By:  Jackson                                           H.R. No. 239
       73R4373 SRD-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Space Station Freedom program will provide a
    1-2  research facility in space for materials science, biotechnology,
    1-3  and fundamental sciences, as well as life sciences research in
    1-4  operation medicine and life support system development; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, America must improve its competitive advantage in
    1-6  the global economy by having a strong program of education in the
    1-7  fields of science and math; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, America needs to stimulate interest in the pure
    1-9  sciences to improve its education system, and Space Station Freedom
   1-10  will inspire young Americans to excel by illustrating future
   1-11  opportunities; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, The Space Station Freedom program is the largest
   1-13  international venture in science and technology ever undertaken,
   1-14  with 15 countries (13 in the European Space Agency plus Japan and
   1-15  Canada) having already contributed over $1 billion with commitments
   1-16  to spend over $7 billion in the development program through a
   1-17  signed treaty agreement; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, The Space Station Freedom program currently employs
   1-19  30,000 people directly and 75,000 to 100,000 people indirectly and
   1-20  involves 2,000 businesses in 30 states and the District of
   1-21  Columbia; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, The aerospace industry is one of America's most
   1-23  competitive and vibrant industries, accounting for over 10 percent
   1-24  of all United States exports, and the industry continually
    2-1  maintains a trade surplus in a highly competitive market; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, Some members of the Congress of the United States
    2-3  are unwisely considering eliminating funding for the Space Station
    2-4  Freedom program; now, therefore, be it
    2-5        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
    2-6  Legislature hereby express its support for continued funding of the
    2-7  Space Station Freedom program; and, be it further
    2-8        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    2-9  prepared for the Texas delegation of the Congress of the United
   2-10  States.