Neil Armstrong Accepts Congressional Gold Medal On Behalf Of Astronauts That Came Before Him

On Monday, the House and Senate voted to bestow Armstrong and his two fellow crew members, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, with the Congressional Gold Medal. During a ceremony held Tuesday by the U.S. House of Representatives to celebrate the recent 40th anniversary of the lunar landing, Armstrong noted that the award was an honor, he stressed that equal recognition should be given to the astronauts that had flown before him.

“This race was a relay race. Every flight was a leg of the relay....We were the final leg of a relay race. The final leg get the medal, but in all honesty, every one of those previous relay participants deserve it as well, or more, than the three of us," Armstrong said. (0:40)


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Neil Armstrong Jokes That NASA Considered Sending "Expendable" Photographers Into Space

During a ceremony held Tuesday by the U.S. House of Representatives to celebrate the recent 40th anniversary of the lunar landing, famous astronaut Neil Armstrong joked that NASA considered sending photographers into space.

“No one knew what kind of person could be persuaded to take the trip. Prisoners were suggested. Soldiers could be ordered. Photographers could take pictures and they’re expendable,” Armstrong teased, referencing the crowd of eager photographers in attendance. (0:56)
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