Arizona lawmaker says historic event inspired a generation of engineers and scientists
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, issued the following statement today on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The landing was commemorated in the House of Representatives with a resolution co-sponsored by Giffords.
Forty years ago today the citizens of planet Earth received a message from one of our own beamed all the way back from the surface of the Moon. That message was the historic signal that humanity had at long last set foot on another world. The words spoken by Apollo 11 Mission Commander Neil Armstrong are well known to us all, and they are as true today as they were on July 20, 1969 – “one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
At the time, the Cold War was raging and Americans could still vividly recall the painful blow to our national pride when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957. This Earth-orbiting artificial satellite ignited a space race with our geopolitical rival that lead directly to the “giant leap” we commemorate today. The successful landing of the Eagle Lunar Module on the moon’s Sea of Tranquility, our quick walk upon the lunar surface, and the return of our explorers safely to Earth let it be known to the world that we are up to any challenge it throws at us.
But this bold achievement demonstrated more than America’s technological preeminence. It also inspired generations of engineers and scientists with bold ideas. It was an open invitation to think big. One of the most enduring benefits of the Apollo program was the flood of innovation and ideas it brought forth. We remain today the beneficiaries of the restless energy and hard work unleashed by the success of Apollo 11.
It is incredibly important for us to remember and honor the bravery and success of the crew of Apollo 11: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. We must also remember and honor all of the countless individuals and organizations who labored long and hard to make Apollo 11 possible. Yet the best way to honor their accomplishment is to renew our own commitment to a robust program of human and robotic exploration of the solar system. It is time for America to take the next giant leap in space — we cannot simply rest on our laurels, no matter how hard-won.