As we look back at that day in 1969 when the United States helped mankind make a "giant leap" in exploration, two politicians give us their reflections on and memories of the remarkable day.
"I remember distinctly, the lift off of Apollo 11, and the first moon walk a few days later. I was a lieutenant in the Army then. And we were behind the Iron Curtain when Apollo 11 took off. A few of us took a short-wave radio up on a hill and tuned in to the BBC to hear the description of the launch. We erupted in cheers when we heard Apollo was on its way. Four days later, I got up at 3 a.m. and watched on an old, flickering, black-and-white TV set to see the first footprints made in the lunar dust. Mesmerized. That’s what I was. Those few days still stand out in my mind as one of the most remarkable accomplishments in human history.” -- Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
“The Apollo 11 Moon landing was the culmination of years’ worth of experience, and the combined efforts of tens of thousands of engineers, scientists, and other devoted individuals and organizations that were committed to accomplishing the task that had been set upon them eight years before.
This successful landing was one of the most significant and important events of the twentieth century. It inspired an entire generation to strive towards great accomplishments in space, as well as on Earth. It resulted in the greatest increases in science and engineering enrollments at our colleges and universities and continues to inspire new generations as we prepare to journey back to the moon and beyond, to other destinations in our solar system.
America’s economic, educational, and technological strength can benefit from a clear, challenging, and inspirational goal for human space exploration. It will take national leadership at all levels, and we need to adequately fund the endeavor. If we succeed we will continue to lead the world in science and engineering enrollments at our colleges and universities, and our technology and industry will continue to be the envy of the world." -- Rep. Ralph M. Hall (R-TX)
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