The Honorable Donna F. Edwards
Introduction of H.R. 2617, the Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act
July 9, 2013
Mr. Speaker, in 1969, led by the late Apollo Astronaut Neil Armstrong, American ingenuity changed history as humanity took a giant leap forward on the surface of the moon. That history, as preserved on the lunar surface, is now in danger, as spacefaring commercial entities and foreign nations begin to achieve the technical capabilities necessary to land spacecraft on the surface of the moon.
The United States must be proactive in protecting our unique cultural heritage left by the seven Apollo lunar landings. I am excited to have introduced H.R. 2617, “the Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act,” which would expand and enhance the protection and preservation of the Apollo lunar artifacts while providing for greater recognition and public understanding of this achievement for generations to come. I would like to thank Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for her commitment to the space program and for being an original cosponsor of this bill. It is also significant that we have introduced H.R. 2616, “the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act of 2013,” legislation that reauthorizes NASA and ensures the Agency remains a multi-mission agency with a balanced and robust set of core missions in science, aeronautics, space technology, and human space flight and exploration.
The Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act will ensure that the scientific data and cultural significance of the Apollo artifacts remains unharmed by future lunar landings. This Act will endow the artifacts as a National Historic Park, thereby asserting unquestioned ownership rights over the Apollo lunar landing artifacts. The legislation will additionally require the Secretary of the Interior to pursue nominating the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing site, where humanity left its first steps on the moon, as a World Heritage Site. The bill builds on the recommendations of the 2011 report, “NASA’s Recommendations to Space-Faring Entities: How to Protect and Preserve the Historic and Scientific Value of U.S. Government Lunar Artifacts.”
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, this Act addresses an increasingly important aspect of our cultural heritage that I want to be available for future generations. I hope that all Members will join me in supporting “the Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act” by cosponsoring H.R. 2617.
