The President has made a significant investment in this year's budget, and we really appreciate this, because it's then not left up to the Congress to restore science, which it has been in the last decade.

What I would like to ask, is that you make available, the Dr. Joyce Winterton, Assistant Administrator for Education, to meet with our staff so that we really have an idea of the comprehensive scope that you are doing, and how we can be…

this is the way we ought to be at the table, I might add, authorizers and appropriators, not only celebrating, but really working together for the good of the country.

And it's the big deal.

The other thing that was required, in addition to the astronauts, was these tools.

One of the things that really so touched me about what NASA did--and I'll just tell this little story.

But when you look at the importance of what we do, things like Hubble, the International Space Station, our exploration program, our climate observing, observing the Earth, the dynamic Earth, all of these things are so very important to…

Hello to all of our astronauts on Space Shuttle Atlantis. You are taking part in something quite historical, not only have you given the Hubble a new life, but you're going to give the Senate a new lease on life.

You've touched our hearts, and you've also made history.

That's what Hubble and the other science, basic science that we do in this great country is all about.

Well, listen, Space Shuttle Atlantis, we're having a hard time hearing you.

Hubble is the people's telescope, and it wanted to have another chance to be able to educate a new generation of scientists and school children.

Well, guys--first of all, thank you. It's really exciting to hear you. And we really, again, want to salute your daring and your bravery and your courage.

Let's go where no Senate's gone before, and get this job done.

Without truly supporting and building upon the human and heavy-lift launch capabilities that are already under development, our astronauts will have no choice but to wave at the Russians...

I'm really proud of NASA and what they've done in this. And they have been truly a tremendous voice to--not only scientists--but for those who have stewardships about their individual nations' futures.

You know, everybody dumped buckets of money into the banks because they said we need their talent.

Good morning, and welcome to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science.