86R4261 CJM-D
 
  By: Paul H.R. No. 17
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, For six decades, the National Aeronautics and Space
  Administration has inspired our nation and the world with its
  outstanding record of intrepid space exploration and scientific
  discovery; and
         WHEREAS, NASA's innumerable engineering advances have
  greatly benefited our nation's security, safety, and
  communications systems, and innovations pioneered by NASA
  scientists and engineers have led to such improvements in health
  care technology as the MRI and the CAT scan, the fetal heart
  monitor, and the programmable cardiac pacemaker; and
         WHEREAS, The agency's strong presence in the Lone Star State
  has long been a source of pride for all Texans; the Johnson Space
  Center in Houston is a global leader in human spaceflight, serving
  as the training center for America's corps of astronauts; the
  center is continuing that legacy by acting as the lead center for
  the development of the nation's latest spacecraft, the Orion
  Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle; this effort includes working with
  private partners and conducting advanced research that will
  strengthen the future of space exploration; and
         WHEREAS, The Johnson Space Center also plays a vital role in
  the Texas economy, employing thousands of civil servants and
  civilian contractors and awarding billions of dollars in contracts
  every year; in addition, NASA's Space Alliance Technology Outreach
  Program benefits small businesses across the state, and through
  education programs such as Texas Aerospace Scholars, NASA is
  nurturing and inspiring a new generation of scientists, engineers,
  and explorers; and
         WHEREAS, NASA continues to drive further innovation in the
  aerospace and high-tech industries, and its long-standing record of
  achievement in the development of technologies that simultaneously
  reach for the stars and better our lives here on Earth is truly
  deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize February 26, 2019, as Space Day at the
  State Capitol and honor the National Aeronautics and Space
  Administration for its immeasurable contributions to this state and
  nation.