A Giant Leap for Mankind

In 1961, President Kennedy declared that before the decade was over, an American would land on the moon and return safely. President Kennedy said at the time, "the vows of this nation can only be fulfilled if we first, and therefore, we intend to be first. Our leadership in science and in industry, our hopes for peace and security, our obligations to ourselves as well as others, all require us to make this effort." Thanks to tens of thousands of scientists, engineers, and others committed to the goal, the Apollo 11 landed on the moon just eight years later on July 20, 1969 -- silencing skeptics and inspiring millions:

Speaker Pelosi on today's anniversary:

In 1961, President Kennedy set a truly daring goal for this nation by declaring that before the decade was over, an American would land on the moon and return safely. In that moment, there were far more skeptics than believers. But eight years later, the brave astronauts of Apollo 11 -- Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins -- made believers of us all.

The Apollo landing sparked the American imagination. It stirred an unparalleled interest in science and technology. And in the generations since, Americans built the world's most vibrant economy and became the world leader in scientific discovery and innovation.

We all owe a great debt of gratitude to those who ensured that first safe moon landing, and in so doing, inspired generations of American scientists and engineers to take on similar challenges in other areas of human achievement and human understanding. With that same spirit of innovation, Americans will confront the challenges of today, while building a stronger economic foundation for the future and a more prosperous tomorrow.

Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN):

The success of the Apollo 11 mission, carried out in full view of the rest of the world, was a clear demonstration of both the technological capabilities of the United States of America and the willingness of our citizens to strive to accomplish great undertakings. Yet the Apollo program was as much about the journey as it was about the ultimate destination. Thus, the investments we made in our space program in the 1960s helped inspire a generation to seek to pursue careers in science and engineering. It led to a flowering of innovation, and it helped spawn a panoply of new technologies, materials, and processes that have delivered benefits to all of our citizens over the past forty years.

Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairwoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ):

I think it is incredibly important for us to pause to remember and honor the bravery and success of the crew of the Apollo11: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. In addition, we should also remember and honor all of the countless individuals and organizations who labored long and hard to make Apollo 11 possible. Yet I think the best way to honor their accomplishment is to make our own commitment to a challenging and robust program of human and robotic exploration of the solar system. It is time for Americans to take the next steps in space--we simply cannot rest on our laurels, no matter how hard-won.

Text of House Resolution 607 celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing:

Whereas President John F. Kennedy in his May 25, 1961, speech to Congress set forth the goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth;

Whereas the Apollo program was designed to achieve the goal established by President Kennedy by sending a crew of three astronauts to the Moon and returning them safely to the Earth;

Whereas the Apollo program built on the knowledge and experience gained from the Mercury and Gemini human space flight programs, as well as from precursor robotic lunar exploration activities;

Whereas the crew of Apollo 11 consisted of Neil Armstrong, Mission Commander, Buzz Aldrin, Lunar Module Pilot, and Michael Collins, Command Module Pilot;

Whereas the crew of Apollo 11 launched into space aboard a Saturn V rocket on July 16, 1969, on a 4-day trip to the Moon;

Whereas, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin successfully piloted the Eagle Lunar Module to the surface of the Moon;

Whereas, on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong took his first step on the Moon, he became the first person to walk on the surface of another celestial body;

Whereas the Apollo 11 Moon landing was the culmination of the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists, engineers, and other dedicated individuals and organizations;

Whereas the Apollo 11 Moon landing was experienced by millions of people all around the world by means of radio and television broadcasts;

Whereas the Apollo 11 astronauts left a plaque on the lunar surface that stated: `We came in peace for all mankind';

Whereas the successful Apollo 11 Moon landing was one of the most significant events of the 20th century and inspired a generation to strive towards great accomplishments in space and on Earth; and

Whereas the Apollo 11 achievement continues to inspire Americans as we prepare for future human journeys back to the Moon and other destinations in the solar system: Now, therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing;

(2) honors the brave crew of the Apollo 11 mission--Neil Armstrong, `Buzz' Aldrin, and Michael Collins; and

(3) commends all those individuals and organizations who contributed to such a historic achievement that continues to be an inspiration to the Nation and the world.

Visit NASA.gov for more on Apollo 11, including restored video from the moonwalk.