Rob Portman: “I want to also congratulate the gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan), my friend, for moving forward with this important…”

“I want to also congratulate the gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan), my friend, for moving forward with this important legislation to finally present our Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins with a much deserved Congressional Gold Medal. I am particularly interested in this legislation because it involves a constituent of mine, a friend of mine and a neighbor of mine, Neil Armstrong, who inspired all of us by becoming the first person to set foot on the Moon. Facing tremendous personal risks and very difficult technological challenges, Neil Armstrong and his fellow astronauts left an indelible impression on those of us on Earth. And the Apollo mission will certainly go down as one of the most memorable achievements of the 20th century. I certainly remember it. I was a 13-year-old exchange student living with a family outside of Malmo, Sweden. We all crowded around a TV set in an apartment complex outside of Malmo that night. I was the only American in the apartment complex. But we all watched it, as citizens of the world, to watch that memorable mission. And the success of it when we heard 'the Eagle has landed' was the cause for celebration and applause. I remember it well.…”