JOSEPH A. HALL: “I join in lauding the leaders, the chairman, the minority leaders, the subcommittee chairman, and everyone who has…”

“I join in lauding the leaders, the chairman, the minority leaders, the subcommittee chairman, and everyone who has worked on this to hammer out this bill. Investing in NASA not only keeps this country at the forefront of exploration and innovation but it is also vital to our economy and our national security. By investing less than 1 percent of the budget, we get exponential growth in scientific and technological spinoffs. From the development of MRI technology to microchips, the scientific partnerships between NASA and American universities and companies ensure our Nation's viability. We need to keep America at the forefront of innovations and discovery for generations to come. When President Bush announced the new Vision for Space Exploration in January 2004, I was excited to see that NASA had a new direction and focus for the future. Our ventures into space not only keep America at the forefront of exploration and innovation, but they also are vital to our economy and our national security. This new Vision sets America on a course toward the Moon and Mars, and we should embrace this dream and work to make it a reality. Today's authorization act for NASA outlines the broad goals of this Vision. While it embraces the exploration agenda of the space agency, it also bolsters other vital NASA programs in science and aeronautics that keep America competitive globally.…”