We are really lucky, we have some interesting history that goes beyond just being on the culture of the area, within the museum and Learning Center we are talking about the stratosphere flights and in sending a man up above the stratosphere, essentially rapid city area is the home of the first spaceflight, so what the National Geographic and the u. S. Army did is they decided to Work Together to make this happen and they wanted to find a natural shape to rest the balloon and the gondola and, they were looking for a bold area not only to spread it out but also that natural ball shape protects the gondola the first couple thousand feet as it goes up and so this was all over north america and they had a couple different decisions that they couldve made, places they could have chosen and essentially they chose rapid city because of how kind the people were, because of how welcoming we are, the perfect shape of the ball was nice to, but it did come down to the people of the area that was th
Standing for freedom, democracy, republics. I get to think about that every day, i get a share that with people every day. I meet people from all over the world who might not know who those. S are, but they understand what freedom means. The original idea was by a state historian and they had conceived of carving statues. He was going to carve all the way around and have people like lewis and clark, chief red cloud, fremont and when he hired his artist, he said you are not thinking big enough. Selecting the four people up there, that was the artist, utzon borglum. You can figure out why they were selected. George washington, the first president. The person who gave up the power. He could have stayed in power. He was very popular. Thomas jefferson, a lot of people say that is because of the declaration of independence, but that is not why the artist borglum chose him. Borglum chose him because of the louisiana purchase. Doubling the size of the country. Lincoln, you can probably figure
This program was hosted by the national air and space museum. [applause] wel feel strongly that we wit we to set foot on mars will indeed have stepped through our doors forced, first, and maybe she will come back to give a lecture of her own someday. Before introducing our speakers im really excited to also let you know we have a special guest who is able to join us at the last moment. Her name is marian lee johnson, and like the women featured in the movie, she was one of the Space Programs Hidden Figures. Ms. Johnson was an engineer in huntsville, alabama working for boeing, the sponsor for tonights event. She worked on the team that determined the path the saturn five would take if the rocket fell back to earth. Their work was vital. After boeing and a successful career in computer technology, she now teaches the next generation of computer workers. Clean join me in recognizing and welcoming ms. Mary lee johnson. Lee johnson. [applause] like ms. Johnson, tonights speakers know what
This hearing providing oversight to the Smithsonian Institution. In 1836, congress accepted the quest from an english scientist who never visited the United States but nevertheless decided to leave his substantial fortune to our country for the increased knowledge. Ten years later in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution was formally established by congress. In the 173 years since, the smithsonian has grown to a complex of 19 museums, Numerous Research centers, Library Systems and a network of more than 200 affiliate organizatio organizations, archives and the national zoo. Today the smithsonian serves as a steward to more than 154 billion artifacts, works of art and specimens. Visitors from across the country and around the world flock to see this broad collection, and in 2018 alone there were nearly 29 million visitors to the smithsonian. The smithsonian also works around the world to advance critical scientific discoveries and research. Earlier this year thanks in large part to the astr
Ms. Lofgren the committee will come to order and want to welcome everyone on this hearing of providing oversight of Smithsonian Institution. Scientist english never visited the United States and decided to leave his fortunate tune. 10e years later in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution was established by congress. In the 173 years since, the smithsonian has grown to a complex of 19 mumse,ry Search Centers and Library Centers and 200 affiliate organizations, archives and the national zoo. Today, the smithsonian serves as stewards to 15 million works of art and specimens. Visitors from across the country and around the world flock to see this broad collection and in 2018, there were 29 million visitors. The smithsonian works with entities to have research. Earlier this year, thanks in large part to the significant seasonian leadership, the first ever image of the black hole was unveiled to the public. I was honored to meet the scientist who was responsible for that photo. Last week, we lea