Political Quotes

“42 years ago today, Neil Armstrong took one small step on the lunar surface. It was the culmination of a national initiative to put men on the Moon. But although our mission was achieved, it didn't end our yearning to explore. In many ways it only deepened, and I believe it still exists today. Tomorrow, STS-135 Atlantis is scheduled to land in Florida; and with the completion of the mission, the shuttle program will have come to an end. We now face the uncertainty of where our next steps in space will be. America's legacy as the unrivaled world leader in space exploration enters into a new and uncertain era. As chairman of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, partnered with Chairman Ralph Hall, I will work within Congress, with NASA, and with private entities to ensure America's space exploration legacy is maintained and that last year's NASA reauthorization bill is implemented. We must continue developing the Space Launch System and Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle in order to achieve assured access for American crews to the international space station. Even in challenging economic times, I urge my colleagues to prioritize human space flight, for it is in times like these that inspiration is needed more than ever. ____________________”