Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Congressman Palazzo says reach for the stars


Click Here to Contact Congressman Palazzo

Last week Stennis Space Center celebrated 50 years of rocket testing in support of America’s space program!

On April 23, 1966 a group of NASA engineers and operators met in a small concrete building in rural South Mississippi to make final adjustments in preparation to test the first Saturn V rocket stage. That small concrete building would later grow to become Stennis Space Center, the largest rocket engine test site in the nation.

On that day, 50 years ago, South Mississippi was launched into the Space Age, and the United States was one step closer to putting a man on the moon. From that day forward, space exploration is forever linked to South Mississippi and to Stennis Space Center. Werner von Braun, then-director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and architect of early U.S. space exploration efforts, said it best when he commented that we may “not know yet what method we will use to get to the moon, but [we] do know that we have to go through Mississippi to get there.”

In the five decades of excellence in supporting America’s space program that followed, no mission, including both the Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs, has ever failed as a result of a malfunction in a Stennis-tested engine. After 135 space shuttle missions and a variety of commercial engine testing, Stennis is now preparing for the upcoming tests to support and enable America's historic return to deep space.

As a freshman member of Congress I was given the rare honor of serving as Chairman of the Space Subcommittee. Throughout my four years as Chairman I proudly worked with NASA administrators and my colleagues on the committee to uphold and sustain our American Space Program. Most importantly, I worked to ensure that we continued to make smart federal investments in Stennis Space Center. Now, as a member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee and Co-Chairman of the Aerospace Caucus I’m proud to continue championing Stennis Space Center, their accomplishments, and many future successes.

As we look at the future and the next 50 years of space exploration and NASA missions, we know one thing is certain: to get to space, you have to go through Mississippi.

6 Years After Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Last Wednesday marked 6 years since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill took place. All of you know how devastated South Mississippi was in 2010 after the worst manmade disaster in American history washed up on our shores. We have much to reflect on since that day.

Earlier this month, we closed the final chapter in the BP oil spill when the Gulf States and BP finalized the settlement, and we can finally start investing in our environmental restoration and economic recovery. Most importantly, on this day we honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the explosion, especially our fellow Mississippians, and continue to lend our thoughts and prayers to their family members.

VOTE NOW! Congressional Art Competition

Each year I hold a Congressional Art Competition for high school students across the 4th District. The student who wins will have his or her art displayed in the U.S. Capitol for an entire year and also gets to come to Washington, DC for a reception in their honor.

This year we've decided to change things up a bit and let YOU choose the winning piece of art that will represent Mississippi's 4th District.You can view all of the art selections in the competition on my facebook page and cast a vote for your favorite by simply clicking the "like" button on the bottom left corner of the picture.

The voting begins today and will end next Monday, May 2nd at 5:00 pm CST. Click here or in the link in the paragraph above to vote. I hope you will take time to view the many outstanding pieces of artwork from our incredibly talented high school students in South Mississippi!

As always, if we can be of any assistance please call or visit my office. For more updates, I encourage you to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or by visiting my website.

Your comments are always welcome and you can contact Congressman Palazzo on facebook, twitter or by visiting his website.

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