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[Pages H5831-H5832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Spano) for 5 minutes.
Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of
the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Fifty years ago, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins
launched from Florida's coast at Kennedy Space Center with the goal of
being the first to step foot on the Moon.
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong accomplished what was only a short
time prior believed to be impossible. He became the first man to set
foot on the Moon, uttering the famous words, ``That's one small step
for man, one giant leap for mankind.''
Those words ring through history, but it is important that we also
recognize the hundreds of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and
support staff who worked tirelessly to ensure mission success but do
not receive the public recognition that they deserve for their
contributions.
One example of this is Susan Finley. She began her career as a
computer programmer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and wrote
software for the Deep Space Network. That software made it possible to
hear the transmissions from the Moon that showed the world what was
possible when the United States committed to achieving the impossible.
I am also incredibly proud that 50 years after this accomplishment,
Florida remains at the forefront of space exploration. Today, the new
crew capsules designed to launch American astronauts into space are
being built, and I hope that by the end of this year, in which we are
celebrating the first Moon landing, we will again see American
astronauts climb into American-built capsules and launch into space
from Florida's shores.
We have relied on Russian spacecraft for too long, and this will
inspire a new generation of American children to develop a passion for
exploration and to pursue science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics education, just as the Apollo program did 50 years ago when
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first to set foot on the
Moon.
President George Bush said: ``Mankind is drawn to the heavens for the
same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands and across the open
sea. We choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives and
lifts our national spirit. So let us continue the journey.''
Congratulating Michaela McLean, Miss Florida 2019
Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michaela McLean
on her crowning achievement of being named Miss Florida 2019.
Michaela, a graduate of East Ridge High School in Clermont, Florida,
and
[[Page H5832]]
daughter of two citrus growers, is no stranger to pageants, as she had
also previously been named Miss Florida Citrus.
To win this latest competition, she was able to showcase her skills
as a collegiate dance major, a talent she uses to express her dreams
and her struggles.
She has plans now to use her other college major of public relations
to help promote Florida's economic and cultural strengths.
Michaela will promote her social impact initiative called Brave &
Beautiful, which encourages women to develop healthy habits while
living purpose-driven lives. Brave & Beautiful has already launched
conferences in multiple schools in central Florida and has made an
impact internationally in Kenya, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to hear how Michaela is using her many gifts
to help transform lives, and I applaud her efforts. She is a wonderful
role model for our young women.
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