A joint resolution concerning the successful completion of the test flight phase of the space shuttle program.
Public Law 97-237 · H.J.Res. 541 · 97th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Aug 20, 1982 · Science, Technology, Communications
Sponsor: Rep. Gus Hawkins (D-CA-29)
Cosponsors (35): Rep. Glenn Anderson, Rep. Robert Badham,
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Extends the congratulations of Congress to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the individuals who contributed to the successful completion of the test flight phase of the Space Shuttle program and the entry of the United States into a new era of space flight for the benefit of the people of the United States and all mankind.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 10 actions.
- Aug 20, 1982Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 97-237.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Aug 12, 1982PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Aug 10, 1982Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Senate Amendments by Voice Vote.
- Aug 4, 1982FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Voice Vote.
- Jul 26, 1982FloorFloor · Passed House by Unanimous Consent.
- FloorFloor · Called up by House by Unanimous Consent.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
- Jul 20, 1982CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.