 |
| IV. | Summary of Hearings | 3 |
| V. | Committee Actions | 4 |
| VI. | Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill | 5 |
| VII. | Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section) | 5 |
| VIII. | Committee Views | 6 |
| IX. | Cost Estimate | 6 |
| X. | Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate | 7 |
| XI. | Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates) | 7 |
| XII. | Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations | 7 |
| XIII. | Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives | 7 |
| XIV. | Constitutional Authority Statement | 8 |
| XV. | Federal Advisory Committee Statement | 8 |
| XVI. | Congressional Accountability Act | 8 |
| XVII. | Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law | 8 |
| XVIII. | Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported | 8 |
| XIX. | Committee Recommendations | 8 |
| XX. | Proceedings of Subcommittee Markup | 9 |
| XXI. | Proceedings of Full Committee Markup | 22 |
I. AMENDMENT
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
- This Act may be cited as the `Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act'.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
- For the purposes of this Act--
- (1) the term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
- (2) the term `amateur astronomer' means an individual whose employer does not provide any funding, payment, or compensation to the individual for the observation of asteroids and other celestial bodies, and does not include any individual employed as a professional astronomer;
- (3) the term `Minor Planet Center' means the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory;
- (4) the term `near-Earth asteroid' means an asteroid with a perihelion distance of less than 1.3 Astronomical Units from the Sun; and
- (5) the term `Program' means the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Program established under section 3.
SEC. 3. PETE CONRAD ASTRONOMY AWARD PROGRAM.
- (a) IN GENERAL- The Administrator shall establish the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Program.
- (b) AWARDS- The Administrator shall make awards under the Program based on the recommendations of the Minor Planet Center.
- (c) AWARD CATEGORIES- The Administrator shall make one annual award, unless there are no eligible discoveries or contributions, for each of the following categories:
- (1) The amateur astronomer or group of amateur astronomers who in the preceding calendar year discovered the intrinsically brightest near-Earth asteroid among the near-Earth asteroids that were discovered during that year by amateur astronomers or groups of amateur astronomers.
- (2) The amateur astronomer or group of amateur astronomers who made the greatest contribution to the Minor Planet Center's mission of cataloguing near-Earth asteroids during the preceding year.
- (d) AWARD AMOUNT- An award under the Program shall be in the amount of $3,000.
- (e) GUIDELINES- (1) No individual who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States at the time of his discovery or contribution may receive an award under this Act.
- (2) The decisions of the Administrator in making awards under this Act are final.
- (f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- From sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
II. PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of the bill is to authorize the Administrator of the National Space and Aeronautics Administration (NASA) to establish an awards program to recognize the discoveries of near Earth asteroids by amateur astronomers, named in honor of the astronaut and space scientist Charles `Pete' Conrad.
III. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION
Monitoring and tracking near Earth objects (NEOs) such as comets and asteroids is important to the advancement of the field of astronomy. Such activities also are important in identifying potential threats to the Earth these objects pose. Recent press accounts of asteroids passing close to the Earth have raised public awareness of the possibility that these objects could one day hit the Earth with potentially catastrophic consequences.
Amateur astronomers play an important role in monitoring NEOs. Professional astronomers consider this service to be crucial for predicting orbital paths of NEOs and detecting objects that deviate from their predicted orbits. The bill is designed to encourage amateur astronomers who track and monitor NEOs.
IV. SUMMARY OF HEARINGS
The bill was introduced by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher in the 107th Congress as H.R. 5303. On October 3, 2002, the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics conducted a hearing entitled `The Threat of Near-Earth Asteroids,' which examined the threat posed by near-Earth objects (NEOs) and H.R. 5303.
The following witnesses testified at the hearing: Dr. Edward Weiler, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Associate Administrator for Space Science; Dr. David Morrison, Senior Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center; Brigadier General Simon `Pete' Worden, U.S. Air Force; Dr. Brian Marsden, Director, Minor Planet Center, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; and Dr. Joseph Burns, Irving Porter Church Professor of Engineering and Astronomy, Cornell University.
Dr. Ed Weiler testified on the progress of NASA's ground-based survey for NEOs, intended to identify 90 percent of Near-Earth asteroids larger than one kilometer in size by 2008. Dr. Weiler stated that there are estimated to be about 1,000 such asteroids, and that the six research groups currently funded by NASA to identify NEOs have together discovered over 600 objects and are ahead of the predicted schedule. Dr. Weiler believed it likely that the goal will be reached by 2008. Dr. Weiler said it was premature to decide whether to extend the survey goal to include objects smaller than one kilometer in size.
Dr. Weiler stated that if such an extended survey effort were conducted from the ground, then NASA should not play a role because NASA is best suited to space-based missions. He stated that NASA's role is better suited for detailed study of particular asteroids and comets.
Dr. Morrison testified on the threat to the Earth of collisions with asteroids and comets. He stated that the greatest risk today is not from objects large enough to cause global extinctions (such as those believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs) but rather from objects large enough to disrupt the Earth's climate on a global scale by injecting large quantities of dust into the stratosphere. Objects of about one kilometer in size pose such a threat and thus are the target of the U.S. survey for NEOs. He stated that the next logical goal is to search for objects that are smaller but could still kill millions of people upon impact with the Earth. Even objects measuring only 200-300 meters in diameter should be tracked since these pose the greatest danger of causing tsunamis, he said. Dr. Morrison emphasized that the goal of the current survey is not to find objects on their final plunge toward Earth, but rather to identify objects in nearby orbits for future monitoring. Thus discovering an object that has already passed the Earth in its orbit is still considered a `success.'
Brig. General Worden testified that the U.S. military is developing sensitive surveillance technologies that could serve both defense and civilian interests. Such `dual-use' technology could contribute greatly to the detection of NEOs and would augment the current efforts of U.S. military telescopes used by NASA in NEO projects.
Dr. Brian Marsden testified on the management of data reported daily to the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory regarding the observations of asteroids and comets. Dr. Marsden testified that the Minor Planet Center collects reports from around the world of detections of NEOs and other asteroids and comets and publishes confirmed detections electronically in the Minor Planet Electronic Circular. NEOs, he said, comprise less than one percent of the observations of asteroids as a whole. Dr. Marsden stated that augmentation of the Minor Planet Center staff is essential if the number of asteroid discoveries continues to increase, as would be expected with an extension of the NEO survey goals to include objects of smaller sizes. Dr. Marsden testified that most follow-up tracking observations of NEOs are made by amateur astronomers who would be encouraged in their activities by an award such as that created by the bill. Dr. Marsden testified that attention should also be given to long-period comets, which could pose an even greater risk than asteroids because they are less predictable.
Dr. Joseph Burns testified on the recommendations regarding NEOs from the recent National Research Council report entitled `New Frontiers in the Solar System,' resulting from the Solar System Exploration (SSE) Survey conducted with scientists nationwide. One of the primary recommendations from the report was that NASA and the National Science Foundation should contribute equally to the construction and operation of a Large-aperture Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), a 6.5-meter-effective-diameter, very wide field (›3 degree) telescope that would produce a digital map of the visible sky every
week, at a total cost of $125 million. Dr. Burns stated that the LSST could locate 90 percent of all NEOs down to 300 meters in size, enable computations of their orbits, and permit assessment of their threat to Earth. Dr. Burns testified that NASA should continue to be involved in ground-based NEO surveys even if the survey goals were extended because of NASA's experience with ground-based telescopes and because NASA has always been charged with using ground-based telescopes that aid space-based missions.
V. COMMITTEE ACTIONS
On February 25, 2003, Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Dana Rohrabacher introduced H.R. 912, the `Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act,' a bill to award amateur astronomers for their outstanding contributions to tracking and discovering near-Earth asteroids.
On October 8, 2003, the Committee on Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics met to consider the bill. The bill was adopted by a voice vote and forwarded to the Full Committee on Science.
On Wednesday, February 4, 2004, the Committee on Science met to consider the bill. An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Rohrabacher, clarified the bill's intent, changed the roles of NASA and the Smithsonian, reduced the number of award categories in the bill from three to two, made permanent residents eligible to receive the awards, and changed the authorization level to `such sums' from within `sums otherwise authorized to NASA.' The amendment was adopted by a voice vote.
Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 912, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill as amended do pass, and that the staff be instructed to make technical and conforming changes to the bill as amended and prepare the legislative report and that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill before the House for consideration. With a quorum present, the motion was agreed to by a voice vote.
VI. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDMENT
The bill, as reported, directs the NASA Administrator to establish an awards program in honor of Charles `Pete' Conrad, astronaut and space scientist, to recognize the discoveries made by amateur astronomers of near Earth asteroids.
NASA is to make the awards based on the recommendations of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Minor Planet Center, a nonprofit organization under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union, an association of professional astronomers.
The bill authorizes the NASA Administrator to give one award each year to the amateur astronomer or to the group of amateur astronomers that discovered the intrinsically brightest near-Earth asteroid among the near-Earth asteroids discovered during the preceding year by amateur astronomers, and another award to the amateur astronomer or group of amateur astronomers that made the greatest contribution during the preceding year to the Minor Planet Center's catalogue of known asteroids. The recipients of awards are limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The astronomer or group of astronomers receiving an award would receive $3,000.
VII. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE BILL AS REPORTED
Section 1. Short title
This bill is to be cited as the `Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act.'
Section 2. Definitions
This section defines several terms used throughout the bill, including `amateur astronomer' and `near-Earth asteroid.'
Section 3. Pete Conrad Astronomy Award Program
This section authorizes the NASA Administrator to establish the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards program; make awards under the program based on the recommendations of the Minor Planet Center; and make one award annually in each of two categories if eligible discoveries or contributions are made. The two categories are (a) the amateur astronomer or group of amateur astronomers who in the preceding calendar year discovered the intrinsically brightest near-Earth asteroid among the near-Earth asteroids that were discovered by amateurs during that year; and (b) the amateur astronomer or group of amateur astronomers who made the greatest contribution to the Minor Planet Center's mission of cataloguing near-Earth asteroids during the preceding year. Awards to recipients, limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, are in the amount of $3000. The Administrator's decisions in making the awards are final. The bill authorizes to be appropriated (from within sums otherwise authorized) such sums as may be necessary to carry out the program.
VIII. COMMITTEE VIEWS
The Committee understands that amateur astronomers are primarily responsible for providing follow-up observations of known asteroids, and that discoveries of near Earth asteroids by amateurs are rare due to the dominance of professional surveys. The Committee expects NASA to carry out the Pete Conrad awards program in such a manner as best to promote amateur astronomy and to encourage amateur astronomers to continue their outstanding efforts to identify and monitor near-Earth objects.
The Committee believes that the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Minor Planet Center is uniquely qualified in selecting award recipients. The Center is internationally recognized as a major clearinghouse for tracking near Earth orbits and for its extensive
work with amateur astronomers. The Committee expects NASA to follow the recommendations of the Center in making awards.
The Act provides that each award is $3,000, regardless of whether it is presented to an individual or a group.
The Committee also expects that if a group of astronomers selected for an award under this Act includes a foreign student (defined for the purposes of this paragraph as a non-immigrant student under title 8, United States Code, section 1101(a)(15)(F) or a student with a `J' exchange visa) in addition to citizens or permanent residents of the United States, then the Administrator shall have the discretion to provide the foreign student with a non-monetary token of appreciation. The foreign student is not eligible to receive any part of the monetary award.
The Committee expects administrative costs in making the award to be minimal.
IX. COST ESTIMATE
A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to the Committee on Science prior to the filing of this report and is included in Section X of this report pursuant to House rule XIII, clause 3(c)(3).
H.R. 912 does not contain new budget authority, credit authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming that the sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R. 912 does not authorize additional discretionary spending, as described in the Congressional Budget Office report on the bill, which is contained in Section X of this report.
X. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
Hon. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT,
Chairman, Committee on Science,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Kathleen Gramp.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth M. Robinson
(For Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director).
Enclosure.
H.R. 912--Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act
H.R. 912 would establish two new annual awards for amateur astronomers: one for the individual or group that identifies the brightest near-Earth asteroid and the other for the individual or group that makes the greatest contribution to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's catalog of such asteroids. Each award would be $3,000. The program would be administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 912 would have no significant effect on the budget and would not affect direct spending or revenues. According to NASA, the cost of administering the two awards would be negligible.
H.R. 912 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Kathleen Gramp. This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director of Budget Analysis.
XI. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4
H.R. 912 contains no unfunded mandates.
XII. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee on Science's oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
XIII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Pursuant to clause (3)(c) of House rule XIII, the goals of H.R. 912 are to establish an awards program for amateur astronomers to promote astronomy and to assist national efforts to identify near-Earth objects that could pose a threat to the Earth.
XIV. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 912.
XV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
H.R. 912 does not establish or authorize the establishment of any advisory committee.
XVI. CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
The Committee finds that H.R. 912 does not relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).
XVII. STATEMENT ON PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW
This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
XVIII. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
This legislation does not amend any existing Federal statute.
XIX. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
On February 4, 2004, a quorum being present, the Committee on Science favorably reported the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act, by a voice vote, and recommended its enactment.
House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics,
Committee on Science,
--Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:08 a.m., in Room 2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Dana Rohrabacher [Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.
Chairman ROHRABACHER. Good morning. I call this meeting of the Subcommittee to order. And pursuant to notice, the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics is meeting today to consider the four following measures: H.R. 3245, the Commercial Space Act of 2003; H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act; H.R. 1292, the Remote Sensing Applications Act of 2003; and H.R. 2450, the Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission Act of 2003.
At this point, I would ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the Committee at any point, and without objection, so ordered.
Okay. At this point, I will make a few opening remarks and then turn to Bart Gordon, our Ranking Member, for his opening remarks.
Today we will mark up four bills, including two that I have sponsored, H.R. 3245, the Commercial Space Act of 2003, and H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act of 2003. I believe that most Members of Congress share my view that the aerospace industry plays a critical role in advancing America into the future and especially America into space onto the next frontier. Innovative and creative thinking have always been the hallmarks of the private sector, and we can not just leave it up to government to solve the perplexing problems or to actually make sure that America meets its potential.
H.R. 3245 promotes development of operationally safe suborbital vehicles and services by directing the government to build an affirmative, enabling regulatory and legal framework for this emerging industry. I want to thank my Democratic colleagues for their support of H.R. 3245. H.R. 912 encourages average citizens to survey the heavens for threatening near-Earth objects. Both H.R. 3245 and H.R. 912, as I said, recognizes the value of having our private citizens involved in the process.
And we will markup, as well today, H.R. 1292, the Remote Sensing Applications Act of 2003. This bill establishes a NASA program of grants for competitively awarded pilot projects using government and commercial remote sensing capabilities to help address the needs of State, local, regional, and tribal agencies. The remaining legislation for markup is H.R. 2450, the Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission Act of 2003, which Mr. Gordon has been involved with authoring and has held off until now in order to make sure the Gehman Commission could do its work. And now we can follow up with Mr. Gordon's legislation.
This morning I look forward to working with Members on both sides of the aisle. And as we say, we have some good pieces of legislation here to move through the Subcommittee. And I will count on Mr. Gordon for his remarks.
[Statement of Mr. Rohrabacher follows:]
[The prepared statement of Mr. Rohrabacher follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chairman Dana Rohrabacher
Today we will mark up four bills, including two that I have sponsored, H.R. 3245, the Commercial Space Act of 2003 and H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act of 2003. I believe that most Members of Congress share my view that the aerospace industry plays a critical role in advancing America's space frontier. Innovative and creative thinking have always been the hallmarks of the private sector in helping the government solve perplexing problems.
H.R. 3245 promotes development of operationally safe suborbital vehicles and services by directing the government to build an affirmative, enabling regulatory and legal framework for this emerging industry. I want to thank my Democratic colleagues for their support of H.R. 3245. H.R. 912 encourages average citizens to survey the heavens for threatening near-Earth objects. Both H.R. 3245 and H.R. 912 recognize the value of the private sector in helping us realize our space goals.
We will also markup H.R. 1292, the Remote Sensing Applications Act of 2003. This bill establishes a NASA program of grants for competitively awarded pilot projects using government and commercial remote sensing capabilities to help address the needs of State, local, regional and tribal agencies. The remaining legislation for markup is H.R. 2450, the Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission Act of 2003.
This morning I look forward to working with Members on both sides of the aisle in a spirit of bipartisanship.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, let me just briefly say you have always been good to work with and plus you are a decent fellow. And we appreciate the opportunity to mark-up two of the Minority bills today. And we would remind you that Mr. Larsen and Mr. Lampson also have good bills that we hope that you will review and that we can get to those at another date. And Mr. Hall's, of course.
Chairman ROHRABACHER. Okay. I would like to now pay the courtesy to Mr. Hall, who is, of course, former Chairman of this committee and provided great leadership here and one who adds a great contribution through institutional memory, you might say, of everything we have been through. And Ralph, would you like to say a few words today before we start?
Mr. HALL. I will just say a few, Mr. Chairman, and I thank you for the chance to.
I note that we are marking up 3245, that is your bill. As you know, I have introduced a bill 3219, which is an older bill than yours by about six hours, I think, four, five, or six hours. And I am not surprised that my bill is not on here. I know it is not a technical omission or anything. And I understand that we are to have some kind of a meeting here in the next 20 or 30 minutes. The future of my bill might be discussed at that time. Is that right? Is that a good summation of it?
Chairman ROHRABACHER. Yes, sir.
Mr. HALL. I thank you. You are a good guy, too.
Chairman ROHRABACHER. Let me note that the Chairman is at this time a co-sponsor of Chairman Hall's bill. And we are going to have a very in-depth discussion of it shortly after this markup.
So today--okay. Without objection, all Members may place their opening statements in the record.
We now consider the bill H.R. 912, a second bill that I am offering for consideration today. I now recognize the Ranking--oh, no. And I will proceed with my remarks first.
H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act of 2003, reflects the bill that we passed through this subcommittee last year and passed on the Floor of the House last year and didn't make it through the Senate, but we have every reason to believe that perhaps this session we will make it through. It is intended to recognize those individuals who provide the greatest number of separate observations of different asteroids. It will also help to strengthen existing government capabilities for tracking natural space objects by promoting private citizens to observe the heavens. We would hope that young people, particularly, will be motivated to get involved and go to their backyards and look into space and perhaps doing things for school credit. It is--if we are going to remain the number one space power in the world, we have got to have a young generation not just interested but involved. And I think that astronomy and this type of award that we are talking about with the Pete Conrad award is a first really good step that we could--in the creation of astronauts. We get them in their backyard looking up into the heavens and 20 years or 30 years later, we will have them flying into the heavens.
This bill authorizes the NASA Administrator to establish an awards program for recognizing the discoveries made by amateurs, astronomers--amateur astronomers of asteroids and near-Earth objects. The bill also authorizes the NASA Administrator to contract with the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory to administer the program. The awards are intended for outstanding amateur astronomers who discover the largest new asteroid having a near-Earth orbit and locating newly discovered asteroids with the aid of professional sources. Awards also are made for those who provide the greatest service in updating the Minor Planet Center's catalog of known asteroids.
The title is chosen--the title of this bill has been chosen to honor Pete Conrad for his tremendous contributions to the aerospace field in America. He was a great entrepreneur, space entrepreneur, I might add. We were talking about that in our last bill. If there is anyone who exemplified the space entrepreneurialism, it was Pete, but he was also one of America's great astronauts, the--an explorer, space explorer. He was the third man to walk on the moon and just a tremendous human being who died several years ago riding his motorcycle. Here he was, had put himself on top of a rocket, the Saturn 5, flew all the way to the moon and back. I mean, what tremendous risks he took for his country. Before that, he was a pilot. And then he ended up in a motorcycle accident where there was a rut in the road that shouldn't have been there. And he was thrown off his motorcycle. And I might add that he went to an emergency ward that did not use the proper procedures to investigate his situation and he died of an internal injury. It was a tremendous loss.
Pete Conrad was a personal friend of mine. I would have been angry at him for taking the chances of riding his motorcycle, except for the fact that he was always admonishing me for the risks I was taking in surfing everyday. So we had a very personal relationship, and he was a great American and one that we should try to make sure our young people know about him. And this is what this bill hopefully will do is get young people involved in space-related activity, which is something Pete would have wanted.
I now yield to our Ranking Member, Mr. Gordon, for his comments.
Mr. GORDON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I want to add my support for your bill. As you said, this is the same legislation that passed the House under suspension in the last Congress. It was a good bill then. It is a good bill now. I commend you for reintroducing it. I hope that we can quickly pass it through Congress and put it on the President's desk.
Chairman ROHRABACHER. I recognize Chairman Hall.
Mr. HALL. I subscribe to the Ranking Member's remarks 100 percent and yield back my time.
Chairman ROHRABACHER. Okay. Thank you very much.
I ask unanimous consent that H.R. 912 is considered as read and open to amendment at any point and that Members be--proceed with the amendments in order of the roster. Without objection, so ordered.
Are there any amendments? Hearing none, the question is on the bill, H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act. All those in favor will say aye. All those opposed will say no. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it.
I will now recognize the Ranking Minority Member to offer a motion.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Subcommittee favorably report the bill H.R. 912 to the Full Committee with the recommendation that it be favorably reported to the House. Further, I ask unanimous consent that the staff be instructed to make all necessary technical and conforming changes to the bill in accordance with the recommendations of the Subcommittee.
Chairman ROHRABACHER. Okay. The question is on the motion to report the bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes appear to have it, and the bill is favorably reported.
Without objection, motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. I move that Members now have two subsequent calendar days in which to submit supplemental Minority and additional views on the measure. Without objection, so ordered.
This concludes the Subcommittee markup. And let me again assure that--Chairman Hall, that although his bill did not make it to markup today, that it is this Chair's intention to work with you, Mr. Hall, and to try to move forward with your legislation as it develops.
Mr. HALL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As you know, the major thrust from this point forward needs to be safety. And your bill encompasses that. Every bill we have addressed today has tipped its hat to safety, and I think that has got to be the watchword for us for the next year or so.
Chairman ROHRABACHER. Thank you very much, Mr. Hall. Again, we appreciate your continued leadership.
This concludes our subcommittee markup. We are adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 10:42 a.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]
Appendix:
H.R. 912, THE CHARLES `PETE' CONRAD ASTRONOMY AWARDS ACT, SUMMARY OF H.R. 912, SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
000
Summary of H.R. 912, Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy
Awards Act of 2003
This bill authorizes the NASA Administrator to establish an awards program in honor of Charles `Pete' Conrad, astronaut and space scientist, for recognizing the discoveries made by amateur astronomers of asteroids with near-Earth orbit trajectories.
Section-By-Section Analysis of H.R. 912,
Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act of 2003
This bill authorizes the NASA Administrator to establish an awards program in honor of Charles `Pete' Conrad, astronaut and space scientist, for recognizing the discoveries made by amateur astronomers of asteroids with near-Earth orbit trajectories. The bill authorizes to be appropriated $10,000 for each of the fiscal years 2004 and 2005 to carry out this bill.
This section authorizes the NASA Administrator to establish the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards program and to contract with the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astro-physical Observatory to administer the program. The Act establishes awards for the following individuals: a) an amateur astronomer who discovers the largest new asteroid having a near-Earth orbit; b) an amateur astronomer for the discovery of asteroids using information derived from professional sources and locating newly discovered asteroids; and c) those individuals who provide the greatest service to update the Minor Planet Center's catalogue of known asteroids. The awards for all three categories are limited to U.S. citizens. This section requires that applicants demonstrate that they are not funded to use professional telescopes or observations while participating in the program. Government and professional astronomers associated with surveys of NEOs, as well as their family members, are ineligible for the awards. This section permits the NASA Administrator or the Minor Planet Center to develop regulations for implementing the program. This section authorizes to be appropriated $10,000 for each of the fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Science,
--Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:08 a.m., in Room 2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Sherwood L. Boehlert [Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Good morning. The Committee on Science will be in order. We will begin with a few brief administrative matters involving the Subcommittee assignments. I ask unanimous consent to change the ratio of the Subcommittee on Energy from ten Republican Members and eight Democrat Members to eleven Republican Members and nine Democrats. Without objection, so ordered.
I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Texas, the Honorable Ralph Hall, be elected to the Subcommittee on Energy and to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. Without objection, so ordered.
Let me just say this is--you will notice some adjustments in the chairs up here, in the line up. First of all, it is a pleasure for me to welcome Mr. Hall to our side of the aisle. We have come to expect wonderful things from Mr. Hall. And one of the things that I admire most about him, in addition to his wit, is his good judgment. So Mr. Hall, welcome.
And I also want to welcome my dear friend and colleague of many years, Bart Gordon, to the position as Ranking Member as leader of the Democrats. He is not leader of the opposition; he is leader of our partners in this effort. And I want to particularly note that he has been a most active Member of this committee from the beginning, from his first time here in 1985 as a freshman Member. He is a thoughtful, deliberative guy. He is a guy who pays attention to the issues and one from whom I will expect great things in the future. I would point out that he also has a minor Committee assignment. He is a Member of Energy and Commerce, but this is where he devotes his--so much time and attention to very productive results. So Mr. Gordon, welcome. Mr. Hall, welcome. We are glad to have everyone here.
And now the Chair is pleased to recognize the Ranking Member from Tennessee, Mr. Gordon.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I should just say amen. I don't think I can beat your kind remarks. Thank you very much. I am excited about having the opportunity to serve as the Ranking Member. And I am pleased that our friend, Mr. Hall, is going to stay and be the referee. He has set a very good example for us, as you said, in working in a bipartisan manner. We want to continue that example.
I think today is fitting that we have a full agenda, and so I want to be very brief and--so that we can move forward, but I do want to thank you for allowing Congressman Udall and Congressman Miller to have two bills today. And I hope that you will help us bring these to the Floor as promptly as you have brought them to this committee.
Thank you very much.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Mr. Hall.
Mr. HALL. Mr. Chairman, and to the Ranking Member and to the other Members, I thank you very much. I am honored to be back on the Committee.
I want to thank Mr. Gordon for his good judgment and for his kindness in keeping the team in place that we had set in place. They are good people and good folks to work with. I want to thank all of them from either side of the docket who have welcomed me here. Actually, when I decided--made the decision to switch parties, I didn't call anyone. I didn't call the President or anyone. I didn't tell anyone, including my wife, which was a mistake. I announced that I was making the switch and put it on the wire and then called and spoke to the Speaker. All I expected from him was that my seniority would be honored, and he said it would be. You have done that. And to both sides, I am the same guy I was when I came over here. I am probably the Speaker's problem now. So we will just have to wait and see how things go, but I am honored to be back with a group of men and women that I admire, respect, and look forward to working with.
Thank you, and I yield back my time.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Thank you so much.
As those who have observed the deliberations of this committee would have testified to, it really doesn't matter where you sit in this committee, because we have some very important work and partisanship doesn't rear its ugly head very often here. On occasion it does, and we are all familiar with that. But when all is said and done, we work as a team, this Science Committee, and I am very proud of that. And so no matter where they are sitting, everybody is part of the team, and I thank them for their cooperation and support and vision as we look to the future.
Pursuant to notice, the Committee on Science meets today to consider the following measures: H.R. 3551, the Surface Transportation Research Act of 2004; H.R. 3752, the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004; H.R. 912, Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act; H.R. 1292, Remote Sensing Applications Act of 2003; H.R. 3389, To amend the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to permit Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards to be made to nonprofit organizations; and H.Con.Res. 189, Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year and supporting an International Geophysical Year-2 in 2007-08. I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the Subcommittee at any point, and without objection, it is ordered.
We will now proceed with opening statements. I want to welcome everyone here for this important markup. We want to get done by 11:00 a.m., so we will need to be brief. I am not planning to make any statements this morning other than this one, so I will discuss each of the bills right now. But first let me say that all of the bills, as usual, reflect long hours of bipartisan work on important issues. The smooth markup that we expect today is the result of countless hours of staff work on both sides of the aisle working out the kinks.
The first that we will take up is the Transportation Research and Development Act offered by Dr. Ehlers and the negotiated amendments to it. The bill ensures that we will be devoting more resources to transportation R&D and that those resources will be better targeted. The bill authorizes an organized R&D effort that will focus on questions related to safety, environment, demographics, and getting the most out of the infrastructure that is already in place. It is an eminently sensible approach, and we will work hard to see that it becomes part of the overall highway bill. I know many Members have contributed ideas to the bill and to the amendments, including, in addition to the ones I have to offer, two freshmen Members on our side of the aisle, Mr. Neugebauer and Ms. Burgess--Dr. Burgess. I thank them for their contributions.
The second measure on the roster is Mr. Rohrabacher's bill to amend the Commercial Space Launch Act. I want to thank Chairman Rohrabacher for bringing this important matter to our attention. We need to create a balanced and predictable regulatory regime that can help jump-start a commercial human space flight industry while protecting the public. I think that this bill does just that. I know some have concerns about the provision in the bill extending indemnification for just 3 years. I don't want to have a long debate in this now, but the argument for indemnification has always been that we need to help out an infant industry. Well, no industry can remain infant forever. Indemnification has already been extended many times. Infancy has lasted long enough. In industry's interest, we need to send the signal now that the insurance regime out to be changing in the future. It certainly would not be fair or wise to catch industry off guard.
The third bill is also offered by Chairman Rohrabacher. It would set up awards for amateur astronomers who discover near-Earth asteroids. It is one of those ideas that is so obviously good that it is amazing that it hasn't happened already.
The fourth bill is Mr. Udall's remote sensing bill. This is also a sensible bill that we passed in the last Congress. We ought to be doing more to ensure that the remote sensing data we have is actually being used. Mr. Weldon will be offering a helpful amendment on that to single out one use of the data: locating forest fires. I support that amendment.
The fifth bill would expand the Baldrige Quality Awards to include nonprofits. I helped craft the legislation creating the Baldrige Award years ago. Little did I appreciate then what a major success the award would be. I congratulate Mr. Miller on his bill to expand the award.
The sixth bill by Mr. Udall would call for another International Geophysical Year, 50 years after the first one was so successful in bringing the world together to conduct pioneering research in Antarctica, research several of us got to see firsthand last year. This is another idea that deserves this committee's support.
I congratulate all of my colleagues on their hard work on these bills, and I look forward to their prompt passage here and on the House Floor.
Let me once again restate the deep appreciation all of us have, on both sides, for the outstanding work of the very capable and hardworking professional staff. These are people who are here long after we have gone home, long after we have checked out of the airport to return to our Districts, working day and night and weekends to provide us with the support we need to do the good work we are doing.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Boehlert follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chairman Sherwood Boehlert
I want to welcome everyone here for this important markup. We want to get done by 11 a.m., so we all need to be brief. I'm not planning to make any statements this morning other than this one, so I will discuss each of the bills right now.
But first let me say that all the bills, as usual, reflect long hours of bipartisan work on important issues. The smooth markup that we expect today is a result of countless hours of staff work on both sides of the aisle working out the kinks.
The first bill we will take up is the transportation research and development (R&D) bill offered by Mr. Ehlers and the negotiated amendments to it. This bill ensures that we will be devoting more resources to transportation R&D and that those resources will be better targeted. The bill authorizes an organized R&D effort that will focus on questions related to safety, environment, demographics, and getting the most out of the infrastructure that is already in place. It's an eminently sensible approach, and we will work hard to see that it becomes part of the overall highway bill.
I know many Members have contributed ideas to the bill and to the amendments, including (in addition to me), two freshmen Members on our side of the aisle, Mr. Neugebauer and Mr. Burgess. I thank them for their contributions.
The second measure on the roster is Mr. Rohrabacher's bill to amend the Commercial Space Launch Act.
I want to thank Chairman Rohrabacher for bringing this important matter to our attention. We need to create a balanced and predictable regulatory regime that can help jump-start a commercial human space flight industry while protecting the public. I think this bill does just that.
I know some have concerns about the provision in the bill extending indemnification for just three years. I don't want to have a long debate on this now, but the argument for indemnification has always been that we need to help out an infant industry. Well, no industry can remain an infant forever. Indemnification has already been extended many times. Infancy has lasted long enough. In industry's interest, we need to send the signal now that the insurance regime ought to be changing in the future. It certainly would not be fair or wise to catch industry off guard.
The third bill is also offered by Mr. Rohrabacher. It would set up awards for amateur astronomers who discover near-Earth asteroids. It's one of those ideas that is so obviously good that it's amazing that it isn't happening already.
The fourth bill is Mr. Udall's remote sensing bill. This is also a sensible bill that we passed in the last Congress. We ought to be doing more to ensure that the remote sensing data we have is actually being used. Mr. Weldon will be offering a helpful amendment on that bill to single out one use of the data--locating forest fires. I support that amendment.
The fifth bill would expand the Baldrige Quality Award to include non-profits. I helped craft the legislation creating the Baldrige Award years ago; little did I understand then what a major success the Award would be. I congratulate Mr. Miller on his bill to expand the Award.
The sixth bill, by Mr. Udall, would call for another International Geophysical Year, 50 years after the first one was so successful in bringing the world together to conduct pioneering research in Antarctica--research several of us got to see firsthand last year. This is another idea that deserves this committee's support.
I congratulate all my colleagues on their hard work on these bills, and I look forward to their prompt passage here--and on the House Floor.
Mr. Gordon.
Chairman BOEHLERT. I now recognize Mr. Gordon for five minutes to present his opening remarks.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to report to the Committee that the Democratic Caucus of the Science Committee has elected the Honorable Nick Lampson of Texas as the Ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. Mr. Lampson has been a Member of the Committee and the Subcommittee since his election to Congress in 1996. He represents the Johnson--we will try again here. Okay. He represents the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and he has been out front in his vision for human space flight. Accordingly, I ask unanimous consent that the seniority order for the Democratic membership of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics be changed to reflect the action of our Caucus, placing Mr. Lampson first in the Democratic seniority.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Without objection.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent for another request, and that is I am pleased to report to the Committee that the Democratic Caucus of the Science Committee has elected the Honorable John Larson of Connecticut as ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Energy. John has been a Member of the Committee since 1998, also serves as the Ranking Member on the House Administration Committee, and was a leader in developing many of the R&D provisions of the energy bill. Accordingly, I ask unanimous consent that the Honorable John Larson be elected to the Subcommittee on Energy and that rank in seniority is first on the Democratic membership.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Without objection.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, respecting your interest in getting out by 11:00, I will reserve any remarks on the bills as they come forth.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Thank you very much. Without objection, all Members may place opening statements in the records at this point--in the record at this point.
We will now consider the bill H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act. I now recognize Mr. Gordon for five minutes to present his opening remarks.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I will make my complimentary remarks about Mr. Rohrabacher a part of the record.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Mr. Rohrabacher--all right. Thank you very much, Mr. Gordon and to--and also to you, Mr. Chairman.
This amendment, which is offered as a substitute to H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act of 2003, creates an awards program for amateur astronomers who discover near-Earth asteroids. The bill also provides an award for the individual or group that provides the greatest service to the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The `Pete' Conrad awards program will help augment existing government capabilities for tracking natural space objects by promoting private citizens to observe the heavens. We--what we want to do is encourage people, especially young people, to get out and get involved in space and to be involved in identifying objects in the heavens. And I think this is a good way to bring young people into America's space program.
I appreciate the Chairman's attention to this critical issue and his support for a worthy cause. This amendment does not alter the intent of the original bill but clarifies the awards program, the roles, the responsibilities of NASA and the Smithsonian's Minor Planet Center. We have worked with NASA and the Smithsonian as well as our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make these improvements, and I thank you for your support. And H.R. 912 will honor `Pete' Conrad, who is a genuine American hero, third man on the moon, a gentleman who I called for--was a good friend, and we will miss him. He passed away a few years ago in a motorcycle accident.
Chairman BOEHLERT. And he was a good friend of the Committee. Thank you very much, Mr. Rohrabacher.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Yes, he was. Thank you very much.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Without objection, all Members may place opening statements in the record at this point.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Jackson Lee follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Sheila Jackson Lee
I strongly support the Pete Conrad Astronomy Act, and commend the Chairman of the Space Subcommittee for his creativity and leadership in promoting space exploration.
This Act will reward individuals who through their hard work and dedication have made fundamental contributions to our knowledge of the universe. This Act will stimulate interest in space exploration--a field that helps keep us on the cutting edge of technology and captivates young minds. Discoveries made by amateur astronomers have helped with the enormous task of cataloguing the many asteroids and small bodies that share the solar system with us. Those amateur astronomers deserve to be rewarded. It is a valuable service to this nation and to the world, and should be encouraged. This Act will do both.
My only question is if we want to reward and encourage this valuable work, why should we limit those who qualify for the awards? People from around the world to study at our great colleges and universities. They are often some of the best and brightest from their home countries. They pay high tuitions as international students. They often bring money into our communities. Many study the sciences and math and work hard in our labs, and make big contributions in their fields. I can imagine that such young people might also be the kind of folks that could make effective amateur astronomers.
I will offer an amendment later that will open up the Pete Conrad Awards to non-immigrant students. I hope my colleagues will support it, and the underlying bill.
Chairman BOEHLERT. I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read and open to amendment at any point and that the Members proceed with the amendments in the order of the roster. Without objection, so ordered.
The first amendment on the roster is an amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the Chairman of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, Mr. Rohrabacher. The Clerk shall report the amendment.
Ms. TESSIERI. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 912 offered by Mr. Rohrabacher.
[Amendment offered by Mr. Rohrabacher appears in Appendix.]
Chairman BOEHLERT. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. Without objection, so ordered.
The gentleman from California.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. I offer the statement that I just made to be placed in the record at this point.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Rohrabacher follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Dana Rohrabacher
The amendment to H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act of 2003, creates an awards program for amateur astronomers who discover near-Earth asteroids. The bill also provides an award for the individual or group that provides the greatest service to the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The Pete Conrad awards program will help argument existing government capabilities for tracking natural space objects by promoting private citizens to observe the heavens. I appreciate the Chairman's attention to this critical issue and his support of this worthy cause.
This amendment does not alter the intent of the original bill, but clarifies the award's program, the roles, and responsibilities of NASA and the Smithsonian's Minor Planet Center. We have worked with NASA, the Smithsonian, and our colleagues across the aisle to make these improvements. Thank you for your help and support.
H.R. 912 will honor Pete Conrad and in doing so establish an annual award for asteroid discoveries by amateur astronomers in his name.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Thank you very much.
Is there any further discussion on the amendment? Hearing none, the vote is on the amendment. No, wait. The next amendment--oh, all right. Now the same procedure as we did with the previous one.
The next amendment on the roster is offered by Ms. Jackson Lee from Texas. Are you ready to proceed?
Ms. JACKSON LEE. I am, Mr. Speaker--Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.
Chairman BOEHLERT. I recognize the gentlelady from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, I enthusiastically support the distinguished gentleman from California's legislation.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Do you have an amendment at the desk?
Ms. JACKSON LEE. The amendment is at the desk. I am sorry, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Chairman BOEHLERT. And the Clerk will report the amendment.
Ms. TESSIERI. Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee to H.R. 912.
[Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee is located in the Appendix.]
Chairman BOEHLERT. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. Without objection, so ordered.
The gentlelady is recognized.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I enthusiastically support the `Pete' Conrad astronomy awards and the amendment of Mr. Rohrabacher.
I would just offer to my colleagues that we have a wonderful country that is very warm and receiving of international students, many of whom add great contributions, not only to space exploration, but also to our science research and our laboratory work around the world. My amendment is simple. It strikes the language that prevents non-immigrant students who come in as international students pay high international fees or tuition fees. And in fact, some universities are benefited a great deal by the population of international students that will come. And if you talk to academic institutions, one of the concerns they had with the new Department of Homeland Security and the rules that were put in place is not so much that we did not want to be secure but the impact that it had on its international student population, which for years has been a very positive aspect to our American students. I would hope that the `Pete' Conrad astronomy awards would be able to honor that research and science discovery as it would honor any other. And so my amendment suggests that these students would be included as opposed to excluded. I yield back my time.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Jackson Lee follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Sheila Jackson Lee
Again, I strongly support the Pete Conrad Astronomy Act, and commend Chairman Rohrabacher for his leadership in encouraging space exploration. This amendment will simply open up the Pete Conrad Awards to non-immigrant students.
If we want to reward and encourage the valuable work of amateur astronomers, why should we limit those who qualify for the awards? Young people come from around the world to study at our great colleges and universities. They are often some of the best and brightest from their home countries. They pay high tuitions as international students. They often bring money into our communities. Many study the sciences and math and work hard in our labs, and make big contributions in their fields. I can imagine that such young people might also be the kind of folks that might be of service as amateur astronomers.
We invite these fine young people to our country. They may not be Americans, but they are part of the American community. If they rise to the challenges put before them, I feel they too deserve to be rewarded. I hope you will support this amendment.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Chairman Rohrabacher?
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Ms. Jackson Lee has a very good heart, and I appreciate her motives behind this. I am afraid that I am going to have to oppose this. I think that the money and resources that we are spending on this should be focused on U.S. citizens and on legal immigrants. And while I sympathize with students coming here from other countries, I think that we should be trying to encourage our own--using this award to encourage our own citizens and our own young people rather than those that will return home to another country after their education.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Would the gentleman yield?
Mr. ROHRABACHER. I certainly will.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. And I thank the gentleman for his point. I do want to make clear to my colleagues that my amendment applies to non-immigrant status. It is not illegal status.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Right.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. It means that the students are here in a Ph.D. program or a Master's program or undergraduate through a legitimate student visa at institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and many other places.
Now I do agree that this is an important step for encouraging our young people in the math and sciences, but what I am suggesting is that there are international students who are here and being very viable parts of our academic institutions' welcome parts and are doing great research in collaboration with our students and may provide even additional incentive to those students. And I ask my colleagues to consider the amendment, but I thank----
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Right.
Ms. JACKSON LEE- the gentleman for his comments. I just didn't want anyone to think----
Chairman BOEHLERT. Chairman Rohrabacher.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Reclaiming my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. I yield back.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Reclaiming my time, and that is--you are absolutely correct. Your amendment was not aimed at illegal immigrants whatsoever. It was aimed at the group that you just outlined for us, but with that said, the people that we are talking about will be leaving the United States and going home to their home countries. I would prefer, and I would hope my colleagues would prefer to--focusing our efforts on encouraging our own young people, both U.S. citizens and legal residents, rather than people who will be going back to other countries.
Thank you very much.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Thank you. And the Chair supports that position. Let me ask Ms. Jackson Lee if she would be willing to withdraw the amendment and have further discussions with the Chair and the Ranking--and the Chairman of the Subcommittee prior to going to the Floor. I would observe that we received this amendment a nanosecond before the markup started, so we didn't really have the time to think it through and discuss it. But I am willing to think it through and discuss it, if the gentlelady is willing to withdraw and engage in that procedure prior to bringing the bill to the Floor.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Excuse me. Mr. Chairman, that is a worthy thought. Might I yield to Congressman Lofgren just for a moment, please?
Ms. LOFGREN. I would support further work on this, but would add that if we do, we might also include the J-visa exchange students in the discussion.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman----
Chairman BOEHLERT. I think they should be thoughtful discussions but should not be resolving the issue now in the view of the fact that we have had very limited time to have exposure to the breadth and depth of the idea.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, with respecting the time frame that we are working with and knowing that this bill came forward last evening and so we rushed to get this, what I hope is viewed as a credible amendment this morning, I would be very open to the discussion including the comments that Congressman Lofgren has indicated. Would you be able to tell me, is this rushing to the Floor next week, Mr. Chairman? Do you happen to know whether we will be on the Floor with this bill next week?
Chairman BOEHLERT. We don't know. Not next week.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. All right.
Chairman BOEHLERT. So which will assure us that we have the ample time to do what I am suggesting we ought to do.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Then I would welcome the opportunity to have this thoughtful discussion. Hopefully we can work out something that is reasonable and respecting of all of our concerns about this legislation.
I--at this time, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment----
Chairman BOEHLERT. Without objection, so ordered.
Ms. JACKSON LEE- and take up the Chairman's offer.
Chairman BOEHLERT. Is there further discussion on the amendment in the nature of a substitute? If no, the vote occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All of those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to.
The question is now on the bill H.R. 912, Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act, as amended. All of those in favor will say aye. All of those opposed, no. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it.
I now recognize Mr. Gordon to offer a motion.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I move the Committee favorably report H.R. 912, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill, as amended, do pass. Furthermore, I move that the staff be instructed to prepare the legislative report and make necessary technical and conforming changes and the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill before the House for consideration.
Chairman BOEHLERT. The question is on the motion to report the bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The ayes appear to have it, and the resolution is favorably reported.
Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. I move that Members have two subsequent calendar days in which to submit supplemental, minority, or additional views on the measure. I move pursuant to Clause 1 of Rule 22 of the Rules of the House of Representatives that the Committee authorize the Chairman to offer such motions as may be necessary in the House to adopt and pass H.R. 912, as amended, and to go to conference with the Senate on H.R. 912 or a similar Senate bill. Without objection, so ordered.
I guess this is the time that we will recess until 1:00 for the benefit of our colleagues to go to the Floor and hear the distinguished visitor, the President of Spain. The Committee stands in recess until 1:00.
This concludes our Committee markup, and I thank my colleagues for their enthusiastic participation. We are now adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 1:33 p.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
Appendix
AMENDMENT ROSTER, AMENDMENT, H.R. 912, SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF H.R. 912, SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF AMENDMENT, SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT
000
Sectional Analysis of H.R. 912
Summary of H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act of 2003
This bill authorizes the NASA Administrator to establish an awards program in honor of Charles `Pete' Conrad, astronaut and space scientist, for recognizing the discoveries made by amateur astronomers of asteroids with near-Earth orbit trajectories. The bill authorizes to be appropriated $10,000 for each of the fiscal years 2004 and 2005 to carry out this bill.
This section authorizes the NASA Administrator to establish the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards program and to contract with the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astro-physical Observatory to administer the program. The Act establishes awards for the following individuals: a) an amateur astronomer who discovers the largest new asteroid having a near-Earth orbit; b) an amateur astronomer for the discovery of asteroids using information derived from professional sources and locating newly discovered asteroids; and c) those individuals who provide the greatest service to update the Minor Planet Center's catalogue of known asteroids. The awards for all three categories are limited to U.S. citizens. This section requires that applicants demonstrate that they are not funded to use professional telescopes or observations while participating in the program. Government and professional astronomers associated with surveys of NEOs, as well as their family members, are ineligible for the awards. This section permits the NASA Administrator or the Minor Planet Center to develop regulations for implementing the program. This section authorizes to be appropriated $10,000 for each of the fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
Sectional Analysis of Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act of 2003
This amendment directs the NASA Administrator to establish an awards program in honor of Charles `Pete' Conrad, astronaut and space scientist, for recognizing the discoveries made by amateur astronomers of near-Earth asteroids that have orbits with the potential for a close encounter or collision with Earth. The awards are one time payments in the amount of $3000. The amendment authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the program.
This section defines several terms used throughout the bill. Key definitions include the term `amateur astronomer,' which means an individual whose employer does not provide any funding, payment, or compensation to the individual, for the observation of asteroids and other celestial bodies; and `near-Earth asteroid,' which means an asteroid with a perihelion distance of less than 1.3 Astronomical Units from the Sun.
This section authorizes the NASA Administrator to establish the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards program; make awards under the program based on the recommendations of the Minor Planet Center; and make one award annually in each category if eligible discoveries or contributions are made. The amendment establishes awards for the following categories of individuals and groups: a) who in the preceding calendar year discovered the intrinsically brightest near-Earth asteroid among the near-Earth asteroids that were discovered during that year; and b) who made the greatest contribution to the Minor Planet Center's mission of cataloguing near-Earth asteroids during the preceding year. Awards to recipients, limited to U.S. citizens, are in the amount of $3000. The Administrator's decisions in making the awards are final. This section of the amendment also authorizes to be appropriate such sums as may be necessary to carry out the program.
Summary of the Amendment to H.R. 912, the Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act of 2003
This amendment directs the NASA Administrator to establish an awards program in honor of Charles `Pete' Conrad, astronaut and space scientist, for recognizing the discoveries made by amateur astronomers of near-Earth asteroids that have orbits with the potential for a close encounter or collision with Earth.
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