; Whereas the U–2 became one of the most important intelligence tools of the Cold War and continues to be a critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance asset for the Armed Forces of the United States; Whereas in 1964, the Skunk Works first flew the SR–71 Blackbird , which is the reigning world record holder for speed over a straight course at 2,193.167 miles per hour and served the Air Force from 1966 until 1998; Whereas in 1964, the Skunk Works flew the first ever high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle, the D–21, which was launched from an SR–71; Whereas in 1976, the Skunk Works began production of a stealth fighter aircraft named Have Blue , which went on to become the F–117, the first ever operational stealth aircraft; Whereas, during the entirety of the Cold War, the Skunk Works was located in Burbank, California; Whereas after 1989, Lockheed relocated the Skunk Works to Site 10 at Air Force Base Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, where it remains in operation today with more than 2,700 employees; Whereas the Skunk Works, in partnership with Edwards Air Force Base, has developed and tested aircraft including the U–2, SR–71, F–117, YF–22, X–35, as well as other classified projects, in Antelope Valley, California; Whereas in 2008, the Skunk Works became the only aerospace company ever to receive the highest national honor for technological achievement, the National Medal of Technology and Innovation; Whereas the Skunk Works was awarded a Collier trophy, the most prestigious award in aviation in the United States— (1) in 1958, for the F–104; (2) in 1963, for the A–11; (3) in 1989, for the F–117A; (4) in 1998, for the U–2S/ER–2; (5) in 2002, for the joint Strike Fighter/X–35; (6) in 2006, for the F–22; and (7) in 2013, for the X–47B; and Whereas the Skunk Works designs, develops, and rapidly produces manned and unmanned advanced technologies serving both military and commercial concerns: Now, therefore, be it