While the Senate was wrapping up work on appropriations legislation earlier this week, the House of Representatives was taking some time to pass a couple of anniversary resolutions related to NASA and the Space Age. On Tuesday the House passed H.Con.Res. 225, a resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Space Age as marked by the launch of Sputnik 1. The non-controversial resolution lists the history and benefits of space exploration, then “declares it to be in America’s interest to continue to advance knowledge and improve life on Earth through a sustained national commitment to space exploration in all its forms, led by a new generation of well educated scientists, engineers, and explorers.” The resolution, which passed on a voice vote, was sponsored by House Science and Technology Committee chairman Rep. Bart Gordon, with 11 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.

Yesterday, the House passed H.Con.Res. 222, a resolution honoring NASA’s Langley Research Center, which marks its 90th anniversary later this month. The passage of the resolution (approved by a 421-0 roll call vote) was a bittersweet moment: the resolution has been introduced by the late Rep. Jo Ann Davis(R-VA) less than a week before her death. The legislation was co-sponsored by the rest of the Virginia House delegation.