Watson Coleman: “If I might, reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, only add that I think it is time for all of us to wake up and recognize…”

“If I might, reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, only add that I think it is time for all of us to wake up and recognize that a good deal of the downsizing that went down at NASA went on long before the new majority became the new majority in the Congress. Indeed, this President and Vice President, Al Gore, had done a great deal in attempting to make Government work for the United States and for its citizens. I think that what we have done at NASA is a shining example of what can be done when we all agree to put our shoulder to the wheel. I would hope that my colleagues in the majority would not walk about and continue to talk like they are the ones who invented economy in government. After all, a lot of us know that much of this began in 1993. Many of us, when this administration came into office, said it is about time. We want very much, Mr. Chairman, to not harm the employees at NASA. We want very much, Mr. Chairman, to not harm the issue of science for the United States. We think that, without the amendment offered by my colleague from Houston, that could occur.”