Joint Sponsor: Senator McGinness

FILE NUMBER........

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

science and technology to make responsible personal, professional and

civic decisions; and

Whereas, Knowledge in the fields of science and technology has

exploded in the last several decades; and

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

in the United States is poor, at best; and

Whereas, Thomas Jefferson wrote that the ultimate powers of society

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

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

to inform them; and

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

both inside and outside the walls of educational institutions, and effective

learning includes participation and action, "I do and I understand"; and

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

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

to learn science and technology by "doing"; and

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

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

United States; and

Whereas, In the United States, science museums serve nearly 115

million people every year, including 13 million school children; and

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

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

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

technology exhibits and presentations associated with Nevada’s unique

spaces, including outer space, air space and land space; and

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

stimulation of interest in science and technology, the enhancement of

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

understanding of the natural environment of the Mojave Desert, and an

appreciation of Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National

Wildlife Refuge; and

Whereas, Additional benefits will be a wider understanding of

renewable energy opportunities and technologies, a greater knowledge of

Nevada’s mineral resources and the mining of those resources, the

promotion of the understanding and appreciation of past, present and future

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

Range and the Fallon Naval Air Station and the stimulation of economic

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

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

Concurring, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada

Legislature do hereby commend the goals of the Board of Trustees for the

Desert Space Station and express enthusiastic support for the Desert Space

Station; and be it further

Resolved, That the Nevada Legislature anticipates that the Desert

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

for Nevadans and a catalyst for learning by people of all ages and

backgrounds; and be it further

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

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

Trustees for the Desert Space Station, and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

approval.

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