'We choose to go to the moon...' again: NASA marks 60th anniversary of JFK speech

"Today is a day to reflect on how far we have come and to reaffirm our commitment to the exploration of space for the benefit of all," said Kjell Lindgren, who with his Expedition 67 crewmates joined the celebration through a video sent down from the International Space Station. "The Apollo program was an awe-inspiring example of what we are capable of when we commit our talents and resources to a complex goal. We are proud to continue that bold tradition today. "

Congress members Eddie Bernice Johnson, Brian Babin, Al Green, Sylvia Garcia and Lizzie Fletcher, as well as Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, also attended and spoke at the event. Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz delivered recorded remarks by video.

Leading up to and through Monday's event, NASA and a number of its industry partners set up exhibits at Rice to showcase the state of space exploration six decades after JFK's speech. Among the companies that took part were Ad Astra Rocket, Axiom Space, Boeing, Collins Aerospace, Intuitive Machines and Jacobs.