S.J.R. 6 Enrolled

SPACE EXPLORATION RESOLUTION
2005 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
House Sponsor: Ben C. Ferry

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This joint resolution of the Legislature supports renewed exploration of the solar system
and full funding of the space exploration provisions of the President's 2005 budget.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. expresses support for returning humans to the moon and pursuing human
exploration of Mars and the solar system;
. supports continued funding of human space flight, Earth Science, and other
programs, as well as continued funding of the space-related Shuttle Booster
Program; and
. encourages the United States Congress to enact and fully fund the proposed budget
for the Space Exploration Program as submitted in the 2005 budget, which will
enable the United States and the state of Utah to remain leaders in the exploration
and the development of space.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, when Christopher Columbus made his voyages across the Atlantic in the
15th and 16th centuries, his ships carried the inscription "Following the light of the sun, we left
the Old World";
WHEREAS, exploration and discovery have been especially important to the American

experience, providing vision, hope, and economic stimulus, from New World pioneers and
American frontiersmen to the Apollo space program;
WHEREAS, just as Lewis and Clark could not have predicted the settlement of the
American West within a hundred years of the start of their famous 19th century expedition, the
total benefits of a single exploratory undertaking or discovery cannot be predicted in advance;
WHEREAS, the desire to explore is part of the national character, and history has shown
that space exploration benefits all humankind through new technologies for everyday application;
WHEREAS, new jobs formed across the entire economic spectrum have been created as a
result of space exploration, along with new markets and commercial products;
WHEREAS, space exploration has inspired and educated many across the world, has
enhanced United States leadership, has increased security, and has left a legacy for future
generations;
WHEREAS, since its inception in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) has accomplished many great scientific and technological feats, in
addition to advancing humankind's knowledge of the Earth and the universe;
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2004, President George W. Bush announced a new vision
for United States space exploration, with the goal of returning humans to the moon within the
next decade and extending a human presence across the solar system; and
WHEREAS, the President's fiscal year 2005 budget request for NASA is $1 billion higher
than the previous year's request and would redirect $11 billion in the existing funding to provide
a total of $12 billion over five years to help address the space exploration vision:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
expresses support for returning humans to the moon and pursuing human exploration of Mars
and the solar system.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports continued funding of human
space flight, Earth Science, and other programs, as well as continued funding of the space-related
Shuttle Booster Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages the United States

Congress to enact and fully fund the proposed budget for the Space Exploration Program as
submitted in the 2005 budget, which will enable the United States and the state of Utah to remain
leaders in the exploration and the development of space.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United
States House of Representatives, NASA, and the members of Utah's congressional delegation.