EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, Americans of the 21st century will need to understand

1-2 science and technology to make responsible personal, professional and

1-3 civic decisions; and

1-4 Whereas, Knowledge in the fields of science and technology has

1-5 exploded in the last several decades; and

1-6 Whereas, The literacy of the general public in science and technology

1-7 in the United States is poor, at best; and

1-8 Whereas, Thomas Jefferson wrote that the ultimate powers of society

1-9 reside with the people, and if the people are not informed enough to

1-10 exercise those powers, the remedy is not to take the powers from them, but

1-11 to inform them; and

1-12 Whereas, Learning is an ongoing and lifelong process that takes place

1-13 both inside and outside the walls of educational institutions, and effective

1-14 learning includes participation and action, "I do and I understand"; and

2-1 Whereas, Hands-on, interactive science museums have proven to be

2-2 excellent places for people of all ages, levels of understanding and interests

2-3 to learn science and technology by "doing"; and

2-4 Whereas, The number of science museums has tripled during the last

2-5 decade, and currently there are approximately 300 science museums in the

2-6 United States; and

2-7 Whereas, In the United States, science museums serve nearly 115

2-8 million people every year, including 13 million school children; and

2-9 Whereas, The Desert Space Station will be a nonprofit, 92,000-square

2-10 foot, hands-on, interactive science museum where children and adults can

2-11 explore and experience state-of-the-art and futuristic science and

2-12 technology exhibits and presentations associated with Nevada’s unique

2-13 spaces, including outer space, air space and land space; and

2-14 Whereas, The expected benefits of the Desert Space Station will be the

2-15 stimulation of interest in science and technology, the enhancement of

2-16 science and math education in the region, the promotion of a better

2-17 understanding of the natural environment of the Mojave Desert, and an

2-18 appreciation of Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National

2-19 Wildlife Refuge; and

2-20 Whereas, Additional benefits will be a wider understanding of

2-21 renewable energy opportunities and technologies, a greater knowledge of

2-22 Nevada’s mineral resources and the mining of those resources, the

2-23 promotion of the understanding and appreciation of past, present and future

2-24 federal activities at the Nevada Test Site, the Nellis Air Force Gunnery

2-25 Range and the Fallon Naval Air Station and the stimulation of economic

2-26 development and diversification in rural Nevada; now, therefore, be it

2-27 Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

2-28 Concurring, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada

2-29 Legislature do hereby commend the goals of the Board of Trustees for the

2-30 Desert Space Station and express enthusiastic support for the Desert Space

2-31 Station; and be it further

2-32 Resolved, That the Nevada Legislature anticipates that the Desert

2-33 Space Station will be a "must-see" attraction in the West, a source of pride

2-34 for Nevadans and a catalyst for learning by people of all ages and

2-35 backgrounds; and be it further

2-36 Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

2-37 copy of this resolution to Governor Kenny C. Guinn and the Board of

2-38 Trustees for the Desert Space Station, and be it further

2-39 Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

2-40 approval.