National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 18, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. AL GREEN
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill H.R. 6063, to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for othe purposes:

* Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Chairman, I am proud to support H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act of 2008. As NASA celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, I would like to express my strong support for a program that has contributed so much to our Nation's educational, scientific, and economic interests.

* H.R. 6063 authorizes $20.21 billion in funding for NASA in FY 2009, including $1 billion in augmented funding to reduce the five year gap between the retirement of the current space shuttle in 2010 and the launch of the new Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle in 2015. During this time, the U.S. will lose all human spaceflight capability and will be forced to rely on foreign nations to carry our astronauts to the International Space Station. These outsourced space flights are estimated to cost around $700 million to $1 billion. The gap is also expected to have adverse effects on our national economy. NASA estimates that as many as 2,300 people could lose their jobs at Johnson Space Center in Houston as the shuttle fleet is retired. The funds that are included in this bill will help to accelerate the development of our next generation human spaceflight systems and minimize the undesirable consequences of this transitional period.

* H.R. 6063 also includes funding for a wide range of different NASA initiatives such as space weather research and robotics development. The bill allows NASA to maintain a diverse portfolio of projects in science, aeronautics, and space exploration. By creating more quality jobs in this technical sector, we will be able to encourage future generations of students to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related fields. Creating this skilled workforce is an important step towards protecting our economic strength, our global competitiveness, and our national security.

* Since its inception in 1958, NASA has been responsible for countless innovations and scientific breakthroughs. For decades, it has symbolized our Nation's position as the global leader in space exploration and research. I am proud to support H.R. 6063 so that NASA will be able to build upon its own prestigious legacy as we move forward into this new millennium.

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