Patsy T. Mink: “I rise in support of S. 2498, which authorizes the Smithsonian Institution to plan, design, construct, and equip…”

“I rise in support of S. 2498, which authorizes the Smithsonian Institution to plan, design, construct, and equip laboratory, administrative, and support space to house base operations in Hilo, Hawaii, for the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Submillimeter Array on Mauna Kea. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Submillimeter Array is a state-of-the-art radio telescope that allows scientists to investigate the universe using high resolution and high frequencies to produce detailed images 50 times sharper than current telescopes. Located on Mauna Kea, the world's premier site for astronomical observations, the telescope array will be used to study a variety of astronomical objects and phenomena emitting in the submillimeter range, the narrow band of radiation between radio and infrared waves, a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum largely unexplored from the ground. Due to the 14,000 foot elevation and difficult working conditions at the summit of Mauna Kea, support staff for the array must be located at a base facility closer to sea level. Repairs and many of the operations will be done from the base facility with only a small day crew traveling to the summit on any given day. At present the staff is using inadequate, temporary leased space. Approval of this bill will allow the Smithsonian to begin plans for construction of a base facility that will ensure that the full potential for discovery offered by the Submillimeter Array is realized.”