| 1 | House Resolution |
| 2 | A resolution designating March 16, 2006, as "Space Day" in |
| 3 | Florida. |
| 4 |
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| 5 | WHEREAS, internationally known as the birthplace of |
| 6 | American space exploration since the first space launch from its |
| 7 | shores more than 50 years ago, Florida has served as the portal |
| 8 | to remarkable scientific innovation and, truly the Gateway to |
| 9 | Discovery for the nation's space program, continues to play a |
| 10 | critical role in pioneering new frontiers in America as well as |
| 11 | in space, and |
| 12 | WHEREAS, the aerospace industry historically has been a |
| 13 | major component of Florida's economy, in 2004 accounting for |
| 14 | nearly 148,000 jobs and $7.4 billion in wage and salary |
| 15 | disbursements, and |
| 16 | WHEREAS, in 2005, Kennedy Space Center employed 13,500 |
| 17 | Floridians at an average annual salary of $69,000, which is |
| 18 | nearly twice the average annual wage in Brevard County, and |
| 19 | NASA's economic impact in the state was $3.7 billion in output, |
| 20 | $1.8 billion in household income, and 35,000 jobs, with 85 |
| 21 | percent of the employees based at the space center working for |
| 22 | private-sector contractors, and |
| 23 | WHEREAS, the nation is witnessing the birth and early |
| 24 | growth of a new commercial space transportation industry and, |
| 25 | during the next decade, Florida has the opportunity to broaden |
| 26 | its existing leadership in civil and military launch activity, |
| 27 | while also emerging as the nation's leader in new commercial |
| 28 | space opportunities and the integration of space, aeronautics, |
| 29 | and aviation technologies, a vision that, if realized, will |
| 30 | position Florida for sustained economic growth and prosperity |
| 31 | for decades to come, and |
| 32 | WHEREAS, as a result of its foresight and effective |
| 33 | leadership, Florida is looked upon as the global cornerstone in |
| 34 | the development of space-based technologies and innovations, |
| 35 | NOW, THEREFORE, |
| 36 |
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| 37 | Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of |
| 38 | Florida: |
| 39 |
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| 40 | That March 16, 2006, is designated as "Space Day" in |
| 41 | Florida. |
| 42 | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be |
| 43 | presented to James W. Kennedy, Director, John F. Kennedy Space |
| 44 | Center, as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed herein. |