# Finally, some Congressional recognition **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 19, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-some-congressional-recognition/533021 "2010-03-19T15:29:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-some-congressional-recognition/533021/1 "2010-03-19T15:29:11Z")
Better late than never, I suppose. [House resolution to be passed today](http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HRes1027:/): > [@](#): > > HRES 1027 IH > 111th CONGRESS > > 2d Session > > H. RES. 1027 > Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the historic dive to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world’s oceans, on January 23, 1960, and its importance to marine research, ocean science, a better understanding of the planet, and the future of human exploration. > IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES > > ## January 21, 2010 Mr. SABLAN (for himself, Mr. FARR, and Ms. BORDALLO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology > > RESOLUTION > Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the historic dive to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world’s oceans, on January 23, 1960, and its importance to marine research, ocean science, a better understanding of the planet, and the future of human exploration. > > Whereas Captain Don Walsh, USN (ret.), Ph.D., and Jacques Piccard piloted the United States Navy’s Trieste bathyscaphe to reach the deepest point in the world’s oceans and remain the only two humans to ever achieve this historic feat; > > Whereas Captain Walsh is the recipient of two Presidential Legion of Merit Awards and numerous honors and continues to explore the world; > > Whereas Jacques Piccard is a hero in his home country of Switzerland; > > Whereas Jacques Piccard passed away in November 2008, but the Piccard Family contribution and influence to marine science and exploration continues today; > > Whereas the Mariana Trench has been designated as the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and remains one of the world’s most ecological and environmental treasures; and > > Whereas only five percent of the ocean floor has been explored, but the need to continue to research the world’s oceans and educate the next generation of explorers remains important to the United States in order to continue to unlock the secrets of the earth’s oceans and ecosystems: Now, therefore, be it > Resolved, That the House of Representatives– > > (1) recognizes the 50th anniversary of the dive to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench and its valuable and historic scientific contributions; > > (2) recognizes the lifetime achievements of Capt. Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard and their contributions to the furtherance of ocean science, ocean engineering, human exploration, and a better understanding of the planet; > > (3) recognizes the Mariana Trench as one of the world’s great ocean classrooms and the need to continue to explore its depths that can lead to great scientific discoveries; and > > (4) recognizes the commitment of the United States to continue to educate the future leaders in ocean science and human exploration. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-some-congressional-recognition/533021/2 "2010-03-19T16:02:41Z")
The phrase “Once. For 20 minutes. In the 1960s.” doesn’t appear anywhere in the resolution. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-some-congressional-recognition/533021/3 "2010-03-19T16:50:44Z")
“and remains one of the world’s most ecological and environmental treasures” It’s substantially MORE ecological than most of our treasures, and much more environmental than other parts of the ocean. In fact, it may be the environmentalest place ever. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-some-congressional-recognition/533021/4 "2010-03-19T16:54:10Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > “and remains one of the world’s most ecological and environmental treasures” > > It’s substantially MORE ecological than most of our treasures, and much more environmental than other parts of the ocean. In fact, it may be the environmentalest place ever. Wouldn’t the area _around_ it be even more environmental? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-some-congressional-recognition/533021/5 "2010-03-19T17:28:38Z")
> [@Nametag](#): > > The phrase “Once. For 20 minutes. In the 1960s.” doesn’t appear anywhere in the resolution. ☹ Nor do the terms “Duran Duran,” “Rio,” or “1920’s-Style Death Ray.” WTF are we paying these jokers for? :smack: