[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 95 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     REMARKS BY MR. NEIL ARMSTRONG

                                 ______


                       HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 1994

  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, on this the 25th anniversary of 
the first Moon landing, I would like to insert into the Record the 
eloquent remarks of Mr. Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on 
the surface of another world. These remarks were given at the White 
House today during a ceremony commemorating the Apollo 11 mission.

        Remarks by Mr. Armstrong, The White House, July 20, 1994

       Thank you, Mr. Vice President, Mr. President, members of 
     Congress, fellow astronauts, ladies and gentlemen.
       Wilbur Wright once noted that the only bird that cold talk 
     was the parrot, and he didn't fly very well. So I'll be 
     brief. This week America has been recalling the Apollo 
     program and reliving the memories of those times in which so 
     many of us here, colleagues here in the first rows, were 
     immersed. Our old astrogeology mentor, Gene Shoemaker, even 
     called in one of his comets to mark the occasion with 
     spectacular Jovian fireworks. And reminding us once again of 
     the power and consequence of celestial extracurricular 
     activities.
       Many Americans were part of Apollo, about one or two in 
     each thousand citizens, all across the country. They were 
     asked by their country to do the impossible--to envisage the 
     design and to build a method of breaking the bonds of earth's 
     gravity and then sally forth to visit another heavenly body. 
     The principal elements--leaving earth, navigating in space 
     and descending to a planet unencumbered with runways and 
     traffic control--would include major requirements necessary 
     for a space-faring people.
       Today a space shuttle flies overhead with an international 
     crew. A number of countries have international space 
     programs. During the space age we have increased our 
     knowledge of our universe a thousand-fold.
       Today we have with us a group of students, among America's 
     best. To you we say we have only completed a beginning. We 
     leave you much that is undone. There are great ideas 
     undiscovered, breakthroughs available to those who can remove 
     one of the truth's protective layers. There are many places 
     to go beyond belief. Those challenges are yours--in many 
     fields, not the least of which is space, because there lies 
     human destiny.

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